N-CSR 1 d263055dncsr.htm NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST Nuveen Investment Trust

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-07619

Nuveen Investment Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Kevin J. McCarthy

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 917-7700

Date of fiscal year end: August 31

Date of reporting period: August 31, 2016

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policy making roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss.3507.


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 


     LOGO
Mutual Funds   

 

      
     Nuveen Equity Funds

 

 

       

 

       

 

 

Annual Report  August 31, 2016

 

              Share Class / Ticker Symbol     
    Fund Name        Class A    Class C    Class R3    Class R6    Class I    

 

 

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

       NNGAX    NNGCX    NMMTX    NNGFX    NNGRX    
 

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

       NLACX    NLCDX       NLCFX    NLCIX    
 

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

       NLAGX    NLCGX       NLAFX    NLIGX    
 

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

       NCADX    NCAEX       NCARX    NCAFX    
 

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

       NCDAX    NCCDX          NCDIX    
 

Nuveen Growth Fund

       NSAGX    NSRCX    NBGRX       NSRGX    
 

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

       NLAPX    NLPCX          NLPIX    
 

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

       NELAX    NELCX          NELIX    
 

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

       NMAEX    NMECX          NIMEX    


 

 

     

 

           
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LOGO


Table

of Contents

 

Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders

     4   

Portfolio Managers’ Comments

     5   

Risk Considerations

     18   

Fund Performance and Expense Ratios

     21   

Holding Summaries

     40   

Expense Examples

     49   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     53   

Portfolios of Investments

     54   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     110   

Statement of Operations

     112   

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

     114   

Statement of Cash Flows

     119   

Financial Highlights

     120   

Notes to Financial Statements

     138   

Additional Fund Information

     152   

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     153   

Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process

     155   

Trustees and Officers

     162   

 

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Chairman’s Letter

to Shareholders

 

LOGO

Dear Shareholders,

The U.S. economy is now seven years into the recovery, but its pace remains stubbornly subpar compared to past recoveries. Economic data continues to be a mixed bag, as it has been throughout this expansion period. While the unemployment rate fell below its pre-recession level and wages have grown, a surprisingly weak jobs growth report in May cast doubt over the future strength of the labor market. Subsequent employment reports have been stronger, however, easing fears that a significant downtrend was emerging. The housing market has improved markedly but its contribution to the recovery has been lackluster. Deflationary pressures, including weaker commodity prices, have kept inflation much lower for longer than many expected.

The U.S.’s modest expansion and positive employment trends led the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) to begin its path toward policy “normalization” by raising its benchmark interest rate at its December 2015 meeting. However, since then, the Fed has remained on hold for reasons ranging from domestic to international, which helped continue to prop up asset prices despite bouts of short-term volatility.

Outside the U.S., optimism has been harder to come by. Investors continue to adjust to the idea of a slower Chinese economy. The U.K.’s June 23rd “Brexit” vote to leave the European Union introduced a new set of economic and political uncertainties to the already fragile conditions across Europe. Moreover, there are growing concerns that global central banks’ unprecedented efforts to revive growth may be showing signs of fatigue. Interest rates are currently negative in Europe and Japan and near or at zero in the U.S., U.K. and elsewhere; nonetheless, growth has remained subdued.

Given muted global growth, the risk of policy errors by central banks around the world, the unfolding Brexit process and an uncertain political outlook with the November presidential election in the U.S. followed by key elections across Europe next year, we anticipate that turbulence remains on the horizon for the time being. In this environment, Nuveen remains committed to both managing downside risks and seeking upside potential. If you’re concerned about how resilient your investment portfolio might be, we encourage you to talk to your financial advisor.

On behalf of the other members of the Nuveen Fund Board, we look forward to continuing to earn your trust in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

William J. Schneider

Chairman of the Board

October 24, 2016

 

 

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Portfolio Managers’

Comments

 

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

Nuveen Growth Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

These Funds are part of the Nuveen Large Cap Equity Series and feature portfolio management by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, an affiliate of Nuveen Investments, Inc. Robert C. Doll, CFA, a senior portfolio manager and chief equity strategist at Nuveen Asset Management, is portfolio manager for all of the Funds. Effective December 31, 2015, Scott M. Tonneson, CFA, who was previously a portfolio manager for the Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund, was added as a portfolio manager for the rest of the Nuveen Large Cap Equity Series. Anthony R. Burger, CFA, director of quantitative equity research, also serves as a portfolio manager for the Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund.

On the following pages, the management team discusses economic and equity market conditions, key investment strategies and the Funds’ performance for the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

What factors affected the U.S. economy and financial markets during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016?

Over the twelve-month reporting period, U.S. economic data continued to point to subdued growth, rising employment and tame inflation. Economic activity has continued to hover around a 2% annualized growth rate since the end of the Great Recession in 2009, as measured by real gross domestic product (GDP), which is the value of the goods and services produced by the nation’s economy less the value of the goods and services used up in production, adjusted for price changes. For the second quarter of 2016, real GDP increased at an annual rate of 1.1%, as reported by the “second” estimate of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, up from 0.8% in the first quarter of 2016.

The labor and housing markets improved over the reporting period, although the momentum appeared to slow toward the end of the reporting period. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in August 2016 from 5.1% in August 2015, and job gains averaged slightly above 200,000 per month for the past twelve months. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, which covers all nine U.S. census divisions, recorded a 5.1% annual gain in July 2016 (most recent data available at the time this report was prepared) (effective July 26, 2016, the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index was renamed the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index). The 10-City and 20-City Composites reported year-over-year increases of 4.2% and 5.0%, respectively.

Consumers, whose purchases comprise the largest component of the U.S. economy, benefited from employment growth and firming wages over the twelve-month reporting period. Although consumer spending gains were rather muted in the latter half of 2015, a spending surge in the second quarter of 2016 helped offset weaker business investment. A backdrop of low inflation also con-

 

 

Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Discussions of specific investments are for illustration only and are not intended as recommendations of individual investments. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are those of the portfolio managers as of the date of this report. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements and the views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. The Funds disclaim any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for further definition of the terms used within this section.

 

NUVEEN     5   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

tributed to consumers’ willingness to buy. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.1% over the twelve-month reporting period ended August 2016 on a seasonally adjusted basis, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The core CPI (which excludes food and energy) increased 2.3% during the same period, slightly above the Fed’s unofficial longer term inflation objective of 2.0%.

Business investment remained weak over the reporting period. Corporate earnings growth slowed during 2015, reflecting an array of factors ranging from weakening demand amid sluggish U.S. and global growth to the impact of falling commodity prices and a strong U.S. dollar. Although energy prices rebounded off their lows and the dollar pared some of its gains in the first half of 2016, caution prevailed. Financial market turbulence in early 2016 and political uncertainties surrounding the U.K.’s “Brexit” vote to leave the European Union (EU) and the upcoming U.S. presidential election dampened capital spending.

With the current expansion considered to be on solid footing, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) prepared to raise one of its main interest rates, which had been held near zero since December 2008 to help stimulate the economy. After delaying the rate change for most of 2015 because of a weak global economic growth outlook, the Fed announced in December 2015 that it would raise the fed funds target rate by 0.25%. The news was widely expected and therefore had a relatively muted impact on the financial markets.

Although the Fed continued to emphasize future rate increases would be gradual, investors worried about the pace. This, along with uncertainties about the global macroeconomic backdrop, another downdraft in oil prices and a spike in stock market volatility triggered significant losses across assets that carry more risk and fueled demand for “safe haven” assets such as Treasury bonds and gold from January through mid-February. However, fear began to subside in March 2016, supporting assets that carry more risk. The Fed held the rate steady at both the January and March policy meetings, as well as lowered its expectations to two rate increases in 2016 from four. Also boosting investor confidence were reassuring statements from the European Central Bank, some positive economic data in the U.S. and abroad, a retreat in the U.S. dollar and an oil price rally. At its April 2016 meeting, the Fed indicated its readiness to raise its benchmark rate at the next policy meeting in June. However, a very disappointing jobs growth report in May and the significant uncertainty surrounding the U.K.’s Brexit vote led the Fed to again hold rates steady at its June and July meetings. At the September meeting, the Fed indicated the case for increasing rates had strengthened but left the rate unchanged in anticipation of further progress toward its objectives.

The U.K.’s vote on June 23, 2016 to leave the EU caught investors off guard. In response, U.K. sterling fell precipitously, global equities were turbulent and safe-haven assets such as gold, the U.S. dollar and U.S. Treasuries saw notable inflows. However, the markets stabilized fairly quickly, buoyed by reassurances from global central banks and a perception that the temporary price rout presented an attractive buying opportunity. Although many political and economic uncertainties for the U.K. and the EU remain, market volatility was relatively subdued throughout July and August, as concerns of a Brexit-induced financial crisis abated.

The U.S. equity market was one of the few bright spots among developed markets around the globe, gaining more than 12% over the reporting period as measured by the S&P 500® Index. Across the capitalization spectrum in the U.S., investors favored the relatively safer, more defensive areas of the market, leading value stocks to strongly outperform growth stocks during this time frame. Emerging markets also significantly outpaced other developed markets overseas, particularly Europe, as investors returned to this asset class in the second half of the reporting period, largely due to commodity price stability and the ongoing search for yield and returns. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index also advanced slightly more than 12%, while European markets were in negative territory for the period. The Japanese stock market continued to be haunted by yen appreciation and the Bank of Japan’s decision to provide only modest additional stimulus, ending the period with positive, but lackluster returns.

How did the Funds perform during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016?

The tables in the Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section of this report provide total return performance information for the Funds for the one-year, five-year, ten-year and/or since inception periods ended August 31, 2016. Each Fund’s Class A Share total returns at net asset value (NAV) are compared with the performance of their corresponding market index and Lipper classification average. A more detailed account of each Fund’s performance is provided later in this report.

What strategies were used to manage the Funds during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016 and how did these strategies influence performance?

 

 

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Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed both the Russell 1000® Value Index and the comparative Lipper classification average during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

The Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in large-capitalization stocks of U.S. companies. The investment team selects securities using the same disciplined approach used with all of the Funds in the Large Cap Equity Series, balancing fundamental analysis with quantitative techniques. We start with the securities found in the Russell 1000® Value Index, which are primarily large-cap value companies and use a multi-factor quantitative ranking process to identify potential holdings. We then apply a fundamental overlay from Nuveen Asset Management’s team of sector-specific analysts, using our industry perspectives to select holdings. Our goal is to invest primarily in companies that exhibit improving business fundamentals, strong management, identifiable catalysts and attractive valuations. We believe that buying such companies at reasonable prices can provide above-market returns over time.

During the reporting period, the Fund underperformed mainly due to broad-based stock selection issues, particularly in the energy, industrials, consumer discretionary and health care sectors. An overweight position in consumer discretionary (the worst performing sector in the index) and no exposure to the REITs sector (one of the top performing areas in the index) were also drags on results. In addition, the Fund was hindered by its emphasis on stocks with lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios, greater volatility, more variation in earnings and higher degrees of leverage.

The Fund’s three most significant detractors during the reporting period were energy related, including Louisiana-based Tidewater Inc., the leading provider of larger offshore support vessels (OSVs) for drill rig support and maintenance to the global energy industry. The company significantly underperformed the energy equipment and services industry throughout the year as the drop in crude oil prices resulted in stalling demand for OSVs and deteriorating earnings per share. In August 2016, Tidewater’s shares slumped further after the company reported a greater-than-expected loss for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 and a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Also, the Fund’s performance was hindered by a position in the U.K.-based Ensco Plc. The company’s shares were on a downward trajectory throughout much of the reporting period in tandem with the price of oil as investors anticipated the resulting slowdown in production, revenue and earnings. Although oil prices rallied to around the $50-per-barrel mark for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude in June, they moved lower throughout the remainder of the reporting period after China reported a significant increase in diesel and gasoline exports and Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) countries failed to reach an agreement to freeze output. Likewise, shares of Atwood Oceanics Inc., another offshore driller that specializes in exploratory and developmental oil and gas wells, have fallen even further than the industry as a whole during the reporting period. The company’s successful cost-cutting initiatives and recent operating results that exceeded Wall Street analysts’ expectations have helped shares rally back slightly from the 16-year low hit in early February 2016. However, investors remain concerned about Atwood Oceanics’ lack of near-term contract coverage, with several of its dozen rigs standing idle and three more rolling off their contracts by year-end. The company also has two ultra-deepwater drillships under construction in Korea that remain uncontracted. That being said, we continue to maintain our holding in Atwood Oceanics because we believe the sentiment is overly negative, which in turn makes the risk and reward attractive as we look forward over the coming quarters.

On the positive side, the Fund benefited from an underweight position in higher momentum stocks (those that have recently performed well) as they tended to underperform during the reporting period. Also, stock selection was favorable in the materials, financials and consumer staples sectors. The Fund was also rewarded for overweight positions in industrials, telecommunication services and information technology, three sectors that produced returns in excess of 20% during the reporting period. In addition, an underweight in financials, one of the worst performing sectors in the benchmark, boosted the Fund’s results.

The top performer for the Fund was industrials firm Joy Global Inc., a major manufacturer and servicer of heavy equipment used in the mining industry. After a rough start earlier in the reporting period due to steady declines for its products and services, Joy Global more recently reported earnings results that showed management was able to successfully control operating costs. The company also benefited from some encouraging signs that orders may increase for the second sequential quarter. Then in late July 2016, Joy Global announced an agreement to be acquired by Japanese firm Komatsu Ltd. in a $3.7 billion all-cash transaction. The deal will make Komatsu one of the two largest players in the mining equipment industry alongside Caterpillar. We continue to maintain our holding in Joy Global. Also, the Fund saw strength from its position in anti-aging company Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., which develops

 

NUVEEN     7   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

and sells skincare products and nutrition products. Investors cheered the turnaround results evident in Nu Skin’s first-quarter earnings as revenues regained some strength and cost controls helped earnings rise more than expected. Also, management revealed in mid-June that a Chinese consortium made a $210 million strategic investment in the company, further boosting confidence in its business model. In the materials sector, Indiana-based steel producer Steel Dynamics Inc. was a standout performer for the Fund. The company reported stronger-than-expected second quarter earnings driven by strength in flat-rolled steel pricing and steady demand from the automotive and construction industries. Pricing in the steel industry has improved as imports have fallen 30% year-over-year, easing the supply glut from recent years. Steel Dynamics also acquired Vulcan Threaded Products Inc., which utilizes steel products in its manufacturing, with the hopes of reducing volatility during both strong and weak market cycles.

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV outperformed the comparative Lipper classification average, but underperformed the Russell 1000® Index during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

The Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in stocks of well-run companies. The investment team selects securities using the same disciplined approach used with all of the Funds in the Large Cap Equity Series, balancing fundamental analysis with quantitative techniques. We start with the securities found in the Russell 1000® Index, which are primarily large-cap companies, and use a multi-factor quantitative ranking process to identify potential holdings. We then apply a fundamental overlay from Nuveen Asset Management’s team of sector-specific analysts, using our industry perspectives to select holdings. Our goal is to invest primarily in companies that exhibit improving business fundamentals, strong management, identifiable catalysts and attractive valuations. We believe that buying such companies at reasonable prices can provide above-market returns over time.

During the reporting period, the Fund benefited from an underweight position in higher momentum stocks as they tended to underperform. Also, stock selection was favorable in the consumer staples, materials and consumer discretionary sectors.

In terms of stock specific factors, the Fund saw strong results from global e-commerce marketplace provider Groupon Inc., which connects millions of worldwide subscribers with area merchants offering deals for activities, travel, goods and services. In mid-February 2016, China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group disclosed that it had taken a small minority stake in the company, which gave investors hope for future growth prospects. Then in August 2016, shares of Groupon surged after the company reported revenues that beat expectations and, more importantly, offered an upbeat full-year sales forecast. These results reassured investors that management’s efforts to focus on sales in the more profitable North American marketplace are being rewarded. Another top performer for the Fund was industrials firm Joy Global Inc., a major manufacturer and servicer of heavy equipment used in the mining industry. After a rough start earlier during the reporting period due to steady declines for its products and services, Joy Global more recently reported earnings results that showed management was able to successfully control operating costs. The company also benefited from some encouraging signs that orders may increase for the second sequential quarter. Then in late July 2016, Joy Global announced an agreement to be acquired by Japanese firm Komatsu Ltd. in a $3.7 billion all-cash transaction. The deal will make Komatsu one of the two largest players in the mining equipment industry alongside Caterpillar. We continue to maintain our holding in Joy Global. Also, the Fund saw strength from its position in anti-aging company Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., which develops and sells skincare products and nutrition products. Investors cheered the turnaround results evident in Nu Skin’s first-quarter earnings as revenues regained some strength and cost controls helped earnings rise more than expected. Also, management revealed in mid-June that a Chinese consortium made a $210 million strategic investment in the company, further boosting confidence in its business model.

During the reporting period, the Fund underperformed its Russell benchmark mainly due to stock selection in the industrials, energy and information technology sectors. The Fund was also hindered by its emphasis on stocks with lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios, greater volatility, more variation in earnings and higher degrees of leverage. In addition, an underweight position in consumer staples and no exposure to the REITs sector, which was the top performing area in the index, were also drags on results.

The Fund’s two most significant detractors during the reporting period were energy related, including Denbury Resources Inc., an independent oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) company focused in the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. As with all E&P companies, Denbury’s performance is closely correlated to the price of crude oil since the company

 

  8       NUVEEN


derives virtually all of its revenues from oil sales. Although the company’s shares remained under pressure for much of the reporting period, Denbury’s management team did make progress to improve the company’s liquidity position and overall balance sheet through negotiated debt exchanges. The company reported first- and second-quarter earnings that showed management’s ability to implement solid cost reductions. Also, the Fund’s results were hampered by a position in Louisiana-based Tidewater Inc., the leading provider of larger offshore support vessels (OSVs) for drill rig support and maintenance to the global energy industry. The company significantly underperformed the energy equipment and services industry throughout the year as the drop in crude oil prices resulted in stalling demand for OSVs and deteriorating earnings per share. In August 2016, Tidewater’s shares slumped further after the company reported a greater-than-expected loss for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 and a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Finally, in the consumer discretionary sector, we saw weak results from a position in Aaron’s Inc., a retailer that offers big-ticket household items such as furniture and electronics to customers on a rent-to-own basis. Aaron’s shares fell sharply in October 2015 and never recovered after the company reported quarterly results that missed Wall Street expectations, while also providing downbeat full-year guidance. Concerns over significantly higher bad debt expense from the company’s rental segment and declining same-store sales suggested a broader downturn in the rent-to-own industry.

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed both the Russell 1000® Growth Index and the comparative Lipper classification average during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

The Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in stocks of well-run companies that exhibit above-average growth potential. The investment team selects securities using the same disciplined approach used with all of the Funds in the Large Cap Equity Series, balancing fundamental analysis with quantitative techniques. We start with the securities found in the Russell 1000® Growth Index, which are primarily large-cap growth-oriented companies, and use a multi-factor quantitative ranking process to identify potential holdings. We then apply a fundamental overlay from Nuveen Asset Management’s team of sector-specific analysts, using our industry perspectives to select holdings. Our goal is to invest primarily in companies that exhibit improving business fundamentals, strong management, identifiable catalysts and attractive valuations. We believe that buying such companies at reasonable prices can provide above-market returns over time.

During the reporting period, the Fund underperformed due to a combination of sector positioning and stock selection. In terms of sector exposures, our overweight position in energy and underweight in consumer staples were both drags on results, while stock selection in industrials detracted significantly. Additionally, the Fund was hindered by its emphasis on stocks with lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios, greater volatility, higher degrees of leverage and more variation in earnings.

Two of the three most significant detractors for the Fund were found in the consumer discretionary sector. Performance was hindered by an underweight position in online retail giant Amazon.com, Inc., a fairly large benchmark constituent. After its shares sold off sharply in January and February 2016, they subsequently rebounded strongly over the remainder of the period as the company reported first-quarter profits and revenues in April that topped Wall Street estimates. Amazon’s big tailwind continued to be strong growth and profitability from its Amazon Web Services cloud-hosting business. The company also showed greater adoption of its Amazon Prime service internationally as well as significant gains in its e-commerce business versus the overall weakness seen in brick-and-mortar retail. Also, a position in American variety store chain Dollar General Corporation was a source of underperformance for the Fund. Toward the end of the reporting period, the company reported on its fiscal second quarter, surprising investors by revealing that slowing traffic trends and falling food prices had a negative impact on earnings, as well as the outlook for the coming quarters. As a result, Dollar General’s shares dropped sharply in late August 2016. In the information technology space, the Fund was hindered by an underweight position in Facebook Inc., which also represents a large weight in the Russell 1000® Growth Index. Investors’ expectations for earnings improved due to evidence of the company’s success in growing its user base and mobile business, where users are spending more time and money, which is leading to increased overall advertising revenues. Facebook comes in second only to Alphabet’s Google in the U.S. mobile advertising market, but is gaining ground on the search giant. The company is particularly well positioned as video viewing accelerates and advertisers are increasing the portion of their budgets allocated to highly-targeted online video campaigns.

On the positive side, the Fund benefited from an underweight position in higher momentum stocks (those that have recently performed well) as they tended to underperform during the reporting period. Also, stock selection was favorable in the energy and materials sectors.

 

NUVEEN     9   


Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

In terms of stock-specific factors, the Fund saw strong results from global e-commerce marketplace provider Groupon Inc., which connects millions of worldwide subscribers with area merchants offering deals for activities, travel, goods and services. In mid-February 2016, China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group disclosed that it had taken a small minority stake in the company, which gave investors hope for future growth prospects. Then in August 2016, shares of Groupon surged after the company reported revenues that beat expectations and, more importantly, offered an upbeat full-year sales forecast. These results reassured investors that management’s efforts to focus on sales in the more profitable North American marketplace are being rewarded. Also, the Fund saw strength from its position in anti-aging company Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., which develops and sells skincare products and nutrition products. Investors cheered the turnaround results evident in Nu Skin’s first-quarter earnings as revenues regained some strength and cost controls helped earnings rise more than expected. Also, management revealed in mid-June that a Chinese consortium made a $210 million strategic investment in the company, further boosting confidence in its business model. In addition, the Fund benefited from a position in industrials firm Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., the largest military ship designer, builder and repairer in the United States. The company’s shares rose significantly during the reporting period and reached all-time highs in August. Despite some challenges from its Newport shipbuilding segment, the company’s other Ingalls shipbuilding segment surpassed investor’s expectations with better revenues and margins. Huntington Ingalls is also benefiting from the recent five-year budget released by the U.S. Navy that allocates more than $81 billion toward the purchase of warships, submarines and other vessels.

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed both the Russell 1000® Index and the comparative Lipper classification average during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

The Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in a highly concentrated portfolio of approximately 20 stocks of well-run companies that the investment team believes are attractive. The team selects securities using the same disciplined approach used with all of the Funds in the Large Cap Equity Series, balancing fundamental analysis with quantitative techniques. We start with the securities found in the Russell 1000® Index, which are primarily large-cap companies, and use a multifactor quantitative ranking process to identify potential holdings. We then apply a fundamental overlay from Nuveen Asset Management’s team of sector-specific analysts, using our industry perspectives to select holdings. Our goal is to invest primarily in companies that exhibit improving business fundamentals, strong management, identifiable catalysts and attractive valuations. We believe that buying such companies at reasonable prices can provide above-market returns over time.

During the reporting period, the Fund underperformed mainly due to broad-based stock selection issues, particularly in the industrials sector, as well as in information technology and health care. The Fund’s overweight position in health care, which was close to double the index weight, was also a drag on results as the sector was the weakest performer within the Russell 1000® during the reporting period. In addition, we emphasized stocks with lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios and stocks that showed more variation in earnings, which hampered returns during the reporting period.

The leading detractor from the industrials sector was a position in Delta Air Lines Inc. Following Delta’s strong advance from 2013-2015, its shares were on a downward trajectory in 2016 along with the rest of the airline industry. Several significant events raised concerns that travel demand would slacken including the Florida nightclub shootings, the U.K.’s unexpected Brexit vote to leave the EU, the spread of the Zika virus and heightened terrorist activity in Europe. Investors were also focused on declining PRASM (passenger revenue per available seat mile) figures, which were the result of airlines adding too much capacity when oil prices were falling. Analysts’ downgrades of airline stocks also likely exacerbated the negative sentiment surrounding this industry. Two of the Fund’s other significant detractors were found in the health care sector: Gilead Sciences Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Corporation. American biopharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences develops and commercializes primarily antiviral drugs used to treat disorders such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and influenza. The company’s shares have fallen significantly since hitting an all-time high in mid-2015. Investors have become increasingly frustrated with slower patient growth and stabilizing pricing trends for the company’s signature Hepatitis C franchise, as well as its future growth prospects for drugs in the pipeline. In addition, shares of pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution company AmerisourceBergen fell during the period after the company lowered its 2016 earnings guidance. Broad industry concerns surrounding drug distributors came into focus during the first part of 2016 as Wall Street analysts cited the slowdown in new generics coming to the market. AmerisourceBergen shares were also weighed down by the generally weak flu season and growing concern that competition among major players could also erode the company’s future earnings growth.

 

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On the positive side, the Fund’s underweight in higher momentum stocks and overweight in higher dividend yielding stocks helped its return during the reporting period. Also, the Fund benefited from stock selection and an overweight in telecommunication services and stock selection in financials.

The Fund’s top performer was CenturyLink Inc., the third largest telecommunications company in the U.S., which saw its shares rebound after underperforming during the previous reporting period. CenturyLink’s announcement regarding a strategic review of its datacenter business caught the attention of investors in late 2015. When the company reported its fourth-quarter results, investors were pleasantly surprised by revenues and earnings that were much better than some expected. Our position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, the largest of the U.S. health insurers, also contributed to performance again during this reporting period. After experiencing some uncertainty in mid-2015, company management showed much more confidence after reporting fourth-quarter results. Medical cost trends were better than the company expected, while management’s outlook heading into 2016 was also more promising. In 2016, UnitedHealth announced strong first- and second-quarter earnings, propelled in part by its powerhouse OptumRX and OptumHealth divisions, and raised its quarterly dividend by 25% in mid-summer. These factors helped UnitedHealth Group’s shares to outperform many of its sector peers. In addition, the Fund benefited from a position in The Travelers Companies, Inc., one of the nation’s leading providers of auto, homeowners and commercial property/casualty insurance. Its shares appreciated strongly early in the reporting period after the company reported it had beaten estimates for revenue and earnings for the third time in the past four fiscal quarters due to solid underwriting results. The company’s focus on reducing expenses and acquisition costs has also led to improving margins. Travelers Companies continues to manage well across its diverse insurance lineup and remains committed to return capital to shareholders via buybacks and dividends.

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed both the Russell 1000® Index and the comparative Lipper classification average during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

The Nuveen Core Dividend Fund seeks to provide total return from dividend income and long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in dividend-paying equity securities. The investment team selects securities using the same disciplined approach used with all of the Funds in the Large Cap Equity Series, balancing fundamental analysis with quantitative techniques. We start with the securities found in the Russell 1000® Index, which are primarily large-cap companies and use a multi-factor quantitative ranking process to identify potential holdings. We then apply a fundamental overlay from Nuveen Asset Management’s team of sector-specific analysts, using our industry perspectives to select holdings. Our goal is to invest primarily in companies that pay dividends, have the potential to increase their dividends, and that exhibit improving business fundamentals, strong management, identifiable catalysts and attractive valuations. We believe that buying such companies at reasonable prices can provide above-market returns over time.

During the reporting period, the Fund underperformed mainly due to stock selection, particularly in the energy, consumer discretionary, financials and utilities sectors. The Fund’s underweight position in consumer staples and overweight in consumer discretionary also detracted. Finally, we emphasized stocks that showed more volatility, lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios and more variation in earnings, strategies that all hampered returns during the period.

The Fund’s three most significant detractors during the reporting period were energy related, including Louisiana-based Tidewater Inc., the leading provider of larger offshore support vessels (OSVs) for drill rig support and maintenance to the global energy industry. The company significantly underperformed the energy equipment and services industry throughout the year as the drop in crude oil prices resulted in stalling demand for OSVs and deteriorating earnings per share. In August 2016, Tidewater’s shares slumped further after the company reported a greater-than-expected loss for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 and a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Another laggard was Denbury Resources Inc., an independent oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) company focused in the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. As with all E&P companies, Denbury’s performance is closely correlated to the price of crude oil since the company derives virtually all of its revenues from oil sales. Although the company’s shares remained under pressure for much of the period, Denbury’s management team did make progress to improve the company’s liquidity position and overall balance sheet through negotiated debt exchanges. The company reported first- and second-quarter earnings that showed management’s ability to implement solid cost reductions. The Fund also saw weakness from a position in CVR Energy Inc., a holding company with majority stakes in both petroleum refining and nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing. Both of these businesses should be benefiting from low oil and gas prices because they use those commodities as feed-

 

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Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

stocks. However, CVR Energy’s refining business experienced lower realized margins during the reporting period, while the fertilizer segment also reported a difficult quarter caused by lower pricing and sales volume. Given CVR Energy’s large stakes in these two businesses, its shares suffered; although they did see a modest jump in the final month of the reporting period after rumors circulated about a potential buyout of a smaller refining peer, Delek US Holdings Inc.

On the positive side, the Fund’s underweights in both momentum stocks and growth-oriented stocks within the index boosted returns as the market shifted away from these segments. An overweight in higher dividend yielding stocks also proved beneficial. At the same time, the Fund benefited from an underweight position in financials, a sector that underperformed the overall benchmark return by nearly 7%. In addition, stock selection was favorable in the consumer staples sector.

One of the top performers for the Fund during this reporting period was industrials firm Joy Global Inc., a major manufacturer and servicer of heavy equipment used in the mining industry. After a rough start earlier during the reporting period due to steady declines for its products and services, Joy Global more recently reported earnings results that showed management was able to successfully control operating costs. The company also benefited from some encouraging signs that orders may increase for the second sequential quarter. Then in late July 2016, Joy Global announced an agreement to be acquired by Japanese firm Komatsu Ltd. in a $3.7 billion all-cash transaction. The deal will make Komatsu one of the two largest players in the mining equipment industry alongside Caterpillar. We continue to maintain our holding in Joy Global. In consumer discretionary, the Fund benefited from its holding in Cablevision Systems Corporation, the leading communications service provider for the New York metropolitan area. Shares of the company advanced strongly early in the reporting period after European cable company Altice Group formally announced its takeover bid. The acquisition, which was completed in June 2016, created the fourth largest cable operator in the U.S. market serving customers across 20 states. In the financial sector, the Fund also saw favorable results from Communications Sales & Leasing Inc., a REIT. The company acquires and constructs mission critical communications infrastructure including wireless infrastructure solutions for the communications industry. Shares advanced strongly after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter results. Communications Sales & Leasing is benefiting from increased demand for data services and its prudent development of new tower-related assets to support the company’s data transport business segment.

Nuveen Growth Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV outperformed the comparative Lipper classification average, but underperformed the Russell 1000® Growth Index during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

The Nuveen Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in stocks of well-run companies that exhibit above-average growth potential combined with durable and stable earnings streams. The team selects securities using the same disciplined approach used with all of the Funds in the Large Cap Equity Series, balancing fundamental analysis with quantitative techniques. We begin with the securities found in the Russell 1000® Growth Index, which are primarily large-cap growth-oriented companies and use a multi-factor quantitative ranking process to identify potential holdings. We then apply a fundamental overlay from Nuveen Asset Management’s team of sector-specific analysts, using our industry perspectives to select growth-oriented holdings. Our goal is to invest primarily in companies that exhibit stable and consistent earnings growth, defendable competitive advantages, strong management and low dependence on capital markets. We believe that buying such companies at reasonable prices can provide above-market returns over time.

During the reporting period, the Fund benefited from stock selection. Individual stock selection in the health care sector contributed to performance. Also, underweight positions in stocks with the highest projected growth rates and stocks that exhibited more volatility and more variation in earnings were successful strategies during the reporting period. An overweight position in higher dividend yielding stocks was also beneficial.

Two of the Fund’s top contributors were found in the health care sector. In the case of biotechnology firm Biogen Inc., the Fund was rewarded for our well-timed sale and subsequent repurchase of the stock. The company focuses on developing and manufacturing therapies for serious neurological, autoimmune and rare diseases. With the political cloud and controversy surrounding drug pricing, we exited our Biogen position in mid-April to look for other opportunities that offered better risk/reward profiles. However, we decided to repurchase Biogen in mid-July right before the company’s second quarter earnings, which showed higher-than-expected revenues from its hemophilia and biosimilar drugs, as well as disciplined expense controls. Our position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, the largest of the U.S. health insurers, also contributed to performance again during this reporting period. After

 

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experiencing some uncertainty in mid-2015, company management showed much more confidence after reporting fourth-quarter results. Medical cost trends were better than the company expected, while management’s outlook heading into 2016 was also more promising. In 2016, UnitedHealth announced strong first- and second-quarter earnings, propelled in part by its powerhouse OptumRX and OptumHealth divisions, and raised its quarterly dividend by 25% in mid-summer. These factors helped UnitedHealth Group’s shares to outperform many of its sector peers. In the consumer staples sector, the Fund benefited from a position in soft drink maker and distributor Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. Throughout the reporting period, the company reported strong sales trends and solid quarterly earnings that beat consensus driven by solid execution, pricing gains, product and packaging innovations, aggressive marketing programs and productivity improvements. Company management also provided upbeat guidance several times, which gave more support to the already significant advance in Dr. Pepper Snapple’s share price.

The Fund underperformed the Russell benchmark mainly due to sector positioning, including an overweight to the negatively performing health care sector and an underweight to the top performing REITs sector. An overweight to stocks with lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios also did not benefit returns. In addition, stock selection was unfavorable in the consumer discretionary sector.

In the discretionary sector, the Fund was hindered by an underweight position in online retail giant Amazon.com, Inc., a fairly large benchmark constituent. After its shares sold off sharply in January and February 2016, they subsequently rebounded strongly over the remainder of the reporting period as the company reported first-quarter profits and revenues in April that topped Wall Street estimates. Amazon’s big tailwind continued to be strong growth and profitability from its Amazon Web Services cloud-hosting business. The company also showed greater adoption of its Amazon Prime service internationally as well as significant gains in its e-commerce business versus the overall weakness seen in brick-and-mortar retail. In information technology, the Fund’s results were hurt by an underweight position in Facebook Inc., which also represents a large weight in the Russell 1000® Growth Index. Investors’ expectations for earnings improved due to evidence of the company’s success in growing its user base and mobile business, where users are spending more time and money, which is leading to increased overall advertising revenues. Facebook comes in second only to Alphabet’s Google in the U.S. mobile advertising market, but is gaining ground on the search giant. The company is particularly well positioned as video viewing accelerates and advertisers are increasing the portion of their budgets allocated to highly targeted online video campaigns. In addition, shares of pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution company AmerisourceBergen Corporation fell significantly during the reporting period after the company lowered its 2016 earnings guidance. Broad industry concerns surrounding drug distributors came into focus during the first part of 2016 as Wall Street analysts cited the slowdown in new generics coming to the market. AmerisourceBergen shares were also weighed down by a generally weak flu season and growing concern that competition among major players could also erode the company’s future earnings growth.

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed the Russell 1000® Index and the comparative Lipper classification average during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

The Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in both long and short positions primarily of large-capitalization stocks from U.S. companies. The investment team selects securities using the same disciplined approach used with all of the Funds in the Large Cap Equity Series, balancing fundamental analysis with quantitative techniques. We start with the securities found in the Russell 1000® Index, which are primarily large-cap companies, and use a multi-factor quantitative ranking process to identify potential holdings. We then apply a fundamental overlay from Nuveen Asset Management’s team of sector-specific analysts, using our industry perspectives to select holdings. Our goal is to invest in long positions of companies that exhibit improving business fundamentals, strong management, identifiable catalysts and attractive valuations. We believe that buying such companies at reasonable prices can provide above-market returns over time. At the same time, the management team will typically take short positions in companies that it expects to underperform. The team expects the Fund to maintain approximately 100% net long exposure to the equity market (long 130% market value versus short 30% market value); however, the long and short positions will vary in size as market conditions change.

The Fund underperformed the index mainly due to stock selection in the long portion of the portfolio, particularly in the consumer discretionary, energy, industrials and information technology sectors. Sector allocations were also somewhat of a drag on results, including an underweight in the consumer staples sector, net short exposure in the REITs sector and an overweight in the worst performing consumer discretionary sector. Finally, we emphasized stocks with lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios and stocks that exhibited more volatility and more variation in earnings, strategies that all hampered returns during the reporting period.

 

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Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

The two most significant detractors among the Fund’s long positions were energy related, including Louisiana-based Tidewater Inc., the leading provider of larger offshore support vessels (OSVs) for drill rig support and maintenance to the global energy industry. The company significantly underperformed the energy equipment and services industry as the drop in crude oil prices resulted in stalling demand for OSVs and deteriorating earnings per share. In August 2016, Tidewater’s shares slumped further after the company reported a greater-than-expected loss for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 and a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Another energy-related laggard was a long position in Denbury Resources Inc., an independent oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) company focused in the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. As with all E&P companies, Denbury’s performance is closely correlated to the price of crude oil since the company derives virtually all of its revenues from oil sales. Although the company’s shares remained under pressure for much of the reporting period, Denbury’s management team did make progress to improve the company’s liquidity position and overall balance sheet through negotiated debt exchanges. The company reported first- and second-quarter earnings that showed management’s ability to implement solid cost reductions.

The Fund’s short position in DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. hindered results during the reporting period. The company is best known for its blockbuster animated film franchises such as “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda.” In late April 2016, cable provider Comcast announced plans for its NBCUniversal division to acquire DreamWorks in another all-cash transaction that represented a roughly 50% premium to where the stock traded before the announcement. Also, a short position in medical equipment company Edwards Lifesciences Corp. detracted. The company focuses on the development of tissue heart valves and related valve repair products. Edwards LifeSciences shares surged to all-time highs during the reporting period on the back of a series of positive developments. The company reported favorable clinical trial data surrounding its heart valve device Sapien 3 in April 2016, while also benefiting from a reacceleration in European sales of its TAVR heart valve and greater-than-expected FDA approvals for TAVR in the United States.

On the positive side, short positions, in aggregate, added value. Stock selection was particularly beneficial in the materials and consumer staples sectors. Also, the Fund’s results were aided by an overweight position in the industrials sector. In addition, the Fund benefited from underweight positions in higher momentum stocks and more growth-oriented stocks as they tended to underperform during the reporting period.

As mentioned, the Fund benefited overall from its short positions, including offshore oil exploration and production company Cobalt International Energy Inc. As the price of crude oil declined during the reporting period, many energy companies came under increasing pressure. Investors further punished Cobalt’s stock price and questioned the company’s viability after its deal to sell some of its offshore exploration assets in Angola to oil and gas producer Sonangol fell apart because the company couldn’t obtain funding. With the deal breakdown, Cobalt International will now be forced to remarket the Angolan assets when offshore asset values are very depressed. The Fund also benefited from a short position SunPower Corporation, a manufacturer and provider of solar power technology to residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers worldwide. The company’s shares initially rose early in the period following the signing of an international climate change pact in Paris and an agreement by Congress to extend a key federal tax credit for the industry. However, the solar industry has had a much rougher road in 2016 amid oversupply concerns, a slowdown in Chinese demand and financial troubles at several high profile companies. The uncertainty surrounding the U.S. presidential election also weighs on the sector because the results could alter the renewable energy policy landscape.

In terms of successful long positions, the top performer for the Fund during this reporting period was industrials firm Joy Global Inc., a major manufacturer and servicer of heavy equipment used in the mining industry. After a rough start earlier during the reporting period due to steady declines for its products and services, Joy Global more recently reported earnings results that showed management was able to successfully control operating costs. The company also benefited from some encouraging signs that orders may increase for the second sequential quarter. Then in late July 2016, Joy Global announced an agreement to be acquired by Japanese firm Komatsu Ltd. in a $3.7 billion all-cash transaction. The deal will make Komatsu one of the two largest players in the mining equipment industry alongside Caterpillar. We continue to maintain our holding in Joy Global. Also, the Fund saw strength from its position in anti-aging company Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., which develops and sells skincare products and nutrition products. Investors cheered the turnaround results evident in Nu Skin’s first-quarter earnings as revenues regained some strength and cost controls helped earnings rise more than expected. Also, management revealed in mid-June that a Chinese consortium made a $210 million strategic investment in the company, further boosting confidence in its business model.

 

 

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Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV underperformed both the Russell 1000® Index and the comparative Lipper classification average during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

The Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation with moderate correlation to the U.S. equity market by investing in long and short positions primarily of large-capitalization stocks from U.S. companies. The team selects securities using the same disciplined approach used with all of the Funds in the Large Cap Equity Series, balancing fundamental analysis with quantitative techniques. We start with the securities found in the Russell 1000® Index, which are primarily large-cap companies and use a multi-factor quantitative ranking process to identify potential holdings. We then apply a fundamental overlay from Nuveen Asset Management’s team of sector-specific analysts, using our industry perspectives to select holdings. Our goal is to invest in long positions of companies that exhibit improving business fundamentals, strong management, identifiable catalysts and attractive valuations. We believe that buying such companies at reasonable prices can provide above-market returns over time. At the same time, the management team will typically take short positions in companies that it expects to underperform. The team expects the Fund to maintain a net long exposure to the equity market (long market value minus short market value) that is greater than the zero percent exposure of a “market neutral” fund, but less than the 100% exposure provided by a fund that invests only in long positions. The goal of this strategy is to allow the Fund to benefit from a rising market, although to a lesser extent than a “long-only” fund, while maintaining some protection in a falling market with the Fund’s short positions, which are selected based on the management team’s belief that they will trail the broader market.

