N-CSRS 1 d329091dncsrs.htm HARDING, LOEVNER FUNDS, INC. Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.
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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        811-07739                     

                                 Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.                            

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

400 Crossing Boulevard

Fourth Floor

                         Bridgewater, NJ 08807                        

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Marcia Y. Lucas, Esq.

The Northern Trust Company

333 South Wabash Ave

Chicago, IL 60604

With a copy to:

Stephen H. Bier, Esq.

Dechert LLP

1095 Avenue of the Americas

                New York, NY 10036                

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (877) 435-8105

Date of fiscal year end: 10/31

Date of reporting period: 04/30/2022


Table of Contents

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

(a)

The following is a copy of the report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1)


Table of Contents
LOGO       

 

Global Equity Portfolio

 

International Equity Portfolio

 

International Small Companies Portfolio

 

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio

 

Emerging Markets Portfolio

 

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

 

Global Equity Research Portfolio

 

International Equity Research Portfolio

 

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

 

Chinese Equity Portfolio

 


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Harding Loevner Funds

Global equity investing is Harding Loevner’s exclusive focus. Through Harding Loevner Funds it offers distinct global strategies based on its quality-and-growth investment philosophy. It seeks to purchase shares of growing, financially strong, well-managed companies at favorable prices. Harding Loevner manages each of the Funds’ Portfolios according to a disciplined, research-based investment process. It identifies companies with sustainable competitive advantages and assesses the durability of their earnings growth by conducting in-depth fundamental research into global industries. In constructing portfolios, Harding Loevner diversifies carefully to limit risk.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

         
2    Letter to Our Shareholders   
4    Global Equity Portfolio   
8    International Equity Portfolio   
12    International Small Companies Portfolio   
16    Emerging Markets Portfolio   
20    Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio   
24    Global Equity Research Portfolio   
28    International Equity Research Portfolio   
32    Emerging Markets Research Portfolio   
36    Chinese Equity Portfolio   

 

Must be preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus.

Quasar Distributors, LLC, Distributor


Table of Contents
Letter To Our Shareholders    

April 30, 2022

 

   
         

 

LOGO

 

David Loevner, CFA

Chairman of the Funds

and Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser

Ferrill Roll, CFA
Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser
Simon Hallett, CFA
Vice Chairman of the Adviser

Growth investors have had a difficult time, and as of this writing it isn’t over yet. Falling prices spreading to almost every asset class were preceded by poor returns in the most richly priced and fastest-growing stocks with the pain felt most acutely in stocks of profitless fast-growth companies. The savagery of the decline is bringing out the predictable catcalls announcing the death of growth investing. Yet, a mere 18 months ago, we wrote in our annual letter that the rumors of the death of value investing were greatly exaggerated, borrowing Mark Twain’s phrase. Since then, the MSCI ACWI Value Index has risen 36%, leading its growth counterpart by nearly 27 percentage points. The ACWI ex-US Value Index’s lead is 30 percentage points. Memories are notoriously short in financial markets, but even we are surprised at the alacrity with which the same commentators who cast value into an early grave less than two years ago are now tipping growth investing into the hole just vacated by value investing’s entirely predictable resurrection.

So let us go back to first principles: returns from any investment are related to the price you pay for the security. The security entitles its holder to a string of future cash flows, and its price reflects the collective evaluation of the present value of those future flows appropriately discounted. Discount rates, however, are fickle, rising and falling to reflect shifting risk appetites and opportunity costs in the form of interest rates. Expected cash flows from equities extend far into the future and fluctuate widely, subject to shifting competitive dynamics, government actions, and macroeconomic conditions, not to mention pandemics and wars. Global equity investors recently have faced more than the usual shifts in all of the above categories.

New business models, new technologies, and new entrants are disrupting previously stable competitive contests. Government

policies in both developed and developing economies have become less predictable, lurching between light-touch oversight and heavy-handed action, with wholesale regulatory interventions harming investors. A full-scale invasion of one country by its neighbor has triggered dramatic dislocations across commodity markets while simultaneously undermining confidence in global trade resilience as well as in the diversification benefits of cross-border investing.

And now, for the first time in a generation, rising inflation has returned to roil investor assumptions about discount rates, monetary policy, and business resilience. Few investors operating in the early 1970s are still working today to parse the variables from first-hand experience; institutional memories of how to trim the sails for the new weather are hazy. We at Harding Loevner are no different from the rest on that score. Our instinctive response is to focus exclusively on the shifting demands and pressures on each company we invest in, aiming to avoid the most vulnerable business models and identify the most resilient. But, in the short run, it is the changing discount rates that affect our companies’ share prices the most, impacted by anticipated policy responses to either inflation or economic weakness. Our performance, across all our strategies in these last six months, is partly a reflection of our studied avoidance of making wholesale portfolio changes based on any forecasts of such macroeconomic variables. Markets, however, have moved, with or without our forecasts, causing us some pain in the short run.

The headwinds against our high-quality growth style of investing have been blowing a stiff breeze since November of 2020, when the first COVID-19 vaccines won approval and investors began to imagine a return to some sort of normal social and economic activity. But those headwinds turned into a gale in the most recent six months as the anticipated reopening met up with labor shortages and supply-chain interruptions, igniting a global inflationary impulse that is inconsistent with financial assets priced for low inflation and low interest rates as far as the eye could see. Central banks, after striving for a decade to break deflationary forces, now face the ugly task of subduing this new inflation using their main tool: interest rates. Higher rates target debt-financed demand and speculative activity, to deflate the equity and real estate markets intentionally even while hoping to minimize harm to employment.

The ensuing storm has assailed the most richly priced stocks relative to those of the least richly priced. Because both high quality and rapid growth had been increasingly prized, and bid up, by investors in the decade since the Great Financial Crisis, our portfolios have suffered, too. Rising interest rates, combined with the rising input costs faced by all companies as commodity and energy inflation seep into wages and rents, make for volatile stock markets and a sobering outlook.

 

 

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Without doubt, we have made some missteps that have exacerbated the effect of these headwinds on our performance. We have written elsewhere about the Russian stock market losses inflicted by a united Western revulsion against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some of our strategies, leaning into the inflation-resistant, diversifying characteristics of Russian stocks, got caught by the sweeping, shattering sanctions. Also, in each of our strategies we discovered a few holdings whose businesses are proving less resilient than we foresaw to previously unseen competition, or to surging input costs, or more volatile revenue as geopolitical uncertainty persists.

We remain convinced, however, that the preponderance of companies that our analysts have vetted through fundamental understanding of their businesses will shine in the more subdued economic environment that the central bankers so devoutly wish to reach on the other side of their concerted monetary tightening.

 

Through other periods of poor performance we have stuck to our principles and seen our discipline rewarded. In our view, investment returns are about the actions of companies as well as the prices investors pay for the securities. In the long run, the former dominates, even if in the short run prices do. The competitive forces faced by companies, such as the bargaining power they have over suppliers as input cost pressure rises, or that which they have over customers when unavoidable cost increases need to be passed on, will be fruitful avenues for our research. Our attention to the robustness of expected growth should also pay dividends if and when economic growth falters under tight monetary conditions. As we evaluate what is a fair price to pay for those companies, our process should serve us well, as it has over the long course of our history.

We are grateful