During the reporting period, the Fund underperformed due to stock selection in the long portion of the portfolio and sector allocations. Stock selection was particularly weak in the consumer discretionary, health care, industrials and energy sectors. In terms of sector allocations, the Fund was hurt by an underweight in the consumer staples sector, net short exposure in the strongly performing REITs sector and cash holdings in a strong up market. Finally, we emphasized stocks with lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios, which hampered returns during the reporting period.

The Fund’s most significant detractors were two long positions in the energy sector. Southwestern Energy Company, which focuses on North American onshore natural gas exploration and production, and to a lesser extent oil, was the biggest laggard during the reporting period. While stocks across the energy sector continued to be hard hit as the outlook for oil and gas prices appeared to be weaker than expected, companies more closely tied to natural gas suffered the most. Natural gas prices plunged to multi-year lows of less than $2.00 per thousand cubic feet by early March 2016. The Fund also saw weakness from a long position in CVR Energy Inc., a holding company with majority stakes in both petroleum refining and nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing. Both of these businesses should be benefiting from low oil and gas prices because they use those commodities as feedstocks. However, CVR Energy’s refining business experienced lower realized margins during the period, while the fertilizer segment also reported a difficult quarter caused by lower pricing and sales volume. Given CVR Energy’s large stakes in these two businesses, its shares suffered; although they did see a modest jump in the final month of the reporting period after rumors circulated about a potential buyout of a smaller refining peer, Delek US Holdings Inc.

The Fund’s top detractors in its short portfolio were both found in the information technology sector, including LinkedIn Corp., the world’s largest online networking and job search site for workplace professionals with more than 433 million users. In mid-June 2016, software giant Microsoft announced an agreement to acquire LinkedIn in an all-cash transaction for a significant premium, causing its stock price to soar. A short position in Yelp Inc., the local-business online review company, also detracted during the reporting period. Shares surged in early May 2016, after the company reported first-quarter earnings that were significantly above Wall Street’s expectations, while also raising sales forecasts for the rest of the year. The company, which runs Yelp.com, added more than 120,000 new advertising accounts, while users also increased their usage, pushing the total number of business reviews on the site to more than 100 million.

On the positive side, short positions, in aggregate, added value. Stock selection was also beneficial in the information technology, financials and materials sectors. Additionally, the Fund’s results were aided by a net short position in energy, one of the worst performing sectors in the Russell 1000® Index during the reporting period.

 

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Portfolio Managers’ Comments (continued)

 

For example, a short positon in CF Industries Holdings Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of agricultural fertilizers, provided a boost to the Fund. The company faced several challenges during the reporting period as the declining price of nitrogen fertilizer due to a global supply glut hurt its revenues, and the rising price of coal increased its expenses. This combination caused downward pressure on the stock price over much of the past year. The Fund also benefited from a short position SunPower Corporation, a manufacturer and provider of solar power technology to residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers worldwide. The company’s shares initially shot up in value early in the reporting period following the signing of an international climate change pact in Paris and an agreement by Congress to extend a key federal tax credit for the industry. However, the solar industry has had a much rougher road in 2016 amid oversupply concerns, a slowdown in Chinese demand and financial troubles at some high profile companies. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. presidential election weighs on the sector because the results could alter the renewable energy policy landscape.

Performance was aided by a long position in Nvidia Corporation, an American manufacturer of graphics processing units (GPUs) and system-on-a-chip units for the mobile computing market. The company saw its shares hit a new all-time high during reporting period. Nvidia is seeing strong growth in revenues from its core gaming GPU segment, thanks to its popular line of Pascal-powered graphics cards which are beating out the competition. Investors are also excited about promising new channels of growth for the company in areas such as artificial intelligence and driverless cars. Another top performer for the Fund during this reporting period was a long position in industrials firm Joy Global Inc., a major manufacturer and servicer of heavy equipment used in the mining industry. After a rough start earlier during the reporting period due to steady declines for its products and services, Joy Global more recently reported earnings results that showed management was able to successfully control operating costs. The company also benefited from some encouraging signs that orders may increase for the second sequential quarter. Then in late July 2016, Joy Global announced an agreement to be acquired by Japanese firm Komatsu Ltd. in a $3.7 billion all-cash transaction. The deal will make Komatsu one of the two largest players in the mining equipment industry alongside Caterpillar. We continue to maintain our holding in Joy Global.

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

The Fund’s Class A Shares at NAV outperformed both the BofA/Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index and the comparative Lipper classification average during the twelve-month reporting period ended August 31, 2016.

The Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation independent of the equity market’s direction by investing in long and short positions primarily of large-capitalization stocks from U.S. companies. The team selects securities using the same disciplined approach used with all of the Funds in the Large Cap Equity Series, balancing fundamental analysis with quantitative techniques. We start with the securities found in the Russell 1000® Index, which are primarily large-cap companies, and use a multi-factor quantitative ranking process to identify potential holdings. We then apply a fundamental overlay from Nuveen Asset Management’s team of sector-specific analysts, using our industry perspectives to select holdings. Our goal is to invest in long positions of companies that exhibit improving business fundamentals, strong management, identifiable catalysts and attractive valuations. We believe that buying such companies at reasonable prices can provide above-market returns over time. At the same time, the management team will typically take short positions in companies that it expects to underperform. The goal of this strategy is that, over time, the stock market exposure of the combined long and short positions will be minimized, producing a net return due primarily to stock selection, rather than stock market movements. Over longer periods of time, the Fund’s net exposure could fluctuate between net long 40% and net short 20%; however, under somewhat normal conditions, the Fund will carry a net long exposure slightly above zero percent (long market value versus short market value).

During the reporting period, the Fund outperformed its benchmark as long positions, in aggregate, added value. Stock selection was generally strong in the information technology, materials, industrials, consumer discretionary and health care sectors. In addition, we tilted away from more growth-oriented stocks and stocks that exhibited more volatility, while at the same time showing a preference for higher dividend yielding stocks, which contributed favorably to results.

In terms of standouts, the Fund saw strong results from a long position in industrials firm Joy Global Inc., a major manufacturer and servicer of heavy equipment used in the mining industry. After a rough start earlier in the reporting period due to steady declines for its products and services, Joy Global more recently reported earnings results that showed management was able to successfully control operating costs. The company also benefited from some encouraging signs that orders may increase for the second

 

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sequential quarter. Then in late July 2016, Joy Global announced an agreement to be acquired by Japanese firm Komatsu Ltd. in a $3.7 billion all-cash transaction. The deal will make Komatsu one of the two largest players in the mining equipment industry alongside Caterpillar. Another top performer for the Fund during this reporting period was global e-commerce marketplace provider Groupon Inc., which connects millions of worldwide subscribers with area merchants offering deals for activities, travel, goods and services. In mid-February, China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group disclosed that it had taken a small minority stake in the company, which gave investors hope for future growth prospects. Then in August 2016, shares of Groupon surged after the company reported revenues that beat expectations and, more importantly, offered an upbeat full-year sales forecast. These results reassured investors that management’s efforts to focus on sales in the more profitable North American marketplace are being rewarded.

In terms of successful short positions, the Fund benefited from offshore oil exploration and production company Cobalt International Energy Inc. As the price of crude oil declined during the reporting period, many energy companies came under increasing pressure. Investors further punished Cobalt’s stock price and questioned the company’s viability after its deal to sell some of its offshore exploration assets in Angola to oil and gas producer Sonangol fell apart because the company couldn’t obtain funding. With the deal breakdown, Cobalt International will now be forced to remarket the Angolan assets when offshore asset values are very depressed. A short position in SunEdison Inc., a renewable energy company focused on wind energy and solar power, also proved beneficial. The company’s shares plunged during the reporting period as investors became more concerned over the integration of recent acquisitions as well as the company’s ability to continue to fund its projected capital needs through the equity and debt markets. In April 2016, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and began selling off some of its assets. SunEdison is also facing lawsuits and its financial activities are under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice.

While the Fund experienced favorable results during the reporting period, it did have several areas that lagged. Stock selection was generally weak in the utilities, financials and consumer staples sectors. Also, the Fund’s emphases on stocks with lower price/earnings (P/E) ratios and more value-oriented stocks hindered returns.

The two most significant detractors among the Fund’s long positions were energy related, including the world’s second largest offshore oil and gas well drilling company, U.K.-based Ensco Plc. The company’s shares were on a downward trajectory throughout much of the reporting period in tandem with the price of oil as investors anticipated the resulting slowdown in production, revenue and earnings. Although oil prices rallied to around the $50-per-barrel mark for WTI crude in June 2016, they moved lower throughout the remainder of the period after China reported a significant increase in diesel and gasoline exports and OPEC countries failed to reach an agreement to freeze output. Louisiana-based Tidewater Inc., the leading provider of larger offshore support vessels (OSVs) for drill rig support and maintenance to the global energy industry, also detracted from results. The company significantly underperformed the energy equipment and services industry throughout the year as the drop in crude oil prices resulted in stalling demand for OSVs and deteriorating earnings per share. In August 2016, Tidewater’s shares slumped further after the company reported a greater-than-expected loss for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 and a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

The Fund’s top detractor in its short portfolio was LinkedIn Corp., the world’s largest online networking and job search site for workplace professionals with more than 433 million users. In mid-June 2016, software giant Microsoft announced an agreement to acquire LinkedIn in an all-cash transaction for a significant premium, causing its stock price to soar. Also, the Fund’s short position in DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. hindered results during the reporting period. The company is best known for its blockbuster animated film franchises such as “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda.” In late April 2016, cable provider Comcast announced plans for its NBCUniversal division to acquire DreamWorks in another all-cash transaction that represented a roughly 50% premium to where the stock traded before the announcement.

 

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Risk Considerations

 

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Prices of equity securities may decline significantly over short or extended periods of time. These and other risk considerations, such as futures contract, large cap stock, and value stock risks, are described in detail in the Fund’s prospectus.

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved, including income from dividends. The value of equity securities may decline significantly over short or extended periods of time. More information on these risks considerations, as well as information on other risks to which the Fund is subject, such as futures contract and large cap stock risks, are included in the Fund’s prospectus.

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Prices of equity securities may decline significantly over short or extended periods of time. These and other risk considerations, such as futures contract, growth stock, and large cap stock risks, are described in detail in the Fund’s prospectus.

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. The value of equity securities may decline significantly over short or extended periods of time. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning it may invest a larger portion of its assets in the securities of a limited number of issuers and may be more sensitive to any single economic, business, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified fund. More information on these risks considerations, as well as information on other risks to which the Fund is subject, such as futures contract and large cap stock risks, are included in the Fund’s prospectus.

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved, including income from dividends. The value of equity securities may decline significantly over short or extended periods of time. More information on these risks considerations, as well as information on other risks to which the Fund is subject, such as futures contract and large cap stock risks, are included in the Fund’s prospectus.

Nuveen Growth Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Prices of equity securities may decline significantly over short or extended periods of time. These and other risk considerations, such as currency, growth stock, large cap stock, and non-U.S. investment risks, are described in detail in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

  18       NUVEEN


Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Prices of equity securities may change significantly over short or extended periods of time. The Fund sells securities that it has borrowed but does not own (“short sales”), which is a speculative technique. The Fund will suffer a loss when the price of a security that it holds long decreases or the price of a security that it has sold short increases. Losses on short sales arise from increases in the value of the security sold short, and therefore are theoretically unlimited. Because the Fund invests in both long and short equity positions, the Fund has overall exposure to changes in value of equity securities that is far greater than its net asset value. This may magnify gains and losses and increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns. In addition, the use of short sales will increase the Fund’s expenses. More information on these risks considerations, as well as information on other risks to which the Fund is subject, such as frequent trading, futures contract and large cap stock risks, are included in the Fund’s prospectus.

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Prices of equity securities may change significantly over short or extended periods of time. The Fund sells securities that it has borrowed but does not own (“short sales”), which is a speculative technique. The Fund will suffer a loss when the price of a security that it holds long decreases or the price of a security that it has sold short increases. Losses on short sales arise from increases in the value of the security sold short, and therefore are theoretically unlimited. Because the Fund invests in both long and short equity positions, the Fund has overall exposure to changes in value of equity securities that is far greater than its net asset value. This may magnify gains and losses and increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns. In addition, the use of short sales will increase the Fund’s expenses. More information on these risks considerations, as well as information on other risks to which the Fund is subject, such as frequent trading, futures contract, and large cap stock risks, are included in the Fund’s prospectus.

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. Prices of equity securities may change significantly over short or extended periods of time. The Fund sells securities that it has borrowed but does not own (“short sales”), which is a speculative technique. The Fund will suffer a loss when the price of a security that it holds long decreases or the price of a security that it has sold short increases. Because the Fund attempts to generate returns that are primarily due to stock selection (long and short), rather than the returns of the stock market, performance will be more dependent on the portfolio manager acumen than is the case for other equity funds. Losses on short sales arise from increases in the value of the security sold short, and therefore are theoretically unlimited. Because the Fund invests in both long and short equity positions, the Fund has overall exposure to changes in value of equity securities that is far greater than its net asset value. This may magnify gains and losses and increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns. In addition, the use of short sales will increase the Fund’s expenses. More information on these risks considerations, as well as information on other risks to which the Fund is subject, such as frequent trading, futures contract and large cap stock risks, are included in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

NUVEEN     19   


THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

  20       NUVEEN


Fund Performance

and Expense Ratios

 

The Fund Performance and Expense Ratios for each Fund are shown within this section of the report.

Returns quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that when shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns without sales charges would be lower if the sales charge were included. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

Returns may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the investment adviser during the periods presented. If any such waivers and/or reimbursements had not been in place, returns would have been reduced. See Notes to Financial Statements, Note 7—Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates for more information. For the most recent month-end performance visit www.nuveen.com or call (800) 257-8787.

Returns reflect differences in sales charges and expenses, which are primarily differences in distribution and service fees, and assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.

Comparative index and Lipper return information is provided for Class A Shares at net asset value (NAV) only.

The expense ratios shown reflect total operating expenses (before fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, if any) as shown in the most recent prospectus. The expense ratios include management fees and other fees and expenses.

 

NUVEEN     21   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of August 31, 2016

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       6.26%           12.47%           5.97%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       0.14%           11.15%           5.35%   

Russell 1000® Value Index

       12.92%           14.39%           6.08%   

Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Classification Average

       7.84%           12.23%           5.74%   

Class C Shares

       5.46%           11.63%           5.18%   

Class I Shares

       6.53%           12.75%           6.23%   

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class R3 Shares

       5.97%           12.19%           6.82%   

 

       Cumulative  
        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       5.63%   

Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2016 (Most Recent Calendar Quarter)

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       11.55%           14.49%           5.82%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       5.12%           13.14%           5.20%   

Class C Shares

       10.74%           13.64%           5.03%   

Class I Shares

       11.80%           14.78%           6.08%   

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class R3 Shares

       11.27%           14.21%           6.79%   

 

       Cumulative  
        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       6.05%   

Since inception returns for Class R3 Shares and Class R6 Shares are from 8/04/08 and 6/30/16, respectively. Performance prior to June 24, 2013, reflects the Fund’s performance under the management of multiple sub-advisers using investment strategies that differed significantly from those currently in place. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 5.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R3 Shares have no sales charge and are only available for purchase by eligible retirement plans. Class R6 Shares have no sales charge and are available only to certain limited categories as described in the prospectus. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

 

  22       NUVEEN


Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Expense Ratios

       1.07%           1.82%           1.32%           0.75%           0.81%   

Class R6 Shares were established on June 30, 2016. Accordingly, other expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year.

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment as of August 31, 2016 – Class A Shares

 

LOGO

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

NUVEEN     23   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of August 31, 2016

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       7.66%           11.97%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       1.47%           9.92%   

Russell 1000® Index

       11.69%           11.39%   

Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Classification Average

       7.21%           9.14%   

Class C Shares

       6.86%           11.14%   

Class I Shares

       7.93%           12.25%   

 

       Cumulative  
        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       6.36%   

Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2016 (Most Recent Calendar Quarter)

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       12.05%           11.73%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       5.61%           9.74%   

Class C Shares

       11.23%           10.90%   

Class I Shares

       12.32%           12.00%   

 

       Cumulative  
        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       6.64%   

Since inception returns for Class A, Class C and Class I Shares are from 6/17/13. Since inception returns for Class R6 Shares are from 6/30/16. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 5.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R6 Shares have no sales charge and are available only to certain limited categories as described in the prospectus. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

 

  24       NUVEEN


Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R6        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       1.09%           1.84%           0.78%           0.84%   

Net Expense Ratios

       1.01%           1.76%           0.70%           0.76%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses through December 31, 2017, so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.80% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. Class R6 Shares were established on June 30, 2016. Accordingly, other expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year.

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment as of August 31, 2016 – Class A Shares

 

LOGO

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

NUVEEN     25   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of August 31, 2016

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       5.57%           11.50%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (0.50)%           9.46%   

Russell 1000® Growth Index

       10.54%           12.87%   

Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Classification Average

       7.21%           9.14%   

Class C Shares

       4.77%           10.67%   

Class I Shares

       5.80%           11.76%   

 

       Cumulative  
        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       6.02%   

Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2016 (Most Recent Calendar Quarter)

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       9.35%           11.34%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       3.06%           9.35%   

Class C Shares

       8.49%           10.51%   

Class I Shares

       9.58%           11.60%   

 

       Cumulative  
        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       6.47%   

Since inception returns for Class A, Class C and Class I Shares are from 6/17/13. Since inception returns for Class R6 Shares are from 6/30/16. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 5.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R6 Shares have no sales charge and are available only to certain limited categories as described in the prospectus. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

 

  26       NUVEEN


Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R6        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       1.20%           1.95%           0.85%           0.95%   

Net Expense Ratios

       1.02%           1.77%           0.67%           0.77%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2017 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.81% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. Class R6 Shares were established on June 30, 2016. Accordingly, other expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year.

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment as of August 31, 2016 – Class A Shares

 

LOGO

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

NUVEEN     27   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of August 31, 2016

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       0.62%           10.37%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (5.17)%           8.35%   

Russell 1000® Index

       11.69%           11.39%   

Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Classification Average

       9.34%           9.54%   

Class C Shares

       (0.13)%           9.54%   

Class I Shares

       0.88%           10.64%   

 

       Cumulative  
        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       3.17%   

Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2016 (Most Recent Calendar Quarter)

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       3.62%           9.92%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (2.34)%           7.96%   

Class C Shares

       2.85%           9.10%   

Class I Shares

       3.89%           10.18%   

 

       Cumulative  
        Since
Inception
 

Class R6 Shares

       2.66%   

Since inception returns for Class A, Class C and Class I Shares are from 6/17/13. Since inception returns for Class R6 Shares are from 6/30/16. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 5.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R6 Shares have no sales charge and are available only to certain limited categories as described in the prospectus. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

 

  28       NUVEEN


Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R6        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       1.23%           1.98%           0.86%           0.97%   

Net Expense Ratios

       1.07%           1.82%           0.71%           0.82%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2017 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.86% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. Class R6 Shares were established on June 30, 2016. Accordingly, other expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year.

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment as of August 31, 2016 – Class A Shares

 

LOGO

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

NUVEEN     29   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of August 31, 2016

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       5.68%           10.10%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (0.39)%           8.09%   

Russell 1000® Index

       11.69%           11.39%   

Lipper Equity Income Funds Classification Average

       11.55%           8.14%   

Class C Shares

       4.86%           9.26%   

Class I Shares

       5.91%           10.35%   

Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2016 (Most Recent Calendar Quarter)

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       9.77%           9.89%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       3.46%           7.93%   

Class C Shares

       8.96%           9.06%   

Class I Shares

       10.04%           10.15%   

Since inception returns are from 6/17/13. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 5.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       1.39%           2.14%           1.14%   

Net Expense Ratios

       1.16%           1.91%           0.91%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 0.95% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

  30       NUVEEN


Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment as of August 31, 2016 – Class A Shares

 

LOGO

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

NUVEEN     31   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Growth Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of August 31, 2016

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       8.78%           12.91%           6.22%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       2.52%           11.58%           5.59%   

Russell 1000® Growth Index

       10.54%           14.74%           9.11%   

Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Classification Average

       6.63%           13.14%           7.92%   

Class C Shares

       7.95%           12.08%           5.42%   

Class I Shares

       9.05%           13.20%           6.49%   

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class R3 Shares

       8.48%           12.63%           15.48%   

Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2016 (Most Recent Calendar Quarter)

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        10-Year  

Class A Shares at NAV

       10.90%           14.68%           5.96%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       4.52%           13.33%           5.34%   

Class C Shares

       10.04%           13.84%           5.16%   

Class I Shares

       11.13%           14.97%           6.23%   

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class R3 Shares

       10.61%           14.41%           15.27%   

Since inception returns for Class R3 Shares are from 3/03/09. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 5.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class R3 Shares have no sales charge and are only available for purchase by eligible retirement plans. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

 

  32       NUVEEN


Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       1.25%           2.01%           1.50%           1.01%   

Net Expense Ratios

       1.21%           1.96%           1.46%           0.96%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.00% (1.40% after December 31, 2016) of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation expiring December 31, 2016 may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The expense limitation in effect thereafter may be terminated or modified only with the approval of shareholders of the Fund.

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment as of August 31, 2016 – Class A Shares

 

LOGO

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

NUVEEN     33   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of August 31, 2016

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       6.00%           11.05%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (0.10)%           9.02%   

Russell 1000® Index

       11.69%           11.39%   

Lipper Alternative Active Extension Funds Classification Average

       6.65%           10.42%   

Class C Shares

       5.18%           10.24%   

Class I Shares

       6.25%           11.34%   

Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2016 (Most Recent Calendar Quarter)

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       10.12%           10.84%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       3.79%           8.86%   

Class C Shares

       9.25%           10.03%   

Class I Shares

       10.37%           11.12%   

Since inception returns are from 6/17/13. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 5.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       2.43%           3.19%           2.19%   

Net Expense Ratios

       2.22%           2.97%           1.97%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities (including prime broker fees and charges on short sales), dividend expense on securities sold short, and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

  34       NUVEEN


Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment as of August 31, 2016 – Class A Shares

 

LOGO

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

NUVEEN     35   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of August 31, 2016

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       0.00%           8.98%           9.43%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (5.75)%           7.70%           8.59%   

Russell 1000® Index

       11.69%           14.60%           15.07%   

Lipper Alternative Long/Short Equity Funds Classification Average

       0.55%           5.01%           6.59%   

Class C Shares

       (0.75)%           8.15%           8.61%   

Class I Shares

       0.27%           9.25%           9.71%   

Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2016 (Most Recent Calendar Quarter)

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        5-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       0.86%           11.18%           9.38%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (4.94)%           9.87%           8.55%   

Class C Shares

       0.10%           10.34%           8.56%   

Class I Shares

       1.12%           11.46%           9.66%   

Since inception returns are from 12/30/08. Performance prior to March 1, 2013, reflects the Fund’s performance under the management of a sub-adviser using investment strategies that differed significantly from those currently in place. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 5.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       3.77%           4.53%           3.53%   

Net Expense Ratios

       3.53%           4.29%           3.28%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities (including prime broker fees and charges on short sales), dividend expense on securities sold short and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.40% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

  36       NUVEEN


Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment as of August 31, 2016 – Class A Shares

 

LOGO

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

NUVEEN     37   


Fund Performance and Expense Ratios (continued)

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

 

Refer to the first page of this Fund Performance and Expense Ratios section for further explanation of the information included within this section. Refer to Glossary of Terms Used in this Report for definitions of terms used within this section.

Fund Performance

Average Annual Total Returns as of August 31, 2016

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       2.86%           3.40%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (3.06)%           1.51%   

BofA/Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

       0.23%           0.10%   

Lipper Alternative Equity Market Neutral Funds Classification Average

       (0.51)%           0.84%   

Class C Shares

       2.14%           2.65%   

Class I Shares

       3.12%           3.67%   

Average Annual Total Returns as of September 30, 2016 (Most Recent Calendar Quarter)

 

       Average Annual  
        1-Year        Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares at NAV

       1.58%           3.19%   

Class A Shares at maximum Offering Price

       (4.27)%           1.35%   

Class C Shares

       0.89%           2.44%   

Class I Shares

       1.89%           3.46%   

Since inception returns are from 6/17/13. Indexes and Lipper averages are not available for direct investment.

Class A Shares have a maximum 5.75% sales charge (Offering Price). Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), also known as a back-end sales charge, if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares have a 1% CDSC for redemptions within less than twelve months, which is not reflected in the one-year total return. Class I Shares have no sales charge and may be purchased under limited circumstances or by specified classes of investors.

Expense Ratios as of Most Recent Prospectus

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Gross Expense Ratios

       3.50%           4.23%           3.22%   

Net Expense Ratios

       3.24%           3.97%           2.97%   

The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities (including prime broker fees and charges on short sales), dividend expense on securities sold short and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.40% of the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares. The expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

  38       NUVEEN


Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment as of August 31, 2016 – Class A Shares

 

LOGO

The graphs do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

NUVEEN     39   


Holding

Summaries as of August 31, 2016

 

This data relates to the securities held in each Fund’s portfolio of investments as of the end of the reporting period. It should not be construed as a measure of performance for the Fund itself. Holdings are subject to change.

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Common Stocks

       99.7%   

Repurchase Agreements

       0.1%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.2%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Portfolio Composition

(% of net assets)

 

Banks

       12.5%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       5.6%   

Construction & Engineering

       5.1%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       4.6%   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       4.3%   

Machinery

       4.1%   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

       3.8%   

Electronic Equipment & Instruments

       3.8%   

Insurance

       3.6%   

Communication Equipment

       3.5%   

Airlines

       3.3%   

Capital Markets

       3.2%   

Multiline Retail

       3.1%   

Metals & Mining

       3.0%   

Automobiles

       3.0%   

Media

       3.0%   

Consumer Finance

       2.8%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       2.6%   

Energy Equipment & Services

       2.2%   

Diversified Financial Services

       2.1%   

Specialty Retail

       2.1%   

Other

       18.4%   

Repurchase Agreements

       0.1%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.2%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Top Five Common Stock Holdings

(% of net assets)

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

       3.4%   

Bank of America Corporation

       2.6%   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

       2.6%   

Citigroup Inc.

       2.3%   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

       2.0%   
 

 

  40       NUVEEN


Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Common Stocks

       99.9%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.1%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Portfolio Composition

(% of net assets)

 

Health Care Providers & Services

       8.1%   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

       5.9%   

Specialty Retail

       5.4%   

Construction & Engineering

       5.1%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       5.0%   

Media

       4.6%   

Biotechnology

       4.3%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       3.5%   

Software

       3.4%   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

       3.3%   

Airlines

       3.1%   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       3.1%   

Capital Markets

       2.8%   

Communications Equipment

       2.6%   

Automobiles

       2.6%   

Metals & Mining

       2.4%   

Multiline Retail

       2.4%   

IT Services

       2.3%   

Aerospace & Defense

       2.3%   

Food Products

       2.1%   

Trading Companies & Distributors

       2.1%   

Building Products

       2.0%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       2.0%   

Other

       19.5%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.1%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Top Five Common Stock Holdings

(% of net assets)

 

Apple, Inc.

       3.7%   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

       1.8%   

Home Depot, Inc.

       1.8%   

Amgen Inc.

       1.6%   

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

       1.5%   
 

 

NUVEEN     41   


Holding Summaries as of August 31, 2016 (continued)

 

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Common Stocks

       99.7%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.3%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Portfolio Composition

(% of net assets)

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       10.5%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       9.9%   

Specialty Retail

       7.4%   

Biotechnology

       6.1%   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

       6.1%   

Software

       4.9%   

Airlines

       4.1%   

Multiline Retail

       4.1%   

Media

       3.8%   

IT Services

       3.5%   

Aerospace & Defense

       3.3%   

Internet Software & Services

       3.1%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       3.0%   

Food Products

       2.2%   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       2.2%   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

       2.2%   

Construction & Engineering

       2.2%   

Personal Products

       2.0%   

Other

       19.1%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.3%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Top Five Common Stock Holdings

(% of net assets)

 

Apple, Inc.

       6.1%   

Home Depot, Inc.

       2.6%   

Alphabet Inc., Class A

       2.4%   

Amgen Inc.

       2.3%   

Microsoft Corporation

       2.2%   
 

 

  42       NUVEEN


Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Common Stocks

       100.1%   

Repurchase Agreements

       0.1%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (0.2)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Portfolio Composition

(% of net assets)

 

Health Care Providers & Services

       15.4%   

Airlines

       10.7%   

Media

       10.3%   

Biotechnology

       10.2%   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

       10.0%   

Banks

       5.5%   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

       5.5%   

Specialty Retail

       5.3%   

Automobiles

       5.3%   

Consumer Finance

       5.2%   

Multiline Retail

       5.2%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       5.1%   

Other

       6.4%   

Repurchase Agreements

       0.1%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (0.2)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Top Five Common Stock Holdings

(% of net assets)

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

       5.5%   

T-Mobile US Inc.

       5.5%   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

       5.4%   

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

       5.3%   

Southwest Airlines Co.

       5.3%   
 

 

NUVEEN     43   


Holding Summaries as of August 31, 2016 (continued)

 

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Common Stocks

       100.0%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.0%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Portfolio Composition

(% of net assets)

 

Capital Markets

       7.0%   

Media

       6.6%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       6.4%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       5.7%   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

       4.9%   

Specialty Retail

       4.9%   

Biotechnology

       4.6%   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts

       4.1%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       4.0%   

Food Products

       3.3%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       3.3%   

Airlines

       3.1%   

IT Services

       2.9%   

Automobiles

       2.5%   

Multiline Retail

       2.4%   

Air Freight & Logistics

       2.4%   

Aerospace & Defense

       2.4%   

Commercial Services & Supplies

       2.3%   

Machinery

       2.0%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       2.0%   

Beverages

       1.9%   

Communications Equipment

       1.8%   

Other

       19.5%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.0%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Top Five Common Stock Holdings

(% of net assets)

 

Apple, Inc.

       3.8%   

Verizon Communications Inc.

       1.9%   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

       1.8%   

Home Depot, Inc.

       1.8%   

Amgen Inc.

       1.6%   
 

 

  44       NUVEEN


Nuveen Growth Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Common Stocks

       99.7%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.3%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Portfolio Composition

(% of net assets)

 

Health Care Providers & Services

       12.3%   

IT Services

       10.6%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       9.3%   

Media

       8.9%   

Specialty Retail

       7.9%   

Beverages

       7.5%   

Biotechnology

       6.7%   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

       4.2%   

Internet Software & Services

       3.8%   

Software

       3.6%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       3.3%   

Multiline Retail

       2.9%   

Other

       18.7%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       0.3%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Top Five Common Stock Holdings

(% of net assets)

 

Home Depot, Inc.

       4.7%   

Apple, Inc.

       4.2%   

PepsiCo, Inc.

       3.8%   

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

       3.8%   

Alphabet Inc., Class A

       3.8%   
 

 

NUVEEN     45   


Holding Summaries as of August 31, 2016 (continued)

 

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Long-Term Investments

          

Common Stocks

       129.7%   

Total Long Exposure

       129.7%   

Repurchase Agreements

       0.5%   

Total Investments

       130.2%   

Securities Sold Short

    

Common Stocks

       (29.9)%   

Total Short Exposure

       (29.9)%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       (0.3)%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Top Five Holdings

(Long Exposure)

(% of net assets)

 

Apple, Inc.

       5.0%   

Home Depot, Inc.

       2.3%   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

       2.3%   

Amgen Inc.

       2.1%   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

       2.0%   

Top Five Holdings

(Short Exposure)

(% of net assets)

 

OneMain Holdings Inc.

       (0.3)%   

New York Community Bancorp Inc.

       (0.3)%   

SS&C Technologies Holdings Inc.

       (0.3)%   

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

       (0.3)%   

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A

       (0.3)%   

Portfolio Composition –

Long Exposure

(% of net assets)

 

Health Care Providers & Services

       10.6%   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

       7.8%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       7.5%   

Specialty Retail

       6.7%   

Construction & Engineering

       6.3%   

Biotechnology

       5.7%   

Media

       5.7%   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

       5.5%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       5.1%   

Multiline Retail

       4.8%   

Software

       4.1%   

Banks

       3.7%   

Airlines

       3.6%   

Trading Companies & Distributors

       3.4%   

IT Services

       3.4%   

Automobiles

       3.3%   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       3.0%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       2.9%   

Building Products

       2.7%   

Metals & Mining

       2.6%   

Food Products

       2.6%   

Aerospace & Defense

       2.5%   

Personal Products

       2.5%   

Communications Equipment

       2.3%   

Internet Software & Services

       2.0%   

Other

       19.4%   

Total

       129.7%   

Portfolio Composition –

Short Exposure

(% of net assets)

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       (4.1)%   

Electric Utilities

       (1.9)%   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

       (1.7)%   

Beverages

       (1.5)%   

Software

       (1.3)%   

Household Durables

       (1.2)%   

Multi-Utilities

       (1.2)%   

Internet Software & Services

       (1.2)%   

Internet & Catalog Retail

       (1.0)%   

Chemicals

       (0.9)%   

Energy Equipment & Services

       (0.9)%   

Specialty Retail

       (0.9)%   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

       (0.9)%   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

       (0.7)%   

Insurance

       (0.7)%   

Other

       (9.8)%   

Total

       (29.9)%   
 

 

  46       NUVEEN


Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Long-Term Investments

          

Common Stocks

       155.9%   

Total Long Exposure

       155.9%   

Repurchase Agreements

       3.3%   

Total Investments

       159.2%   

Securities Sold Short

    

Common Stocks

       (75.1)%   

Total Short Exposure

       (75.1)%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       15.9%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Top Five Holdings

(Long Exposure)

(% of net assets)

 

Apple, Inc.

       3.2%   

Microsoft Corporation

       2.7%   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

       2.1%   

Verizon Communications Inc.

       2.0%   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

       1.8%   

Top Five Holdings

(Short Exposure)

(% of net assets)

 

Mercury General Corporation

       (0.9)%   

OneMain Holdings Inc.

       (0.9)%   

Pinnacle Foods Inc.

       (0.9)%   

Compass Minerals
International, Inc.

       (0.9)%   

Lennar Corporation, Class A

       (0.9)%   

Portfolio Composition –

Long Exposure

(% of net assets)

 

Biotechnology

       8.2%   

Specialty Retail

       7.8%   

Software

       7.8%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       7.7%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       7.6%   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       7.0%   

Media

       6.3%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       6.0%   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

       5.8%   

Insurance

       5.4%   

Chemicals

       4.9%   

Banks

       4.8%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       4.8%   

Machinery

       4.6%   

Communications Equipment

       4.2%   

Construction & Engineering

       4.1%   

Household Products

       3.7%   

Trading Companies & Distributors

       3.6%   

IT Services

       3.4%   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       3.2%   

Airlines

       2.8%   

Professional Services

       2.6%   

Food Products

       2.5%   

Auto Components

       2.5%   

Air Freight & Logistics

       2.5%   

Containers & Packaging

       2.4%   

Health Care Technology

       2.4%   

Metals & Mining

       2.3%   

Household Durables

       2.2%   

Personal Products

       2.2%   

Consumer Finance

       2.1%   

Other

       18.5%   

Total

       155.9%   

Portfolio Composition –

Short Exposure

(% of net assets)

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       (6.6)%   

Software

       (4.3)%   

Electric Utilities

       (3.9)%   

Chemicals

       (3.3)%   

Household Durables

       (3.3)%   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

       (2.5)%   

Containers & Packaging

       (2.5)%   

Specialty Retail

       (2.4)%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       (2.4)%   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

       (2.4)%   

Beverages

       (2.4)%   

Internet Software & Services

       (2.3)%   

Insurance

       (2.3)%   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       (2.3)%   

Food Products

       (2.2)%   

Internet & Catalog Retail

       (2.0)%   

Energy Equipment & Services

       (2.0)%   

Aerospace & Defense

       (1.7)%   

Metals & Mining

       (1.7)%   

Multi-Utilities

       (1.7)%   

Commercial Services & Supplies

       (1.6)%   

Other

       (19.3)%   

Total

       (75.1)%   
 

 

NUVEEN     47   


Holding Summaries as of August 31, 2016 (continued)

 

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

 

Fund Allocation

(% of net assets)

 

Long-Term Investments

          

Common Stocks

       112.8%   

Total Long Exposure

       112.8%   

Repurchase Agreements

       4.8%   

Total Investments

       117.6%   

Securities Sold Short

    

Common Stocks

       (92.6)%   

Total Short Exposure

       (92.6)%   

Other Assets Less Liabilities

       75.0%   

Net Assets

       100%   

Top Five Holdings

(Long Exposure)

(% of net assets)

 

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

       1.2%   

WESCO International Inc.

       1.2%   

SM Energy Company

       1.2%   

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A

       1.2%   

Jabil Circuit Inc.

       1.2%   

Top Five Holdings

(Short Exposure)

(% of net assets)

 

Westar Energy Inc.

       (1.0)%   

Eversource Energy

       (1.0)%   

Chipotle Mexican Grill

       (1.0)%   

New York Community Bancorp Inc.

       (1.0)%   

OneMain Holdings Inc.

       (1.0)%   

Portfolio Composition –

Long Exposure

(% of net assets)

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       7.2%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       6.9%   

Media

       6.1%   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       5.8%   

Specialty Retail

       5.6%   

Food Products

       4.4%   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

       4.4%   

Biotechnology

       4.2%   

Construction & Engineering

       3.9%   

Multiline Retail

       3.4%   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

       3.4%   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       3.4%   

Food & Staples Retailing

       3.4%   

Metals & Mining

       3.3%   

Communications Equipment

       3.3%   

Airlines

       3.2%   

Capital Markets

       2.6%   

Machinery

       2.6%   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

       2.3%   

Automobiles

       2.3%   

Software

       2.3%   

Building Products

       2.3%   

Aerospace & Defense

       2.2%   

Personal Products

       2.2%   

Auto Components

       2.1%   

Consumer Finance

       1.9%   

Other

       18.1%   

Total

       112.8%   

Portfolio Composition –

Short Exposure

(% of net assets)

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       (10.7)%   

Software

       (5.7)%   

Electric Utilities

       (5.3)%   

Household Durables

       (4.5)%   

Internet Software & Services

       (3.8)%   

Chemicals

       (3.8)%   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       (2.9)%   

Specialty Retail

       (2.9)%   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

       (2.9)%   

Containers & Packaging

       (2.8)%   

Energy Equipment & Services

       (2.8)%   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       (2.6)%   

Insurance

       (2.5)%   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

       (2.4)%   

Internet & Catalog Retail

       (2.4)%   

Beverages

       (1.9)%   

Metals & Mining

       (1.9)%   

Media

       (1.9)%   

Aerospace & Defense

       (1.9)%   

Health Care Providers & Services

       (1.9)%   

Multi-Utilities

       (1.8)%   

Food Products

       (1.8)%   

Commercial Services & Supplies

       (1.8)%   

Other

       (19.7)%   

Total

       (92.6)%   
 

 

 

 

  48       NUVEEN


Expense

Examples

 

As a shareholder of one or more of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including up-front and back-end sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, where applicable; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees, where applicable; and other Fund expenses. The Examples below are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Since the expense examples for Class R6 Shares reflect only the first 62 days of the Class’s operation, they may not provide a meaningful understanding of the Class’s ongoing expenses.

The Examples below are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the period ended August 31, 2016.

The beginning of the period is March 1, 2016.

The information under “Actual Performance,” together with the amount you invested, allows you to estimate actual expenses incurred over the reporting period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.60) and multiply the result by the cost shown for your share class, in the row entitled “Expenses Incurred During Period” to estimate the expenses incurred on your account during this period.

The information under “Hypothetical Performance,” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expense you incurred for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and 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.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds or share classes. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class R6        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,152.10         $ 1,147.40         $ 1,150.40         $ 1,056.30         $ 1,153.20   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 5.84         $ 9.88         $ 7.19         $ 1.27         $ 4.49   
Hypothetical Performance
(5% annualized return before expenses)
                                                      

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,019.71         $ 1,015.94         $ 1,018.45         $ 1,007.23         $ 1,020.96   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 5.48         $ 9.27         $ 6.75         $ 1.24         $ 4.22   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 1.08%, 1.83%, 1.33% and 0.83% for Classes A, C, R3 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). For Class R6, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.73% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 62/366 (to reflect the 62 days in the period since class commencement of operations).

 

NUVEEN     49   


Expense Examples (continued)

 

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R6        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,111.00         $ 1,107.20         $ 1,063.60         $ 1,112.60   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 5.78         $ 9.75         $ 1.21         $ 4.46   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,019.66         $ 1,015.89         $ 1,007.30         $ 1,020.91   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 5.53         $ 9.32         $ 1.17         $ 4.27   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 1.09%, 1.84% and 0.84% for Classes A, C and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). For Class R6, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.69% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 62/366 (to reflect the 62 days in the period since class commencement of operations).

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R6        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,099.30         $ 1,095.00         $ 1,060.20         $ 1,100.50   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 5.96         $ 9.85         $ 1.22         $ 4.59   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,019.46         $ 1,015.74         $ 1,007.33         $ 1,020.76   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 5.74         $ 9.48         $ 1.19         $ 4.42   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 1.13%, 1.87% and 0.87% for Classes A, C and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). For Class R6, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.70% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 62/366 (to reflect the 62 days in the period since class commencement of operations).

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R6        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,082.10         $ 1,078.20         $ 1,031.70         $ 1,083.70   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 6.12         $ 10.03         $ 1.26         $ 4.82   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,019.25         $ 1,015.48         $ 1,007.27         $ 1,020.51   

Expenses Incurred During Period

     $ 5.94         $ 9.73         $ 1.24         $ 4.67   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 1.17%, 1.92% and 0.92% for Classes A, C and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). For Class R6, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 0.73% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 62/366 (to reflect the 62 days in the period since class commencement of operations).

 

  50       NUVEEN


Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,112.90         $ 1,108.10         $ 1,113.70   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 5.95         $ 9.91         $ 4.62   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,019.51         $ 1,015.74         $ 1,020.76   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 5.69         $ 9.48         $ 4.42   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 1.12%, 1.87% and 0.87% for Classes A, C and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Nuveen Growth Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class R3        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,103.40         $ 1,099.30         $ 1,101.80         $ 1,104.90   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 6.08         $ 10.03         $ 7.34         $ 4.71   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                           

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,019.36         $ 1,015.58         $ 1,018.15         $ 1,020.66   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 5.84         $ 9.63         $ 7.05         $ 4.52   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 1.15%, 1.90%, 1.39% and 0.89% for Classes A, C, R3 and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,088.60         $ 1,084.40         $ 1,090.10   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 12.18         $ 16.09         $ 10.88   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,013.47         $ 1,009.70         $ 1,014.73   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 11.74         $ 15.51         $ 10.48   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 2.32%, 3.07% and 2.07% for Classes A, C and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

NUVEEN     51   


Expense Examples (continued)

 

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,059.50         $ 1,055.60         $ 1,060.90   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 18.12         $ 21.96         $ 16.73   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,007.54         $ 1,003.77         $ 1,008.90   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 17.66         $ 21.41         $ 16.31   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 3.50%, 4.25% and 3.23% for Classes A, C and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

 

       Share Class  
        Class A        Class C        Class I  

Actual Performance

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 983.60         $ 980.10         $ 985.10   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 15.81         $ 19.61         $ 14.67   

Hypothetical Performance

(5% annualized return before expenses)

                                

Beginning Account Value

     $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value

     $ 1,009.20         $ 1,005.33         $ 1,010.36   

Expenses Incurred During the Period

     $ 16.01         $ 19.86         $ 14.86   

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio of 3.17%, 3.94% and 2.94% for Classes A, C and I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

  52       NUVEEN


Report of

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of

Nuveen Investment Trust

Nuveen Investment Trust II:

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund, Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund, Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund, Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund, Nuveen Core Dividend Fund, Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund, Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund (seven of the funds comprising the Nuveen Investment Trust), Nuveen Growth Fund and Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (two of the funds comprising the Nuveen Investment Trust II) (the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2016, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, statements of cash flows (Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund, Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund, and Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund) for the year then ended, statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended. The financial highlights for the periods presented through August 31, 2013, were audited by other auditors whose report dated October 28, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of August 31, 2016, the results of their operations for the year then ended, their cash flows (Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund, Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund, and Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund) for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Chicago, Illinois

October 26, 2016

 

NUVEEN     53   


Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 99.7%

     
 

COMMON STOCKS – 99.7%

     
      Aerospace & Defense – 0.9%                  
  22,000     

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

                  $ 3,633,740   
      Airlines – 3.3%                  
  58,000     

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

        3,916,740   
  32,000     

Copa Holdings SA, Class A

        2,445,760   
  113,000     

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

        4,152,750   
  42,000     

United Continental Holdings Inc., (2)

                    2,117,220   
 

Total Airlines

                    12,632,470   
      Auto Components – 1.0%                  
  34,000     

Lear Corporation

                    3,953,860   
      Automobiles – 3.0%                  
  465,000     

Ford Motor Company

        5,859,000   
  176,000     

General Motors Company

                    5,617,920   
 

Total Automobiles

                    11,476,920   
      Banks – 12.5%                  
  623,000     

Bank of America Corporation

        10,055,220   
  189,000     

Citigroup Inc.

        9,022,860   
  197,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

        13,297,500   
  66,000     

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

        5,946,600   
  107,000     

Popular Inc.

        4,206,170   
  32,000     

Regions Financial Corporation

        319,040   
  113,000     

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

        4,979,910   
  15,000     

Wells Fargo & Company

                    762,000   
 

Total Banks

                    48,589,300   
      Biotechnology – 1.0%                  
  23,000     

Amgen Inc.

                    3,911,380   
      Building Products – 1.4%                  
  31,000     

Owens Corning

        1,702,520   
  143,000     

USG Corporation, (2)

                    3,922,490   
 

Total Building Products

                    5,625,010   
      Capital Markets – 3.2%                  
  110,000     

Bank New York Mellon

        4,583,700   
  61,000     

Franklin Resources, Inc.

        2,226,500   
  173,000     

Morgan Stanley

                    5,546,380   
 

Total Capital Markets

                    12,356,580   

 

  54       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Chemicals – 1.1%                  
  83,000     

Cabot Corporation

                  $ 4,138,380   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.1%                  
  197,000     

Pitney Bowes Inc.

        3,695,720   
  40,000     

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company

                    684,000   
 

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                    4,379,720   
      Communication Equipment – 3.5%                  
  418,000     

Brocade Communications Systems Inc.

        3,753,640   
  317,000     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

                    9,966,480   
 

Total Communication Equipment

                    13,720,120   
      Construction & Engineering – 5.1%                  
  128,000     

AECOM, (2)

        3,946,240   
  131,000     

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.

        3,901,180   
  80,000     

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., (2)

        4,215,200   
  154,000     

Quanta Services Incorporated, (2)

        3,962,420   
  30,000     

Valmont Industries, Inc.

                    3,914,100   
 

Total Construction & Engineering

                    19,939,140   
      Consumer Finance – 2.8%                  
  89,000     

American Express Company

        5,836,620   
  81,000     

Discover Financial Services

                    4,860,000   
 

Total Consumer Finance

                    10,696,620   
      Diversified Financial Services – 2.1%                  
  18,000     

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B, (2)

        2,708,820   
  50,000     

CME Group, Inc.

                    5,417,500   
 

Total Diversified Financial Services

                    8,126,320   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 2.6%                  
  43,000     

AT&T Inc.

        1,757,840   
  156,000     

CenturyLink Inc.

        4,336,800   
  208,000     

Intelsat SA, (2)

        561,600   
  404,000     

Windstream Holdings Inc.

                    3,438,040   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                    10,094,280   
      Electrical Equipment – 1.0%                  
  64,000     

Regal-Beloit Corporation

                    3,925,120   
      Electronic Equipment & Instruments – 3.8%                  
  64,000     

Arrow Electronics, Inc., (2)

        4,213,120   
  69,000     

Avnet Inc.

        2,875,920   
  102,000     

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A

        3,565,920   
  187,000     

Jabil Circuit Inc.

                    3,962,530   
 

Total Electronic Equipment & Instruments

                    14,617,490   

 

NUVEEN     55   


Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Energy Equipment & Services – 2.2%                  
  174,000     

Atwood Oceanics Inc.

      $ 1,374,600   
  237,000     

Ensco PLC, Class A

        1,798,830   
  522,000     

Seadrill Limited

        1,258,020   
  173,000     

Tidewater Inc.

        565,710   
  366,000     

Transocean Inc.

                    3,550,200   
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                    8,547,360   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 4.6%                  
  73,000     

Sysco Corporation

        3,785,780   
  74,000     

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

        5,972,540   
  110,000     

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

                    7,858,400   
 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                    17,616,720   
      Food Products – 1.1%                  
  58,000     

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

                    4,383,060   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 5.6%                  
  42,000     

Aetna Inc.

        4,919,040   
  37,000     

Anthem Inc.

        4,627,960   
  48,000     

Cardinal Health, Inc.

        3,824,160   
  54,000     

Express Scripts, Holding Company, (2)

        3,925,800   
  56,000     

HCA Holdings Inc., (2)

                    4,230,800   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                    21,527,760   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.5%                  
  80,000     

International Game Technology PLC

                    1,826,400   
      Household Products – 0.2%                  
  10,000     

Procter & Gamble Company

                    873,100   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.1%                  
  40,000     

AES Corporation

                    482,800   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.2%                  
  28,000     

General Electric Company

                    874,720   
      Insurance – 3.6%                  
  69,000     

AFLAC Incorporated

        5,118,420   
  131,000     

Assured Guaranty Limited

        3,637,870   
  44,000     

Travelers Companies, Inc.

                    5,223,240   
 

Total Insurance

                    13,979,530   
      IT Services – 1.0%                  
  399,000     

Xerox Corporation

                    3,930,150   
      Machinery – 4.1%                  
  129,000     

Allision Transmission Holdings Inc.

        3,578,460   

 

  56       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Machinery (continued)                  
  36,000     

Cummins Inc.

      $ 4,521,960   
  138,000     

Joy Global Inc.

        3,764,640   
  116,000     

Timken Company

                    3,928,920   
 

Total Machinery

                    15,793,980   
      Media – 3.0%                  
  148,000     

Discovery Communications Inc., Class A, (2)

        3,775,480   
  252,000     

Gannett Company, Inc.

        3,006,360   
  59,000     

Time Warner Inc.

                    4,626,190   
 

Total Media

                    11,408,030   
      Metals & Mining – 3.0%                  
  80,000     

Nucor Corporation

        3,880,800   
  55,000     

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company

        3,964,400   
  160,000     

Steel Dynamics Inc.

                    3,939,200   
 

Total Metals & Mining

                    11,784,400   
      Multiline Retail – 3.1%                  
  70,000     

Big Lots, Inc.

        3,452,400   
  75,000     

Kohl’s Corporation

        3,328,500   
  75,000     

Target Corporation

                    5,264,250   
 

Total Multiline Retail

                    12,045,150   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 2.0%                  
  66,000     

Exxon Mobil Corporation

        5,751,240   
  37,000     

Valero Energy Corporation

                    2,047,950   
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                    7,799,190   
      Personal Products – 1.9%                  
  57,000     

Herbalife, Limited

        3,462,750   
  68,000     

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Class A

                    3,935,840   
 

Total Personal Products

                    7,398,590   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.6%                  
  19,000     

Johnson & Johnson

                    2,267,460   
      Professional Services – 1.0%                  
  57,000     

Manpower Inc.

                    4,073,220   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 4.3%                  
  50,000     

Intel Corporation

        1,794,500   
  364,000     

ON Semiconductor Corporation, (2)

        3,931,200   
  107,000     

QUALCOMM, Inc.

        6,748,490   
  199,000     

Teradyne Inc.

                    4,190,940   
 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                    16,665,130   

 

NUVEEN     57   


Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Specialty Retail – 2.1%                  
  110,000     

Best Buy Co., Inc.

      $ 4,232,800   
  108,000     

Urban Outfitters, Inc., (2)

                    3,871,800   
 

Total Specialty Retail

                    8,104,600   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 3.8%                  
  54,000     

Apple, Inc.

        5,729,400   
  344,000     

HP Inc.

        4,943,280   
  118,000     

NCR Corporation, (2)

                    3,994,300   
 

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                    14,666,980   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 1.1%                  
  68,000     

WESCO International Inc., (2)

                    4,226,880   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.2%                  
  17,000     

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

        473,790   
  93,000     

T-Mobile US Inc., (2)

                    4,309,620   
 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                    4,783,410   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $362,220,024)

                    386,875,070   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon     Maturity     Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.1%

     
 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 0.1%

     
$ 237     

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 8/31/16 repurchase price $236,805, collateralized by $230,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.125%, due 5/15/25, value $242,075

    0.030%        9/01/16      $ 236,805   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $236,805)

                    236,805   
 

Total Investments (cost $362,456,829) – 99.8%

                    387,111,875   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.2%

                    934,800   
 

Net Assets – 100%

                  $ 388,046,675   

 

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  58       NUVEEN


Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 99.9%

 
 

COMMON STOCKS – 99.9%

 
      Aerospace & Defense – 2.3%      
  26,000     

Boeing Company

  $ 3,365,700   
  15,000     

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

    2,477,550   
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

    5,843,250   
      Airlines – 3.1%      
  37,000     

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

    2,498,610   
  78,000     

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    2,866,500   
  67,000     

Southwest Airlines Co.

    2,470,960   
  2,000     

United Continental Holdings Inc., (2)

    100,820   
 

Total Airlines

    7,936,890   
      Auto Components – 0.8%      
  18,000     

Lear Corporation

    2,093,220   
      Automobiles – 2.6%      
  263,000     

Ford Motor Company

    3,313,800   
  103,000     

General Motors Company

    3,287,760   
 

Total Automobiles

    6,601,560   
      Banks – 0.9%      
  2,000     

Citigroup Inc.

    95,480   
  19,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    1,282,500   
  17,000     

Popular Inc.

    668,270   
  7,000     

Wells Fargo & Company

    355,600   
 

Total Banks

    2,401,850   
      Biotechnology – 4.3%      
  24,000     

Amgen Inc.

    4,081,440   
  10,000     

Biogen Inc., (2)

    3,056,300   
  49,000     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

    3,840,620   
 

Total Biotechnology

    10,978,360   
      Building Products – 2.0%      
  47,000     

Owens Corning

    2,581,240   
  95,000     

USG Corporation, (2)

    2,605,850   
 

Total Building Products

    5,187,090   
      Capital Markets – 2.8%      
  74,000     

Bank New York Mellon

    3,083,580   
  50,000     

Franklin Resources, Inc.

    1,825,000   
  23,000     

NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

    1,637,830   

 

NUVEEN     59   


Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Capital Markets (continued)      
  10,000     

Raymond James Financial Inc.

  $ 581,700   
 

Total Capital Markets

    7,128,110   
      Chemicals – 1.1%      
  55,000     

Cabot Corporation

    2,742,300   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.8%      
  116,000     

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company

    1,983,600   
      Communications Equipment – 2.6%      
  228,000     

Brocade Communications Systems Inc.

    2,047,440   
  147,000     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    4,621,680   
 

Total Communications Equipment

    6,669,120   
      Construction & Engineering – 5.1%      
  82,000     

AECOM, (2)

    2,528,060   
  83,000     

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.

    2,471,740   
  51,000     

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., (2)

    2,687,190   
  107,000     

Quanta Services Incorporated, (2)

    2,753,110   
  19,000     

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    2,478,930   
 

Total Construction & Engineering

    12,919,030   
      Consumer Finance – 1.2%      
  51,000     

Discover Financial Services

    3,060,000   
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.3%      
  6,000     

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B, (2)

    902,940   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 2.0%      
  13,000     

AT&T Inc.

    531,440   
  96,000     

CenturyLink Inc.

    2,668,800   
  5,000     

Verizon Communications Inc.

    261,650   
  194,000     

Windstream Holdings Inc.

    1,650,940   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

    5,112,830   
      Electrical Equipment – 1.9%      
  34,000     

Regal-Beloit Corporation

    2,085,220   
  23,000     

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    2,666,390   
 

Total Electrical Equipment

    4,751,610   
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 3.3%      
  41,000     

Arrow Electronics, Inc., (2)

    2,699,030   
  65,000     

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A

    2,272,400   
  99,000     

Jabil Circuit Inc.

    2,097,810   
  88,000     

Vishay Intertechnology Inc.

    1,246,080   
 

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    8,315,320   

 

  60       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Food & Staples Retailing – 3.5%      
  64,000     

Kroger Co.

  $ 2,047,360   
  57,000     

Sysco Corporation

    2,956,020   
  42,000     

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

    3,389,820   
  8,000     

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    571,520   
 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

    8,964,720   
      Food Products – 2.1%      
  104,000     

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, (2)

    2,400,320   
  38,000     

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

    2,871,660   
 

Total Food Products

    5,271,980   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 8.1%      
  27,000     

Aetna Inc.

    3,162,240   
  32,000     

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

    2,783,040   
  21,000     

Anthem Inc.

    2,626,680   
  37,000     

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    2,947,790   
  42,000     

Express Scripts, Holding Company, (2)

    3,053,400   
  38,000     

HCA Holdings Inc., (2)

    2,870,900   
  17,000     

McKesson HBOC Inc.

    3,138,540   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

    20,582,590   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 5.0%      
  50,000     

Brinker International Inc.

    2,685,500   
  47,000     

Dunkin Brands Group Inc.

    2,300,650   
  32,000     

McDonald’s Corporation

    3,701,120   
  5,000     

Panera Bread Company, Class A, (2)

    1,085,750   
  33,000     

YUM! Brands, Inc.

    2,993,430   
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    12,766,450   
      Household Products – 0.1%      
  3,000     

Procter & Gamble Company

    261,930   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.7%      
  6,000     

Carlisle Companies Inc.

    629,160   
  37,000     

General Electric Company

    1,155,880   
 

Total Industrial Conglomerates

    1,785,040   
      Insurance – 1.9%      
  4,000     

AFLAC Incorporated

    296,720   
  96,000     

Assured Guaranty Limited

    2,665,920   
  15,000     

Travelers Companies, Inc.

    1,780,650   
 

Total Insurance

    4,743,290   
      Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.3%      
  1,000     

Amazon.com, Inc., (2)

    769,160   

 

NUVEEN     61   


Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Internet Software & Services – 1.6%      
  4,000     

Alphabet Inc., Class A, (2)

  $ 3,159,400   
  7,000     

Facebook Inc., Class A, (2)

    882,840   
 

Total Internet Software & Services

    4,042,240   
      IT Services – 2.3%      
  40,000     

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    3,865,200   
  209,000     

Xerox Corporation

    2,058,650   
 

Total IT Services

    5,923,850   
      Life Sciences Tools & Services – 1.0%      
  34,000     

Quintiles Transnational Corporation, (2)

    2,628,200   
      Machinery – 0.9%      
  83,000     

Allision Transmission Holdings Inc.

    2,302,420   
      Media – 4.6%      
  54,000     

CBS Corporation, Class B

    2,755,620   
  107,000     

Discovery Communications Inc., Class A, (2)

    2,729,570   
  159,000     

Gannett Company, Inc.

    1,896,870   
  17,000     

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    1,464,210   
  40,000     

Scripps Networks Interactive, Class A

    2,534,800   
  76,000     

Sirius XM Holdings Inc., (2)

    314,640   
 

Total Media

    11,695,710   
      Metals & Mining – 2.4%      
  49,000     

Nucor Corporation

    2,376,990   
  36,000     

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company

    2,594,880   
  52,000     

Steel Dynamics Inc.

    1,280,240   
 

Total Metals & Mining

    6,252,110   
      Multiline Retail – 2.4%      
  44,000     

Big Lots, Inc.

    2,170,080   
  10,000     

Dollar General Corporation

    734,100   
  12,000     

Kohl’s Corporation

    532,560   
  39,000     

Target Corporation

    2,737,410   
 

Total Multiline Retail

    6,174,150   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.8%      
  24,000     

Exxon Mobil Corporation

    2,091,360   
      Personal Products – 1.9%      
  39,000     

Herbalife, Limited

    2,369,250   
  44,000     

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Class A

    2,546,720   
 

Total Personal Products

    4,915,970   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.6%      
  13,000     

Johnson & Johnson

    1,551,420   

 

  62       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Professional Services – 1.0%      
  36,000     

Manpower Inc.

  $ 2,572,560   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 3.1%      
  119,000     

ON Semiconductor Corporation, (2)

    1,285,200   
  60,000     

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    3,784,200   
  133,000     

Teradyne Inc.

    2,800,980   
 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    7,870,380   
      Software – 3.4%      
  33,000     

Citrix Systems, (2)

    2,877,600   
  26,000     

Intuit, Inc.

    2,897,700   
  49,000     

Microsoft Corporation

    2,815,540   
 

Total Software

    8,590,840   
      Specialty Retail – 5.4%      
  21,000     

Aaron Rents Inc.

    511,560   
  69,000     

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    2,655,120   
  34,000     

Home Depot, Inc.

    4,560,080   
  44,000     

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

    3,368,640   
  72,000     

Urban Outfitters, Inc., (2)

    2,581,200   
 

Total Specialty Retail

    13,676,600   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 5.9%      
  90,000     

Apple, Inc.

    9,549,000   
  206,000     

HP Inc.

    2,960,220   
  76,000     

NCR Corporation, (2)

    2,572,600   
 

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

    15,081,820   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 2.1%      
  32,000     

United Rentals Inc., (2)

    2,633,920   
  42,000     

WESCO International Inc., (2)

    2,610,720   
 

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

    5,244,640   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.7%      
  47,000     

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

    1,309,890   
  63,000     

T-Mobile US Inc., (2)

    2,919,420   
 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

    4,229,310   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $239,135,703)

    254,615,820   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.1%

    172,248   
 

Net Assets – 100%

  $ 254,788,068   

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     63   


Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 99.7%

 
 

COMMON STOCKS – 99.7%

 
      Aerospace & Defense – 3.3%      
  9,400     

Boeing Company

  $ 1,216,830   
  4,700     

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

    776,299   
  8,200     

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc., Class A, (2)

    375,724   
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

    2,368,853   
      Air Freight & Logistics – 1.1%      
  15,900     

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

    805,335   
      Airlines – 4.1%      
  11,700     

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

    790,101   
  22,600     

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    830,550   
  16,600     

Southwest Airlines Co.

    612,208   
  13,900     

United Continental Holdings Inc., (2)

    700,699   
 

Total Airlines

    2,933,558   
      Auto Components – 1.1%      
  6,900     

Lear Corporation

    802,401   
      Automobiles – 0.3%      
  18,200     

Ford Motor Company

    229,320   
      Biotechnology – 6.1%      
  1,600     

AbbVie Inc.

    102,560   
  9,500     

Amgen Inc.

    1,615,570   
  3,800     

Biogen Inc., (2)

    1,161,394   
  18,700     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

    1,465,706   
 

Total Biotechnology

    4,345,230   
      Building Products – 1.0%      
  24,700     

USG Corporation, (2)

    677,521   
      Chemicals – 1.1%      
  15,100     

Cabot Corporation

    752,886   
      Communications Equipment – 1.1%      
  6,600     

F5 Networks, Inc., (2)

    810,018   
      Construction & Engineering – 2.2%      
  21,300     

AECOM, (2)

    656,679   
  30,000     

Quanta Services Incorporated, (2)

    771,900   
  800     

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    104,376   
 

Total Construction & Engineering

    1,532,955   

 

  64       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Containers & Packaging – 1.1%      
  16,600     

Berry Plastics Corporation, (2)

  $ 753,474   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.7%      
  24,600     

CenturyLink Inc.

    683,880   
  16,900     

Intelsat SA, (2)

    45,630   
  56,100     

Windstream Holdings Inc.

    477,411   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

    1,206,921   
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 2.2%      
  22,300     

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A

    779,608   
  35,600     

Jabil Circuit Inc.

    754,364   
 

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    1,533,972   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.4%      
  35,000     

Atwood Oceanics Inc.

    276,500   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 3.0%      
  18,300     

Sysco Corporation

    949,038   
  10,600     

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

    855,526   
  4,200     

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    300,048   
 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

    2,104,612   
      Food Products – 2.2%      
  7,500     

Hershey Foods Corporation

    749,175   
  10,800     

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

    816,156   
 

Total Food Products

    1,565,331   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 9.9%      
  7,400     

Aetna Inc.

    866,688   
  9,400     

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

    817,518   
  5,900     

Anthem Inc.

    737,972   
  11,100     

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    884,337   
  14,100     

Express Scripts, Holding Company, (2)

    1,025,070   
  9,500     

HCA Holdings Inc., (2)

    717,725   
  5,500     

McKesson HBOC Inc.

    1,015,410   
  1,500     

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    204,075   
  6,800     

Wellcare Health Plans Inc., (2)

    766,360   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

    7,035,155   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 10.5%      
  8,300     

Aramark Holdings Corporation

    314,819   
  14,300     

Brinker International Inc.

    768,053   
  5,400     

Dominos Pizza Inc.

    807,678   
  16,500     

Dunkin Brands Group Inc.

    807,675   
  13,300     

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Class A, (2)

    711,284   

 

NUVEEN     65   


Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)      
  7,400     

McDonald’s Corporation

  $ 855,884   
  3,400     

Panera Bread Company, Class A, (2)

    738,310   
  14,200     

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

    692,534   
  5,100     

Vail Resorts, Inc.

    807,993   
  10,600     

YUM! Brands, Inc.

    961,526   
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    7,465,756   
      Household Durables – 0.6%      
  5,800     

Tempur Sealy International, Inc., (2)

    454,836   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 1.1%      
  7,400     

Carlisle Companies Inc.

    775,964   
      Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.9%      
  800     

Amazon.com, Inc., (2)

    615,328   
      Internet Software & Services – 3.1%      
  2,200     

Alphabet Inc., Class A, (2)

    1,737,670   
  3,900     

Facebook Inc., Class A, (2)

    491,868   
 

Total Internet Software & Services

    2,229,538   
      IT Services – 3.5%      
  8,000     

Fiserv, Inc., (2)

    824,400   
  13,800     

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    1,333,494   
  4,100     

Visa Inc.

    331,690   
 

Total IT Services

    2,489,584   
      Life Sciences Tools & Services – 1.1%      
  9,600     

Quintiles Transnational Corporation, (2)

    742,080   
      Machinery – 1.1%      
  10,400     

Wabtec Corporation

    796,744   
      Media – 3.8%      
  17,100     

CBS Corporation, Class B

    872,613   
  8,900     

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    766,557   
  12,500     

Scripps Networks Interactive, Class A

    792,125   
  6,600     

Viacom Inc., Class B

    266,244   
 

Total Media

    2,697,539   
      Metals & Mining – 0.8%      
  23,300     

Steel Dynamics Inc.

    573,646   
      Multiline Retail – 4.1%      
  13,500     

Big Lots, Inc.

    665,820   
  11,400     

Dollar General Corporation

    836,874   
  15,000     

Kohl’s Corporation

    665,700   
  10,100     

Target Corporation

    708,919   
 

Total Multiline Retail

    2,877,313   

 

  66       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Personal Products – 2.0%      
  11,700     

Herbalife, Limited

  $ 710,775   
  12,500     

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Class A

    723,500   
 

Total Personal Products

    1,434,275   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.9%      
  24,700     

Akorn, Inc., (2)

    664,924   
      Road & Rail – 1.1%      
  11,400     

Landstar System

    789,222   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 2.2%      
  65,000     

ON Semiconductor Corporation, (2)

    702,000   
  13,300     

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    838,831   
 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    1,540,831   
      Software – 4.9%      
  9,800     

Citrix Systems, (2)

    854,560   
  2,800     

Intuit, Inc.

    312,060   
  27,500     

Microsoft Corporation

    1,580,150   
  12,300     

Synopsys Inc., (2)

    729,267   
 

Total Software

    3,476,037   
      Specialty Retail – 7.4%      
  18,700     

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    719,576   
  9,200     

Burlington Store Inc., (2)

    747,224   
  13,700     

Home Depot, Inc.

    1,837,444   
  15,700     

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

    1,201,992   
  20,700     

Urban Outfitters, Inc., (2)

    742,095   
 

Total Specialty Retail

    5,248,331   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 6.1%      
  40,800     

Apple, Inc.

    4,328,880   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 1.5%      
  21,000     

HD Suplly Holdings Inc., (2)

    758,310   
  3,900     

MSC Industrial Direct Inc., Class A

    284,856   
 

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

    1,043,166   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.1%      
  17,000     

T-Mobile US Inc., (2)

    787,780   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $67,021,397)

    70,765,816   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.3%

    204,335   
 

Net Assets – 100%

  $ 70,970,151   

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     67   


Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 100.1%

     
 

COMMON STOCKS – 100.1%

     
      Aerospace & Defense – 4.9%                  
  37,300     

Boeing Company

                  $ 4,828,485   
      Airlines – 10.7%                  
  143,000     

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

        5,255,250   
  141,000     

Southwest Airlines Co.

                    5,200,080   
 

Total Airlines

                    10,455,330   
      Automobiles – 5.3%                  
  409,000     

Ford Motor Company

                    5,153,400   
      Banks – 5.5%                  
  80,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

                    5,400,000   
      Biotechnology – 10.2%                  
  29,000     

Amgen Inc.

        4,931,740   
  64,000     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

                    5,016,320   
 

Total Biotechnology

                    9,948,060   
      Consumer Finance – 5.2%                  
  84,900     

Discover Financial Services

                    5,094,000   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.5%                  
  51,500     

CenturyLink Inc.

                    1,431,700   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 5.1%                  
  97,000     

Sysco Corporation

                    5,030,420   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 15.4%                  
  42,000     

Aetna Inc.

        4,919,040   
  57,600     

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

        5,009,472   
  28,000     

McKesson HBOC Inc.

                    5,169,360   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                    15,097,872   
      Media – 10.3%                  
  98,000     

CBS Corporation

        5,000,940   
  59,000     

Omnicom Group, Inc.

                    5,081,670   
 

Total Media

                    10,082,610   
      Multiline Retail – 5.2%                  
  72,000     

Target Corporation

                    5,053,680   
      Specialty Retail – 5.3%                  
  68,000     

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

                    5,206,080   

 

  68       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 10.0%                  
  45,000     

Apple, Inc.

      $ 4,774,500   
  353,000     

HP Inc.

                    5,072,610   
 

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                    9,847,110   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 5.5%                  
  116,000     

T-Mobile US Inc., (2)

                    5,375,440   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $97,604,579)

                    98,004,187   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon     Maturity     Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.1%

     
 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 0.1%

     
$ 100     

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 8/31/16 repurchase price $100,206, collateralized by $90,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.125%, due 11/15/41, value $107,438

    0.030%        9/01/16      $ 100,206   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $100,206)

                    100,206   
 

Total Investments (cost $97,704,785) – 100.2%

                    98,104,393   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (0.2)%

                    (204,013
 

Net Assets – 100%

                  $ 97,900,380   

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     69   


Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 100.0%

 
 

COMMON STOCKS – 100.0%

 
      Aerospace & Defense – 2.4%      
  4,500     

Boeing Company

  $ 582,525   
  2,600     

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

    429,442   
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

    1,011,967   
      Air Freight & Logistics – 2.4%      
  6,400     

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

    444,288   
  5,400     

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    589,788   
 

Total Air Freight & Logistics

    1,034,076   
      Airlines – 3.1%      
  6,300     

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

    425,439   
  12,500     

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    459,375   
  11,500     

Southwest Airlines Co.

    424,120   
 

Total Airlines

    1,308,934   
      Automobiles – 2.5%      
  42,800     

Ford Motor Company

    539,280   
  16,500     

General Motors Company

    526,680   
 

Total Automobiles

    1,065,960   
      Banks – 0.4%      
  1,500     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    101,250   
  1,300     

Wells Fargo & Company

    66,040   
 

Total Banks

    167,290   
      Beverages – 1.9%      
  3,600     

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    337,320   
  4,300     

PepsiCo, Inc.

    459,025   
 

Total Beverages

    796,345   
      Biotechnology – 4.6%      
  9,900     

AbbVie Inc.

    634,590   
  4,100     

Amgen Inc.

    697,246   
  8,200     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

    642,716   
 

Total Biotechnology

    1,974,552   
      Building Products – 0.7%      
  5,600     

Owens Corning

    307,552   
      Capital Markets – 7.0%      
  12,300     

Bank New York Mellon

    512,541   
  4,500     

CME Group, Inc.

    487,575   

 

  70       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Capital Markets (continued)      
  13,500     

Federated Investors Inc., Class B

  $ 436,050   
  11,700     

Lazard Limited, Class A

    433,251   
  6,000     

NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

    427,260   
  4,600     

Raymond James Financial Inc.

    267,582   
  6,000     

T. Rowe Price Group Inc.

    417,240   
 

Total Capital Markets

    2,981,499   
      Chemicals – 1.1%      
  9,200     

Cabot Corporation

    458,712   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 2.3%      
  3,400     

Pitney Bowes Inc.

    63,784   
  25,900     

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company

    442,890   
  9,100     

Republic Services, Inc.

    459,732   
 

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

    966,406   
      Communications Equipment – 1.8%      
  24,400     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    767,136   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 4.0%      
  3,300     

AT&T Inc.

    134,904   
  16,000     

CenturyLink Inc.

    444,800   
  15,500     

Verizon Communications Inc.

    811,115   
  37,900     

Windstream Holdings Inc.

    322,529   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

    1,713,348   
      Electric Utilities – 1.1%      
  5,800     

Entergy Corporation

    453,560   
      Electrical Equipment – 1.1%      
  4,100     

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    475,313   
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 1.6%      
  7,600     

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A

    265,696   
  13,500     

Jabil Circuit Inc.

    286,065   
  10,600     

Vishay Intertechnology Inc.

    150,096   
 

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    701,857   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 0.4%      
  12,600     

Atwood Oceanics Inc.

    99,540   
  9,000     

Ensco PLC, Class A

    68,310   
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

    167,850   
      Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts – 4.1%      
  3,600     

American Capital Agency Corporation

    69,516   
  20,700     

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

    406,134   
  15,100     

Care Capital Properties, Inc.

    452,849   

 

NUVEEN     71   


Nuveen Core Dividend Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (continued)      
  700     

Chimera Investments Corporation

  $ 11,543   
  3,900     

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

    121,680   
  11,800     

Corrections Corporation of America

    187,974   
  1,900     

Public Storage, Inc.

    425,486   
  3,900     

Washington Prime Group, Inc.

    53,586   
 

Total Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts

    1,728,768   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 3.3%      
  9,700     

Sysco Corporation

    503,042   
  6,900     

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

    556,899   
  4,600     

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    328,624   
 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

    1,388,565   
      Food Products – 3.3%      
  29,400     

Flowers Foods Inc.

    438,354   
  1,000     

Hershey Foods Corporation

    99,890   
  2,600     

JM Smucker Company

    368,654   
  6,400     

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

    483,648   
 

Total Food Products

    1,390,546   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 5.7%      
  4,300     

Aetna Inc.

    503,616   
  5,500     

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

    478,335   
  3,500     

Anthem Inc.

    437,780   
  5,900     

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    470,053   
  2,900     

McKesson HBOC Inc.

    535,398   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

    2,425,182   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 6.4%      
  8,200     

Brinker International Inc.

    440,422   
  9,100     

Dunkin Brands Group Inc.

    445,445   
  1,600     

International Game Technology PLC

    36,528   
  4,300     

Las Vegas Sands

    215,903   
  5,500     

McDonald’s Corporation

    636,130   
  7,800     

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

    380,406   
  300     

Vail Resorts, Inc.

    47,529   
  5,600     

YUM! Brands, Inc.

    507,976   
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    2,710,339   
      Household Products – 0.1%      
  600     

Procter & Gamble Company

    52,386   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 1.1%      
  38,100     

AES Corporation

    459,867   

 

  72       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.9%      
  1,700     

Carlisle Companies Inc.

  $ 178,262   
  6,500     

General Electric Company

    203,060   
 

Total Industrial Conglomerates

    381,322   
      Insurance – 1.0%      
  16,000     

Assured Guaranty Limited

    444,320   
      IT Services – 2.9%      
  6,300     

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    608,769   
  8,000     

Paychex, Inc.

    485,360   
  15,700     

Xerox Corporation

    154,645   
 

Total IT Services

    1,248,774   
      Machinery – 2.0%      
  15,800     

Allision Transmission Holdings Inc.

    438,292   
  15,500     

Joy Global Inc.

    422,840   
 

Total Machinery

    861,132   
      Media – 6.6%      
  8,200     

CBS Corporation

    418,446   
  11,700     

Cinemark Holdings Inc.

    452,205   
  24,900     

Gannett Company, Inc.

    297,057   
  19,300     

Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

    446,602   
  20,300     

Regal Entertainment Group, Class A

    434,014   
  7,200     

Scripps Networks Interactive, Class A

    456,264   
  7,200     

Viacom Inc., Class B

    290,448   
 

Total Media

    2,795,036   
      Metals & Mining – 1.3%      
  8,400     

Nucor Corporation

    407,484   
  2,300     

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company

    165,784   
 

Total Metals & Mining

    573,268   
      Multiline Retail – 2.4%      
  7,800     

Big Lots, Inc.

    384,696   
  4,200     

Kohl’s Corporation

    186,396   
  6,700     

Target Corporation

    470,273   
 

Total Multiline Retail

    1,041,365   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 2.0%      
  8,100     

CVTR Energy Inc.

    118,179   
  3,600     

Exxon Mobil Corporation

    313,704   
  57,500     

Teekay Shipping Corporation

    415,725   
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    847,608   

 

NUVEEN     73   


Nuveen Core Dividend Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Personal Products – 1.0%      
  7,400     

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Class A

  $ 428,312   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.6%      
  2,300     

Johnson & Johnson

    274,482   
      Professional Services – 1.1%      
  2,400     

Manpower Inc.

    171,504   
  5,500     

Nielsen Holdings PLC

    293,040   
 

Total Professional Services

    464,544   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.5%      
  10,300     

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    649,621   
      Software – 1.2%      
  8,600     

Microsoft Corporation

    494,156   
      Specialty Retail – 4.9%      
  12,400     

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A

    219,976   
  12,100     

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    465,608   
  2,000     

GameStop Corporation, Class A

    56,780   
  5,700     

Home Depot, Inc.

    764,484   
  7,400     

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

    566,544   
 

Total Specialty Retail

    2,073,392   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 4.9%      
  15,100     

Apple, Inc.

    1,602,110   
  34,800     

HP Inc.

    500,076   
 

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

    2,102,186   
      Tobacco – 1.6%      
  10,100     

Altria Group, Inc.

    667,509   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 1.0%      
  5,700     

MSC Industrial Direct Inc., Class A

    416,328   
      Transportation Infrastructure – 0.7%      
  3,500     

Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation

    279,790   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $41,286,244)

    42,551,155   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.0%

    9,863   
 

Net Assets – 100%

  $ 42,561,018   

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  74       NUVEEN


Nuveen Growth Fund

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 99.7%

 
 

COMMON STOCKS – 99.7%

 
      Aerospace & Defense – 2.4%      
  9,317     

Boeing Company

  $ 1,206,086   
      Air Freight & Logistics – 2.1%      
  7,653     

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

    531,271   
  9,781     

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

    495,408   
 

Total Air Freight & Logistics

    1,026,679   
      Banks – 0.8%      
  6,135     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    414,113   
      Beverages – 7.5%      
  14,208     

Coca-Cola Company

    617,053   
  12,905     

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    1,209,199   
  17,767     

PepsiCo, Inc.

    1,896,627   
 

Total Beverages

    3,722,879   
      Biotechnology – 6.7%      
  8,838     

Amgen Inc.

    1,502,990   
  3,906     

Biogen Inc., (2)

    1,193,791   
  8,421     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

    660,038   
 

Total Biotechnology

    3,356,819   
      Communication Equipment – 1.0%      
  3,945     

F5 Networks, Inc., (2)

    484,170   
      Construction & Engineering – 0.9%      
  3,586     

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    467,865   
      Consumer Finance – 0.5%      
  3,826     

Capital One Financial Corporation

    273,942   
      Containers & Packaging – 1.0%      
  9,497     

Crown Holdings Inc., (2)

    515,022   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 3.3%      
  14,085     

AT&T Inc.

    575,795   
  20,061     

Verizon Communications Inc.

    1,049,792   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

    1,625,587   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 2.4%      
  22,641     

Sysco Corporation

    1,174,162   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 12.3%      
  8,155     

Aetna Inc.

    955,114   

 

NUVEEN     75   


Nuveen Growth Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Health Care Providers & Services (continued)      
  9,637     

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

  $ 838,130   
  6,020     

Anthem Inc.

    752,982   
  13,862     

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    1,104,386   
  12,987     

Express Scripts, Holding Company, (2)

    944,155   
  5,060     

McKesson HBOC Inc.

    934,177   
  4,393     

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    597,668   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

    6,126,612   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 9.3%      
  9,479     

Brinker International Inc.

    509,117   
  3,518     

Dominos Pizza Inc.

    526,187   
  7,419     

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    529,197   
  14,399     

McDonald’s Corporation

    1,665,388   
  2,403     

Panera Bread Company, Class A, (2)

    521,811   
  9,463     

YUM! Brands, Inc.

    858,389   
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    4,610,089   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 1.0%      
  5,004     

Carlisle Companies Inc.

    524,719   
      Insurance – 1.2%      
  5,422     

Reinsurance Group of America Inc.

    581,889   
      Internet Software & Services – 3.8%      
  2,371     

Alphabet Inc., Class A, (2)

    1,872,734   
      IT Services – 10.6%      
  4,315     

Accenture Limited, Class A

    496,225   
  6,493     

Henry Jack and Associates Inc.

    566,644   
  19,573     

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    1,891,339   
  10,469     

Total System Services Inc.

    515,598   
  22,294     

Visa Inc., Class A

    1,803,585   
 

Total IT Services

    5,273,391   
      Machinery – 2.1%      
  4,045     

Parker Hannifin Corporation

    495,634   
  6,919     

Wabtec Corporation

    530,065   
 

Total Machinery

    1,025,699   
      Media – 8.9%      
  20,629     

Comcast Corporation, Class A

    1,346,249   
  9,004     

Discovery Communications Inc., Class A, (2)

    229,692   
  13,420     

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    1,155,865   
  7,283     

Scripps Networks Interactive, Class A

    461,524   
  20,013     

Viacom Inc., Class B

    807,324   

 

  76       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)   Value  
      Media (continued)      
  4,597     

Walt Disney Company

  $ 434,233   
 

Total Media

    4,434,887   
      Multiline Retail – 2.9%      
  7,769     

Dollar General Corporation

    570,322   
  12,412     

Target Corporation

    871,198   
 

Total Multiline Retail

    1,441,520   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 2.4%      
  19,255     

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    1,214,413   
      Software – 3.6%      
  4,994     

Intuit, Inc.

    556,581   
  21,629     

Microsoft Corporation

    1,242,802   
 

Total Software

    1,799,383   
      Specialty Retail – 7.9%      
  17,625     

Home Depot, Inc.

    2,363,865   
  12,875     

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

    985,710   
  15,718     

Urban Outfitters, Inc., (2)

    563,490   
 

Total Specialty Retail

    3,913,065   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 4.2%      
  19,873     

Apple, Inc.

    2,108,525   
      Tobacco – 0.9%      
  6,735     

Altria Group, Inc.

    445,116   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $42,471,605)

    49,639,366   
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.3%

    129,239   
 

Net Assets – 100%

  $ 49,768,605   

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     77   


Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 129.7%

     
 

COMMON STOCKS – 129.7%

     
      Aerospace & Defense – 2.5%                  
  6,700     

Boeing Company

      $ 867,315   
  5,600     

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

                    924,952   
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

                    1,792,267   
      Air Freight & Logistics – 0.2%                  
  2,800     

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

                    141,820   
      Airlines – 3.6%                  
  8,000     

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

        540,240   
  29,400     

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

        1,080,450   
  26,200     

Southwest Airlines Co.

                    966,256   
 

Total Airlines

                    2,586,946   
      Automobiles – 3.3%                  
  95,600     

Ford Motor Company

        1,204,560   
  36,600     

General Motors Company

                    1,168,272   
 

Total Automobiles

                    2,372,832   
      Banks – 3.7%                  
  4,200     

Citigroup Inc.

        200,508   
  21,100     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

        1,424,250   
  23,600     

Popular Inc.

        927,716   
  2,300     

Wells Fargo & Company

                    116,840   
 

Total Banks

                    2,669,314   
      Biotechnology – 5.7%                  
  8,900     

Amgen Inc.

        1,513,534   
  3,800     

Biogen Inc., (2)

        1,161,394   
  18,000     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

                    1,410,840   
 

Total Biotechnology

                    4,085,768   
      Building Products – 2.7%                  
  17,500     

Owens Corning

        961,100   
  34,600     

USG Corporation, (2)

                    949,078   
 

Total Building Products

                    1,910,178   
      Capital Markets – 1.9%                  
  26,800     

Bank New York Mellon

        1,116,756   
  800     

Franklin Resources, Inc.

        29,200   
  2,000     

NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

        142,420   
  700     

Raymond James Financial Inc.

                    40,719   
 

Total Capital Markets

                    1,329,095   

 

  78       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Chemicals – 1.4%                  
  20,100     

Cabot Corporation

                  $ 1,002,186   
      Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.5%                  
  22,400     

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company

                    383,040   
      Communications Equipment – 2.3%                  
  52,000     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

                    1,634,880   
      Construction & Engineering – 6.3%                  
  30,200     

AECOM, (2)

        931,066   
  30,200     

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.

        899,356   
  14,300     

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., (2)

        753,467   
  38,800     

Quanta Services Incorporated, (2)

        998,324   
  7,100     

Valmont Industries, Inc.

                    926,337   
 

Total Construction & Engineering

                    4,508,550   
      Consumer Finance – 1.5%                  
  18,300     

Discover Financial Services

                    1,098,000   
      Diversified Financial Services – 0.5%                  
  2,200     

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B, (2)

                    331,078   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 2.9%                  
  4,700     

AT&T Inc.

        192,136   
  35,300     

CenturyLink Inc.

        981,340   
  200     

Verizon Communications Inc.

        10,466   
  105,200     

Windstream Holdings Inc.

                    895,252   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                    2,079,194   
      Electrical Equipment – 1.4%                  
  8,400     

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

                    973,812   
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 5.5%                  
  15,000     

Arrow Electronics, Inc., (2)

        987,450   
  29,000     

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A

        1,013,840   
  46,300     

Jabil Circuit Inc.

        981,097   
  65,400     

Vishay Intertechnology Inc.

                    926,064   
 

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

                    3,908,451   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 5.1%                  
  29,800     

Kroger Co.

        953,302   
  21,500     

Sysco Corporation

        1,114,990   
  15,400     

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

        1,242,934   
  4,000     

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

                    285,760   
 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                    3,596,986   

 

NUVEEN     79   


Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Food Products – 2.6%                  
  38,700     

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, (2)

      $ 893,196   
  12,600     

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

                    952,182   
 

Total Food Products

                    1,845,378   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 10.6%                  
  9,900     

Aetna Inc.

        1,159,488   
  11,700     

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

        1,017,549   
  8,000     

Anthem Inc.

        1,000,640   
  13,200     

Cardinal Health, Inc.

        1,051,644   
  15,800     

Express Scripts, Holding Company, (2)

        1,148,660   
  13,900     

HCA Holdings Inc., (2)

        1,050,145   
  6,100     

McKesson HBOC Inc.

                    1,126,182   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                    7,554,308   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 7.5%                  
  18,300     

Brinker International Inc.

        982,893   
  20,800     

Dunkin Brands Group Inc.

        1,018,160   
  11,500     

McDonald’s Corporation

        1,330,090   
  4,300     

Panera Bread Company, Class A, (2)

        933,745   
  12,000     

YUM! Brands, Inc.

                    1,088,520   
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                    5,353,408   
      Household Products – 0.2%                  
  1,200     

Procter & Gamble Company

                    104,772   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 1.9%                  
  9,100     

Carlisle Companies Inc.

        954,226   
  13,100     

General Electric Company

                    409,244   
 

Total Industrial Conglomerates

                    1,363,470   
      Insurance – 1.8%                  
  4,200     

AFLAC Incorporated

        311,556   
  35,000     

Assured Guaranty Limited

                    971,950   
 

Total Insurance

                    1,283,506   
      Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.5%                  
  500     

Amazon.com, Inc., (2)

                    384,580   
      Internet Software & Services – 2.0%                  
  1,400     

Alphabet Inc., Class A, (2)

        1,105,790   
  2,600     

Facebook Inc., Class A, (2)

                    327,912   
 

Total Internet Software & Services

                    1,433,702   
      IT Services – 3.4%                  
  14,200     

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

        1,372,146   
  105,000     

Xerox Corporation

                    1,034,250   
 

Total IT Services

                    2,406,396   

 

  80       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Life Sciences Tools & Services – 1.4%                  
  12,400     

Quintiles Transnational Corporation, (2)

                  $ 958,520   
      Machinery – 1.7%                  
  32,400     

Allision Transmission Holdings Inc.

        898,776   
  3,700     

Wabtec Corporation

                    283,457   
 

Total Machinery

                    1,182,233   
      Media – 5.7%                  
  19,800     

CBS Corporation, Class B

        1,010,394   
  40,100     

Discovery Communications Inc., Class A, (2)

        1,022,951   
  59,000     

Gannett Company, Inc.

        703,870   
  4,100     

Omnicom Group, Inc.

        353,133   
  15,700     

Scripps Networks Interactive, Class A

                    994,909   
 

Total Media

                    4,085,257   
      Metals & Mining – 2.6%                  
  18,400     

Nucor Corporation

        892,584   
  13,300     

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company

                    958,664   
 

Total Metals & Mining

                    1,851,248   
      Multiline Retail – 4.8%                  
  17,500     

Big Lots, Inc.

        863,100   
  6,500     

Dollar General Corporation

        477,165   
  21,000     

Kohl’s Corporation

        931,980   
  16,200     

Target Corporation

                    1,137,078   
 

Total Multiline Retail

                    3,409,323   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 1.0%                  
  8,000     

Exxon Mobil Corporation

                    697,120   
      Personal Products – 2.5%                  
  13,200     

Herbalife, Limited

        801,900   
  16,400     

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Class A

                    949,232   
 

Total Personal Products

                    1,751,132   
      Pharmaceuticals – 0.8%                  
  5,000     

Johnson & Johnson

                    596,700   
      Professional Services – 1.3%                  
  12,700     

Manpower Inc.

                    907,542   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 3.0%                  
  62,100     

ON Semiconductor Corporation, (2)

        670,680   
  21,400     

QUALCOMM, Inc.

        1,349,698   
  6,800     

Teradyne Inc.

                    143,208   
 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                    2,163,586   

 

NUVEEN     81   


Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Software – 4.1%                  
  11,700     

Citrix Systems, (2)

      $ 1,020,240   
  8,000     

Intuit, Inc.

        891,600   
  17,900     

Microsoft Corporation

                    1,028,534   
 

Total Software

                    2,940,374   
      Specialty Retail – 6.7%                  
  25,200     

Best Buy Co., Inc.

        969,696   
  12,400     

Home Depot, Inc.

        1,663,088   
  15,400     

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

        1,179,024   
  26,800     

Urban Outfitters, Inc., (2)

                    960,780   
 

Total Specialty Retail

                    4,772,588   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 7.8%                  
  33,300     

Apple, Inc.

        3,533,130   
  76,300     

HP Inc.

        1,096,431   
  28,100     

NCR Corporation, (2)

                    951,185   
 

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                    5,580,746   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 3.4%                  
  7,000     

MSC Industrial Direct Inc., Class A

        511,280   
  11,600     

United Rentals Inc., (2)

        954,796   
  15,400     

WESCO International Inc., (2)

                    957,264   
 

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

                    2,423,340   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.4%                  
  21,900     

T-Mobile US Inc., (2)

                    1,014,846   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $85,396,629)

                    92,468,472   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon     Maturity     Value  
      SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.5%                  
      REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 0.5%                  
$ 362     

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 8/31/16 repurchase price $361,540, collateralized by $310,000 U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.125%, due 11/15/41, value $370,063

    0.030%        9/01/16      $ 361,540   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $361,540)

                    361,540   
 

Total Investments (cost $85,758,169) – 130.2%

                    92,830,012   
Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
 

COMMON STOCKS SOLD SHORT – (29.9)% (3)

     
      Aerospace & Defense – (0.4)%                  
  (1,500  

General Dynamics Corporation

      $ (228,330
  (300  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

                    (63,621
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

                    (291,951

 

  82       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Automobiles – (0.3)%                  
  (1,000  

Tesla Motors Inc., (2)

                  $ (212,010
      Banks – (0.1)%                  
  (700  

M&T Bank Corporation

                    (82,831
      Beverages – (1.5)%                  
  (3,800  

Brown-Forman Corporation, Class B

        (184,490
  (4,500  

Coca-Cola Company

        (195,435
  (1,300  

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

        (213,265
  (2,200  

Molson Coors Brewing Company, Class B

        (225,104
  (1,400  

Monster Beverage Corporation, (2)

                    (215,446
 

Total Beverages

                    (1,033,740
      Biotechnology – (0.3)%                  
  (1,300  

Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, (2)

                    (192,803
      Building Products – (0.3)%                  
  (5,000  

Armstrong World Industries Inc., (2)

                    (217,350
      Capital Markets – (0.3)%                  
  (200  

Affiliated Managers Group Inc., (2)

        (28,410
  (8,300  

Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc., Class A

                    (217,045
 

Total Capital Markets

                    (245,455
      Chemicals – (0.9)%                  
  (3,300  

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company

        (229,680
  (1,800  

Praxair, Inc.

        (219,672
  (2,700  

Scotts Miracle Gro Company, Class A

                    (223,560
 

Total Chemicals

                    (672,912
      Commercial Services & Supplies – (0.6)%                  
  (4,800  

Johnson Controls International PLC

        (209,664
  (8,000  

Rollins Inc.

                    (228,000
 

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                    (437,664
      Consumer Finance – (0.3)%                  
  (7,800  

OneMain Holdings Inc., (2)

                    (241,878
      Containers & Packaging – (0.3)%                  
  (2,700  

Ball Corporation

                    (213,813
      Electric Utilities – (1.9)%                  
  (2,600  

Alliant Energy Corporation

        (98,670
  (800  

Duke Energy Corporation

        (63,728
  (4,000  

Eversource Energy

        (215,880
  (800  

NextEra Energy Inc.

        (96,752
  (3,500  

PG&E Corporation

        (216,790
  (6,300  

PPL Corporation

        (219,114

 

NUVEEN     83   


Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Electric Utilities (continued)                  
  (4,200  

Southern Company

      $ (215,586
  (5,300  

Xcel Energy, Inc.

                    (219,208
 

Total Electric Utilities

                    (1,345,728
      Electrical Equipment – (0.2)%                  
  (200  

Acuity Brands Inc.

        (55,024
  (2,800  

Solarcity Corporation, (2)

                    (57,848
 

Total Electrical Equipment

                    (112,872
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – (0.7)%                  
  (3,400  

Amphenol Corporation, Class A

        (211,854
  (5,500  

VeriFone Holdings Inc., (2)

        (109,230
  (3,000  

Zebra Technologies Corporation, Class A, (2)

                    (209,880
 

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

                    (530,964
      Energy Equipment & Services – (0.9)%                  
  (4,900  

Halliburton Company

        (210,749
  (2,800  

Schlumberger Limited

        (221,200
  (40,700  

Weatherford International PLC, (2)

                    (222,629
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                    (654,578
      Food Products – (0.4)%                  
  (3,700  

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

        (172,457
  (700  

Kellogg Company

        (57,547
  (1,100  

Mondelez International Inc., Class A

                    (49,522
 

Total Food Products

                    (279,526
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – (1.7)%                  
  (2,100  

Abbott Laboratories

        (88,242
  (3,700  

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

        (227,402
  (2,500  

DexCom, Inc., (2)

        (227,725
  (1,900  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp., (2)

        (218,804
  (300  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc., (2)

        (205,926
  (300  

Medtronic, PLC

        (26,109
  (1,900  

Stryker Corporation

                    (219,754
 

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

                    (1,213,962
      Health Care Providers & Services – (0.6)%                  
  (4,200  

Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., (2)

        (214,998
  (12,200  

Brookdale Senior Living Inc., (2)

                    (209,962
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                    (424,960
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – (0.2)%                  
  (300  

Chipotle Mexican Grill, (2)

                    (124,119

 

  84       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Household Durables – (1.2)%                  
  (6,100  

CalAtlantic Group Inc.

      $ (222,589
  (4,600  

Lennar Corporation, Class A

        (217,580
  (1,000  

Mohawk Industries Inc., (2)

        (212,780
  (4,100  

Newell Brands Inc.

                    (217,628
 

Total Household Durables

                    (870,577
      Household Products – (0.3)%                  
  (2,900  

Colgate-Palmolive Company

                    (215,586
      Industrial Conglomerates – (0.6)%                  
  (1,200  

3M Co.

        (215,088
  (1,900  

Honeywell International Inc.

                    (221,749
 

Total Industrial Conglomerates

                    (436,837
      Insurance – (0.7)%                  
  (1,800  

Ace Limited

        (228,474
  (500  

Arch Capital Group Limited, (2)

        (40,470
  (4,200  

Mercury General Corporation

        (228,060
  (700  

Progressive Corporation

                    (22,792
 

Total Insurance

                    (519,796
      Internet & Catalog Retail – (1.0)%                  
  (100  

Alphabet Inc., Class A, (2)

        (78,985
  (7,400  

Liberty Interactive Corporation, Class A, (2)

        (156,362
  (5,900  

Liberty Ventures, Series A, (2)

        (227,386
  (2,300  

NetFlix.com Inc., (2)

                    (224,135
 

Total Internet & Catalog Retail

                    (686,868
      Internet Software & Services – (1.2)%                  
  (1,100  

LinkedIn Corporation, Class A, (2)

        (212,025
  (15,500  

Pandora Media, Inc., (2)

        (217,000
  (10,500  

Twitter Inc., (2)

        (201,705
  (5,100  

Yahoo! Inc., (2)

                    (218,025
 

Total Internet Software & Services

                    (848,755
      Leisure Products – (0.3)%                  
  (6,500  

Mattel, Inc.

                    (215,345
      Life Sciences Tools & Services – (0.2)%                  
  (700  

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Class A, (2)

                    (104,167
      Machinery – (0.3)%                  
  (4,100  

Xylem Inc.

                    (208,526
      Media – (0.6)%                  
  (900  

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A, (2)

        (231,489
  (10,000  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation

                    (209,600
 

Total Media

                    (441,089

 

NUVEEN     85   


Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Metals & Mining – (0.6)%                  
  (2,800  

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

      $ (208,684
  (8,600  

Southern Copper Corporation

                    (222,052
 

Total Metals & Mining

                    (430,736
      Multi-Utilities – (1.2)%                  
  (2,900  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

        (218,225
  (2,900  

Dominion Resources, Inc.

        (215,064
  (2,000  

Sempra Energy

        (209,260
  (3,700  

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

                    (221,556
 

Total Multi-Utilities

                    (864,105
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (4.1)%                  
  (4,200  

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

        (224,574
  (4,400  

Apache Corporation

        (218,680
  (5,700  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation

        (140,391
  (4,600  

Cheniere Energy Inc., (2)

        (197,340
  (1,500  

Chevron Corporation

        (150,870
  (1,700  

Cimarex Energy Company

        (224,706
  (5,500  

ConocoPhillips

        (225,775
  (4,500  

Devon Energy Corporation

        (194,985
  (2,000  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

        (174,280
  (3,900  

Energen Corporation

        (224,250
  (2,400  

EOG Resources, Inc.

        (212,376
  (8,400  

Golar LNG, Limited

        (174,972
  (3,800  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

        (83,030
  (3,000  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

        (230,550
  (1,300  

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

                    (232,765
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                    (2,909,544
      Pharmaceuticals – (0.4)%                  
  (900  

Allergan PLC, (2)

        (211,086
  (1,600  

Zoetis Incorporated

                    (81,760
 

Total Pharmaceuticals

                    (292,846
      Real Estate Investment Trust – (0.3)%                  
  (7,000  

Weyerhaeuser Company

                    (222,950
      Road & Rail – (0.1)%                  
  (800  

Union Pacific Corporation

                    (76,424
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (0.6)%                  
  (1,300  

Broadcom Limited

        (229,346
  (700  

Linear Technology Corporation

        (40,768
  (15,100  

SunPower Corporation, (2)

                    (150,396
 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                    (420,510

 

  86       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Software – (1.3)%                  
  (14,800  

FireEye Inc., (2)

      $ (212,528
  (2,000  

NetSuite Inc., (2)

        (217,800
  (3,100  

ServiceNow Inc., (2)

        (225,277
  (7,100  

SS&C Technologies Holdings Inc.

        (233,945
  (200  

Tyler Technologies Inc., (2)

                    (32,790
 

Total Software

                    (922,340
      Specialty Retail – (0.9)%                  
  (3,700  

CarMax, Inc., (2)

        (218,115
  (2,300  

Signet Jewelers Limited

        (188,554
  (3,100  

Tiffany & Co.

                    (221,247
 

Total Specialty Retail

                    (627,916
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – (0.3)%                  
  (8,300  

Stratasys, Inc., (2)

                    (177,122
      Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – (0.9)%                  
  (3,600  

Nike, Inc., Class B

        (207,504
  (400  

Skechers USA Inc., Class A, (2)

        (9,724
  (5,100  

Under Armour, Inc., Class A, (2)

        (202,113
  (3,300  

VF Corporation

                    (204,765
 

Total Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

                    (624,106
      Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – (0.3)%                  
  (15,600  

New York Community Bancorp Inc.

                    (235,716
      Tobacco – (0.3)%                  
  (4,500  

Reynolds American Inc.

                    (223,065
      Water Utilities – (0.3)%                  
  (7,000  

Aqua America Inc.

                    (212,870
 

Total Common Stocks Sold Short (proceeds $22,967,595)

                    (21,316,912
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – (0.3)%

                    (195,264
 

Net Assets – 100%

                  $ 71,317,836   

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

(3) The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible long-term investments in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for Common Stocks Sold Short. As of the end of the reporting period, long-term investments with a value of $31,050,540 have been pledged as collateral for Common Stocks Sold Short.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     87   


Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 155.9%

     
 

COMMON STOCKS – 155.9%

     
      Aerospace & Defense – 1.2%                  
  6,100     

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

                  $ 1,007,537   
      Air Freight & Logistics – 2.5%                  
  15,400     

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

        1,069,068   
  20,100     

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

                    1,018,065   
 

Total Air Freight & Logistics

                    2,087,133   
      Airlines – 2.8%                  
  16,000     

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

        1,080,480   
  8,000     

Copa Holdings SA, Class A

        611,440   
  18,000     

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

                    661,500   
 

Total Airlines

                    2,353,420   
      Auto Components – 2.5%                  
  9,300     

Lear Corporation

        1,081,497   
  14,300     

Visteon Corporation, (2)

                    1,011,010   
 

Total Auto Components

                    2,092,507   
      Automobiles – 0.7%                  
  45,000     

Ford Motor Company

                    567,000   
      Banks – 4.8%                  
  70,000     

Bank of America Corporation

        1,129,800   
  26,200     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

        1,768,500   
  110,700     

Regions Financial Corporation

                    1,103,679   
 

Total Banks

                    4,001,979   
      Biotechnology – 8.2%                  
  20,000     

AbbVie Inc.

        1,282,000   
  8,200     

Amgen Inc.

        1,394,492   
  11,300     

Celgene Corporation, (2)

        1,206,162   
  16,300     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

        1,277,594   
  12,600     

Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc., (2)

        1,021,860   
  5,300     

United Therapeutics Corporation, (2)

                    648,084   
 

Total Biotechnology

                    6,830,192   
      Building Products – 1.3%                  
  18,900     

Owens Corning

                    1,037,988   
      Capital Markets – 2.0%                  
  5,300     

CME Group, Inc.

        574,255   

 

  88       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Capital Markets (continued)                  
  3,900     

Intercontinental Exchange Group, Inc.

                  $ 1,099,878   
 

Total Capital Markets

                    1,674,133   
      Chemicals – 4.9%                  
  20,200     

Cabot Corporation

        1,007,172   
  15,800     

Celanese Corporation, Series A

        1,017,994   
  19,400     

RPM International, Inc.

        1,057,882   
  19,400     

Westlake Chemical Corporation

                    1,005,308   
 

Total Chemicals

                    4,088,356   
      Communications Equipment – 4.2%                  
  102,000     

Brocade Communications Systems Inc.

        915,960   
  47,700     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

        1,499,688   
  8,600     

F5 Networks, Inc., (2)

                    1,055,478   
 

Total Communications Equipment

                    3,471,126   
      Construction & Engineering – 4.1%                  
  29,100     

AECOM, (2)

        897,153   
  20,300     

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.

        604,534   
  18,500     

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., (2)

        974,765   
  63,900     

KBR Inc.

                    938,052   
 

Total Construction & Engineering

                    3,414,504   
      Consumer Finance – 2.1%                  
  18,600     

Discover Financial Services

        1,116,000   
  89,000     

SLM Corporation

                    659,935   
 

Total Consumer Finance

                    1,775,935   
      Containers & Packaging – 2.4%                  
  70,400     

Graphic Packaging Holding Company

        1,009,536   
  21,100     

WestRock Company

                    1,010,690   
 

Total Containers & Packaging

                    2,020,226   
      Distributors – 1.3%                  
  10,100     

Genuine Parts Company

                    1,038,482   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 3.2%                  
  36,400     

CenturyLink Inc.

        1,011,920   
  31,100     

Verizon Communications Inc.

                    1,627,463   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                    2,639,383   
      Electric Utilities – 1.1%                  
  6,500     

Edison International

        472,680   
  17,000     

Great Plains Energy Incorporated

                    461,720   
 

Total Electric Utilities

                    934,400   

 

NUVEEN     89   


Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Electrical Equipment – 0.8%                  
  9,300     

Eaton PLC

                  $ 618,822   
      Energy Equipment & Services – 1.4%                  
  49,300     

Rowan Companies Inc., Class A

        614,278   
  60,000     

Transocean Inc.

                    582,000   
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                    1,196,278   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 6.0%                  
  7,300     

Costco Wholesale Corporation

        1,183,257   
  17,000     

Kroger Co.

        543,830   
  45,100     

Sprouts Farmers Market Inc., (2)

        1,016,103   
  20,900     

Sysco Corporation

        1,083,874   
  14,500     

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

                    1,170,295   
 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                    4,997,359   
      Food Products – 2.5%                  
  41,800     

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, (2)

        964,744   
  15,000     

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

                    1,133,550   
 

Total Food Products

                    2,098,294   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 7.7%                  
  9,200     

Aetna Inc.

        1,077,504   
  11,800     

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

        1,026,246   
  8,900     

Anthem Inc.

        1,113,212   
  15,600     

Express Scripts, Holding Company, (2)

        1,134,120   
  5,775     

McKesson HBOC Inc.

        1,066,181   
  8,900     

Wellcare Health Plans Inc., (2)

                    1,003,030   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                    6,420,293   
      Health Care Technology – 2.4%                  
  70,800     

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., (2)

        914,028   
  26,100     

Veeva Systems Inc., Class A, (2)

                    1,068,012   
 

Total Health Care Technology

                    1,982,040   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 7.6%                  
  27,700     

Aramark Holdings Corporation

        1,050,661   
  19,000     

Brinker International Inc.

        1,020,490   
  17,000     

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

        1,047,880   
  6,900     

Dominos Pizza Inc.

        1,032,033   
  15,100     

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

        1,077,083   
  6,600     

Vail Resorts, Inc.

                    1,045,638   
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                    6,273,785   
      Household Durables – 2.2%                  
  26,000     

D.R. Horton, Inc.

        833,560   

 

  90       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Household Durables (continued)                  
  5,700     

Whirlpool Corporation

                  $ 1,018,248   
 

Total Household Durables

                    1,851,808   
      Household Products – 3.7%                  
  10,200     

Church & Dwight Company Inc.

        1,014,084   
  20,800     

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

        1,027,936   
  7,700     

Spectrum Brands Inc.

                    1,033,340   
 

Total Household Products

                    3,075,360   
      Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 1.2%                  
  81,000     

AES Corporation

                    977,670   
      Insurance – 5.4%                  
  15,800     

AFLAC Incorporated

        1,172,044   
  25,900     

MetLife, Inc.

        1,124,060   
  14,000     

Prudential Financial, Inc.

        1,111,320   
  31,400     

Unum Group

                    1,118,154   
 

Total Insurance

                    4,525,578   
      IT Services – 3.4%                  
  12,100     

Henry Jack and Associates Inc.

        1,055,967   
  19,600     

Leidos Holdings Inc.

        793,996   
  17,600     

Vantiv Inc., Class A, (2)

                    945,824   
 

Total IT Services

                    2,795,787   
      Leisure Products – 1.8%                  
  22,100     

Brunswick Corporation

        1,016,379   
  5,500     

Polaris Industries Inc.

                    476,520   
 

Total Leisure Products

                    1,492,899   
      Life Sciences Tools & Services – 1.3%                  
  14,100     

Quintiles Transnational Corporation, (2)

                    1,089,930   
      Machinery – 4.6%                  
  37,400     

Allision Transmission Holdings Inc.

        1,037,476   
  8,400     

Deere & Company

        710,220   
  10,700     

IDEX Corporation

        999,808   
  30,500     

Timken Company

                    1,033,035   
 

Total Machinery

                    3,780,539   
      Media – 6.3%                  
  21,000     

CBS Corporation, Class B

        1,071,630   
  38,500     

Discovery Communications Inc., Class A, (2)

        982,135   
  40,300     

Live Nation Inc., (2)

        1,076,816   
  12,200     

Omnicom Group, Inc.

        1,050,786   

 

NUVEEN     91   


Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Media (continued)                  
  245,400     

Sirius XM Holdings Inc., (2)

                  $ 1,015,956   
 

Total Media

                    5,197,323   
      Metals & Mining – 2.3%                  
  20,000     

Nucor Corporation

        970,200   
  39,700     

Steel Dynamics Inc.

                    977,414   
 

Total Metals & Mining

                    1,947,614   
      Multiline Retail – 2.0%                  
  14,300     

Kohl’s Corporation

        634,634   
  15,100     

Target Corporation

                    1,059,869   
 

Total Multiline Retail

                    1,694,503   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 4.8%                  
  200,000     

Denbury Resources Inc.

        616,000   
  20,500     

SM Energy Company

        776,540   
  6,200     

Tesoro Corporation

        467,604   
  10,700     

Valero Energy Corporation

        592,245   
  73,000     

Whiting Petroleum Corporation, (2)

        532,170   
  22,500     

World Fuel Services Corporation

                    1,003,050   
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                    3,987,609   
      Personal Products – 2.2%                  
  15,500     

Herbalife, Limited

        941,625   
  15,700     

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Class A

                    908,716   
 

Total Personal Products

                    1,850,341   
      Professional Services – 2.6%                  
  14,600     

Manpower Inc.

        1,043,316   
  20,600     

Nielsen Holdings PLC

                    1,097,568   
 

Total Professional Services

                    2,140,884   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 7.0%                  
  21,000     

Applied Materials, Inc.

        626,640   
  36,300     

Cree, Inc., (2)

        871,563   
  11,500     

Lam Research Corporation

        1,073,180   
  76,000     

ON Semiconductor Corporation, (2)

        820,800   
  20,800     

QUALCOMM, Inc.

        1,311,856   
  51,500     

Teradyne Inc.

                    1,084,590   
 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                    5,788,629   
      Software – 7.8%                  
  12,000     

Citrix Systems, (2)

        1,046,400   
  9,900     

Intuit, Inc.

        1,103,355   
  38,500     

Microsoft Corporation

        2,212,210   

 

  92       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Software (continued)                  
  13,900     

Red Hat, Inc., (2)

      $ 1,014,422   
  18,300     

Synopsys Inc., (2)

                    1,085,007   
 

Total Software

                    6,461,394   
      Specialty Retail – 7.8%                  
  19,500     

Best Buy Co., Inc.

        750,360   
  12,600     

Burlington Store Inc., (2)

        1,023,372   
  11,000     

Home Depot, Inc.

        1,475,320   
  15,600     

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

        1,194,336   
  16,500     

Ross Stores, Inc.

        1,026,960   
  28,000     

Urban Outfitters, Inc., (2)

                    1,003,800   
 

Total Specialty Retail

                    6,474,148   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 5.8%                  
  24,800     

Apple, Inc.

        2,631,280   
  77,800     

HP Inc.

        1,117,986   
  31,600     

NCR Corporation, (2)

                    1,069,660   
 

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                    4,818,926   
      Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 1.2%                  
  21,100     

Michael Kors Holdings Limited, (2)

                    1,032,845   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 3.6%                  
  28,200     

HD Suplly Holdings Inc., (2)

        1,018,302   
  13,700     

MSC Industrial Direct Inc., Class A

        1,000,648   
  11,900     

United Rentals Inc., (2)

                    979,489   
 

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

                    2,998,439   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.2%                  
  22,000     

T-Mobile US Inc., (2)

                    1,019,480   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $120,891,267)

                    129,622,878   
Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon     Maturity     Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 3.3%

     
 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 3.3%

     
$ 2,755     

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 8/31/16 repurchase price $2,754,607, collateralized by $2,670,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.125%, due 5/15/25, value $2,810,175

    0.030%        9/01/16      $ 2,754,605   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $2,754,605)

                    2,754,605   
 

Total Investments (cost $123,645,872) – 159.2%

                    132,377,483   

 

NUVEEN     93   


Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
 

COMMON STOCKS SOLD SHORT – (75.1)% (3)

     
      Aerospace & Defense – (1.7)%                  
  (4,600  

General Dynamics Corporation

      $ (700,212
  (15,700  

Hexcel Corporation

                    (704,145
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

                    (1,404,357
      Automobiles – (0.8)%                  
  (3,200  

Tesla Motors Inc., (2)

                    (678,432
      Banks – (0.5)%                  
  (3,200  

M&T Bank Corporation

                    (378,656
      Beverages – (2.4)%                  
  (13,328  

Brown-Forman Corporation, Class B

        (647,074
  (6,700  

Molson Coors Brewing Company, Class B

        (685,544
  (4,400  

Monster Beverage Corporation, (2)

                    (677,116
 

Total Beverages

                    (2,009,734
      Biotechnology – (1.5)%                  
  (4,200  

Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, (2)

        (622,902
  (68,500  

Opko Health Inc., (2)

                    (623,350
 

Total Biotechnology

                    (1,246,252
      Building Products – (0.8)%                  
  (15,200  

Armstrong World Industries Inc., (2)

                    (660,744
      Capital Markets – (0.8)%                  
  (24,300  

Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc., Class A

                    (635,445
      Chemicals – (3.3)%                  
  (10,000  

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company

        (696,000
  (1,600  

NewMarket Corporation

        (694,320
  (5,700  

Praxair, Inc.

        (695,628
  (8,200  

Scotts Miracle Gro Company, Class A

                    (678,960
 

Total Chemicals

                    (2,764,908
      Commercial Services & Supplies – (1.6)%                  
  (15,200  

Johnson Controls International PLC

        (663,936
  (23,900  

Rollins Inc.

                    (681,150
 

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                    (1,345,086
      Consumer Finance – (0.9)%                  
  (23,700  

OneMain Holdings Inc., (2)

                    (734,937
      Containers & Packaging – (2.5)%                  
  (9,000  

AptarGroup Inc.

        (701,820
  (8,300  

Ball Corporation

        (657,277
  (15,200  

Sealed Air Corporation

                    (716,376
 

Total Containers & Packaging

                    (2,075,473

 

  94       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Electric Utilities – (3.9)%                  
  (16,700  

Alliant Energy Corporation

      $ (633,765
  (11,900  

Eversource Energy

        (642,243
  (10,800  

PG&E Corporation

        (668,952
  (18,600  

PPL Corporation

        (646,908
  (12,100  

Westar Energy Inc.

                    (664,774
 

Total Electric Utilities

                    (3,256,642
      Electrical Equipment – (0.8)%                  
  (2,400  

Acuity Brands Inc.

                    (660,288
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – (2.5)%                  
  (23,500  

National Instruments Corporation

        (656,590
  (36,100  

VeriFone Holdings Inc., (2)

        (716,946
  (10,100  

Zebra Technologies Corporation, Class A, (2)

                    (706,596
 

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

                    (2,080,132
      Energy Equipment & Services – (2.0)%                  
  (15,300  

Halliburton Company

        (658,053
  (7,500  

Schlumberger Limited

        (592,500
  (70,000  

Weatherford International PLC, (2)

                    (382,900
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                    (1,633,453
      Food Products – (2.2)%                  
  (14,931  

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

        (695,934
  (14,400  

Pinnacle Foods Inc.

        (729,360
  (4,300  

Treehouse Foods Inc., (2)

                    (407,339
 

Total Food Products

                    (1,832,633
      Gas Utilities – (0.8)%                  
  (8,700  

Atmos Energy Corporation

                    (641,190
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – (2.4)%                  
  (11,000  

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

        (676,060
  (7,500  

DexCom, Inc., (2)

        (683,175
  (5,700  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp., (2)

                    (656,412
 

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

                    (2,015,647
      Health Care Providers & Services – (1.6)%                  
  (12,900  

Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., (2)

        (660,351
  (36,700  

Brookdale Senior Living Inc., (2)

                    (631,607
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                    (1,291,958
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – (2.4)%                  
  (1,625  

Chipotle Mexican Grill, (2)

        (672,311
  (13,800  

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

        (669,162

 

NUVEEN     95   


Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)                  
  (9,500  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited

                  $ (675,545
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                    (2,017,018
      Household Durables – (3.3)%                  
  (18,000  

CalAtlantic Group Inc.

        (656,820
  (8,400  

Harman International Industries Inc.

        (711,396
  (15,200  

Lennar Corporation, Class A

        (718,960
  (12,300  

Newell Brands Inc.

                    (652,884
 

Total Household Durables

                    (2,740,060
      Insurance – (2.3)%                  
  (5,400  

Ace Limited

        (685,422
  (6,300  

Arch Capital Group Limited, (2)

        (509,922
  (13,800  

Mercury General Corporation

                    (749,340
 

Total Insurance

                    (1,944,684
      Internet & Catalog Retail – (2.0)%                  
  (4,500  

Expedia, Inc.

        (491,040
  (31,400  

Liberty Interactive Corporation, Class A, (2)

        (663,482
  (5,100  

NetFlix.com Inc., (2)

                    (496,995
 

Total Internet & Catalog Retail

                    (1,651,517
      Internet Software & Services – (2.3)%                  
  (47,500  

Pandora Media, Inc., (2)

        (665,000
  (32,900  

Twitter Inc., (2)

        (632,009
  (15,200  

Yahoo! Inc., (2)

                    (649,800
 

Total Internet Software & Services

                    (1,946,809
      Leisure Products – (0.8)%                  
  (20,400  

Mattel, Inc.

                    (675,852
      Machinery – (1.6)%                  
  (5,200  

Middleby Corporation, (2)

        (666,380
  (13,200  

Xylem Inc.

                    (671,352
 

Total Machinery

                    (1,337,732
      Media – (1.5)%                  
  (2,200  

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A, (2)

        (565,862
  (32,300  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation, Equity

                    (677,008
 

Total Media

                    (1,242,870
      Metals & Mining – (1.7)%                  
  (9,700  

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

        (722,941
  (25,700  

Southern Copper Corporation

                    (663,574
 

Total Metals & Mining

                    (1,386,515

 

  96       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Multi-Utilities – (1.7)%                  
  (9,600  

Dominion Resources, Inc.

      $ (711,936
  (11,100  

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

                    (664,668
 

Total Multi-Utilities

                    (1,376,604
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (6.6)%                  
  (12,100  

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

        (646,987
  (11,400  

Cheniere Energy Inc., (2)

        (489,060
  (4,800  

Cimarex Energy Company

        (634,464
  (11,200  

Energen Corporation

        (644,000
  (4,800  

EOG Resources, Inc.

        (424,752
  (6,300  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

        (548,982
  (19,000  

Golar LNG, Limited

        (395,770
  (29,000  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

        (633,650
  (5,000  

Phillips 66

        (392,250
  (16,800  

Range Resources Corporation

                    (647,976
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                    (5,457,891
      Pharmaceuticals – (0.8)%                  
  (2,700  

Allergan PLC, (2)

                    (633,258
      Real Estate Investment Trust – (0.8)%                  
  (20,600  

Weyerhaeuser Company

                    (656,110
      Road & Rail – (0.8)%                  
  (6,700  

Kansas City Southern Industries

                    (648,024
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (2.3)%                  
  (3,800  

Broadcom Limited

        (670,396
  (10,400  

Microchip Technology Incorporated

        (643,864
  (59,000  

SunPower Corporation, (2)

                    (587,640
 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                    (1,901,900
      Software – (4.3)%                  
  (48,000  

FireEye Inc., (2)

        (689,280
  (5,800  

Manhattan Associates Inc., (2)

        (351,016
  (4,800  

ServiceNow Inc., (2)

        (348,816
  (5,400  

Splunk Inc., (2)

        (314,496
  (20,500  

SS&C Technologies Holdings Inc.

        (675,475
  (2,800  

Ultimate Software Group, Inc., (2)

        (585,032
  (215,000  

Zynga Inc., Class A, (2)

                    (586,950
 

Total Software

                    (3,551,065
      Specialty Retail – (2.4)%                  
  (11,900  

CarMax, Inc., (2)

        (701,505
  (7,700  

Signet Jewelers Limited

        (631,246

 

NUVEEN     97   


Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Specialty Retail (continued)                  
  (9,800  

Tiffany & Co.

                  $ (699,426
 

Total Specialty Retail

                    (2,032,177
      Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – (1.5)%                  
  (26,900  

Skechers USA Inc., Class A, (2)

        (653,939
  (15,800  

Under Armour, Inc., Class A, (2)

                    (626,154
 

Total Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

                    (1,280,093
      Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – (0.8)%                  
  (45,500  

New York Community Bancorp Inc.

                    (687,505
      Tobacco – (0.8)%                  
  (13,400  

Reynolds American Inc.

                    (664,238
      Trading Companies & Distributors – (0.7)%                  
  (14,500  

Fastenal Company

                    (625,095
      Water Utilities – (0.7)%                  
  (19,900  

Aqua America Inc.

                    (605,159
 

Total Common Stocks Sold Short (proceeds $61,138,997)

                    (62,408,143
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 15.9%

                    13,182,317   
 

Net Assets – 100%

                  $ 83,151,657   

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

(3) The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible long-term investments in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for Common Stocks Sold Short. As of the end of the reporting period, long-term investments with a value of $79,761,790 have been pledged as collateral for Common Stocks Sold Short.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  98       NUVEEN


Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS – 112.8%

     
 

COMMON STOCKS – 112.8%

     
      Aerospace & Defense – 2.2%                  
  5,200     

Boeing Company

      $ 673,140   
  4,200     

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

                    693,714   
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

                    1,366,854   
      Air Freight & Logistics – 0.9%                  
  11,500     

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

                    582,475   
      Airlines – 3.2%                  
  10,100     

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

        682,053   
  19,100     

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

        701,925   
  16,100     

Southwest Airlines Co.

                    593,768   
 

Total Airlines

                    1,977,746   
      Auto Components – 2.1%                  
  5,000     

Lear Corporation

        581,450   
  9,900     

Visteon Corporation, (2)

                    699,930   
 

Total Auto Components

                    1,281,380   
      Automobiles – 2.3%                  
  56,700     

Ford Motor Company

        714,420   
  22,000     

General Motors Company

                    702,240   
 

Total Automobiles

                    1,416,660   
      Banks – 1.3%                  
  1,200     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

        81,000   
  18,500     

Popular Inc.

                    727,235   
 

Total Banks

                    808,235   
      Biotechnology – 4.2%                  
  8,300     

AbbVie Inc.

        532,030   
  4,000     

Amgen Inc.

        680,240   
  2,200     

Biogen Inc., (2)

        672,386   
  9,000     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

                    705,420   
 

Total Biotechnology

                    2,590,076   
      Building Products – 2.3%                  
  12,700     

Owens Corning

        697,484   
  25,100     

USG Corporation, (2)

                    688,493   
 

Total Building Products

                    1,385,977   
 

Capital Markets – 2.6%

     
  500     

Bank New York Mellon

        20,835   

 

NUVEEN     99   


Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Capital Markets (continued)                  
  1,600     

CME Group, Inc.

      $ 173,360   
  9,800     

NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

        697,858   
  12,500     

Raymond James Financial Inc.

                    727,125   
 

Total Capital Markets

                    1,619,178   
      Chemicals – 1.1%                  
  14,100     

Cabot Corporation

                    703,026   
      Communications Equipment – 3.3%                  
  68,800     

Brocade Communications Systems Inc.

        617,824   
  22,100     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

        694,824   
  5,700     

F5 Networks, Inc., (2)

                    699,561   
 

Total Communications Equipment

                    2,012,209   
      Construction & Engineering – 3.9%                  
  21,700     

AECOM, (2)

        669,011   
  11,600     

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.

        345,448   
  13,000     

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., (2)

        684,970   
  5,200     

Valmont Industries, Inc.

                    678,444   
 

Total Construction & Engineering

                    2,377,873   
      Consumer Finance – 1.9%                  
  12,100     

Discover Financial Services

        726,000   
  56,600     

SLM Corporation

                    419,689   
 

Total Consumer Finance

                    1,145,689   
      Containers & Packaging – 1.1%                  
  15,200     

Berry Plastics Corporation, (2)

                    689,928   
      Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.6%                  
  24,400     

CenturyLink Inc.

        678,320   
  32,300     

Windstream Holdings Inc.

                    274,873   
 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                    953,193   
      Electrical Equipment – 1.2%                  
  4,500     

Regal-Beloit Corporation

        275,985   
  3,800     

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

                    440,534   
 

Total Electrical Equipment

                    716,519   
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 4.4%                  
  10,600     

Arrow Electronics, Inc., (2)

        697,798   
  20,900     

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A

        730,664   
  34,400     

Jabil Circuit Inc.

        728,936   
  36,400     

Vishay Intertechnology Inc.

                    515,424   
 

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

                    2,672,822   

 

  100       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Energy Equipment & Services – 1.2%                  
  10,100     

Ensco PLC

      $ 76,659   
  69,400     

Transocean Inc.

                    673,180   
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                    749,839   
      Food & Staples Retailing – 3.4%                  
  13,400     

Sysco Corporation

        694,924   
  8,500     

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

        686,035   
  9,800     

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

                    700,112   
 

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                    2,081,071   
      Food Products – 4.4%                  
  6,200     

Hershey Foods Corporation

        619,318   
  5,000     

JM Smucker Company

        708,950   
  29,300     

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, (2)

        676,244   
  9,300     

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

                    702,801   
 

Total Food Products

                    2,707,313   
      Health Care Providers & Services – 6.9%                  
  5,800     

Aetna Inc.

        679,296   
  8,100     

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

        704,457   
  3,000     

Anthem Inc.

        375,240   
  5,000     

Cardinal Health, Inc.

        398,350   
  9,600     

Express Scripts, Holding Company, (2)

        697,920   
  3,800     

McKesson HBOC Inc.

        701,556   
  5,800     

Wellcare Health Plans Inc., (2)

                    653,660   
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                    4,210,479   
      Health Care Technology – 1.1%                  
  53,800     

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., (2)

                    694,558   
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 7.2%                  
  13,100     

Brinker International Inc.

        703,601   
  4,700     

Dominos Pizza Inc.

        702,979   
  14,400     

Dunkin Brands Group Inc.

        704,880   
  3,700     

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Class A, (2)

        197,876   
  6,000     

McDonald’s Corporation

        693,960   
  3,200     

Panera Bread Company, (2)

        694,880   
  7,800     

YUM! Brands, Inc.

                    707,538   
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                    4,405,714   
      Household Durables – 1.1%                  
  3,900     

Whirlpool Corporation

                    696,696   
      Industrial Conglomerates – 0.3%                  
  1,700     

Carlisle Companies Inc.

                    178,262   

 

NUVEEN     101   


Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Insurance – 1.5%                  
  3,100     

AFLAC Incorporated

      $ 229,958   
  25,700     

Assured Guaranty Limited

                    713,689   
 

Total Insurance

                    943,647   
      IT Services – 1.8%                  
  7,300     

MasterCard, Inc.

        705,399   
  39,200     

Xerox Corporation

                    386,120   
 

Total IT Services

                    1,091,519   
      Life Sciences Tools & Services – 1.1%                  
  9,000     

Quintiles Transnational Corporation, (2)

                    695,700   
      Machinery – 2.6%                  
  25,100     

Allision Transmission Holdings Inc.

        696,274   
  25,500     

Joy Global Inc.

        695,640   
  2,700     

Wabtec Corporation

                    206,847   
 

Total Machinery

                    1,598,761   
      Media – 6.1%                  
  13,300     

CBS Corporation, Class B

        678,699   
  27,100     

Discovery Communications Inc., Class A, (2)

        691,321   
  55,100     

Gannett Company, Inc.

        657,343   
  14,000     

Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

        323,960   
  32,100     

Regal Entertainment Group, Class A

        686,298   
  10,900     

Scripps Networks Interactive, Class A

                    690,733   
 

Total Media

                    3,728,354   
      Metals & Mining – 3.3%                  
  13,900     

Nucor Corporation

        674,289   
  9,500     

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company

        684,760   
  28,000     

Steel Dynamics Inc.

                    689,360   
 

Total Metals & Mining

                    2,048,409   
      Multiline Retail – 3.4%                  
  9,300     

Big Lots, Inc.

        458,676   
  9,200     

Dollar General Corporation

        675,372   
  6,500     

Kohl’s Corporation

        288,470   
  9,700     

Target Corporation

                    680,843   
 

Total Multiline Retail

                    2,103,361   
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 5.8%                  
  9,500     

Antero Resources Corporation, (2)

        242,820   
  19,300     

SM Energy Company

        731,084   
  72,400     

Teekay Shipping Corporation

        523,452   
  9,500     

Tesoro Corporation

        716,490   

 

  102       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                  
  85,300     

Whiting Petroleum Corporation, (2)

      $ 621,837   
  15,600     

World Fuel Services Corporation

                    695,448   
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                    3,531,131   
      Personal Products – 2.2%                  
  11,000     

Herbalife, Limited

        668,250   
  12,000     

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Class A

                    694,560   
 

Total Personal Products

                    1,362,810   
      Professional Services – 1.2%                  
  10,000     

Manpower Inc.

                    714,600   
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 3.4%                  
  62,800     

ON Semiconductor Corporation, (2)

        678,240   
  11,200     

QUALCOMM, Inc.

        706,384   
  33,600     

Teradyne Inc.

                    707,616   
 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                    2,092,240   
      Software – 2.3%                  
  8,000     

Citrix Systems, (2)

        697,600   
  12,000     

Synopsys Inc., (2)

                    711,480   
 

Total Software

                    1,409,080   
      Specialty Retail – 5.6%                  
  18,000     

Best Buy Co., Inc.

        692,640   
  26,100     

Gap, Inc.

        649,107   
  5,100     

Home Depot, Inc.

        684,012   
  9,100     

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

        696,696   
  19,200     

Urban Outfitters, Inc., (2)

                    688,320   
 

Total Specialty Retail

                    3,410,775   
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – 3.4%                  
  6,500     

Apple, Inc.

        689,650   
  48,800     

HP Inc.

        701,256   
  20,900     

NCR Corporation, (2)

                    707,465   
 

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                    2,098,371   
      Trading Companies & Distributors – 1.6%                  
  3,600     

MSC Industrial Direct Inc., Class A

        262,944   
  11,800     

WESCO International Inc., (2)

                    733,488   
 

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

                    996,432   
      Wireless Telecommunication Services – 2.3%                  
  26,500     

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

        738,555   
  15,200     

T-Mobile US Inc., (2)

                    704,368   
 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                    1,442,923   
 

Total Long-Term Investments (cost $64,074,085)

                    69,291,885   

 

NUVEEN     103   


Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Principal
Amount (000)
    Description (1)   Coupon     Maturity     Value  
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 4.8%

     
 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 4.8%

     
$ 2,919     

Repurchase Agreement with Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, dated 8/31/16 repurchase price $2,918,658, collateralized by $2,805,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.250%, due 11/15/25, value $2,980,313

    0.030%        9/01/16      $ 2,918,656   
 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $2,918,656)

                    2,918,656   
 

Total Investments (cost $66,992,741) – 117.6%

                    72,210,541   
Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
 

COMMON STOCKS SOLD SHORT – (92.6)% (3)

     
      Aerospace & Defense – (1.9)%                  
  (3,800  

General Dynamics Corporation

      $ (578,436
  (12,900  

Hexcel Corporation

                    (578,565
 

Total Aerospace & Defense

                    (1,157,001
      Automobiles – (0.9)%                  
  (2,600  

Tesla Motors Inc., (2)

                    (551,226
      Beverages – (1.9)%                  
  (5,800  

Molson Coors Brewing Company, Class B

        (593,456
  (3,800  

Monster Beverage Corporation, (2)

                    (584,782
 

Total Beverages

                    (1,178,238
      Biotechnology – (1.5)%                  
  (3,500  

Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, (2)

        (519,085
  (45,100  

Opko Health Inc., (2)

                    (410,410
 

Total Biotechnology

                    (929,495
      Building Products – (0.9)%                  
  (13,200  

Armstrong World Industries Inc., (2)

                    (573,804
      Capital Markets – (0.9)%                  
  (21,800  

Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.

                    (570,070
      Chemicals – (3.8)%                  
  (8,300  

E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company

        (577,680
  (1,300  

NewMarket Corporation

        (564,135
  (4,800  

Praxair, Inc.

        (585,792
  (7,100  

Scotts Miracle Gro Company

                    (587,880
 

Total Chemicals

                    (2,315,487
      Commercial Services & Supplies – (1.8)%                  
  (11,500  

Johnson Controls International PLC

        (502,320
  (20,400  

Rollins Inc.

                    (581,400
 

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                    (1,083,720

 

  104       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Communications Equipment – (1.0)%                  
  (6,400  

Harris Corporation

                  $ (595,072
      Consumer Finance – (1.0)%                  
  (19,800  

OneMain Holdings Inc., (2)

                    (613,998
      Containers & Packaging – (2.8)%                  
  (7,300  

AptarGroup Inc.

        (569,254
  (7,200  

Ball Corporation

        (570,168
  (12,100  

Sealed Air Corporation

                    (570,273
 

Total Containers & Packaging

                    (1,709,695
      Electric Utilities – (5.3)%                  
  (14,900  

Alliant Energy Corporation

        (565,455
  (11,500  

Eversource Energy

        (620,655
  (9,000  

PG&E Corporation

        (557,460
  (9,000  

PPL Corporation

        (313,020
  (11,100  

Southern Company

        (569,763
  (11,300  

Westar Energy Inc.

                    (620,822
 

Total Electric Utilities

                    (3,247,175
      Electrical Equipment – (1.1)%                  
  (2,100  

Acuity Brands Inc.

        (577,752
  (6,000  

Solarcity Corporation, (2)

                    (123,960
 

Total Electrical Equipment

                    (701,712
      Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – (2.4)%                  
  (20,500  

National Instruments Corporation

        (572,770
  (15,600  

VeriFone Holdings Inc., (2)

        (309,816
  (8,500  

Zebra Technologies Corporation, Class A, (2)

                    (594,660
 

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

                    (1,477,246
      Energy Equipment & Services – (2.8)%                  
  (13,000  

Halliburton Company

        (559,130
  (7,100  

Schlumberger Limited

        (560,900
  (104,700  

Weatherford International PLC, (2)

                    (572,709
 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

                    (1,692,739
      Food Products – (1.8)%                  
  (11,300  

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

        (526,693
  (11,300  

Pinnacle Foods Inc.

                    (572,345
 

Total Food Products

                    (1,099,038
      Gas Utilities – (0.9)%                  
  (7,700  

Atmos Energy Corporation

                    (567,490
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies – (2.9)%                  
  (9,700  

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

        (596,162

 

NUVEEN     105   


Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)                  
  (6,400  

DexCom, Inc., (2)

      $ (582,976
  (5,000  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp., (2)

                    (575,800
 

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

                    (1,754,938
      Health Care Providers & Services – (1.9)%                  
  (11,300  

Acadia Healthcare Company Inc., (2)

        (578,447
  (33,300  

Brookdale Senior Living Inc., (2)

                    (573,093
 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                    (1,151,540
      Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – (2.9)%                  
  (1,500  

Chipotle Mexican Grill, (2)

        (620,595
  (11,800  

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

        (572,182
  (8,300  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited

                    (590,213
 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                    (1,782,990
      Household Durables – (4.5)%                  
  (16,200  

CalAtlantic Group Inc.

        (591,138
  (4,600  

Harman International Industries Inc.

        (389,574
  (12,500  

Lennar Corporation, Class A

        (591,250
  (2,800  

Mohawk Industries Inc., (2)

        (595,784
  (10,800  

Newell Brands Inc.

                    (573,264
 

Total Household Durables

                    (2,741,010
      Insurance – (2.5)%                  
  (4,500  

Ace Limited

        (571,185
  (4,500  

Arch Capital Group Limited, (2)

        (364,230
  (11,100  

Mercury General Corporation

                    (602,730
 

Total Insurance

                    (1,538,145
      Internet & Catalog Retail – (2.4)%                  
  (19,800  

Liberty Interactive Corporation, Class A, (2)

        (418,374
  (15,100  

Liberty Ventures, (2)

        (581,954
  (4,700  

NetFlix.com Inc., (2)

                    (458,015
 

Total Internet & Catalog Retail

                    (1,458,343
      Internet Software & Services – (3.8)%                  
  (3,000  

LinkedIn Corporation, Class A, (2)

        (578,250
  (42,600  

Pandora Media, Inc., (2)

        (596,400
  (31,400  

Twitter Inc., (2)

        (603,194
  (13,400  

Yahoo! Inc., (2)

                    (572,850
 

Total Internet Software & Services

                    (2,350,694
      Leisure Products – (0.9)%                  
  (17,400  

Mattel, Inc.

                    (576,462

 

  106       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Machinery – (1.4)%                  
  (2,200  

Middleby Corporation, (2)

      $ (281,930
  (11,500  

Xylem Inc.

                    (584,890
 

Total Machinery

                    (866,820
      Media – (1.9)%                  
  (2,300  

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A, (2)

        (591,583
  (27,100  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation, Equity

                    (568,016
 

Total Media

                    (1,159,599
      Metals & Mining – (1.9)%                  
  (7,900  

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

        (588,787
  (22,200  

Southern Copper Corporation

                    (573,204
 

Total Metals & Mining

                    (1,161,991
      Multi-Utilities – (1.8)%                  
  (7,600  

Dominion Resources, Inc.

        (563,616
  (9,400  

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

                    (562,872
 

Total Multi-Utilities

                    (1,126,488
      Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (10.7)%                  
  (10,700  

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

        (572,129
  (5,000  

Apache Corporation

        (248,500
  (13,200  

Cheniere Energy Inc., (2)

        (566,280
  (4,400  

Cimarex Energy Company

        (581,592
  (7,000  

ConocoPhillips

        (287,350
  (13,200  

Devon Energy Corporation

        (571,956
  (10,600  

Energen Corporation

        (609,500
  (6,400  

EOG Resources, Inc.

        (566,336
  (5,500  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

        (479,270
  (7,900  

Golar LNG, Limited

        (164,557
  (15,400  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

        (336,490
  (7,600  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

        (584,060
  (2,400  

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

        (429,720
  (14,100  

Range Resources Corporation

                    (543,837
 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                    (6,541,577
      Pharmaceuticals – (0.6)%                  
  (1,500  

Allergan PLC, (2)

                    (351,810
      Real Estate Investment Trust – (1.0)%                  
  (18,700  

Weyerhaeuser Company

                    (595,595
      Real Estate Management & Development – (0.9)%                  
  (4,800  

Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.

                    (560,400

 

NUVEEN     107   


Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund (continued)

 

Portfolio of Investments   August 31, 2016

 

Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Road & Rail – (1.5)%                  
  (3,800  

Kansas City Southern Industries

      $ (367,536
  (6,000  

Union Pacific Corporation

                    (573,180
 

Total Road & Rail

                    (940,716
      Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (2.6)%                  
  (3,300  

Broadcom Limited

        (582,186
  (9,300  

Microchip Technology Incorporated

        (575,763
  (46,100  

SunPower Corporation, (2)

                    (459,156
 

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                    (1,617,105
      Software – (5.7)%                  
  (38,200  

FireEye Inc., (2)

        (548,552
  (5,200  

NetSuite Inc., (2)

        (566,280
  (8,200  

ServiceNow Inc., (2)

        (595,894
  (8,200  

Splunk Inc., (2)

        (477,568
  (18,400  

SS&C Technologies Holdings Inc.

        (606,280
  (6,300  

Tableau Software Inc., Class A, (2)

        (365,589
  (125,500  

Zynga Inc., (2)

                    (342,615
 

Total Software

                    (3,502,778
      Specialty Retail – (2.9)%                  
  (9,900  

CarMax, Inc., (2)

        (583,605
  (7,100  

Signet Jewelers Limited

        (582,058
  (8,600  

Tiffany & Co.

                    (613,782
 

Total Specialty Retail

                    (1,779,445
      Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals – (0.4)%                  
  (10,300  

Stratasys, Inc., (2)

                    (219,802
      Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – (1.4)%                  
  (13,800  

Skechers USA Inc., (2)

        (335,478
  (13,600  

Under Armour, Inc., (2)

                    (538,968
 

Total Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

                    (874,446
      Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – (1.0)%                  
  (40,700  

New York Community Bancorp Inc.

                    (614,977
      Tobacco – (0.9)%                  
  (11,500  

Reynolds American Inc.

                    (570,055
      Trading Companies & Distributors – (0.6)%                  
  (8,800  

Fastenal Company

                    (379,368

 

  108       NUVEEN


Shares     Description (1)                 Value  
      Water Utilities – (0.9)%                  
  (18,700  

Aqua America Inc.

                  $ (568,667
 

Total Common Stocks Sold Short (proceeds $58,907,658)

                    (56,848,967
 

Other Assets Less Liabilities – 75.0%

                    46,027,219   
 

Net Assets – 100%

                  $ 61,388,793   

 

For Fund portfolio compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications into sectors for reporting ease.

 

(1) All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets.

 

(2) Non-income producing; issuer has not declared a dividend within the past twelve months.

 

(3) The Fund may pledge up to 100% of its eligible long-term investments in the Portfolio of Investments as collateral for Common Stocks Sold Short. As of the end of the reporting period, long-term investments with a value of $35,100,654 have been pledged as collateral for Common Stocks Sold Short.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     109   


Statement of

  Assets and Liabilities   August 31, 2016

 

      Large Cap
Value
       Large Cap
Core
       Large Cap
Growth
       Concentrated
Core
       Core
Dividend
 

Assets

                      

Long-term investments, at value ($362,220,024, $239,135,703, $67,021,397, $97,604,579 and $41,286,244, respectively)

   $ 386,875,070         $ 254,615,820         $ 70,765,816         $ 98,004,187         $ 42,551,155   

Short-term investments, at value (cost approximates value)

     236,805                               100,206             

Cash

                                               

Cash collateral at brokers(1)

                                               

Receivable for:

                      

Dividends

     926,888           513,473           132,152           277,378           111,319   

Investments sold

     1,770,063           2,981,192           879,200                     419,632   

Shares sold

     496,302           405,455           22,714           94,533           30,371   

Other assets

     134,272           27,889           25,361           27,112           22,969   

Total assets

     390,439,400           258,543,829           71,825,243           98,503,416           43,135,446   

Liabilities

                      

Cash overdraft

               185,769           230,758                     123,319   

Cash collateral due to brokers

                                               

Common stocks sold short, at value (proceeds $  —, $  —, $  —, $  — and $  —, respectively)

                                               

Payable for:

                      

Dividends on common stocks sold short

                                               

Investments purchased

     1,577,919           2,940,078           364,263                     272,157   

Shares redeemed

     281,752           344,805           154,843           444,604           109,334   

Accrued expenses:

                      

Management fees

     213,119           130,698           34,464           49,241           15,988   

Trustees fees

     98,322           963           296           428           163   

12b-1 distribution and service fees

     74,606           51,204           10,916           30,132           10,282   

Other

     147,007           102,244           59,552           78,631           43,185   

Total liabilities

     2,392,725           3,755,761           855,092           603,036           574,428   

Net assets

   $ 388,046,675         $ 254,788,068         $ 70,970,151         $ 97,900,380         $ 42,561,018   

Class A Shares

                      

Net assets

   $ 240,572,405         $ 47,518,110         $ 13,654,353         $ 41,052,726         $ 23,978,484   

Shares outstanding

     10,585,760           1,757,956           531,547           1,580,711           970,564   

Net asset value (“NAV”) per share

   $ 22.73         $ 27.03         $ 25.69         $ 25.97         $ 24.71   

Offering price per share (NAV per share plus maximum sales charge of 5.75% of offering price)

   $ 24.12         $ 28.68         $ 27.26         $ 27.55         $ 26.22   

Class C Shares

                      

Net assets

   $ 27,588,001         $ 47,804,709         $ 9,344,493         $ 24,531,112         $ 5,977,637   

Shares outstanding

     1,270,185           1,794,598           370,136           961,529           242,479   

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 21.72         $ 26.64         $ 25.25         $ 25.51         $ 24.65   

Class R3 Shares

                      

Net assets

   $ 185,982         $         $         $         $   

Shares outstanding

     8,131                                           

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 22.87         $         $         $         $   

Class R6 Shares

                      

Net assets

   $ 19,773,280         $ 18,488,990         $ 26,502         $ 25,790         $   

Shares outstanding

     864,051           682,645           1,030           991             

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 22.88         $ 27.08         $ 25.73         $ 26.02         $   

Class I Shares

                      

Net assets

   $ 99,927,007         $ 140,976,259         $ 47,944,803         $ 32,290,752         $ 12,604,897   

Shares outstanding

     4,368,243           5,206,731           1,863,604           1,241,174           510,123   

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 22.88         $ 27.08         $ 25.73         $ 26.02         $ 24.71   

Net assets consist of:

                                                    

Capital paid-in

   $ 379,940,229         $ 245,446,011         $ 69,301,060         $ 105,959,927         $ 43,105,852   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income

     5,671,153           2,040,748           526,693           1,680,900           262,465   

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

     (22,219,753        (8,178,808        (2,602,021        (10,140,055        (2,072,210

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     24,655,046           15,480,117           3,744,419           399,608           1,264,911   

Net assets

   $ 388,046,675         $ 254,788,068         $ 70,970,151         $ 97,900,380         $ 42,561,018   

Authorized shares – per class

     Unlimited           Unlimited           Unlimited           Unlimited           Unlimited   

Par value per share

   $ 0.01         $ 0.01         $ 0.01         $ 0.01         $ 0.01   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  110       NUVEEN


      Growth        Large Cap
Core Plus
       Equity Long/
Short
       Equity Market
Neutral
 

Assets

                 

Long-term investments, at value (cost $42,471,605, $85,396,629, $120,891,267 and $64,074,085, respectively)

   $ 49,639,366         $ 92,468,472         $ 129,622,878         $ 69,291,885   

Short-term investments, at value (cost approximates value)

               361,540           2,754,605           2,918,656   

Cash

     3,428                                 

Cash collateral at brokers(1)

                         14,863,239           46,932,527   

Receivable for:

                 

Dividends

     100,243           176,699           233,292           134,247   

Investments sold

     635,105           529,401           2,477,568           583,048   

Shares sold

     123,922           22,535           214,994           32,892   

Other assets

     33,547           23,340           28,224           26,060   

Total assets

     50,535,611           93,581,987           150,194,800           119,919,315   

Liabilities

                 

Cash overdraft

               29,261                       

Cash collateral due to brokers

               225,618                       

Common stocks sold short, at value (proceeds $  —, $22,967,595, $61,138,997 and $58,907,658, respectively)

               21,316,912           62,408,143           56,848,967   

Payable for:

                 

Dividends on common stocks sold short

               30,711           80,912           78,739   

Investments purchased

     599,353           343,657           3,777,897           1,450,803   

Shares redeemed

     91,721           184,565           600,065           31,855   

Accrued expenses:

                 

Management fees

     15,855           56,226           78,995           62,889   

Trustees fees

     185           286           383           288   

12b-1 distribution and service fees

     9,158           14,747           12,618           3,830   

Other

     50,734           62,168           84,130           53,151   

Total liabilities

     767,006           22,264,151           67,043,143           58,530,522   

Net assets

   $ 49,768,605         $ 71,317,836         $ 83,151,657         $ 61,388,793   

Class A Shares

                 

Net assets

   $ 9,757,914         $ 15,053,438         $ 26,011,556         $ 9,289,231   

Shares outstanding

     354,608           589,007           797,725           429,224   

Net asset value (“NAV”) per share

   $ 27.52         $ 25.56         $ 32.61         $ 21.64   

Offering price per share (NAV per share plus maximum sales charge of 5.75% of offering price)

   $ 29.20         $ 27.12         $ 34.60         $ 22.96   

Class C Shares

                 

Net assets

   $ 7,987,363         $ 13,345,490         $ 8,235,563         $ 2,109,275   

Shares outstanding

     316,335           532,707           269,440           99,842   

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 25.25         $ 25.05         $ 30.57         $ 21.13   

Class R3 Shares

                 

Net assets

   $ 193,396         $         $         $   

Shares outstanding

     7,091                                 

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 27.27         $         $         $   

Class R6 Shares

                 

Net assets

   $         $         $         $   

Shares outstanding

                                     

NAV and offering price per share

   $         $         $         $   

Class I Shares

                 

Net assets

   $ 31,829,932         $ 42,918,908         $ 48,904,538         $ 49,990,287   

Shares outstanding

     1,136,542           1,673,287           1,470,046           2,290,866   

NAV and offering price per share

   $ 28.01         $ 25.65         $ 33.27         $ 21.82   

Net assets consist of:

                                         

Capital paid-in

   $ 39,877,008         $ 69,851,197         $ 83,465,275         $ 59,008,325   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income

     249,003           362,313                     (487,116

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

     2,474,833           (7,618,200        (7,776,083        (4,408,907

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     7,167,761           8,722,526           7,462,465           7,276,491   

Net assets

   $ 49,768,605         $ 71,317,836         $ 83,151,657         $ 61,388,793   

Authorized shares – per class

     Unlimited           Unlimited           Unlimited           Unlimited   

Par value per share

   $ 0.01         $ 0.01         $ 0.01         $ 0.01   

 

(1) Cash pledged as collateral for common stocks sold short is in addition to the Fund’s securities pledged as collateral as noted in the Portfolio of Investments.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     111   


Statement of

  Operations   Year Ended August 31, 2016

 

      Large Cap
Value
       Large Cap
Core
       Large Cap
Growth
       Concentrated
Core
       Core
Dividend
 

Investment Income (net of foreign tax withheld of $7,893, $462, $  —, $  — and $657, respectively)

   $ 9,775,532         $ 4,702,746         $ 1,505,970         $ 3,196,983         $ 1,373,847   

Expenses

                      

Management fees

     2,668,620           1,683,112           632,989           946,776           301,140   

12b-1 service fees – Class A Shares

     607,825           111,391           65,716           127,694           55,703   

12b-1 distribution and service fees – Class C Shares

     283,760           446,798           90,291           264,217           60,562   

12b-1 distribution and service fees – Class R3 Shares

     907                                           

Dividends expense on common stocks sold short

                                               

Prime broker expenses

                                               

Shareholder servicing agent fees

     313,660           183,903           96,306           139,990           43,043   

Custodian fees

     63,786           44,903           32,171           30,534           30,633   

Trustees fees

     7,198           6,224           2,340           3,102           1,145   

Professional fees

     41,107           35,305           23,524           25,101           22,174   

Shareholder reporting expenses

     65,928           47,481           27,412           42,149           15,888   

Federal and state registration fees

     72,512           60,418           46,615           60,503           40,476   

Other

     26,576           19,229           9,981           14,764           7,941   

Total expenses before fee waiver/expense reimbursement

     4,151,879           2,638,764           1,027,345           1,654,830           578,705   

Fee waiver/expense reimbursement

               (22,288        (70,076        (140,593        (81,880

Net expenses

     4,151,879           2,616,476           957,269           1,514,237           496,825   

Net investment income (loss)

     5,623,653           2,086,270           548,701           1,682,746           877,022   

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

                      

Net realized gain (loss) from:

                      

Investments

     (16,502,247        (7,790,494        (2,230,884        (9,502,447        (1,642,767

Common stocks sold short

                                               

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

                      

Investments

     34,105,291           24,896,330           5,392,701           7,516,739           2,982,908   

Common stocks sold short

                                               

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     17,603,044           17,105,836           3,161,817           (1,985,708        1,340,141   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 23,226,697         $ 19,192,106         $ 3,710,518         $ (302,962      $ 2,217,163   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  112       NUVEEN


      Growth        Large Cap
Core Plus
       Equity Long/
Short
       Equity Market
Neutral
 

Investment Income (net of foreign tax withheld of $  —, $168,

    $2,957 and $288, respectively)

   $ 920,325         $ 2,316,798         $ 3,286,252         $ 1,206,270   

Expenses

                 

Management fees

     317,051           1,019,367           1,302,761           833,957   

12b-1 service fees – Class A Shares

     23,241           40,990           69,722           25,601   

12b-1 distribution and service fees – Class C Shares

     85,953           147,568           88,669           21,290   

12b-1 distribution and service fees – Class R3 Shares

     632                                 

Dividends expense on common stocks sold short

               397,155           1,236,914           686,894   

Prime broker expenses

               319,107           792,040           306,118   

Shareholder servicing agent fees

     42,963           77,608           102,277           59,102   

Custodian fees

     39,622           46,697           56,421           41,325   

Trustees fees

     1,253           2,216           2,786           1,781   

Professional fees

     20,094           22,292           27,220           24,310   

Shareholder reporting expenses

     16,290           23,466           42,691           13,892   

Federal and state registration fees

     60,684           46,426           62,563           44,993   

Other

     8,191           11,996           9,911           7,220   

Total expenses before fee waiver/expense reimbursement

     615,974           2,154,888           3,793,975           2,066,483   

Fee waiver/expense reimbursement

     (61,836        (184,786        (200,757        (126,482

Net expenses

     554,138           1,970,102           3,593,218           1,940,001   

Net investment income (loss)

     366,187           346,696           (306,966        (733,731

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

                 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

                 

Investments

     3,404,490           (7,800,867        (7,304,871        (1,493,893

Common stocks sold short

               1,681,368           250,912           (1,036,386

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

                 

Investments

     222,719           11,120,958           11,139,145           6,658,507   

Common stocks sold short

               (1,501,603        (6,801,971        (1,891,741

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     3,627,209           3,499,856           (2,716,785        2,236,487   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 3,993,396         $ 3,846,552         $ (3,023,751      $ 1,502,756   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     113   


Statement of

  Changes in Net Assets  

 

     Large Cap Value            Large Cap Core  
      Year Ended
8/31/16
     Year Ended
8/31/15
            Year Ended
8/31/16
    

Year Ended

8/31/15

 

Operations

             

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 5,623,653       $ 4,623,760         $ 2,086,270       $ 1,588,292   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments

     (16,502,247      34,141,370           (7,790,494      3,588,701   

Common stocks sold short

                                 

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

             

Investments

     34,105,291         (65,093,383        24,896,330         (14,707,283

Common stocks sold short

                                       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     23,226,697         (26,328,253              19,192,106         (9,530,290

Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income:

             

Class A Shares

     (2,740,858      (2,455,704        (260,913      (17,407

Class C Shares

     (71,281      (15,633                  

Class R3 Shares

     (890      (694                  

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (1,620,342      (1,254,815        (1,231,787      (272,162

From accumulated net realized gains:

             

Class A Shares

     (20,742,963      (31,890,375        (665,871      (361,833

Class C Shares

     (2,587,341      (3,400,382        (672,892      (280,596

Class R3 Shares

     (9,113      (13,510                  

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (9,303,235      (12,073,792              (2,305,540      (1,589,370

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

     (37,076,023      (51,104,905              (5,137,003      (2,521,368

Fund Share Transactions

             

Proceeds from sale of shares

     86,707,395         107,631,449           127,029,994         216,649,260   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     30,907,897         42,183,256                 3,409,488         1,697,209   
     117,615,292         149,814,705           130,439,482         218,346,469   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (118,146,019      (96,509,905              (119,614,261      (45,410,183

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (530,727      53,304,800                 10,825,221         172,936,286   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (14,380,053      (24,128,358        24,880,324         160,884,628   

Net assets at the beginning of period

     402,426,728         426,555,086                 229,907,744         69,023,116   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 388,046,675       $ 402,426,728               $ 254,788,068       $ 229,907,744   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ 5,671,153       $ 4,392,053               $ 2,040,748       $ 1,489,713   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  114       NUVEEN


     Large Cap Growth            Concentrated Core  
      Year Ended
8/31/16
     Year Ended
8/31/15
            Year Ended
8/31/16
     Year Ended
8/31/15
 

Operations

             

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 548,701       $ 480,677         $ 1,682,746       $ 720,366   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments

     (2,230,884      3,165,493           (9,502,447      4,597,216   

Common stocks sold short

                                 

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

             

Investments

     5,392,701         (5,886,068        7,516,739         (8,766,932

Common stocks sold short

                                       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     3,710,518         (2,239,898              (302,962      (3,449,350

Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income:

             

Class A Shares

     (118,046      (16,220        (277,738      (19,305

Class C Shares

                                 

Class R3 Shares

                                 

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (356,988      (134,374        (321,714      (152,830

From accumulated net realized gains:

             

Class A Shares

     (1,116,072      (548,226        (2,022,709      (307,323

Class C Shares

     (307,807      (138,909        (986,428      (56,400

Class R3 Shares

                                 

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (1,947,469      (1,397,584              (1,737,972      (457,404

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

     (3,846,382      (2,235,313              (5,346,561      (993,262

Fund Share Transactions

             

Proceeds from sale of shares

     21,067,275         72,417,682           48,288,208         175,802,286   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     2,458,730         1,012,291                 5,221,924         952,809   
     23,526,005         73,429,973           53,510,132         176,755,095   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (49,961,218      (11,813,254              (82,303,357      (58,361,676

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (26,435,213      61,616,719                 (28,793,225      118,393,419   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (26,571,077      57,141,508           (34,442,748      113,950,807   

Net assets at the beginning of period

     97,541,228         40,399,720                 132,343,128         18,392,321   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 70,970,151       $ 97,541,228               $ 97,900,380       $ 132,343,128   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ 526,693       $ 475,127               $ 1,680,900       $ 599,018   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     115   


Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

     Core Dividend            Growth  
     

Year Ended
8/31/16

     Year Ended
8/31/15
           

Year Ended
8/31/16

    

Year Ended

8/31/15

 

Operations

             

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 877,022       $ 610,857         $ 366,187       $ 229,737   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments

     (1,642,767      396,705           3,404,490         7,092,074   

Common stocks sold short

                                 

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

             

Investments

     2,982,908         (3,056,804        222,719         (5,681,549

Common stocks sold short

                                       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     2,217,163         (2,049,242              3,993,396         1,640,262   

Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income:

             

Class A Shares

     (356,463      (266,879        (63,860        

Class C Shares

     (51,911      (42,575                  

Class R3 Shares

                       (272        

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (270,064      (261,652        (282,789        

From accumulated net realized gains:

             

Class A Shares

     (327,317      (324,290        (1,030,621      (698,144

Class C Shares

     (92,004      (92,361        (1,133,943      (864,060

Class R3 Shares

                       (8,899      (5,762

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (249,825      (261,701              (3,506,692      (2,868,948

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

     (1,347,584      (1,249,458              (6,027,076      (4,436,914

Fund Share Transactions

             

Proceeds from sale of shares

     14,499,430         37,114,879           17,693,817         25,955,934   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     1,285,090         1,179,996                 5,202,800         3,724,976   
     15,784,520         38,294,875           22,896,617         29,680,910   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (18,679,064      (7,392,122              (18,331,029      (28,811,652

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (2,894,544      30,902,753                 4,565,588         869,258   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (2,024,965      27,604,053           2,531,908         (1,927,394

Net assets at the beginning of period

     44,585,983         16,981,930                 47,236,697         49,164,091   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 42,561,018       $ 44,585,983               $ 49,768,605       $ 47,236,697   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ 262,465       $ 57,802               $ 249,003       $ 229,737   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  116       NUVEEN


     Large Cap Core Plus            Equity Long/Short  
     

Year Ended
8/31/16

     Year Ended
8/31/15
           

Year Ended
8/31/16

     Year Ended
8/31/15
 

Operations

             

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 346,696       $ 441,196         $ (306,966    $ (431,908

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments

     (7,800,867      4,352,493           (7,304,871      3,773,837   

Common stocks sold short

     1,681,368         (2,088,315        250,912         (3,904,504

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

             

Investments

     11,120,958         (10,641,409        11,139,145         (6,167,765

Common stocks sold short

     (1,501,603      4,191,336                 (6,801,971      7,073,559   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     3,846,552         (3,744,699              (3,023,751      343,219   

Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income:

             

Class A Shares

     (60,075                          

Class C Shares

                                 

Class R3 Shares

                                 

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (414,863      (73,124                  

From accumulated net realized gains:

             

Class A Shares

     (575,207      (659,729                (35,372

Class C Shares

     (545,365      (271,761                (13,356

Class R3 Shares

                                 

Class R6 Shares

                                 

Class I Shares

     (2,280,779      (2,273,426                      (74,376

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

     (3,876,289      (3,278,040                      (123,104

Fund Share Transactions

             

Proceeds from sale of shares

     15,149,957         104,287,316           69,074,879         74,710,682   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     3,342,688         2,746,266                         122,418   
     18,492,645         107,033,582           69,074,879         74,833,100   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (55,037,614      (41,665,055              (69,365,741      (22,579,893

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (36,544,969      65,368,527                 (290,862      52,253,207   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (36,574,706      58,345,788           (3,314,613      52,473,322   

Net assets at the beginning of period

     107,892,542         49,546,754                 86,466,270         33,992,948   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 71,317,836       $ 107,892,542               $ 83,151,657       $ 86,466,270   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ 362,313       $ 474,354               $       $ (180,487

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     117   


Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

     Equity Market Neutral  
     

Year Ended
8/31/16

     Year Ended
8/31/15
 

Operations

     

Net investment income (loss)

   $ (733,731    $ (609,111

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments

     (1,493,893      2,576,777   

Common stocks sold short

     (1,036,386      (3,108,789

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

     

Investments

     6,658,507         (4,624,634

Common stocks sold short

     (1,891,741      6,228,428   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

     1,502,756         462,671   

Distributions to Shareholders

     

From net investment income:

     

Class A Shares

               

Class C Shares

               

Class R3 Shares

               

Class R6 Shares

               

Class I Shares

               

From accumulated net realized gains:

     

Class A Shares

     (157,697      (29,023

Class C Shares

     (34,980      (6,179

Class R3 Shares

               

Class R6 Shares

               

Class I Shares

     (732,355      (111,998

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

     (925,032      (147,200

Fund Share Transactions

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     44,449,171         29,290,932   

Proceeds from shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions

     735,316         114,707   
     45,184,487         29,405,639   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (30,342,847      (26,067,879

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     14,841,640         3,337,760   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     15,419,364         3,653,231   

Net assets at the beginning of period

     45,969,429         42,316,198   

Net assets at the end of period

   $ 61,388,793       $ 45,969,429   

Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income at the end of period

   $ (487,116    $ (304,747

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

  118       NUVEEN


Statement of

  Cash Flows   Year Ended August 31, 2016

 

      Large Cap
Core Plus
       Equity
Long/Short
       Equity Market
Neutral
 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

            

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

   $ 3,846,552         $ (3,023,751      $ 1,502,756   

Adjustments to reconcile the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

            

Purchases of investments

     (141,189,320        (337,781,272        (133,217,470

Purchases of securities sold short

     (59,441,086        (212,923,399        (83,784,262

Proceeds from sales

     191,321,744           349,212,317           110,897,604   

Proceeds from sales of securities sold short

     49,288,681           199,693,353           103,377,275   

Proceeds from (Purchase of) short-term investments, net

     (361,540        1,036,310           3,576,377   

(Increase) Decrease in:

            

Cash collateral at brokers

               465,041           (16,391,583

Receivable for dividends

     133,821           (7,874        (54,965

Receivable for investments sold

     2,870,607           (67,321        1,201,743   

Other assets

     93           (640        (7,116

Increase (Decrease) in:

            

Cash collateral due to brokers

     225,618                       

Payable for dividends on common stock sold short

     (11,871        (24,216        45,957   

Payable for investments purchased

     (1,760,644        588,719           1,025,624   

Accrued management fees

     (39,809        488           29,053   

Accrued Trustees fees

     (222        61           125   

Accrued 12b-1 distribution and service fees

     (2,954        425           411   

Accrued other expenses

     (43,913        (28,267        (4,751

Net realized (gain) loss from:

            

Investments

     7,800,867           7,304,871           1,493,893   

Common stocks sold short

     (1,681,368        (250,912        1,036,386   

Change in net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of:

            

Investments

     (11,120,958        (11,139,145        (6,658,507

Common stocks sold short

     1,501,603           6,801,971           1,891,741   

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     41,335,901           (143,241        (14,039,709

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

            

Increase (Decrease) in cash overdraft

     7,748                       

Cash distributions paid to shareholders

     (533,601                  (189,716

Proceeds from sale of shares

     15,242,415           69,189,184           44,575,817   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (56,052,463        (69,289,852        (30,346,392

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (41,335,901        (100,668        14,039,709   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

               (243,909          

Cash at the beginning of period

               243,909             

Cash at the end of period

   $         $         $   
      Large Cap
Core Plus
       Equity
Long/Short
       Equity Market
Neutral
 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

            

Non-cash financing activities not included herein consists of reinvestments of share distributions

   $ 3,342,688         $         $ 735,316   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     119   


Financial

Highlights

 

Large Cap Value

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations           Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

 

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total            From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (8/96)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

  $ 23.58      $ 0.32         $ 0.98         $ 1.30        $ (0.24      $ (1.91      $ (2.15      $ 22.73   

2015

    28.36        0.27           (1.77        (1.50       (0.21        (3.07        (3.28        23.58   

2014

    25.15        0.31           6.09           6.40          (0.36        (2.83        (3.19        28.36   

2013(e)

    24.31        0.03           0.81           0.84                                        25.15   

Year Ended 6/30:

                                

2013

    20.03        0.29           4.29           4.58          (0.30                  (0.30        24.31   

2012

    20.25        0.26           (0.24        0.02                (0.24                  (0.24        20.03   

Class C (8/96)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

    22.60        0.15           0.93           1.08          (0.05        (1.91        (1.96        21.72   

2015

    27.31        0.07           (1.70        (1.63       (0.01        (3.07        (3.08        22.60   

2014

    24.33        0.10           5.88           5.98          (0.17        (2.83        (3.00        27.31   

2013(e)

    23.54       **         0.79          0.79                                       24.33  

Year Ended 6/30:

                                

2013

    19.41        0.12           4.15           4.27          (0.14                  (0.14        23.54   

2012

    19.61        0.11           (0.22        (0.11             (0.09                  (0.09        19.41   

Class R3 (8/08)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

    23.71        0.28           0.97           1.25          (0.18        (1.91        (2.09        22.87   

2015

    28.50        0.19           (1.76        (1.57       (0.15        (3.07        (3.22        23.71   

2014

    25.27        0.24           6.12           6.36          (0.30        (2.83        (3.13        28.50   

2013(e)

    24.43       0.02          0.82          0.84                                       25.27  

Year Ended 6/30:

                                

2013

    20.14        0.24           4.30           4.54          (0.25                  (0.25        24.43   

2012

    20.34        0.22           (0.23        (0.01             (0.19                  (0.19        20.14   

Class R6 (6/16)

                                

2016(f)

    21.66        0.06           1.16           1.22                                              22.88   

Class I (8/96)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

    23.73        0.37           0.99           1.36          (0.30        (1.91        (2.21        22.88   

2015

    28.52        0.34           (1.78        (1.44       (0.28        (3.07        (3.35        23.73   

2014

    25.28        0.37           6.13           6.50          (0.43        (2.83        (3.26        28.52   

2013(e)

    24.42       0.04          0.82          0.86                                       25.28  

Year Ended 6/30:

                                

2013

    20.12        0.34           4.31           4.65          (0.35                  (0.35        24.42   

2012

    20.34        0.31           (0.24        0.07                (0.29                  (0.29        20.12   

 

  120       NUVEEN


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                  Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
          Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(d)
 
                        
                        
  6.26   $ 240,572          1.10        1.44       1.10        1.44        141
  (5.75     267,337          1.12           1.01          1.12           1.01           158   
  27.40        294,917          1.11           1.16          1.11           1.16           153   
  3.50        250,052          1.25        0.70       1.25        0.70        42   
                        
  23.09        282,993          1.16           1.30          1.15           1.31           153   
  0.19        258,324                1.16           1.33                1.16           1.33           99   
                        
                        
  5.46        27,588          1.85           0.70          1.85           0.70           141   
  (6.45     31,516          1.87           0.26          1.87           0.26           158   
  26.47        26,628          1.86           0.41          1.86           0.41           153   
  3.36       17,780         2.00        (0.02 )*        2.00        (0.02 )*         42  
                        
  22.10        17,174          1.91           0.54          1.90           0.55           153   
  (0.51     16,644                1.91           0.58                1.91           0.58           99   
                        
                        
  5.97        186          1.34           1.25          1.34           1.25           141   
  (5.99     232          1.37           0.73          1.37           0.73           158   
  27.11        135          1.36           0.92          1.36           0.92           153   
  3.44       87         1.50        0.43       1.50        0.43        42  
                        
  22.72        91          1.41           1.07          1.39           1.08           153   
  0.04        76                1.41           1.14                1.41           1.14           99   
                        
  5.63        19,773                0.73        1.48             0.73        1.48        141   
                        
                        
  6.53        99,927          0.85           1.69          0.85           1.69           141   
  (5.52     103,342          0.86           1.29          0.86           1.29           158   
  27.74        104,875          0.86           1.40          0.86           1.40           153   
  3.52       45,148         1.00        0.97       1.00        0.97        42  
                        
  23.39        42,285          0.91           1.53          0.90           1.55           153   
  0.45        24,546                0.91           1.59                0.91           1.59           99   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized. Performance prior to June 24, 2013, reflects the Fund’s performance under the management of multiple sub-advisers using investment strategies that differed significantly from those currently in place.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(e) For the two months ended August 31, 2013.  
(f) For the period June 30, 2016 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.  
* Annualized.  
** Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     121   


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Large Cap Core

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations           Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

  Beginning
NAV
   

Net

Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)

      

Net

Realized/

Unrealized

Gain (Loss)

       Total           

From
Net

Investment

Income

       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (6/13)

                                

2016

  $ 25.64      $ 0.22         $ 1.71         $ 1.93        $ (0.15      $ (0.39      $ (0.54      $ 27.03   

2015

    26.67        0.23           (0.69        (0.46       (0.02        (0.55        (0.57        25.64   

2014

    20.49        0.19           6.42           6.61          (0.08        (0.35        (0.43        26.67   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.04           0.45           0.49                                              20.49   

Class C (6/13)

                                

2016

    25.32        0.02           1.69           1.71                    (0.39        (0.39        26.64   

2015

    26.51        0.02           (0.66        (0.64                 (0.55        (0.55        25.32   

2014

    20.46        0.01           6.39           6.40                    (0.35        (0.35        26.51   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.01           0.45           0.46                                              20.46   

Class R6 (6/16)

                                

2016(f)

    25.46        0.05           1.57           1.62                                              27.08   

Class I (6/13)

                                

2016

    25.69        0.28           1.72           2.00          (0.22        (0.39        (0.61        27.08   

2015

    26.71        0.30           (0.68        (0.38       (0.09        (0.55        (0.64        25.69   

2014

    20.50        0.25           6.41           6.66          (0.10        (0.35        (0.45        26.71   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.03           0.47           0.50                                              20.50   

 

  122       NUVEEN


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                  Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
          Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
           Expenses
       Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
           Expenses
       Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(e)
 
                        
  7.66   $ 47,518          1.11        0.84       1.11        0.85        132
  (1.76     37,684          1.14           0.84          1.14           0.84           110   
  32.63        6,726          1.26           0.69          1.17           0.78           122   
  2.45        457                1.54        0.53             1.17        0.90        34   
                        
  6.86        47,805          1.86           0.09          1.85           0.10           132   
  (2.47     38,591          1.89           0.09          1.89           0.09           110   
  31.61        4,937          1.99           (0.02       1.92           0.06           122   
  2.30        143                2.31        (0.18 )*              1.92        0.21        34   
                        
  6.36        18,489                0.74        1.05             0.69        1.10        132   
                        
  7.93        140,976          0.86           1.09          0.86           1.10           132   
  (1.49     153,632          0.89           1.11          0.89           1.11           110   
  32.92        57,360          1.01           0.93          0.92           1.02           122   
  2.50        11,449                1.55        0.07             0.92        0.69        34   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) For the period June 17, 2013 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.  
(e) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(f) For the period June 30, 2016 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.  
* Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     123   


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Large Cap Growth

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations           Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total            From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (6/13)

                                

2016

  $ 25.28      $ 0.13         $ 1.24         $ 1.37        $ (0.09      $ (0.87      $ (0.96      $ 25.69   

2015

    26.34        0.15           (0.15        (0.00       (0.03        (1.03        (1.06        25.28   

2014

    20.59        0.17           6.03           6.20          (0.07        (0.38        (0.45        26.34   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.05           0.54           0.59                                              20.59   

Class C (6/13)

                                

2016

    24.96        (0.05        1.21           1.16                    (0.87        (0.87        25.25   

2015

    26.18        (0.06        (0.13        (0.19                 (1.03        (1.03        24.96   

2014

    20.56        (0.01        6.01           6.00                    (0.38        (0.38        26.18   

2013(d)

    20.00               0.56           0.56                                              20.56   

Class R6 (6/16)

                                

2016(f)

    24.27        0.03           1.43           1.46                                              25.73   

Class I (6/13)

                                

2016

    25.33        0.20           1.23           1.43          (0.16        (0.87        (1.03        25.73   

2015

    26.38        0.21           (0.14        0.07          (0.09        (1.03        (1.12 )        25.33  

2014

    20.60        0.24           6.02           6.26          (0.10        (0.38        (0.48        26.38   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.04           0.56           0.60                                              20.60   

 

  124       NUVEEN


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                  Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
          Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(e)
 
                        
  5.57   $ 13,654          1.22        0.47       1.15        0.53        117
  0.00        31,442          1.24           0.49          1.16           0.56           118  
  30.45        10,734          1.35           0.53          1.17           0.72           145   
  2.95        1,017                1.49 **         0.92 **              1.15 **         1.25 **         48   
                        
  4.77        9,344          1.98           (0.30       1.89           (0.22        117   
  (0.74     7,621          1.99           (0.29       1.91           (0.22        118   
  29.49        2,187          2.11           (0.22       1.92           (0.03        145   
  2.80        83                2.50 **         (0.60 )**              1.91 **         (0.02 )**         48   
                        
  6.02        27                0.85 **         0.65 **              0.70 **         0.81 **         117   
                        
  5.80        47,945          0.97           0.71          0.89           0.79           117   
  0.28       58,478          0.99           0.72          0.91           0.79           118  
  30.74        27,478          1.10           0.81          0.92           0.99           145   
  3.00        11,472                1.55 **         0.22 **              0.92 **         0.86 **         48   
(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, when applicable.  
(d) For the period June 17, 2013 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.  
(e) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(f) For the period June 30, 2016 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.  
* Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.  
** Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     125   


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Concentrated Core

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations           Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

  Beginning
NAV
   

Net

Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)

      

Net

Realized/

Unrealized

Gain (Loss)

       Total           

From
Net

Investment
Income

       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (6/13)

                                

2016

  $ 26.89      $ 0.39         $ (0.22      $ 0.17        $ (0.13      $ (0.96      $ (1.09      $ 25.97   

2015

    27.16        0.20           (0.14        0.06          (0.02        (0.31        (0.33        26.89   

2014

    19.66        0.19           7.37           7.56          (0.04        (0.02        (0.06        27.16   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.05           (0.39        (0.34                                           19.66   

Class C (6/13)

                                

2016

    26.50        0.18           (0.21        (0.03                 (0.96        (0.96        25.51   

2015

    26.95               (0.14        (0.14                 (0.31        (0.31        26.50   

2014

    19.63        0.01           7.33           7.34                    (0.02        (0.02        26.95   

2013(d)

    20.00               (0.37        (0.37                                           19.63   

Class R6 (6/16)

                                

2016(f)

    25.22        0.07           0.73           0.80                                              26.02   

Class I (6/13)

                                

2016

    26.94        0.46           (0.22        0.24          (0.20        (0.96        (1.16        26.02   

2015

    27.20        0.27           (0.14        0.13          (0.08        (0.31        (0.39 )        26.94  

2014

    19.68        0.24           7.36           7.60          (0.06        (0.02        (0.08        27.20   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.04           (0.36        (0.32                                           19.68   

 

  126       NUVEEN


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                  Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
          Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
   

Ending

Net
Assets
(000)

           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
      

Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(e)

 
                        
  0.62   $ 41,053          1.32        1.38       1.20        1.50        103
  0.21        54,805         1.33           0.61          1.21           0.72           98   
  38.46        8,315          1.85           0.15          1.22           0.77           88   
  (1.70     239                5.78 **         (3.28 )**              1.21 **         1.29 **         24   
                        
  (0.13     24,531          2.07           0.60          1.94           0.72           103   
  (0.53     24,583          2.08           (0.10       1.96           0.01           98   
  37.39        1,508          2.65           (0.63       1.97           0.05           88   
  (1.85     117                7.21 **         (5.13 )**              1.97 **         0.11 **         24   
                        
  3.17        26                0.89 **         1.48 **              0.73 **         1.64 **         103   
                        
  0.88        32,291          1.06           1.65          0.95           1.77           103   
  0.47       52,955         1.07           0.84          0.96           0.95           98  
  38.76        8,569          1.71           0.26          0.97           1.00           88   
  (1.65)        1,018                8.54 **         (6.56 )**              0.97 **         1.01 **         24   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, when applicable.  
(d) For the period June 17, 2013 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.  
(e) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(f) For the period June 30, 2016 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2016.  
* Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.  
** Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     127   


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Core Dividend

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations           Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total            From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (6/13)

                                

2016

  $ 24.13      $ 0.49         $ 0.84         $ 1.33        $ (0.38      $ (0.37      $ (0.75      $ 24.71   

2015

    25.90        0.45           (1.15        (0.70       (0.42        (0.65        (1.07        24.13   

2014

    20.32        0.48           5.65           6.13          (0.42        (0.13        (0.55        25.90   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.08           0.24           0.32                                              20.32   

Class C (6/13)

                                

2016

    24.08        0.31           0.83           1.14          (0.20        (0.37        (0.57        24.65   

2015

    25.85        0.26           (1.15        (0.89       (0.23        (0.65        (0.88        24.08   

2014

    20.28        0.29           5.66           5.95          (0.25        (0.13        (0.38        25.85   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.04           0.24           0.28                                              20.28   

Class I (6/13)

                                

2016

    24.14        0.55           0.83           1.38          (0.44        (0.37        (0.81        24.71   

2015

    25.91        0.51           (1.14        (0.63       (0.49        (0.65        (1.14        24.14   

2014

    20.32        0.54           5.65           6.19          (0.47        (0.13        (0.60        25.91   

2013(d)

    20.00        0.07           0.25           0.32                                              20.32   

 

  128       NUVEEN


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                  Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
          Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(e)
 
                        
  5.68   $ 23,978          1.33        1.89       1.14        2.08        127
  (2.82     20,601          1.37           1.54          1.16           1.75           174   
  30.48        8,261          1.76           1.40          1.17           1.99           117   
  1.60        559                5.29        (2.26 )*              1.17        1.86        29   
                        
  4.86        5,978          2.08           1.13          1.89           1.32           127   
  (3.55     5,950          2.12           0.80          1.91           1.01           174   
  29.55        2,151          2.54           0.59          1.92           1.21           117   
  1.40        111                6.52        (3.70 )*              1.92        0.90        29   
                        
  5.91        12,605          1.08           2.13          0.89           2.31           127   
  (2.57     18,035          1.12           1.79          0.91           2.00           174   
  30.85        6,571          1.58           1.63          0.92           2.29           117   
  1.60        1,044                7.50        (4.86 )*              0.92        1.72        29   
(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, when applicable.  
(d) For the period June 17, 2013 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.  
(e) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     129   


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Growth

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations           Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

 

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total            From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (3/06)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

  $ 28.79      $ 0.20         $ 2.17         $ 2.37        $ (0.18      $ (3.46      $ (3.64      $ 27.52   

2015

    30.49        0.12           0.89           1.01                    (2.71        (2.71 )        28.79  

2014

    25.03        (0.01        6.08           6.07                    (0.61        (0.61        30.49   

2013(e)

    25.68        **         (0.65        (0.65                                     25.03   

Year Ended 7/31:

                                

2013

    21.09        0.01           4.62           4.63          (0.04                  (0.04        25.68   

2012

    20.23        (0.02        0.88           0.86                                              21.09   

Class C (3/06)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

    26.72        **         1.99           1.99                    (3.46        (3.46        25.25   

2015

    28.69        (0.09        0.83           0.74                    (2.71        (2.71        26.72   

2014

    23.75        (0.21        5.76           5.55                    (0.61        (0.61        28.69   

2013(e)

    24.38       (0.01 )        (0.62 )        (0.63 )                                     23.75  

Year Ended 7/31:

                                

2013

    20.14        (0.18        4.42           4.24                                        24.38   

2012

    19.46        (0.16        0.84           0.68                                              20.14   

Class R3 (3/09)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

    28.56        0.14           2.13           2.27          (0.10        (3.46        (3.56        27.27   

2015

    30.34        0.05           0.88           0.93                    (2.71        (2.71        28.56   

2014

    24.96        (0.08        6.07           5.99                    (0.61        (0.61        30.34   

2013(e)

    25.62       **         (0.66 )        (0.66 )                                     24.96  

Year Ended 7/31:

                                

2013

    21.06        (0.03        4.59           4.56                                        25.62   

2012

    20.24        (0.07        0.89           0.82                                              21.06   

Class I (3/06)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

    29.25        0.28           2.20           2.48          (0.26        (3.46        (3.72        28.01   

2015

    30.86        0.21           0.89           1.10                    (2.71        (2.71 )        29.25  

2014

    25.27        0.06           6.15           6.21          (0.01        (0.61        (0.62        30.86   

2013(e)

    25.92       0.01          (0.66 )        (0.65 )                                     25.27  

Year Ended 7/31:

                                

2013

    21.29        0.05           4.67           4.72          (0.09                  (0.09        25.92   

2012

    20.40        0.05           0.88           0.93                (0.04                  (0.04        21.29   

 

  130       NUVEEN


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                  Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement
          Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(d)
 
                        
                        
  8.78   $ 9,758          1.31        0.62       1.18        0.75        59
  3.40        8,792          1.24           0.38          1.21           0.41           65   
  24.55        15,558          1.45           (0.27       1.22           (0.05        41   
  (2.53     13,956          1.37        (0.03 )*        1.22        0.13        2   
                        
  21.97        13,858          1.40           (0.16       1.22           0.02           67   
  4.25        12,947                1.31           (0.18             1.23           (0.09        72   
                        
                        
  7.95        7,987          2.06           (0.14       1.93           (0.01        59   
  2.62        9,150          2.00           (0.36       1.96           (0.33        65   
  23.67        9,094          2.21           (1.01       1.97           (0.77        41   
  (2.58 )     4,967         2.13        (0.80 )*        1.97        (0.63 )*         2  
                        
  21.05        4,143          2.18           (1.02       1.97           (0.81        67   
  3.49        1,799                2.07           (0.91             1.98           (0.82        72   
                        
                        
  8.48        193          1.56           0.38          1.41           0.53           59   
  3.14        65          1.49           0.14          1.46           0.17           65   
  24.29        64          1.70           (0.52       1.47           (0.29        41   
  (2.58 )     53         1.63        (0.28 )*        1.48        (0.13 )*         2  
                        
  21.65        54          1.63           (0.28       1.47           (0.12        67   
  4.05        110                1.53           (0.42             1.48           (0.37        72   
                        
                        
  9.05        31,830          1.06           0.87          0.93           1.00           59   
  3.67        29,230          1.00           0.64          0.96           0.68           65   
  24.87        24,449          1.20           (0.01       0.97           0.22           41   
  (2.51 )     15,456         1.12        0.23       0.97        0.38        2  
                        
  22.26        15,621          1.16           0.04          0.97           0.23           67   
  4.59        13,301                1.07           0.14                0.98           0.23           72   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(e) For the one month ended August 31, 2013.  
* Annualized.  
** Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     131   


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Large Cap Core Plus

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations           Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
       Net
Realized/
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
       Total            From
Net
Investment
Income
       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (6/13)

                                

2016

  $ 25.02      $ 0.09         $ 1.38         $ 1.47        $ (0.09      $ (0.84      $ (0.93      $ 25.56   

2015

    26.53        0.09           (0.59        (0.50                 (1.01        (1.01        25.02   

2014

    20.53        0.04           6.32           6.36          (0.02        (0.34        (0.36        26.53   

2013(e)

    20.00        0.03           0.50           0.53                                              20.53   

Class C (6/13)

                                

2016

    24.64        (0.09        1.34           1.25                    (0.84        (0.84        25.05   

2015

    26.33        (0.12        (0.56        (0.68                 (1.01        (1.01        24.64   

2014

    20.51        (0.13        6.29           6.16                    (0.34        (0.34        26.33   

2013(e)

    20.00        (0.03        0.54           0.51                                              20.51   

Class I (6/13)

                                

2016

    25.11        0.15           1.38           1.53          (0.15        (0.84        (0.99        25.65   

2015

    26.59        0.16           (0.60        (0.44       (0.03        (1.01        (1.04 )        25.11  

2014

    20.55        0.11           6.32           6.43          (0.05        (0.34        (0.39        26.59   

2013(e)

    20.00        0.02           0.53           0.55                                              20.55   

 

  132       NUVEEN


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                  Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement(d)
          Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)(d)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
           Expenses       

Net
Investment

Income
(Loss)

       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(f)
 
                        
  6.00   $ 15,053          2.51        0.14       2.29        0.36        143
  (1.99     17,191          2.42           0.12          2.22           0.33           153   
  31.18        7,108          2.55           (0.10       2.28           0.17           152   
  2.70        456                2.38        0.26             1.99        0.65        41   
                        
  5.18        13,345          3.25           (0.60       3.04           (0.39        143   
  (2.70     15,962          3.18           (0.67       2.97           (0.46        153   
  30.21        3,182          3.28           (0.77       3.03           (0.52        152   
  2.60        51                3.31        (1.33 )*              2.66        (0.67 )*         41   
                        
  6.25        42,919          2.24           0.40          2.03           0.61           143   
  (1.76     74,740          2.18           0.38          1.97           0.59           153   
  31.51        39,257          2.33           0.17          2.06           0.44           152   
  2.80        18,090                2.33        (0.30 )*              1.66        0.37        41   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser.  
(d) Each ratio includes the effect of dividends expense on common stocks sold short and prime broker expenses as follows:  

 

    Ratios of Dividend Expense
on Common Stocks Sold Short
to Average Net Assets
         

Ratios of Prime Broker Expenses

to Average Net Assets

 
Year Ended August 31,   Class A     Class C     Class I            Class A     Class C     Class I  

2016

    0.45     0.45     0.45       0.37     0.37     0.36

2015

    0.44        0.44        0.45          0.31        0.31        0.31   

2014

    0.48        0.47        0.48          0.34        0.34        0.36   

2013(e)

    0.52     0.44     0.44                             

 

(e) For the period June 17, 2013 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.  
(f) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     133   


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Equity Long/Short

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations           Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

 

  Beginning
NAV
    Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
      

Net
Realized/

Unrealized

Gain (Loss)

       Total           

From
Net

Investment
Income

       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (12/08)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

  $ 32.61      $ (0.11      $ 0.11         $        $         $         $         $ 32.61   

2015

    31.72        (0.26        1.23           0.97                    (0.08        (0.08        32.61   

2014

    28.72        (0.23        4.78           4.55                    (1.55        (1.55        31.72   

2013(g)

    29.54        0.02           (0.84        (0.82                                     28.72   

Year Ended 7/31:

                                

2013

    26.81        (0.03        5.02           4.99                    (2.26        (2.26        29.54   

2012

    27.28        (0.08        0.93           0.85                          (1.32        (1.32        26.81   

Class C (12/08)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

    30.80        (0.33        0.10           (0.23                                     30.57   

2015

    30.19        (0.48        1.17           0.69                    (0.08        (0.08        30.80   

2014

    27.60        (0.43        4.57           4.14                    (1.55        (1.55        30.19   

2013(g)

    28.40       **         (0.80 )        (0.80 )                                     27.60  

Year Ended 7/31:

                                

2013

    26.04        (0.19        4.81           4.62                    (2.26        (2.26        28.40   

2012

    26.75        (0.27        0.88           0.61                          (1.32        (1.32        26.04   

Class I (12/08)

                                

Year Ended 8/31:

                                

2016

    33.18        (0.06        0.15           0.09                                        33.27   

2015

    32.20        (0.16        1.22           1.06                    (0.08        (0.08        33.18   

2014

    29.10        (0.12        4.81           4.69          (0.04        (1.55        (1.59        32.20   

2013(g)

    29.93       0.03          (0.86 )        (0.83 )                                     29.10  

Year Ended 7/31:

                                

2013

    27.06        0.07           5.06           5.13                    (2.26        (2.26        29.93   

2012

    27.45        (0.04        0.97           0.93                          (1.32        (1.32        27.06   

 

  134       NUVEEN


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                  Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement(d)
          Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)(d)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(e)
 
                        
                        
  0.00   $ 26,012          3.78        (0.53 )%        3.58        (0.33 )%         224
  3.06        24,821          3.76           (1.03       3.53           (0.79        222   
  16.06        13,697          4.24           (1.53       3.46           (0.75        232   
  (2.78     390          5.42        (1.73 )*        3.04        0.65        12   
                        
  20.39        326          13.43           (10.94       2.62           (0.13        292   
  3.75        54                7.26           (5.26             2.31           (0.31        67   
                        
                        
  (0.75     8,236          4.53           (1.29       4.34           (1.09        224   
  2.28        8,087          4.52           (1.76       4.29           (1.53        222   
  15.20        4,080          5.04           (2.30       4.21           (1.47        232   
  (2.82 )     138         6.24        (2.44 )*        3.81        (0.01 )*         12  
                        
  19.53        64          10.85           (8.13       3.47           (0.74        292   
  2.90        54                8.01           (6.01             3.06           (1.06        67   
                        
                        
  0.27        48,905          3.52           (0.37       3.33           (0.18        224   
  3.29        53,559          3.52           (0.72       3.28           (0.48        222   
  16.34        16,216          4.20           (1.33       3.27           (0.40        232   
  (2.77 )     4,758         5.07        (1.17 )*        2.78        1.11        12  
                        
  20.74        1,611          9.92           (7.20       2.46           0.26           292   
  4.03        1,224                7.69           (5.95             1.92           (0.17        67   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized. Performance prior to March 1, 2013, reflects the Fund’s performance under the management of a sub-adviser using investment strategies that differed significantly from those currently in place.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable.  
(d) Each ratio includes the effect of dividends expense on common stocks sold short, enhanced custody expense and/or prime broker expenses as follows:  

 

    Ratios of Dividends Expense
on Common Stocks Sold Short
to Average Net Assets
          Ratios of Enhanced Custody
and/or Prime Broker Expenses
to Average Net Assets(f)
 
     Class A     Class C     Class I            Class A     Class C     Class I  

Year Ended 8/31:

             

2016

    1.19     1.20     1.20       0.77     0.77     0.77

2015

    1.17        1.19        1.17          0.74        0.74        0.75   

2014

    1.12        1.11        1.12          0.72        0.74        0.78   

2013(g)

    1.42     1.46     1.42                       

Year Ended 7/31:

             

2013

    0.84        0.89        0.89          0.26        0.32        0.32   

2012

    0.70        0.70        0.58                0.13        0.13        0.13   

 

(e) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
(f) Effective June 21, 2013 the Fund ended its enhanced custody program and began selling securities short through a prime broker.  
(g) For the one month ended August 31, 2013.  
* Annualized.  
** Rounds to less than $0.01 per share.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     135   


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Equity Market Neutral

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

          Investment Operations           Less Distributions           

Class (Commencement Date)

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

  Beginning
NAV
   

Net

Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)

      

Net

Realized/

Unrealized

Gain (Loss)

       Total           

From
Net

Investment
Income

       From
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains
       Total        Ending
NAV
 

Class A (6/13)

                                

2016

  $ 21.39      $ (0.28      $ 0.90         $ 0.62        $   —         $ (0.37      $ (0.37      $ 21.64   

2015

    21.27        (0.32        0.50           0.18                    (0.06        (0.06        21.39   

2014

    20.53        (0.44        1.38           0.94                    (0.20        (0.20        21.27   

2013(e)

    20.00        (0.04        0.57           0.53                                              20.53   

Class C (6/13)

                                

2016

    21.04        (0.44        0.90           0.46                    (0.37        (0.37        21.13   

2015

    21.08        (0.47        0.49           0.02                    (0.06        (0.06        21.04   

2014

    20.50        (0.58        1.36           0.78                    (0.20        (0.20        21.08   

2013(e)

    20.00        (0.08        0.58           0.50                                              20.50   

Class I (6/13)

                                

2016

    21.51        (0.23        0.91           0.68                    (0.37        (0.37        21.82   

2015

    21.34        (0.27        0.50           0.23                    (0.06        (0.06        21.51   

2014

    20.54        (0.38        1.38           1.00                    (0.20        (0.20        21.34   

2013(e)

    20.00        (0.04        0.58           0.54                                              20.54   

 

  136       NUVEEN


      Ratios/Supplemental Data  
                  Ratios to Average
Net Assets Before
Waiver/Reimbursement(d)
          Ratios to Average
Net Assets After
Waiver/Reimbursement(c)(d)
          
Total
Return(b)
    Ending
Net
Assets
(000)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
           Expenses        Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
       Portfolio
Turnover
Rate(f)
 
                        
  2.86   $ 9,289          3.29        (1.47 )%        3.10        (1.28 )%         187
  0.86        8,972          3.49           (1.73       3.24           (1.48        173   
  4.55        7,880          3.52           (2.33       3.26           (2.07        187   
  2.65        799                3.00        (1.10 )*              2.85        (0.95 )*         112   
                        
  2.14        2,109          4.06           (2.23       3.87           (2.04        187   
  0.10        1,835          4.22           (2.49       3.97           (2.24        173   
  3.77        1,768          4.28           (3.05       4.02           (2.79        187   
  2.50        157                3.90        (2.45 )*              3.42        (1.97 )*         112   
                        
  3.12        49,990          3.06           (1.23       2.87           (1.04        187   
  1.09        35,162          3.21           (1.51       2.97           (1.26        173   
  4.84        32,668          3.37           (2.08       3.08           (1.79        187   
  2.70        13,184                3.04        (1.77 )*              2.32        (1.05 )*         112   

 

(a) Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.  
(b) Total return is the combination of changes in NAV without any sales charge, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. Total returns are not annualized.  
(c) After fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement from the Adviser.  
(d) Each ratio includes the effect of dividends expense on common stocks sold short and prime broker expenses as follows:  

 

    Ratios of Dividends Expense
on Common Stocks Sold Short
to Average Net Assets
          Ratios of Prime Broker Expenses
to Average Net Assets
 
Year Ended August 31,   Class A     Class C     Class I            Class A     Class C     Class I  

2016

    1.03     1.04     1.04       0.46     0.46     0.46

2015

    1.04        1.03        1.03          0.59        0.58        0.57   

2014

    1.09        1.06        1.02          0.55        0.59        0.70   

2013(e)

    1.23     1.04     0.95                             

 

(e) For the period June 17, 2013 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.  
(f) Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales (as disclosed in Note 5 – Investment Transactions) divided by the average long-term market value during the period.  
* Annualized.  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

NUVEEN     137   


Notes to

Financial Statements

 

1. General Information and Significant Accounting Policies

General Information

Trust and Fund Information

The Nuveen Investment Trust and the Nuveen Investment Trust II (each a “Trust” and collectively, the “Trusts”), are open-end management investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Nuveen Investment Trust is comprised of Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund (“Large Cap Value”), Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund (“Large Cap Core”), Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund (“Large Cap Growth”), Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund (“Concentrated Core”), Nuveen Core Dividend Fund (“Core Dividend”), Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund (“Large Cap Core Plus”) and Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund (“Equity Market Neutral”) among others, and the Nuveen Investment Trust II is comprised of Nuveen Growth Fund (“Growth”) and Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (“Equity Long/Short”) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), as diversified funds, among others. The Nuveen Investment Trust and Nuveen Investment Trust II were each organized as Massachusetts business trusts on May 6, 1996 and June 27, 1997, respectively.

The end of the reporting period for the Funds is August 31, 2016, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 (the “current fiscal period”).

Investment Adviser

The Funds’ investment adviser is Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Investments, Inc. (“Nuveen”). Nuveen is an operating division of TIAA Global Asset Management. The Adviser has overall responsibility for management of the Funds, oversees the management of the Funds’ portfolios, manages the Funds’ business affairs and provides certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services, and, if necessary, asset allocation decisions. The Adviser has entered into sub-advisory agreements with Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), a subsidiary of the Adviser, under which the Sub-Adviser manages the investment portfolios of the Funds.

Investment Objectives

The investment objective of Large Cap Value, Large Cap Core, Large Cap Growth, Concentrated Core, Growth and Large Cap Core Plus is long-term capital appreciation. Core Dividend’s investment objective is total return comprised of income from dividend and long-term capital appreciation. Equity Long/Short’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation with low correlation to the U.S. equity market. Equity Market Neutral’s investment objective is to provide investors with long-term capital appreciation independent of the U.S. equity market.

The Funds’ most recent prospectus provides further descriptions of each Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks.

Significant Accounting Policies

Each Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Investment Transactions

Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are determined on the specific identification method, which is the same basis used for federal income tax purposes. Investments purchased on a when-issued/delayed delivery basis may have extended settlement periods. Any investments so purchased are subject to market fluctuation during this period. The Funds have earmarked securities in their portfolios with a current value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments.

As of the end of the reporting period, the Funds did not have any outstanding when-issued/delayed delivery purchase commitments.

Investment Income

Dividend income on investments purchased and dividends expense on common stocks sold short are recorded on the ex-dividend date or, for foreign securities, when information is available. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.

Professional Fees

Professional fees presented on the Statement of Operations consist of legal fees incurred in the normal course of operations, audit fees, tax consulting fees and, in some cases, workout expenditures. Workout expenditures are incurred in an attempt to protect or enhance an investment or to pursue other claims or legal actions on behalf of Fund shareholders. If a refund is received for workout expenditures paid in a prior reporting period, such amounts will be recognized as “Legal fee refund” on the Statement Operations.

 

  138       NUVEEN


Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income are declared and distributed to shareholders annually, except Core Dividend will pay income dividends quarterly. Net realized capital gains from investment transactions, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders at least annually. Furthermore, capital gains are distributed only to the extent they exceed available capital loss carryforwards.

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Share Classes and Sales Charges

Class A Shares are generally sold with an up-front sales charge and incur a 0.25% annual 12b-1 service fee. Class A Share purchases of $1 million or more are sold at net asset value (“NAV”) without an up-front sales charge but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) if redeemed within eighteen months (twelve months prior to November 1, 2015) of purchase. Such CDSC will be equal to 1% for any shares purchased on or after November 1, 2015 if redeemed within eighteen months of purchase. Class C Shares are sold without an up-front sales charge but incur a 0.75% annual 12b-1 distribution fee and a 0.25% annual 12b-1 service fee. Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within twelve months of purchase. Class R3 Shares are sold without an up-front sales charge but incur a 0.25% annual 12b-1 distribution fee and a 0.25% annual 12b-1 service fee. Class R6 Shares and Class I Shares are not subject to any sales charge or 12b-1 distribution or service fees.

Multiclass Operations and Allocations

Income and expenses of the Funds that are not directly attributable to a specific class of shares are prorated among the classes based on the relative net assets of each class. Expenses directly attributable to a class of shares are recorded to the specific class. Currently, the only expenses that are allocated on a class-specific basis are 12b-1 distribution and service fees.

Sub-transfer agent fees, which are recognized as a component of “Shareholder servicing agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, are not charged to Class R6 Shares and are prorated among the other classes based on their relative net assets.

Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the Funds are prorated among the classes based on the relative net assets of each class.

Indemnifications

Under each Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to each Trust. In addition, in the normal course of business, each Trust enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. Each Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against each Trust that have not yet occurred. However, each Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Netting Agreements

In the ordinary course of business, the Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable master repurchase agreements, International Swaps and Derivative Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) master agreements or other similar arrangements (“netting agreements”). Generally, the right to offset in netting agreements allows each Fund to offset certain securities and derivatives with a specific counterparty, when applicable, as well as any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. Generally, each Fund manages its cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis.

The Funds’ investments subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, if any, are further described in Note 3 – Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

2. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The fair valuation input levels as described below are for fair value measurement purposes.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market

 

NUVEEN     139   


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The following is a summary of the three-tiered hierarchy of valuation input levels.

 

Level 1 –   Inputs are unadjusted and prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 –   Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3 –   Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including management’s assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

Common stocks and other equity-type securities are valued at the last sales price on the securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded and are generally classified as Level 1. Securities primarily traded on the NASDAQ National Market (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price and are generally classified as Level 1. However, securities traded on a securities exchange or NASDAQ for which there were no transactions on a given day or securities not listed on a securities exchange or NASDAQ are valued at the quoted bid price and are generally classified as Level 2.

Repurchase agreements are valued at contract amount plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. These securities are generally classified as Level 2.

Certain securities may not be able to be priced by the pre-established pricing methods as described above. Such securities may be valued by the Funds’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and/or its appointee at fair value. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) for which an independent pricing service (“pricing service”) is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; debt securities that have gone into default and for which there is no current market quotation; a security whose market price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of a Fund’s NAV (as may be the case in non-U.S. markets on which the security is primarily traded) or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, is not deemed to reflect the security’s fair value. As a general principle, the fair value of a security would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for it in a current sale. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities, which may include consideration of the following: yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating, market quotes or indications of value from security dealers, evaluations of anticipated cash flows or collateral, general market conditions and other information and analysis, including the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant. These securities are generally classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the observability of the significant inputs. Regardless of the method employed to value a particular security, all valuations are subject to review by the Board and/or its appointee.

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of each Fund’s fair value measurements as of the end of the reporting period:

 

Large Cap Value   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Long-Term Investments*:           

Common Stocks

  $ 386,875,070       $   —       $   —       $ 386,875,070   
Short-Term Investments:           

Repurchase Agreements

            236,805                 236,805   
Total   $ 386,875,070       $ 236,805       $       $ 387,111,875   
Large Cap Core                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Common Stocks

  $ 254,615,820       $       $       $ 254,615,820   
Large Cap Growth                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Common Stocks

  $ 70,765,816       $       $       $ 70,765,816   
Concentrated Core                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Common Stocks

  $ 98,004,187       $       $       $ 98,004,187   
Short-Term Investments:           

Repurchase Agreements

            100,206                 100,206   
Total   $ 98,004,187       $ 100,206       $       $ 98,104,393   

 

  140       NUVEEN


Core Dividend   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Long-Term Investments*:           

Common Stocks

  $ 42,551,155       $       $   —       $ 42,551,155   
Growth                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Common Stocks

  $ 49,639,366       $       $       $ 49,639,366   
Large Cap Core Plus                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Common Stocks

  $ 92,468,472       $       $       $ 92,468,472   
Short-Term Investments:           

Repurchase Agreements

            361,540                 361,540   
Common Stocks Sold Short*     (21,316,912                      (21,316,912
Total   $ 71,151,560       $ 361,540       $       $ 71,513,100   
Equity Long/Short                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Common Stocks

  $ 129,622,878       $       $       $ 129,622,878   
Short-Term Investments:           

Repurchase Agreements

            2,754,605                 2,754,605   
Common Stocks Sold Short*     (62,408,143                      (62,408,143
Total   $ 67,214,735       $ 2,754,605       $       $ 69,969,340   
Equity Market Neutral                               
Long-Term Investments*:           

Common Stocks

  $ 69,291,885       $       $       $ 69,291,885   
Short-Term Investments:           

Repurchase Agreements

            2,918,656                 2,918,656   
Common Stocks Sold Short*     (56,848,967                      (56,848,967
Total   $ 12,442,918       $ 2,918,656       $       $ 15,361,574   
* Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for industry classifications.

The Board is responsible for the valuation process and has appointed the oversight of the daily valuation process to the Adviser’s Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the valuation policies and procedures adopted by the Board, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds’ pricing policies and reporting to the Board. The Valuation Committee is aided in its efforts by the Adviser’s dedicated Securities Valuation Team, which is responsible for administering the daily valuation process and applying fair value methodologies as approved by the Valuation Committee. When determining the reliability of independent pricing services for investments owned by the Funds, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of the pricing services and monitors the quality of security prices received through various testing reports conducted by the Securities Valuation Team.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making a fair value determination, based on the facts and circumstances specific to the portfolio instrument. Fair value determinations generally will be derived as follows, using public or private market information:

 

  (i) If available, fair value determinations shall be derived by extrapolating from recent transactions or quoted prices for identical or comparable securities.

 

  (ii) If such information is not available, an analytical valuation methodology may be used based on other available information including, but not limited to: analyst appraisals, research reports, corporate action information, issuer financial statements and shelf registration statements. Such analytical valuation methodologies may include, but are not limited to: multiple of earnings, discount from market value of a similar freely-traded security, discounted cash flow analysis, book value or a multiple thereof, risk premium/yield analysis, yield to maturity and/or fundamental investment analysis.

The purchase price of a portfolio instrument will be used to fair value the instrument only if no other valuation methodology is available or deemed appropriate, and it is determined that the purchase price fairly reflects the instrument’s current value.

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such testing and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board.

 

NUVEEN     141   


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3. Portfolio Securities and Investments in Derivatives

Portfolio Securities

Repurchase Agreements

In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, it is each Fund’s policy that its custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the fair value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest, at all times. If the counterparty defaults, and the fair value of the collateral declines, realization of the collateral may be delayed or limited.

The following table presents the repurchase agreements for the following Funds that are subject to netting agreements as of the end of the reporting period, and the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements.

 

Fund   Counterparty   Short-Term
Investments, at Value
    Collateral
Pledged (From)
Counterparty*
    Net
Exposure
 
Large Cap Value   Fixed Income Clearing Corporation   $ 236,805     $ (236,805   $   —   
Concentrated Core   Fixed Income Clearing Corporation     100,206        (100,206       
Large Cap Core Plus   Fixed Income Clearing Corporation     361,540        (361,540       
Equity Long/Short   Fixed Income Clearing Corporation     2,754,605        (2,754,605       
Equity Market Neutral   Fixed Income Clearing Corporation     2,918,656       (2,918,656       
* As of the end of the reporting period, the value of the collateral pledged from the counterparty exceeded the value of the repurchase agreements. Refer to the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments for details on the repurchase agreements.

Short Sale Transactions

Large Cap Core Plus, Equity Long/Short and Equity Market Neutral each pursue a “long/short” investment strategy, pursuant to which they sell securities short and may purchase additional long investments with some or all of the proceeds of the short sale transactions.

When the Funds sell a security short, they borrow the security from a third party and segregate assets as collateral to secure their obligation to return the security to the lender either upon closing out the short position or upon demand from the lender. Proceeds from short selling may be used to finance the purchase of additional securities for each Fund’s long portfolio. The amount of collateral required to be pledged to borrow a security is determined by reference to the market value of the security borrowed. The value of the collateral required to be pledged as of the end of the reporting period is disclosed in the Funds’ Portfolio of Investments, and any cash pledged as collateral in addition to long-term investments is recognized as “Cash collateral at broker” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Funds are obligated to pay the party from whom the securities were borrowed dividends declared on the stock by the issuer and such amounts are recognized as “Dividends expense on common stocks sold short”, on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Short sales are valued daily, and the corresponding unrealized gains and losses are recognized as “Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of common stocks sold short” on the Statement of Operations. Liabilities for securities sold short are reported at market value on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Short sale transactions result in off-balance sheet risk because the ultimate obligation may exceed the related amounts shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Funds will incur a loss if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Funds replace the borrowed security. The Funds’ losses on short sales are potentially unlimited because there is no upward limit on the price a borrowed security could attain. The Funds will realize a gain if the price of the security declines between those dates. Gains and losses from securities sold short are recognized as “Net realized gain (loss) from common stocks sold short” on the Statement of Operations.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch (“BAML”) facilitates the short sales transactions for the Funds. The Funds currently pay prime brokerage fees to BAML for its services for the Funds, which are recognized as “Prime broker expenses” on the Statement of Operations, when applicable.

Investments in Derivatives

Each Fund is authorized to invest in certain derivative instruments. The Funds record derivative instruments at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized on the Statement of Operations, when applicable. Even though the Funds’ investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are not considered to be hedge transactions for financial reporting purposes.

Although the Funds are authorized to invest in derivative instruments, and may do so in the future, they did not make any such investments during the current fiscal period.

Market and Counterparty Credit Risk

In the normal course of business each Fund may invest in financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk) or failure of the other party to the transaction to perform (counterparty credit risk). The potential loss could exceed the value of the financial assets recorded on the financial statements. Financial assets, which potentially expose each Fund to counterparty credit risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties on forward, option and swap transactions, when applicable. The extent of each Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk in respect to these financial assets approximates their carrying value as recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

  142       NUVEEN


Each Fund helps manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by having the Adviser monitor the financial stability of the counterparties. Additionally, counterparties may be required to pledge collateral daily (based on the daily valuation of the financial asset) on behalf of each Fund with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain above a pre-determined threshold. Reciprocally, when each Fund has an unrealized loss, the Funds have instructed the custodian to pledge assets of the Funds as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss above a pre-determined threshold. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the valuations fluctuate, either up or down, by at least the pre-determined threshold amount.

4. Fund Shares

Transactions in Fund shares during the current and prior fiscal period were as follows:

 

       Year Ended
8/31/16
       Year Ended
8/31/15
 
Large Cap Value      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       377,823         $ 8,147,030           1,172,532         $ 30,517,179   

Class C

       363,328           7,355,274           554,774           14,010,964   

Class R3

       3,814           77,759           6,826           170,216   

Class R61 – exchanges

       887,602           19,225,456                       

Class I

       2,333,537           51,901,876           2,408,463           62,933,090   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       932,097           19,747,901           1,149,064           28,468,365   

Class C

       100,958           2,037,698           109,023           2,575,721   

Class R3

                                       

Class R61

                                       

Class I

       427,534           9,122,298           446,008           11,139,170   
         5,426,693           117,615,292           5,846,690           149,814,705   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (2,063,375        (44,962,850        (1,382,590        (35,629,587

Class C

       (588,700        (12,064,765        (244,176        (6,062,351

Class R3

       (5,475        (125,290        (1,784        (46,538

Class R61

       (23,551        (535,000                    

Class I

       (1,860,418        (41,232,658        (2,176,486        (54,771,429

Class I – exchanges

       (887,602        (19,225,456                    
         (5,429,121        (118,146,019        (3,805,036        (96,509,905
Net increase (decrease)        (2,428      $ (530,727        2,041,654         $ 53,304,800   
       Year Ended
8/31/16
       Year Ended
8/31/15
 
Large Cap Core      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       874,945         $ 22,427,866           1,442,539         $ 38,956,437   

Class C

       733,218           18,441,802           1,448,568           38,899,575   

Class R61 – exchange

       693,764           17,663,242                       

Class I

       2,743,914           68,497,084           5,124,457           138,793,248   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       30,741           787,826           10,276           268,128   

Class C

       19,378           488,712           7,729           199,577   

Class R61

                                       

Class I

       83,078           2,132,950           46,821           1,229,504   
         5,179,038           130,439,482           8,080,390           218,346,469   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (617,239        (15,716,831        (235,480        (6,350,713

Class C

       (482,058        (12,191,971        (118,466        (3,164,057

Class R61

       (11,119        (300,000                    

Class I

       (2,906,788        (73,742,217        (1,338,334        (35,895,413

Class I – exchanges

       (693,764        (17,663,242                    
         (4,710,968        (119,614,261        (1,692,280        (45,410,183
Net increase (decrease)        468,070         $ 10,825,221           6,388,110         $ 172,936,286   
1  Class R6 Shares were established on June 30, 2016.

 

NUVEEN     143   


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

       Year Ended
8/31/16
       Year Ended
8/31/15
 
Large Cap Growth      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       371,585         $ 9,236,977           959,396         $ 25,308,076   

Class C

       152,413           3,758,706           261,754           6,906,543   

Class R61

       1,030           25,000                       

Class I

       322,367           8,046,592           1,508,405           40,203,063   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       43,627           1,081,231           19,074           481,971   

Class C

       7,408           180,759           2,262           56,594   

Class R61

                                       

Class I

       48,184           1,196,740           18,658           473,726   
         946,614           23,526,005           2,769,549           73,429,973   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (1,127,331        (27,291,678        (142,352        (3,752,445

Class C

       (95,029        (2,300,725        (42,218        (1,102,348

Class R61

                                       

Class I

       (816,036        (20,368,815        (259,650        (6,958,461
         (2,038,396        (49,961,218        (444,220        (11,813,254
Net increase (decrease)        (1,091,782      $ (26,435,213        2,325,329         $ 61,616,719   
       Year Ended
8/31/16
       Year Ended
8/31/15
 
Concentrated Core      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       650,877         $ 16,913,790           2,372,515         $ 66,296,117   

Class C

       323,796           8,235,687           904,844           25,204,557   

Class R61

       991           25,000                       

Class I

       895,274           23,113,731           3,011,031           84,301,612   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       85,190           2,233,298           11,900           322,682   

Class C

       37,758           972,267           2,005           53,670   

Class R61

                                       

Class I

       76,728           2,016,359           21,028           576,457   
         2,070,614           53,510,132           6,323,323           176,755,095   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (1,193,481        (30,535,390        (652,505        (18,271,599

Class C

       (327,620        (8,191,879        (35,199        (993,597

Class R61

                                       

Class I

       (1,696,550        (43,576,088        (1,381,414        (39,096,480
         (3,217,651        (82,303,357        (2,069,118        (58,361,676
Net increase (decrease)        (1,147,037      $ (28,793,225        4,254,205         $ 118,393,419   
       Year Ended
8/31/16
       Year Ended
8/31/15
 
Core Dividend      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       420,316         $ 9,864,308           677,046         $ 17,471,941   

Class C

       55,389           1,294,388           181,535           4,712,492   

Class I

       139,855           3,340,734           577,577           14,930,446   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       28,864           681,004           23,140           583,565   

Class C

       5,653           132,925           4,942           123,819   

Class I

       19,995           471,161           18,711           472,612   
         670,072           15,784,520           1,482,951           38,294,875   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (332,307        (7,849,628        (165,390        (4,215,173

Class C

       (65,660        (1,534,854        (22,582        (573,886

Class I

       (396,962        (9,294,582        (102,674        (2,603,063
         (794,929        (18,679,064        (290,646        (7,392,122
Net increase (decrease)        (124,857      $ (2,894,544        1,192,305         $ 30,902,753   
1  Class R6 Shares were established on June 30, 2016.

 

  144       NUVEEN


       Year Ended
8/31/16
       Year Ended
8/31/15
 
Growth      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       153,974         $ 4,114,434           88,331         $ 2,648,878   

Class C

       49,421           1,227,124           60,647           1,685,644   

Class R3

       5,211           132,605           202           6,079   

Class I

       444,006           12,219,654           702,991           21,615,333   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       35,019           928,930           19,192           547,540   

Class C

       31,633           768,666           21,812           580,653   

Class R3

                                       

Class I

       129,712           3,505,204           89,761           2,596,783   
         848,976           22,896,617           982,936           29,680,910   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (139,751        (3,758,259        (312,365        (9,489,916

Class C

       (107,125        (2,661,310        (57,044        (1,590,577

Class R3

       (395        (10,413        (52        (1,559

Class I

       (436,505        (11,901,047        (585,673        (17,729,600
         (683,776        (18,331,029        (955,134        (28,811,652
Net increase (decrease)        165,200         $ 4,565,588           27,802         $ 869,258   
       Year Ended
8/31/16
       Year Ended
8/31/15
 
Large Cap Core Plus      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       171,341         $ 4,231,830           874,874         $ 23,363,281   

Class C

       93,888           2,274,931           542,240           14,308,551   

Class I

       346,932           8,643,196           2,509,047           66,615,484   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       25,675           635,281           25,523           658,502   

Class C

       22,462           545,366           10,641           271,761   

Class I

       87,025           2,162,041           70,105           1,816,003   
         747,323           18,492,645           4,032,430           107,033,582   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (295,039        (7,280,436        (481,277        (12,670,678

Class C

       (231,412        (5,579,613        (25,955        (670,827

Class I

       (1,737,013        (42,177,565        (1,079,281        (28,323,550
         (2,263,464        (55,037,614        (1,586,513        (41,665,055
Net increase (decrease)        (1,516,141      $ (36,544,969        2,445,917         $ 65,368,527   
       Year Ended
8/31/16
       Year Ended
8/31/15
 
Equity Long/Short      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       450,916         $ 14,805,918           593,954         $ 19,697,958   

Class C

       94,814           2,956,282           154,640           4,862,175   

Class I

       1,526,191           51,312,679           1,493,850           50,150,549   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

                           1,069           35,095   

Class C

                           428           13,356   

Class I

                           2,217           73,967   
         2,071,921           69,074,879           2,246,158           74,833,100   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (414,391        (13,332,301        (265,615        (8,676,903

Class C

       (87,969        (2,627,278        (27,632        (861,007

Class I

       (1,670,119        (53,406,162        (385,716        (13,041,983
         (2,172,479        (69,365,741        (678,963        (22,579,893
Net increase (decrease)        (100,558      $ (290,862        1,567,195         $ 52,253,207   

 

NUVEEN     145   


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

       Year Ended
8/31/16
       Year Ended
8/31/15
 
Equity Market Neutral      Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Shares sold:                    

Class A

       365,952         $ 7,998,762           290,690         $ 6,267,867   

Class C

       48,437           1,037,987           31,840           679,574   

Class I

       1,621,262           35,412,422           1,037,896           22,343,491   
Shares issued to shareholders due to reinvestment of distributions:                    

Class A

       7,168           157,697           1,323           29,023   

Class C

       1,543           33,306           285           6,179   

Class I

       24,585           544,313           3,611           79,505   
         2,068,947           45,184,487           1,365,645           29,405,639   
Shares redeemed:                    

Class A

       (363,432        (7,897,928        (242,965        (5,189,127

Class C

       (37,336        (795,804        (28,783        (613,845

Class I

       (989,940        (21,649,115        (937,711        (20,264,907
         (1,390,708        (30,342,847        (1,209,459        (26,067,879
Net increase (decrease)        678,239         $ 14,841,640           156,186         $ 3,337,760   

5. Investment Transactions

Long-term purchases and sales (including transactions for common stocks sold short, where applicable) during the current fiscal period were as follows:

 

        Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
Purchases      $ 542,810,991       $ 327,505,345       $ 103,774,097       $ 122,346,816       $ 54,566,704   
Sales        574,522,006         319,703,891         133,467,600         154,916,553         57,669,813   

 

        Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
Purchases      $ 28,164,335       $ 200,630,406       $ 550,704,671       $ 217,001,732   
Sales        28,530,666         240,610,425         548,905,670         214,274,879   

6. Income Tax Information

Each Fund is a separate taxpayer for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to shareholders and to otherwise comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

For all open tax years and all major taxing jurisdictions, management of the Funds has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for examination by taxing authorities (i.e., generally the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Furthermore, management of the Funds is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts as detailed below. Temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the NAVs of the Funds.

As of August 31, 2016, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments (excluding common stocks sold short, where applicable), as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

        Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
Cost of investments      $ 364,879,218       $ 240,568,103       $ 67,379,024       $ 100,537,992       $ 41,597,964   
Gross unrealized:                 

Appreciation

     $ 47,265,931       $ 23,232,876       $ 6,979,126       $ 5,688,243       $ 3,570,101   

Depreciation

       (25,033,274      (9,185,159      (3,592,334      (8,121,842      (2,616,910
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments      $ 22,232,657       $ 14,047,717       $ 3,386,792       $ (2,433,599    $ 953,191   

 

  146       NUVEEN


        Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
Cost of investments      $ 42,702,877       $ 86,329,879       $ 124,006,226       $ 67,579,922   
Gross unrealized:              

Appreciation

     $ 8,074,515       $ 9,939,429       $ 12,306,775       $ 6,982,613   

Depreciation

       (1,138,026      (3,439,296      (3,935,518      (2,351,994
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments      $ 6,936,489       $ 6,500,133       $ 8,371,257       $ 4,630,619   

Permanent differences, primarily due to investments in short sales, investments in partnerships, distribution reallocations, net operating losses and tax equalization, resulted in reclassifications among the Funds’ components of net assets as of August 31, 2016, the Funds’ tax year end, as follows:

 

        Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
Capital paid-in      $       $ 1       $       $       $   
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income        88,818         (42,536      (22,101      (1,412      6,079   
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)        (88,818      42,535         22,101         1,412         (6,079

 

        Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
Capital paid-in      $ 409,634       $ 1       $ (424,847    $ (540,027
Undistributed (Over-distribution of) net investment income                16,201         487,453         551,362   
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)        (409,634      (16,202      (62,606      (11,335

The tax components of undistributed net ordinary income and net long-term capital gains as of August 31, 2016, the Funds’ tax year end, were as follows:

 

        Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
Undistributed net ordinary income1      $ 5,671,153       $ 2,040,748       $ 526,693       $ 1,680,900       $ 262,465   
Undistributed net long-term capital gains                                          

 

        Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
Undistributed net ordinary income1      $ 596,954       $ 362,314       $   —       $   
Undistributed net long-term capital gains        2,358,154                           —   
1  Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest, and net short-term capital gains, if any.

The tax character of distributions paid during the Funds’ tax years ended August 31, 2016 and August 31, 2015, was designated for purposes of the dividends paid deduction as follows:

 

2016      Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
Distributions from net ordinary income1      $ 13,655,881       $ 3,892,356       $ 2,090,622       $ 4,511,419       $ 1,200,822   
Distributions from net long-term capital gains        23,420,142         1,244,647         1,755,760         835,142         146,762   

 

2016      Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
Distributions from net ordinary income1      $ 976,991       $ 1,463,354       $   —       $   
Distributions from net long-term capital gains        5,050,085         2,412,935           —         925,032   

 

2015      Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
Distributions from net ordinary income1      $ 35,484,644       $ 2,448,979       $ 2,228,618       $ 923,688       $ 1,211,713   
Distributions from net long-term capital gains        15,620,261         72,389         6,695         69,574         37,745   

 

2015      Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
Distributions from net ordinary income1      $ 68,225       $ 3,149,388       $       $ 47,365   
Distributions from net long-term capital gains        4,368,689         128,652         123,104         99,835   
1  Net ordinary income consists of net taxable income derived from dividends, interest, and net short-term capital gains, if any.

 

NUVEEN     147   


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

As of August 31, 2016, the Funds’ tax year end, the following Funds had unused capital losses carrying forward available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future capital gains, if any. The capital losses are not subject to expiration.

 

        Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
Capital losses to be carried forward – not subject to expiration      $ 19,797,364       $ 6,746,408       $ 2,244,394       $ 7,306,848       $ 1,760,490   

 

                        Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
Capital losses to be carried forward – not subjective to expiration                        $ 6,474,311       $ 6,907,409       $ 2,717,889   

The Funds have elected to defer late-year losses in accordance with federal income tax rules. These losses are treated as having arisen on the first day of the following fiscal year. The following Fund has elected to defer losses as follows:

 

                Equity Market
Neutral
 
Post-October capital losses2         $   —   
Late-year ordinary losses3                   487,116   
2  Capital losses incurred from November 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016, the Funds’ tax year end.
3  Ordinary losses incurred from January 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016, and/or specified losses incurred from November 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016.

7. Management Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Management Fees

Each Fund’s management fee compensates the Adviser for overall investment advisory and administrative services and general office facilities. The Sub-Adviser is compensated for its services to the Funds from the management fees paid to the Adviser.

Each Fund’s management fee consists of two components – a fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets within each individual Fund, and a complex-level fee, based on the aggregate amount of all eligible fund assets managed by the Adviser. This pricing structure enables each Fund’s shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within their respective Fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by the Adviser.

The annual Fund-level fee, payable monthly, for each Fund is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

     Large Cap Value     Large Cap Core     Large Cap Growth     Concentrated Core  
Average Daily Net Assets    (For the period
August 1, 2015
through
June 29, 2016)
    (Effective
June 30, 2016)
    (For the period
August 1, 2015
through
June 29, 2016)
    (Effective
June 30, 2016)
    (For the period
August 1, 2015
through
June 29, 2016)
    (Effective
June 30, 2016)
    (For the period
August 1, 2015
through
June 29, 2016)
    (Effective
June 30, 2016)
 
For the first $125 million      0.5500     0.5000     0.5500     0.5000     0.5500     0.5000     0.6500     0.5500
For the next $125 million      0.5375        0.4875        0.5375        0.4875        0.5375        0.4875        0.6375        0.5375   
For the next $250 million      0.5250        0.4750        0.5250        0.4750        0.5250        0.4750        0.6250        0.5250   
For the next $500 million      0.5125        0.4625        0.5125        0.4625        0.5125        0.4625        0.6125        0.5125   
For the next $1 billion      0.5000        0.4500        0.5000        0.4500        0.5000        0.4500        0.6000        0.5000   
For net assets over $2 billion      0.4750        0.4250        0.4750        0.4250        0.4750        0.4250        0.5750        0.4750   

 

     Core Dividend                              
Average Daily Net Assets    (For the period
August 1, 2015
through
June 29, 2016)
     (Effective
June 30, 2016)
     Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
For the first $125 million      0.5500      0.5000      0.5000      1.0000      1.1000      1.1000
For the next $125 million      0.5375         0.4875         0.4875         0.9875         1.0875         1.0875   
For the next $250 million      0.5250         0.4750         0.4750         0.9750         1.0750         1.0750   
For the next $500 million      0.5125         0.4625         0.4625         0.9625         1.0625         1.0625   
For the next $1 billion      0.5000         0.4500         0.4500         0.9500         1.0500         1.0500   
For net assets over $2 billion      0.4750         0.4250         0.4250         0.9250         1.0250         1.0250   

 

  148       NUVEEN


The annual complex-level fee, payable monthly, for each Fund is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

Complex-Level Asset Breakpoint Level*      Effective Rate at Breakpoint Level  
$55 billion        0.2000
$56 billion        0.1996   
$57 billion        0.1989   
$60 billion        0.1961   
$63 billion        0.1931   
$66 billion        0.1900   
$71 billion        0.1851   
$76 billion        0.1806   
$80 billion        0.1773   
$91 billion        0.1691   
$125 billion        0.1599   
$200 billion        0.1505   
$250 billion        0.1469   
$300 billion        0.1445   
* The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily “eligible assets” of all Nuveen funds. Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of a determined amount (originally $2 billion) added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with the Adviser’s assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011. Eligible assets include closed-end fund assets managed by the Adviser that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the closed-end funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by a TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by the Adviser as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining eligible assets in certain circumstances. As of August 31, 2016, the complex-level fee for each Fund was 0.1607%.

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (“Expense Cap”) of the Funds so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 distribution and/or service fees, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed the average daily net assets of any class of Fund shares in the amounts and for the time periods stated in the following table.

 

Fund      Temporary
Expense Cap
       Temporary
Expense Cap
Expiration Date
     Permanent
Expense Cap
 
Large Cap Value        N/A         N/A        1.20
Large Cap Core        0.80 %*       December 31, 2017        N/A   
Large Cap Growth        0.81      December 31, 2017        N/A   
Concentrated Core        0.86 **       December 31, 2017        N/A   
Core Dividend        0.81      December 31, 2017        N/A   
Growth        0.81 **       December 31, 2017        1.40   
Large Cap Core Plus        1.25         December 31, 2016        N/A   
Equity Long/Short        1.40         December 31, 2016        N/A   
Equity Market Neutral        1.40         December 31, 2016        N/A   
* Effective June 30, 2016. Prior to June 30, 2016, the Fund’s Temporary Expense Cap was 0.95%.
** Effective June 30, 2016. Prior to June 30, 2016, the Fund’s Temporary Expense Cap was 1.00%.

N/A – Not applicable.

Other Transactions with affiliates

Neither Trust pays compensation directly to those of its trustees who are affiliated with the Adviser or to its officers, all of whom receive remuneration for their services to each Trust from the Adviser or its affiliates. The Board has adopted a deferred compensation plan for independent trustees that enables trustees to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the annual compensation they are entitled to receive from certain Nuveen-advised funds. Under the plan, deferred amounts are treated as though equal dollar amounts had been invested in shares of select Nuveen-advised funds.

During the current fiscal period, Nuveen Securities, LLC (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen, collected sales charges on purchases of Class A Shares, the majority of which were paid out as concessions to financial intermediaries as follows:

 

     Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
Sales charges collected (Unaudited)   $ 80,924       $ 316,013       $ 52,848       $ 113,325       $ 96,383   
Paid to financial intermediaries (Unaudited)     71,945         280,303         47,264         99,538         84,693   
             Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
Sales charges collected (Unaudited)            $ 24,361       $ 32,407       $ 112,663       $ 8,117   
Paid to financial intermediaries (Unaudited)              21,361         29,295         98,921         7,613   

The Distributor also received 12b-1 service fees on Class A Shares, substantially all of which were paid to compensate financial intermediaries for providing services to shareholders relating to their investments.

 

NUVEEN     149   


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

During the current fiscal period, the Distributor compensated financial intermediaries directly with commission advances at the time of purchase as follows:

 

     Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
Commission advances (Unaudited)   $ 58,854       $ 190,823       $ 36,649       $ 73,570       $ 9,319   
             Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
Commission advances (Unaudited)            $ 7,819       $ 20,931       $ 28,574       $ 9,585   

To compensate for commissions advanced to financial intermediaries, all 12b-1 service and distribution fees collected on Class C Shares during the first year following a purchase are retained by the Distributor. During the current fiscal period, the Distributor retained such 12b-1 fees as follows:

 

     Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
12b-1 fees retained (Unaudited)   $ 60,539       $ 252,640       $ 47,341       $ 159,192       $ 23,402   
             Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
12b-1 fees retained (Unaudited)            $ 9,284       $ 57,591       $ 42,546       $ 4,904   

The remaining 12b-1 fees charged to the Funds were paid to compensate financial intermediaries for providing services to shareholders relating to their investments.

The Distributor also collected and retained CDSC on share redemptions during the current fiscal period, as follows:

 

     Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
 
CDSC retained (Unaudited)   $ 5,097       $ 16,087       $ 2,461       $ 9,233       $ 1,133   
             Growth      Large Cap
Core Plus
     Equity
Long/Short
     Equity Market
Neutral
 
CDSC retained (Unaudited)            $ 661       $ 2,783       $ 4,554       $ 1,540   

As of the end of the reporting period, Nuveen owned shares of the following Funds, as follows:

 

     Large Cap
Value
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
     Growth  
Class A Shares                             2,013           
Class C Shares                             2,015           
Class R3 Shares     2,126         N/A         N/A         N/A         2,125   
Class R6 Shares             1,030         991         N/A         N/A   
Class I Shares                             36,228           

N/A – Fund does not offer share class.

8. Borrowing Arrangements

Uncommitted Line of Credit

During the current fiscal period, the Funds participated in an unsecured bank line of credit (“Unsecured Credit Line”) under which outstanding balances would bear interest at a variable rate. On December 31, 2015, (the only date utilized during the current fiscal period), the following Funds borrowed the following amounts from the Unsecured Credit Line, each at an annualized interest rate of 1.68% on their respective outstanding balance.

 

     Large Cap
Core
     Large Cap
Growth
     Concentrated
Core
     Core
Dividend
     Large Cap
Core Plus
 
Outstanding balance at December 31, 2015   $ 3,626,903       $ 376,872       $ 252,713       $ 6,860       $ 57,797   

Committed Line of Credit

The Funds, along with certain other funds managed by the Adviser (“Participating Funds”), have established a 364-day, approximately $2.5 billion standby credit facility with a group of lenders, under which the Participating Funds may borrow for various purposes other than leveraging for investment purposes. A large portion of this facility’s capacity (and its associated costs as described below) is currently dedicated for use by a small number of Participating Funds, which does not include any of the Funds covered by this shareholder report. The remaining capacity under the facility

 

  150       NUVEEN


(and the corresponding portion of the facility’s annual costs) is separately dedicated to most of the other open-end funds in the Nuveen fund family, including all of the Funds covered by this shareholder report, along with a number of Nuveen closed-end funds. The credit facility expires in July 2017 unless extended or renewed.

The credit facility has the following terms: a fee of 0.15% per annum on unused commitment amounts, and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Fed Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations, and along with commitment fees, have been allocated among such Participating Funds based upon the relative proportions of the facility’s aggregate capacity reserved for them and other factors deemed relevant by the Adviser and the Board of each Participating Fund.

During the current fiscal period, none of the Funds utilized this facility.

 

NUVEEN     151   


Additional

Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Manager

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Sub-Adviser

Nuveen Asset Management, LLC

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

KPMG LLP

200 East Randolph Street

Chicago, IL 60601

 

Custodian

State Street Bank & Trust Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

  

Legal Counsel

Chapman and Cutler LLP

Chicago, IL 60603

  

Transfer Agent and
Shareholder Services

Boston Financial

Data Services

Nuveen Investor Services

P.O. Box 8530

Boston, MA 02266-8530

(800) 257-8787

  

 

                       
  Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions: The following Funds hereby designate as long-term capital gain dividends, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(3), the amount shown in the accompanying table or, if greater, the amount necessary to reduce earnings and profits of the Funds related to net capital gain to zero for the tax year ended August 31, 2016.
                Large Cap
Value
   Large Cap
Core
   Large Cap
Growth
   Concentrated
Core
   Core
Dividend
   Growth    Large Cap
Core Plus
   Equity Market
Neutral
  Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions         $23,420,142    $1,244,647    $1,755,760    $835,142    $146,762    $5,459,719    $2,412,935    $925,032
  Distribution Information: The following Funds hereby designate their percentages of dividends paid from net ordinary income as dividends qualifying for the 70% dividends received deduction (“DRD”) for corporations and their percentages as qualified dividend income (“QDI”) for individuals under Section 1 (h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code as shown in the accompanying table. The actual qualified dividend income distributions will be reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV which will be sent to shareholders shortly after calendar year end.
                     

Large Cap
Value

  

Large Cap
Core

  

Large Cap
Growth

  

Concentrated
Core

  

Core
Dividend

  

Growth

  

Large Cap
Core Plus

  % QDI          77%    100%    79%    62%    88%    91%    100%
  % DRD              76%    100%    78%    62%    87%    89%    100%
        

 

  Quarterly Form N-Q Portfolio of Investments Information: Each Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. You may obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov or in person at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call the SEC toll-free at (800) SEC-0330 for room hours and operation.  

 

        
  Nuveen Funds’ Proxy Voting Information: You may obtain (i) information regarding how each fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen toll-free at (800) 257-8787 or on Nuveen’s website at www.nuveen.com and (ii) a description of the policies and procedures that each fund used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities without charge, upon request, by calling Nuveen toll-free at (800) 257-8787. You may also obtain this information directly from the SEC. Visit the SEC on-line at http://www.sec.gov.  
        

 

  FINRA BrokerCheck: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) provides information regarding the disciplinary history of FINRA member firms and associated investment professionals. This information as well as an investor brochure describing FINRA BrokerCheck is available to the public by calling the FINRA BrokerCheck Hotline number at (800) 289-9999 or by visiting www.FINRA.org.  

 

  152       NUVEEN


Glossary of Terms

Used in this Report (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return: This is a commonly used method to express an investment’s performance over a particular, usually multi-year time period. It expresses the return that would have been necessary each year to equal the investment’s actual cumulative performance (including change in NAV or offer price and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, if any) over the time period being considered.

BofA/Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index: The BofA/Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index that is comprised of a single U.S. Treasury issue with approximately three months to final maturity, purchased at the beginning of each month and held for one full month. The index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country/region in a given year, equal to total consumer, investment and government spending, plus the value of exports, minus the value of imports.

Lipper Alternative Active Extension Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Alternative Active Extension Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges.

Lipper Alternative Equity Market Neutral Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Alternative Equity Market Neutral Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges.

Lipper Alternative Long/Short Equity Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Alternative Long/Short Equity Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges.

Lipper Equity Income Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Equity Income Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges.

Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges.

Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges.

Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Classification. Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges.

Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Classification Average: Represents the average annualized returns for all reporting funds in the Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Classification. The Lipper returns account for the effects of management fees and assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges.

Long Position: A security the fund owns in its portfolio.

 

NUVEEN     153   


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report (Unaudited) (continued)

 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index: A free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. The index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share: A fund’s Net Assets is equal to its total assets (securities, cash and accrued earnings) less its total liabilities. For funds with multiple classes, Net Assets are determined separately for each share class. NAV per share is equal to the fund’s (or share class’) Net Assets divided by its number of shares outstanding.

Price/Earnings (P/E) Ratio: is calculated by dividing the current price of the stock by its forecasted 12 months’ earnings per share. The average of the price/earnings ratio of a fund is a weighted harmonic average of all the current P/E ratios (excluding negatives) of the stocks in the fund’s portfolio. This should not be construed as a forecast of the Fund’s performance.

Russell 1000® Growth Index: An index that measures the performance of those Russell 1000® companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Russell 1000® Index: An unmanaged index, considered representative of large-cap stocks. The index returns assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not reflect any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Russell 1000® Value Index: An index that measures the performance of those Russell 1000® companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

S&P 500® Index: An unmanaged index generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Index returns assume reinvestment of distributions, but do not include the effects of any applicable sales charges or management fees.

Short Position: A security the fund does not own but has sold through the delivery of a borrowed security.

Tax Equalization: The practice of treating a portion of the distribution made to a redeeming shareholder, which represents his proportionate part of undistributed net investment income and capital gain as a distribution for tax purposes. Such amounts are referred to as the equalization debits (or payments) and will be considered a distribution to the shareholder of net investment income and capital gain for calculation of the fund’s dividends paid deduction.

 

  154       NUVEEN


Annual Investment Management Agreement

Approval Process (Unaudited)

 

The Board of Trustees of each Fund (the “Board,” and each Trustee a “Board Member”), including the Board Members who are not parties to the Funds’ advisory or sub-advisory agreements or “interested persons” of any such parties (the “Independent Board Members”), is responsible for overseeing the performance of the investment adviser and sub-adviser to the respective Fund and determining whether to continue such Fund’s advisory agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) between the Fund and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement” and, together with the Investment Management Agreement, the “Advisory Agreements”) between the Adviser and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”). Following an initial term with respect to each Fund upon its commencement of operations, the Board reviews the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement on behalf of such Fund and votes to determine whether the respective Advisory Agreement should be renewed. Accordingly, at an in-person meeting held on May 24-26, 2016 (the “May Meeting”), the Board, including a majority of the Independent Board Members, considered and approved the existing Advisory Agreements for the Funds.

During the year, the Board and its Committees met regularly to receive materials and discuss a variety of topics impacting the Funds including, among other things, overall market conditions and market performance, Fund investment performance, brokerage execution, valuation of securities, Rule 12b-1 plans and payments, sub-transfer agency and other payments to financial intermediaries, compliance matters, securities lending, risk management and ongoing initiatives. The Board had established several standing Committees, including the Open-end Fund Committee and Closed-end Fund Committee which permit the Board Members to delve further into the topics particularly relevant to the respective product line and enhance the Board’s effectiveness and oversight of the Funds. The Board also seeks to meet with the Sub-Adviser and its investment team at least once over a multiple year rotation through site visits. The information and knowledge the Board gained throughout the year from the Board and Committee meetings, site visits and the related materials were relevant to the Board’s evaluation of the Advisory Agreements, and the Board took such information into account in its review of the Advisory Agreements.

In addition to the materials received throughout the year, the Board received additional materials prepared specifically for its annual review of the Advisory Agreements in response to a request by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Board Members. The materials addressed a variety of topics, including a description of the services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser (each, a “Fund Adviser”); a review of fund performance with a detailed focus on any performance outliers; an analysis of the investment teams; an analysis of the fees and expense ratios of the Funds, including information comparing such fees and expenses to that of peer groups; an assessment of shareholder services for the Funds and of the performance of certain service providers; a review of initiatives instituted or continued during the past year; and information regarding the profitability of the Fund Advisers, the compensation of portfolio managers, and compliance and risk matters.

As part of its annual review, the Board held a separate meeting on April 12-13, 2016 to review the Funds’ investment performance and consider an analysis by the Adviser of the Sub-Adviser examining, among other things, the team’s assets under management, investment performance, investment approach, and the stability and structure of the Sub-Adviser’s organization and investment team. During the review, the Independent Board Members requested and received additional information from management. Throughout the year and throughout their review of the Advisory Agreements, the Independent Board Members were assisted by independent legal counsel. The Independent Board Members met separately with independent legal counsel without management present and received a memorandum from such counsel outlining their fiduciary duties and legal standards in reviewing the Advisory Agreements. The Independent Board Members’ review of the Advisory Agreements reflected an ongoing process that incorporated the information and considerations that occurred over the years, including the most recent year, as well as the information specifically furnished for the renewal process. In deciding to renew the Advisory Agreements, the Independent Board Members did not identify a particular factor as controlling, but rather the decision reflected the comprehensive consideration of all the information presented. The following summarizes the principal factors, but not all the factors, the Board considered in its review of the Advisory Agreements and its conclusions.

A. Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

In evaluating the renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of the applicable Fund Adviser’s services provided to the respective Fund and the initiatives undertaken during the past year by the Adviser. The Board recognized the comprehensive set of services the Adviser provided to manage and operate the Nuveen funds, including (a) product management (such as setting dividends, positioning the product in the marketplace, managing the relationships with the distribution platforms, maintaining and enhancing shareholder communications and reporting to the Board); (b) investment services (such as overseeing sub-advisers and other service providers; analyzing investment performance and risks; overseeing risk management and disclosure; developing and interpreting investment policies; assisting in the development of products; helping to prepare financial statements and marketing disclosures; and overseeing trade execution); (c) fund administration (such as helping to prepare fund tax returns and complete other tax compliance matters; and helping to prepare regulatory filings and shareholder reports); (d) fund Board administration (such as preparing Board materials and organizing and providing assistance

 

NUVEEN     155   


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)

 

for Board meetings); (e) compliance (such as helping to devise and maintain the funds’ compliance program and related testing); and (f) legal support (such as helping to prepare registration statements and proxy statements, interpreting regulations and policies and overseeing fund activities).

The Board reviewed the continued investment the Adviser had made in its business to continue to strengthen the breadth and quality of its services to the benefit of the Nuveen funds. The Board noted the Adviser’s additional staffing in key areas that support the funds and the Board, including in investment services, operations, fund governance, compliance, fund administration, product management, retail distribution and information technology. Among the enhancements to its services, the Board recognized the Adviser’s (a) expanded activities and support required as a result of regulatory developments, including in areas of compliance and reporting; (b) increased support for dividend management; (c) continued investment in its technical capabilities as the Adviser continued to build out a centralized fund data platform, enhance mobility and remote access capabilities, rationalize and upgrade software platforms, and automate certain regulatory liquidity determinations; (d) continued efforts to rationalize the product line through mergers, liquidations and re-positioning of the Nuveen funds with the goal of increasing efficiencies, reducing costs, improving performance and addressing shareholder needs; (e) continued efforts to develop new lines of business designed to enhance the Nuveen product line and meet investor demands; and (f) continued commitment to enhance risk oversight, including the formation of the operational risk group to provide operational risk assessment, the access to platforms which provide better risk reporting to support investment teams, and the development of a new team to initially review new products and major product initiatives. The Board also recognized the Adviser’s efforts to renegotiate certain fees of other service providers which culminated in reduced expenses for all funds for custody and accounting services without diminishing the breadth and quality of the services provided. The Board considered the Chief Compliance Officer’s report regarding the Adviser’s compliance program, the Adviser’s continued development, execution and management of its compliance program, and the additions to the compliance team to support the continued growth of the Nuveen fund family and address regulatory developments.

The Board also considered information highlighting the various initiatives that the Adviser had implemented or continued during the year to enhance or support the open-end fund product line. The Board noted the Adviser’s continued initiatives (a) to develop and offer new outcome-oriented funds; (b) to refine the reports to the Board, including enhanced reporting regarding payments to intermediaries, as well as provide presentations to the Board to keep it apprised of various topics that are relevant to the open-end fund product line (such as marketing initiatives, portfolio analytics and sales results); (c) to modify the contingent deferred sales load structure for Class A shares to be more competitive with peers; (d) to launch a new share class to attract institutional clients; and (e) to change portfolio managers on various funds. The Board recognized that initiatives that attract assets to the Nuveen family of funds benefited the funds as fixed costs would be spread over a larger asset base and, as described below, through the complex-wide arrangement which generally would provide that the management fees of the funds (subject to limited exceptions) are reduced as asset levels for the complex increase. The Board also considered the Adviser’s review of the pricing on its entire open-end fund line which resulted in either a reduction in the contractual management fee, a reduction in (or, in certain cases, the adoption of) a temporary expense cap or a combination thereof for numerous funds in the complex helping to better position such funds for future growth, including Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund (the “Value Fund”), which reduced its management fee, Nuveen Growth Fund (the “Growth Fund”), which reduced its temporary expense cap, and Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund (the “Large Cap Core Fund”), Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Large Cap Growth Fund”), Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund (the “Concentrated Fund”) and Nuveen Core Dividend Fund (the “Dividend Fund”), each of which reduced both its management fee and temporary expense cap.

As noted, the Adviser also oversees the Sub-Adviser who primarily provides the portfolio advisory services to the Funds. The Board recognized the skill and competency of the Adviser in monitoring and analyzing the performance of the Sub-Adviser and managing the sub-advisory relationship. The Board noted that the Adviser recommended the renewal of each Sub-Advisory Agreement.

Based on their review, the Independent Board Members found that, overall, the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the respective Funds under each applicable Advisory Agreement were satisfactory.

B. The Investment Performance of the Funds and Fund Advisers

The Board considered the long-term and short-term performance history of the Nuveen funds. As noted above, the Board reviewed fund performance at its quarterly meetings throughout the year and took into account the information derived from the discussions with representatives of the Adviser about fund performance at these meetings. The Board also considered the Adviser’s analysis of fund performance with particular focus on any performance outliers and the factors contributing to such performance and any steps the investment team had taken to address performance concerns. The Board reviewed, among other things, each Fund’s investment performance both on an absolute basis and in comparison to peer funds (the “Performance Peer Group”) and to recognized and/or customized benchmarks (i.e., generally benchmarks derived from multiple recognized benchmarks) for the quarter, one-, three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2015 (or for such shorter periods available for the Large Cap Core Fund, the Large Cap Growth Fund, the Concentrated Fund, the Dividend Fund, Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund (the “Core Plus Fund”) and Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund (the “Market Neutral Fund”), which did not exist for part of the foregoing time frame), as well as performance information reflecting the first quarter of 2016.

In evaluating performance information, the Board recognized the following factors may impact the performance data as well as the consideration to be given to particular performance data:

 

 

  156       NUVEEN


    The performance data reflected a snapshot in time, in this case as of the end of the most recent calendar year or quarter. A different performance period, however, could generate significantly different results.

 

    Long-term performance can be adversely affected by even one period of significant underperformance so that a single investment decision or theme had the ability to disproportionately affect long-term performance.

 

    Shareholders evaluate performance based on their own holding period which may differ from the performance period reviewed by the Board, leading to different performance results.

 

    Open-end funds offered multiple classes and the performance data provided for open-end funds was based on Class A shares. The performance of the other classes of a fund, however, should be substantially similar on a relative basis because all of the classes would be invested in the same portfolio of securities and differences in performance among classes could be principally attributed to the variations in distribution and servicing expenses of each class.

 

    The Board recognized the difficulty in establishing appropriate peer groups and benchmarks for certain funds. The Board noted that management classified the Performance Peer Groups as low, medium and high in relevancy and took the relevancy of the Performance Peer Group into account when considering the comparative performance data. If the Performance Peer Group differed somewhat from a fund, the Board recognized that the comparative performance data may be of limited value. The Board also recognized that each fund operated pursuant to its own investment objective(s), parameters and restrictions which may differ from that of the Performance Peer Group or benchmark and that these variations lead to differences in performance results.

With respect to any Nuveen funds for which the Board has identified performance concerns, the Board monitors such funds closely until performance improves, discusses with the Adviser the reasons for such results, considers those steps necessary or appropriate to address such issues, and reviews the results of any efforts undertaken. The Board was aware, however, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in a fund knowing that the Adviser and the applicable sub-adviser manage the fund, knowing the fund’s investment strategy and seeking exposure to that strategy (even if the strategy was “out of favor” in the marketplace) and knowing the fund’s fee structure.

For the Value Fund, the Board noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark for the one-, three- and five-year periods and, although the Fund ranked in the fourth quartile in the Performance Peer Group in the shorter one-year period, the Fund ranked in the second quartile in the longer three- and five-year periods. The Board determined that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

For the Large Cap Core Fund, the Board noted that the Fund ranked in its Performance Peer Group in the fourth quartile and underperformed its benchmark in the one-year period. The Board noted that the factors that contributed to the Fund’s underperformance included the Fund’s investment in lower price/earnings and higher beta names and an overweight in the retail sector. Notwithstanding the weak performance in 2015, the Board noted that the Fund’s performance for the first quarter of 2016 ending March 31, 2016 was in the first quartile of its Performance Peer Group. The Board recognized that the Fund’s performance history was limited, making a meaningful assessment of performance difficult. The Board will continue to monitor this Fund closely.

For the Large Cap Growth Fund, the Board noted that the Fund ranked in its Performance Peer Group in the fourth quartile and underperformed its benchmark in the one-year period. The Board noted that the factors that contributed to the Fund’s underperformance included the Fund’s investment in lower price/earnings and higher beta names and an overweight in the retail sector. Notwithstanding the weak performance in 2015, the Board noted that the Fund’s performance for the first quarter of 2016 ended March 31, 2016 was in the first quartile of its Performance Peer Group. The Board recognized that the Fund’s performance history was limited, making a meaningful assessment of performance difficult. The Board will continue to monitor this Fund closely.

For the Concentrated Fund, the Board noted that the Fund ranked in its Performance Peer Group in the fourth quartile and underperformed its benchmark in the one-year period. The Board noted that the factors that contributed to the Fund’s underperformance included the Fund’s investment in lower price/earnings and higher beta names. The Board considered that the positioning of the Fund was not conducive to the flat or down economy and market of 2015. The Board recognized that the Fund’s performance history, however, was limited, making a meaningful assessment of performance difficult. The Board will continue to monitor this Fund closely.

For the Dividend Fund, the Board noted that the Fund ranked in its Performance Peer Group in the fourth quartile and underperformed its benchmark in the one-year period. The Board noted that the factors that contributed to the Fund’s underperformance included the Fund’s investment in lower price/earnings and higher beta names and an overweight in the retail sector. Notwithstanding the weak performance in 2015, the Board noted that the Fund’s performance for the first quarter of 2016 ended March 31, 2016 was in the second quartile of its Performance Peer Group. The Board recognized that the Fund’s performance history was limited, making a meaningful assessment of performance difficult. The Board will continue to monitor this Fund closely.

 

NUVEEN     157   


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)

 

For the Growth Fund, the Board observed that the Fund underperformed its benchmark for the one-, three- and five-year periods. The Board further considered that, although the Fund ranked in the fourth quartile in its Performance Peer Group in the one-year period, the Fund ranked in the third quartile in the three- and five-year periods. The Board also noted that the Fund ranked in the first quartile of its Performance Peer Group for the quarter ending March 31, 2016 and noted the Fund’s positive absolute performance for the one-, three- and five-year periods. The Board determined that the Fund’s performance overall had been satisfactory.

For the Core Plus Fund, the Board noted that the Fund ranked in its Performance Peer Group in the third quartile and underperformed its benchmark in the one-year period. The Board further noted that the Fund ranked in the first quartile in its Performance Peer Group for the quarter ending March 31, 2016. The Board recognized that the Fund’s performance history, however, was limited, making a meaningful assessment of performance difficult. The Board will continue to monitor this Fund closely.

For Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund (the “Long/Short Fund”), the Board noted that, although the Fund underperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods, the Fund ranked in the first quartile in the three- and five-year periods and the second quartile in the one-year period. The Board determined that the Fund’s performance had been generally favorable.

For the Market Neutral Fund, the Board noted that the Fund ranked in its Performance Peer Group in the second quartile and outperformed its benchmark in the one-year period. The Board also noted, however, that the Fund’s performance history was limited, making a meaningful assessment of performance difficult. Nevertheless, the Board determined that the Fund’s performance had been satisfactory.

C. Fees, Expenses and Profitability

1. Fees and Expenses

The Board evaluated the management fees and other fees and expenses of each Fund. The Board reviewed, among other things, the gross and net management fees and net total expenses of each Fund (expressed as a percentage of average net assets) in absolute terms and also in comparison to the fee and expense levels of a comparable universe of funds (the “Peer Universe”) and to a more focused subset in the Peer Universe (the “Peer Group”), each selected by an independent third-party fund data provider. The Independent Board Members also reviewed the methodology regarding the construction of the applicable Peer Universe and Peer Group.

In their evaluation of the management fee schedule, the Independent Board Members considered the fund-level and complex-wide breakpoint schedules, as described in further detail below. The Independent Board Members also took into account any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements provided by Nuveen. In this regard, as noted above, the Board considered that management recently completed a review of the pricing of its open-end funds which resulted in the reduction of management fees and/or expense caps of various open-end funds. The Independent Board Members considered that the foregoing changes were estimated to result in significant savings to such funds either through a reduction in advisory fees paid or an increase in the fee waivers absorbed by Nuveen. In this regard, the Board noted that the Adviser agreed to reduce the management fee for the Value Fund, reduce the temporary expense cap for the Growth Fund, and reduce both the management fee and temporary expense cap for each of the Large Cap Core Fund, the Large Cap Growth Fund, the Concentrated Fund and the Dividend Fund.

In reviewing the comparative fee and expense information, the Independent Board Members recognized that various factors such as the limited size and particular composition of the Peer Universe or Peer Group (including the inclusion of other Nuveen funds in the peer set); expense anomalies; changes in the funds comprising the Peer Universe or Peer Group from year to year; levels of reimbursement or fee waivers; the timing of information used; and differences in services provided can impact the usefulness of the comparative data in helping to assess the appropriateness of a fund’s fees and expenses. In addition, in reviewing a fund’s fees and expenses compared to the fees and expenses of its peers, the Board generally considered the fund’s expenses and fees to be higher if they were over 10 basis points higher, slightly higher if they were 6 to 10 basis points higher, in line if they were within approximately 5 basis points higher than the peer average and below if they were below the peer average of the Peer Group. The Board reviewed the net expense ratio in recognition that the net expense ratio generally best represented the net experience of the shareholders of a fund as it directly reflected the costs of investing in the respective fund. The Board noted that the majority of the Nuveen funds had a net expense ratio near or below the average of the respective peers. For funds with a net expense ratio of 6 basis points or higher than their respective peer average, the Independent Board Members reviewed the reasons for the outlier status and were satisfied with the explanation for the difference or with any steps taken to address the difference.

The Board noted that the Value Fund, the Concentrated Fund, the Dividend Fund and the Long/Short Fund each had a net management fee and net expense ratio below the respective peer averages, the Large Cap Core Fund had a net management fee in line with its peer average and a net expense ratio below its peer average, the Large Cap Growth Fund and the Growth Fund each had a net management fee that was slightly higher than its peer average, but a net expense ratio below its peer average, the Core Plus Fund had a net management fee that was higher that its peer average but a net expense ratio below the peer average, and the Market Neutral Fund had net management fee higher than its peer average but a net expense ratio in line with the peer average. The Board further noted that the Adviser agreed to reduce the contractual management fee for the Value Fund, the temporary expense cap for the Growth Fund and both the contractual management fee and temporary expense cap for each of the Large Cap Core Fund, the Large Cap Growth Fund, the Concentrated Fund and the Dividend Fund.

 

  158       NUVEEN


Based on their review of the fee and expense information provided, the Independent Board Members determined that each Fund’s management fees (as applicable) to a Fund Adviser were reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.

2. Comparisons with the Fees of Other Clients

The Board also reviewed information regarding the fee rates for other types of clients advised or sub-advised by the respective Fund Adviser. For the Adviser and/or its affiliated sub-advisers, such other clients may include: separately managed accounts (such as retail, institutional or wrap accounts), hedge funds, other investment companies that are not offered by Nuveen but are sub-advised by one of Nuveen’s affiliated sub-advisers, foreign investment companies offered by Nuveen, and collective investment trusts.

The Board recognized that each Fund had an affiliated sub-adviser. With respect to affiliated sub-advisers, including the Sub-Adviser, the Board reviewed, among other things, the range of advisory fee rates and average fee rate assessed for the different types of clients. The Board reviewed information regarding the different types of services provided to the Funds compared to that provided to these other clients which typically did not require the same breadth of day-to-day services required for registered funds. The Board further considered information regarding the differences in, among other things, the distribution systems, investment policies, investor profiles, and account sizes between the Nuveen funds and the other types of clients. In addition, the Independent Board Members also recognized that the management fee rates of the foreign funds advised by the Adviser may also vary due to, among other things, differences in the client base, governing bodies, operational complexities and services covered by the management fee. The Independent Board Members recognized that the foregoing variations resulted in different economics among the product structures and culminated in varying management fees among the types of clients and funds.

The Board also was aware that, since the Funds had a sub-adviser, each Fund’s management fee reflected two components, the fee retained by the Adviser for its services and the fee the Adviser paid to the Sub-Adviser. The Board noted that many of the administrative services provided to support the Funds by the Adviser may not be required to the same extent or at all for the institutional clients or other clients. In general, the Board noted that higher fee levels reflected higher levels of service provided by the Fund Adviser, increased investment management complexity, greater product management requirements and higher levels of business risk or some combination of the foregoing. Given the inherent differences in the various products, particularly the extensive services provided to the Funds, the Independent Board Members concluded such facts justify the different levels of fees.

3. Profitability of Fund Advisers

In conjunction with their review of fees, the Independent Board Members also considered the profitability of Nuveen for its advisory activities on an absolute basis and in comparison to other investment advisers. The Independent Board Members reviewed, among other things, Nuveen’s adjusted operating margins, the gross and net revenue margins (pre-tax and after-tax) for advisory activities for the Nuveen funds, and the revenues, expenses, and net income (pre-tax and after-tax) of Nuveen for each of the last two calendar years. The Independent Board Members reviewed an analysis of the key drivers behind the changes in revenues and expenses that impacted profitability in 2015. The Independent Board Members also noted that the sub-advisory fees for the Funds are paid by the Adviser, however, the Board recognized that the Sub-Adviser is affiliated with Nuveen. In their review, the Independent Board Members recognized that profitability data is rather subjective as various allocation methodologies may be reasonable to employ but yet yield different results. The Board also reviewed the results of certain alternative methodologies. The Board considered the allocation methodology employed to prepare the profitability data as well as a summary of the refinements to the methodology that had been adopted over the years which may limit some of the comparability of Nuveen’s revenue margins over time. Two Independent Board Members also served as point persons for the Board throughout the year to review and discuss the methodology employed to develop the profitability analysis and any proposed changes thereto and to keep the Board apprised of such changes during the year. In reviewing the profitability data, the Independent Board Members noted that Nuveen’s operating margin as well as its margins for its advisory activities to the Nuveen funds for 2015 were consistent with such margins for 2014.

The Board also considered Nuveen’s adjusted operating margins compared to that of other comparable investment advisers (based on asset size and composition) with publicly available data. The Independent Board Members recognized, however, the limitations of the comparative data as the other advisers may have a different business mix, employ different allocation methodologies, have different capital structure and costs, may not be representative of the industry or other factors that limit the comparability of the profitability information. Nevertheless, the Independent Board Members noted that Nuveen’s adjusted operating margins appeared comparable to the adjusted margins of the peers.

Further, as the Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen which in turn is an operating division of TIAA Global Asset Management, the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA-CREF”), the Board reviewed a balance sheet for TIAA-CREF reflecting its assets, liabilities and capital and contingency reserves for the last two calendar years to have a better understanding of the financial stability and strength of the TIAA-CREF complex, together with Nuveen.

Based on the information provided, the Independent Board Members noted that the Adviser appeared to be sufficiently profitable to operate as a viable investment management firm and to honor its obligations as a sponsor of the Nuveen funds.

 

NUVEEN     159   


Annual Investment Management Agreement Approval Process (Unaudited) (continued)

 

With respect to the Sub-Adviser, the Independent Board Members also considered the profitability of the Sub-Adviser from its relationship with the Nuveen funds. The Independent Board Members reviewed the Sub-Adviser’s revenues, expenses and revenue margins (pre- and post-tax) for its advisory activities for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015. The Independent Board Members also reviewed profitability analysis reflecting the revenues, expenses and revenue margin (pre- and post-tax) by asset type for the Sub-Adviser for the calendar year ending December 31, 2015.

In evaluating the reasonableness of the compensation, the Independent Board Members also considered other amounts paid to a Fund Adviser by the Funds as well as indirect benefits (such as soft dollar arrangements), if any, the Fund Adviser and its affiliates received or were expected to receive that were directly attributable to the management of a Fund. See Section E below for additional information on indirect benefits a Fund Adviser may receive as a result of its relationship with the Funds.

Based on their review, the Independent Board Members determined that the Adviser’s and the Sub-Adviser’s levels of profitability were reasonable in light of the respective services provided.

D. Economies of Scale and Whether Fee Levels Reflect These Economies of Scale

The Independent Board Members recognized that as the assets of a particular fund or the Nuveen complex in the aggregate increase over time, economies of scale may be realized with respect to the management of the funds, and the Independent Board Members considered the extent to which these economies are shared with the funds and their shareholders. Although the Independent Board Members recognized that economies of scale are difficult to measure with precision, the Board noted that there were several acceptable means to share economies of scale, including through breakpoints in the management fee schedule reducing the fee rates as asset levels grow, fee waiver and expense limitation agreements and the Adviser’s investment in its business which can enhance the services provided to the funds. With respect to breakpoints, the Independent Board Members noted that subject to certain exceptions, the funds in the Nuveen complex, including the Funds, pay a management fee to the Adviser which is generally comprised of a fund-level component and complex-level component. The fund-level fee component declines as the assets of the particular fund grow and the complex-level fee component declines when eligible assets of all the funds in the Nuveen complex combined grow. The complex-wide fee arrangement was designed to capture economies of scale achieved when total fund complex assets increase, even if the assets of a particular fund are unchanged or decrease. The approach reflected the notion that some of Nuveen’s costs were attributable to services provided to all its funds in the complex, and therefore all funds should benefit if these costs were spread over a larger asset base.

The Independent Board Members reviewed the breakpoint and complex-wide schedules and any savings achieved from expense caps (as applicable), fund-level breakpoints and complex-wide fee reductions for the 2015 calendar year for the funds. In this regard, the Independent Board Members noted that additional economies of scale were shared with shareholders of each Fund through its temporary expense cap and/or permanent expense cap.

In addition, the Independent Board Members recognized the Adviser’s ongoing investment in its business to expand or enhance the services provided to the Nuveen funds. The Independent Board Members noted, among other things, the additions to groups who play a key role in supporting the funds including in fund administration, operations, fund governance, investment services, compliance, product management, retail distribution and technology. The Independent Board Members also recognized the investments in systems necessary to manage the funds including in areas of risk oversight, information technology and compliance.

Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that the current fee structure was acceptable and reflected economies of scale to be shared with shareholders when assets under management increase.

E. Indirect Benefits

The Independent Board Members received and considered information regarding other additional benefits the respective Fund Adviser or its affiliates may receive as a result of their relationship with the Funds, including compensation paid to affiliates and research received in connection with brokerage transactions (i.e., soft dollar arrangements). In this regard, the Independent Board Members recognized that an affiliate of the Adviser served as the Funds’ principal underwriter and may receive compensation therefore from, among other things, sales charges, distribution fees and shareholder services fees (which included fees received pursuant to any 12b-1 plan). The Independent Board Members therefore took into account, among other things, the 12b-1 fees retained by Nuveen during the last calendar year.

In addition to the above, the Independent Board Members considered that the Funds’ portfolio transactions are allocated by the Sub-Adviser and the Sub-Adviser may benefit from research received through soft-dollar arrangements. The Board noted, however, that with respect to transactions in fixed income securities, such securities generally trade on a principal basis and do not generate soft dollar credits. Although the Board recognized the Sub-Adviser may benefit from a soft dollar arrangement if it does not have to pay for this research out of its own assets, the Board also recognized that any such research may benefit the Funds to the extent it enhances the ability of the Sub-Adviser to manage the Funds.

Based on their review, the Independent Board Members concluded that any indirect benefits received by a Fund Adviser as a result of its relationship with the Funds were reasonable and within acceptable parameters.

 

 

  160       NUVEEN


F. Other Considerations

The Independent Board Members did not identify any single factor discussed previously as all-important or controlling. The Board Members, including the Independent Board Members, concluded that the terms of each Advisory Agreement were fair and reasonable, that the respective Fund Adviser’s fees were reasonable in light of the services provided to each Fund and that the Advisory Agreements be renewed.

 

NUVEEN     161   


Trustees

and Officers (Unaudited)

 

The management of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Funds by the Adviser, is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the Funds. The number of directors of the Funds is set at twelve, effective July 1, 2016. None of the trustees who are not “interested” persons of the Funds (referred to herein as “independent trustees”) has ever been a director or employee of, or consultant to, Nuveen or its affiliates. The names and business addresses of the trustees and officers of the Funds, their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, the number of portfolios each oversees and other directorships they hold are set forth below.

The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes more information about the trustees. To request a free copy, call Nuveen Investments at (800) 257-8787 or visit the Funds’ website at www.nuveen.com.

 

Name,
Year of Birth
& Address
  Position(s)
Held with
the Funds
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed (1)
  Principal Occupation(s)
Including other Directorships
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
 
Independent Trustee:

William J. Schneider

1944

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Chairman and Trustee   1996   Chairman of Miller-Valentine Partners, a real estate investment company; Board Member of Med-America Health System and WDPR Public Radio station; formerly, Senior Partner and Chief Operating Officer (retired (2004) of Miller-Valentine Group; formerly, Board member, Business Advisory Council of the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank and University of Dayton Business School Advisory Council; past Chair and Director, Dayton Development Coalition.   180

Jack B. Evans

1948

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   1999   President, The Hall-Perrine Foundation, a private philanthropic corporation (since 1996); Director and Chairman, United Fire Group, a publicly held company; Director, The Gazette Company; Life Trustee of Coe College and the Iowa College Foundation; formerly, President Pro-Tem of the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa University System; formerly, Director, Alliant Energy; formerly, Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; formerly, President and Chief Operating Officer, SCI Financial Group, Inc., a regional financial services firm.   180

William C. Hunter

1948

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   2003   Dean Emeritus, formerly, Dean, Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa (2006-2012); Director (since 2004) of Xerox Corporation; Director (since 2005), and past President (2010-2014) Beta Gamma Sigma, Inc., The International Business Honor Society; Director of Wellmark, Inc. (since 2009); formerly, Dean and Distinguished Professor of Finance, School of Business at the University of Connecticut (2003-2006); previously, Senior Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (1995-2003); formerly, Director (1997-2007), Credit Research Center at Georgetown University.   180

David J. Kundert

1942

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   2005   Formerly, Director, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (2006-2013); retired (since 2004) as Chairman, JPMorgan Fleming Asset Management, President and CEO, Banc One Investment Advisors Corporation, and President, One Group Mutual Funds; prior thereto, Executive Vice President, Banc One Corporation and Chairman and CEO, Banc One Investment Management Group; Regent Emeritus, Member of Investment Committee, Luther College; member of the Wisconsin Bar Association; member of Board of Directors and Chair of Investment Committee, Greater Milwaukee Foundation; member of the Board of Directors (Milwaukee), College Possible; Board member of Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (since 2016).   180

 

  162       NUVEEN


Name,
Year of Birth
& Address
  Position(s)
Held with
the Funds
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed (1)
  Principal Occupation(s)
Including other Directorships
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

Albin F. Moschner(2)

1952

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   2016   Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Northcroft Partners, LLC, a management consulting firm (since 2012); previously, held positions at Leap Wireless International, Inc., including Consultant (2011-2012), Chief Operating Officer (2008-2011), and Chief Marketing Officer (2004-2008); formerly, President, Verizon Card Services division of Verizon Communications, Inc. (2000-2003); formerly, President, One Point Services at One Point Communications (1999-2000); formerly, Vice Chairman of the Board, Diba, Incorporated (1996-1997); formerly, various executive positions with Zenith Electronics Corporation (1991-1996). Director, USA Technologies, Inc., a provider of solutions and services to facilitate electronic payment transactions (since 2012); formerly, Director, Wintrust Financial Corporation (1996-2016).   180

John K. Nelson

1962

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   2013   Member of Board of Directors of Core12 LLC (since 2008), a private firm which develops branding, marketing and communications strategies for clients; Director of The Curran Center for Catholic American Studies (since 2009) and The President’s Council, Fordham University (since 2010); formerly senior external advisor to the financial services practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP (2012-2014); formerly, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Marian University (2010 as trustee, 2011-2014 as Chairman); formerly, Chief Executive Officer of ABN AMRO N.V. North America, and Global Head of its Financial Markets Division (2007-2008); prior senior positions held at ABN AMRO include Corporate Executive Vice President and Head of Global Markets—the Americas (2006-2007), CEO of Wholesale Banking—North America and Global Head of Foreign Exchange and Futures Markets (2001-2006), and Regional Commercial Treasurer and Senior Vice President Trading—North America (1996-2001); formerly, Trustee at St. Edmund Preparatory School in New York City.   180

Judith M. Stockdale

1947

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   1997   Board Member, Land Trust Alliance (since 2013) and U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (since 2013); formerly, Executive Director (1994-2012), Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; prior thereto, Executive Director, Great Lakes Protection Fund (1990-1994).   180

Carole E. Stone

1947

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   2007   Director, Chicago Board Options Exchange (since 2006), C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (since 2009); Director, CBOE Holdings, Inc. (since 2010); formerly, Commissioner, New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform (2005-2010).   180

Terence J. Toth

1959

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   2008   Managing Partner, Promus Capital (since 2008); Director, Fulcrum IT Service LLC (since 2010) and Quality Control Corporation (since 2012); member: Catalyst Schools of Chicago Board (since 2008) and Mather Foundation Board (since 2012), and chair of its investment committee; formerly, Director, Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. (2008-2013); formerly, CEO and President, Northern Trust Global Investments (2004-2007); Executive Vice President, Quantitative Management & Securities Lending (2000-2004); prior thereto, various positions with Northern Trust Company (since 1994); formerly, Member, Northern Trust Mutual Funds Board (2005-2007), Northern Trust Global Investments Board (2004-2007), Northern Trust Japan Board (2004-2007), Northern Trust Securities Inc. Board (2003-2007) and Northern Trust Hong Kong Board (1997-2004).   180

 

NUVEEN     163   


Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Name,
Year of Birth
& Address
  Position(s)
Held with
the Funds
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed (1)
  Principal Occupation(s)
Including other Directorships
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

Margaret L. Wolff

1955

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   2016   Member of the Board of Directors (since 2013) of Travelers Insurance Company of Canada and The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (each, a part of Travelers Canada, the Canadian operation of The Travelers Companies, Inc.); formerly, Of Counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (Mergers & Acquisitions Group) (2005-2014); Member of the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital (since 2005); Member (since 2004) and Chair (since 2015) of the Board of Trustees of The John A. Hartford Foundation (a philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults); formerly, Member (2005-2015) and Vice Chair (2011-2015) of the Board of Trustees of Mt. Holyoke College.   180
 
Interested Trustee:

William Adams IV(3)

1955

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   2013   Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-President (since March 2016), formerly, Senior Executive Vice President, Global Structured Products (2010-2016), prior thereto, Executive Vice President, U.S. Structured Products (1999-2010) of Nuveen Investments, Inc.; Co-President of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2011); Co-Chief Executive Officer (since 2016), formerly, Senior Executive Vice President of Nuveen Securities, LLC; President (since 2011), of Nuveen Commodities Asset Management, LLC; Board Member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and of Gilda’s Club Chicago.   180

Margo L. Cook(2)(3)

1964

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Trustee   2016   Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-President (since March 2016), formerly, Senior Executive Vice President of Nuveen Investments, Inc; Co-Chief Executive Officer (since 2015), previously, Executive Vice President (2013-2015) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Co-President (since October 2016), formerly, Senior Executive Vice President (2015-2016) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (Executive Vice President 2011-2015); formerly, Managing Director of Nuveen Commodities Asset Management, LLC (2011- 2016); Chartered Financial Analyst.   180

 

Name,
Year of Birth
& Address
  Position(s)
Held with
the Funds
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed (4)
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Officer
 
Officers of the Funds:

Greg A. Bottjer

1971

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Chief Administrative Officer   2016   Managing Director (since 2011), formerly, Senior Vice President (2007-2010) of Nuveen Investments Holdings, Inc.; Managing Director (since October 2016) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Chartered Financial Analyst.   103

Lorna C. Ferguson

1945

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Vice President   1998   Managing Director (since 2005) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2004).   181

Stephen D. Foy

1954

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Vice President and Controller   1998   Managing Director (since 2014), formerly, Senior Vice President (2013-2014) and Vice President (2005-2013) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Chief Financial Officer of Nuveen Commodities Asset Management, LLC (since 2010); Managing Director (since 2016) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Certified Public Accountant.   181

 

  164       NUVEEN


Name,
Year of Birth
& Address
  Position(s)
Held with
the Funds
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed (4)
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Officer

Nathaniel T. Jones

1979

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Vice President and Treasurer   2016   Senior Vice President (since 2016), formerly, Vice President (2011- 2016) of Nuveen Investments Holdings, Inc.; Chartered Financial Analyst.   181

Walter M. Kelly

1970

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President   2003   Senior Vice President (since 2008) of Nuveen Investments Holdings, Inc.   181

Tina M. Lazar

1961

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Vice President   2002   Senior Vice President of Nuveen Investments Holdings, Inc. and Nuveen Securities, LLC   181

Kevin J. McCarthy

1966

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   2007   Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel (since March 2016), formerly, Managing Director and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Investments, Inc.; Executive Vice President (since March 2016), formerly, Managing Director, and Assistant Secretary (since 2008) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Executive Vice President and Secretary (since March 2016), formerly, Managing Director (2008-2016) and Assistant Secretary (2007-2016), and Co-General Counsel (since 2011) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Executive Vice President and Secretary (since March 2016), formerly, Managing Director, Assistant Secretary (2011-2016), and Associate General Counsel (since 2011) of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC; Executive Vice President and Secretary of Nuveen Investments Advisers, LLC; Vice President (since 2007) and Secretary (since March 2016) of NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC, Symphony Asset Management LLC, Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC, Winslow Capital Management, LLC (since 2010) and Tradewinds Global Investors, LLC (since 2016); Vice President (since 2010) and Secretary (since 2016), formerly, Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Commodities Asset Management, LLC.   181

Kathleen L. Prudhomme

1953

901 Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55402

  Vice President and Secretary   2011   Managing Director, Assistant Secretary and Co-General Counsel (since 2011) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director, Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel (since 2011) of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC; Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (since 2011) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; formerly, Deputy General Counsel, FAF Advisors, Inc. (2004-2010).   181

Christopher M. Rohrbacher

1971

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   2008   Senior Vice President (since 2011) formerly, Vice President (2008-2011) and Assistant General Counsel (since 2008) of Nuveen Investments Holdings, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since October 2016) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2010) of Nuveen Commodities Asset Management, LLC.   181

Joel T. Slager

1978

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   2013   Fund Tax Director for Nuveen Funds (since 2013); previously, Vice President of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc., Assistant Treasurer of the Morgan Stanley Funds (from 2010 to 2013).   181

Jeffery M. Wilson

1956

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Vice President   2011   Senior Vice President of Nuveen Investments Holdings, Inc. (since 2011); formerly Senior Vice President of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2011); formerly, Senior Vice President of FAF Advisors, Inc. (2000-2010).   103

 

NUVEEN     165   


Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Name,
Year of Birth
& Address
  Position(s)
Held with
the Funds
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed (4)
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Officer

Gifford R. Zimmerman

1956

333 W. Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   1988   Managing Director (since 2002), and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Managing Director (since 2004) and Assistant Secretary (since 1994) of Nuveen Investments, Inc.; Managing Director (since 2002), Assistant Secretary (since 1997) and Co-General Counsel (since 2011) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director, Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2011); Managing Director and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Investments Advisers Inc. (since 2002), and Symphony Asset Management LLC (since 2003); Vice President and Assistant Secretary of NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (since 2002), Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC (since 2006) and of Winslow Capital Management, LLC, (since 2010); Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2013), formerly, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Compliance Officer (2006-2013) of Nuveen Commodities Asset Management, LLC; Chartered Financial Analyst.   181

 

(1) Trustees serve an indefinite term until his/her successor is elected or appointed. The year first elected or appointed represents the year in which the director was first elected or appointed to any fund in the Nuveen Fund Complex.
(2) On June 22, 2016, Ms. Cook and Mr. Moschner were appointed as Board Members, effective July 1, 2016.
(3) “Interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of their positions with Nuveen and certain of its subsidiaries.
(4) Officers serve one year terms through August of each year. The year first elected or appointed represents the year in which the officer was first elected or appointed to any fund in the Nuveen Fund Complex.

 

  166       NUVEEN


Notes

 

 

NUVEEN     167   


LOGO

 

    

 

     

 

           
  Nuveen:   
     Serving Investors for Generations   
    

 

     Since 1898, financial advisors and their clients have relied on Nuveen to provide dependable investment solutions through continued adherence to proven, long-term investing principles. Today, we offer a range of high quality equity and fixed-income solutions designed to be integral components of a well-diversified core portfolio.   
       

 

       

Focused on meeting investor needs.

 

Nuveen helps secure the long-term goals of individual investors and the advisors who serve them. As an operating division of TIAA Global Asset Management, Nuveen provides access to investment expertise from leading asset managers and solutions across traditional and alternative asset classes. Built on more than a century of industry leadership, Nuveen’s teams of experts align with clients’ specific financial needs and goals, demonstrating commitment to advisors and investors through market perspectives and wealth management and portfolio advisory services. Nuveen manages $244 billion in assets as of September 30, 2016.

  
    

 

        
       

Find out how we can help you.

To learn more about how the products and services of Nuveen may be able to help you meet your financial goals, talk to your financial advisor, or call us at (800) 257-8787. Please read the information provided carefully before you invest. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of any investment carefully. Where applicable, be sure to obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other relevant information. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your securities representative or Nuveen, 333 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

 

Learn more about Nuveen Funds at: www.nuveen.com/mf

  

 

                 
  Distributed by Nuveen Securities, LLC | 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 | www.nuveen.com/mf   

 

MAN-NLCES-0816D        19876-INV-Y-10/17


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. There were no amendments to or waivers from the code during the period covered by this report. The registrant has posted the code of ethics on its website at www.nuveen.com/MutualFunds/ShareholderResources/FundGovernance.aspx. (To view the code, click on Code of Conduct.)

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The registrant’s Board of Directors or Trustees (“Board”) determined that the registrant has at least one “audit committee financial expert” (as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR) serving on its Audit Committee. The registrant’s audit committee financial experts are Carole E. Stone and Jack B. Evans, who are “independent” for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

Ms. Stone served for five years as Director of the New York State Division of the Budget. As part of her role as Director, Ms. Stone was actively involved in overseeing the development of the State’s operating, local assistance and capital budgets, its financial plan and related documents; overseeing the development of the State’s bond-related disclosure documents and certifying that they fairly presented the State’s financial position; reviewing audits of various State and local agencies and programs; and coordinating the State’s system of internal audit and control. Prior to serving as Director, Ms. Stone worked as a budget analyst/examiner with increasing levels of responsibility over a 30 year period, including approximately five years as Deputy Budget Director. Ms. Stone has also served as Chair of the New York State Racing Association Oversight Board, as Chair of the Public Authorities Control Board, as a Commissioner on the New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform and as a member of the Boards of Directors of several New York State public authorities. These positions have involved overseeing operations and finances of certain entities and assessing the adequacy of project/entity financing and financial reporting. Currently, Ms. Stone is on the Board of Directors of CBOE Holdings, Inc., of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and of C2 Options Exchange. Ms. Stone’s position on the boards of these entities and as a member of both CBOE Holdings’ Audit Committee and its Finance Committee has involved, among other things, the oversight of audits, audit plans and preparation of financial statements.

Mr. Evans was formerly President and Chief Operating Officer of SCI Financial Group, Inc., a full service registered broker-dealer and registered investment adviser (“SCI”). As part of his role as President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Evans actively supervised the Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”) and actively supervised the CFO’s preparation of financial statements and other filings with various regulatory authorities. In such capacity, Mr. Evans was actively involved in the preparation of SCI’s financial statements and the resolution of issues raised in connection therewith. Mr. Evans has also served on the audit committee of various reporting companies. At such companies, Mr. Evans was involved in the oversight of audits, audit plans, and the preparation of financial statements. Mr. Evans also formerly chaired the audit committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

The following tables show the amount of fees that KPMG LLP, the Funds’ auditor, billed to the Funds’ during the Funds’ last two full fiscal years. The Audit Committee approved in advance all audit services and non-audit services that KPMG LLP provided to the Funds, except for those non-audit services that were subject to the pre-approval exception under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X (the “pre-approval exception”). The preapproval exception for services provided directly to the Funds waives the pre-approval requirement for services other than audit, review or attest services if: (A) the aggregate amount of all such services provided constitutes no more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid by the Funds during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; (B) the Funds did not recognize the services as non-audit services at the time of the engagement; and (C) the services are promptly brought to the Audit Committee’s attention, and the Committee (or its delegate) approves the services before the audit is completed.

The Audit Committee has delegated certain pre-approval responsibilities to its Chairman (or, in his absence, any other member of the Audit Committee).

 

Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2016

   Audit Fees Billed
to Funds 1
    Audit-Related Fees
Billed to Funds 2
    Tax Fees
Billed to Funds 3
    All Other Fees
Billed to Funds 4
 

Fund Name

        

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

     16,025        0        0        0   

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

     16,025        0        0        0   

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

     16,025        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

     16,025        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

     16,025        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

     16,025        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

     16,025        0        0        0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 112,175      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

 

1   

“Audit Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for professional services for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements and services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

2   

“Audit-Related Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements that are not reported under “Audit Fees”. These fees include offerings related to the Fund’s common shares and leverage.

3   

“Tax Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for professional services for tax advice, tax compliance, and tax planning. These fees include: all global withholding tax services; excise and state tax reviews; capital gain, tax equalization and taxable basis calculations performed by the principal accountant.

4   

“All Other Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for products and services other than “Audit Fees”, “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees”. These fees represent all “Agreed-Upon Procedures” engagements pertaining to the Fund’s use of leverage.

 

    Percentage Approved Pursuant to Pre-approval  Exception  
    Audit Fees Billed
to Funds
    Audit-Related Fees
Billed to Funds
    Tax Fees
Billed to Funds
    All Other Fees
Billed to Funds
 

Fund Name

       

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

    0     0     0     0

August 31, 2015

  Audit Fees Billed
to Funds 1
    Audit-Related Fees
Billed to Funds 2
    Tax Fees
Billed to Funds 3
    All Other Fees
Billed to Funds 4
 

Fund Name

       

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

    15,500        0        0        0   

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

    15,500        0        0        0   

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

    15,500        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

    15,500        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

    15,500        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

    15,500        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

    15,500        0        0        0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 108,500      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

 

1   

“Audit Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for professional services for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements and services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

2   

“Audit-Related Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements that are not reported under “Audit Fees”. These fees include offerings related to the Fund’s common shares and leverage.

3   

“Tax Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for professional services for tax advice, tax compliance, and tax planning. These fees include: all global withholding tax services; excise and state tax reviews; capital gain, tax equalization and taxable basis calculations performed by the principal accountant.

4   

“All Other Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for products and services other than “Audit Fees”, “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees”. These fees represent all “Agreed-Upon Procedures” engagements pertaining to the Fund’s use of leverage.

 

    Percentage Approved Pursuant to Pre-approval  Exception  
    Audit Fees Billed
to Funds
    Audit-Related Fees
Billed to Funds
    Tax Fees
Billed to Funds
    All Other Fees
Billed to Funds
 

Fund Name

       

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

    0     0     0     0

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

    0     0     0     0

 

Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2016

   Audit-Related Fees
Billed to Adviser  and
Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
    Tax Fees Billed to
Adviser and
Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
    All Other Fees
Billed to Adviser
and Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
 

Nuveen Investment Trust

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   
      Percentage Approved Pursuant to Pre-approval Exception  
      Audit-Related Fees
Billed to Adviser and
Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
    Tax Fees Billed to
Adviser and
Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
    All Other Fees
Billed to Adviser
and Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
 
     0     0     0

Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2015

   Audit-Related Fees
Billed to Adviser and
Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
    Tax Fees Billed to
Adviser and
Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
    All Other Fees
Billed to Adviser
and Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
 

Nuveen Investment Trust

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   
     Percentage Approved Pursuant to Pre-approval Exception  
     Audit-Related Fees
Billed to Adviser and
Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
    Tax Fees Billed to
Adviser and
Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
    All Other Fees
Billed to Adviser
and Affiliated Fund
Service Providers
 
     0     0     0

 

Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2016

  Total Non-Audit Fees
Billed to Trust
    Total Non-Audit Fees
billed to Adviser and
Affiliated Fund Service
Providers (engagements
related directly to the
operations and financial
reporting of the Trust)
    Total Non-Audit Fees
billed to Adviser and
Affiliated Fund Service
Providers (all other
engagements)
    Total  

Fund Name

       

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

    0        0        0        0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

“Non-Audit Fees billed to Fund” for both fiscal year ends represent “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” billed to Fund in their respective amounts from the previous table.

Less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.

 

Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2015

  Total Non-Audit Fees
Billed to Trust
    Total Non-Audit Fees
billed to Adviser and
Affiliated Fund Service
Providers (engagements
related directly to the
operations and financial
reporting of the Trust)
    Total Non-Audit Fees
billed to Adviser and
Affiliated Fund Service
Providers (all other
engagements)
    Total  

Fund Name

       

Nuveen Concentrated Core Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Core Dividend Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

    0        0        0        0   

Nuveen Large Cap Core Plus Fund

    0        0        0        0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

“Non-Audit Fees billed to Fund” for both fiscal year ends represent “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” billed to Fund in their respective amounts from the previous table.

        Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. Generally, the Audit Committee must approve (i) all non-audit services to be performed for the Funds by the Funds’ independent accountant and (ii) all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Funds’ independent accountant for the Affiliated Fund Service Providers with respect to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds. Regarding tax and research projects conducted by the independent accountant for the Funds and Affiliated Fund Service Providers (with respect to operations and financial reports of the Trust), such engagements will be (i) pre-approved by the Audit Committee if they are expected to be for amounts greater than $10,000; (ii) reported to the Audit Committee Chairman for his verbal approval prior to engagement if they are expected to be for amounts under $10,000 but greater than $5,000; and (iii) reported to the Audit Committee at the next Audit Committee meeting if they are expected to be for an amount under $5,000.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable to this registrant.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

 

a)   See Portfolio of Investments in Item 1.

 

b)   Not applicable.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to this registrant.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable to this registrant.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable to this registrant.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this Item.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

  (a)  

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)  

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form.

 

(a)(1)   Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit: Not applicable because the code is posted on registrant’s website at www.nuveen.com/MutualFunds/ShareholderResources/FundGovernance.aspx and there were no amendments during the period covered by this report. (To view the code, click on Code of Conduct.)
(a)(2)   A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) in the exact form set forth below: See EX-99.CERT attached hereto.
(a)(3)   Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons: Not applicable to this registrant.
(b)   If the report is filed under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an Exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registration specifically incorporates it by reference: See EX-99.906 CERT attached hereto.


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) Nuveen Investment Trust

 

By (Signature and Title)    /s/ Kathleen L. Prudhomme
  

Kathleen L. Prudhomme

   Vice President and Secretary

Date: November 4, 2016

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

 

By (Signature and Title)    /s/ Greg A. Bottjer
  

Greg A. Bottjer

   Chief Administrative Officer
   (principal executive officer)

Date: November 4, 2016

 

By (Signature and Title)    /s/ Stephen D. Foy
   Stephen D. Foy
   Vice President and Controller
   (principal financial officer)

Date: November 4, 2016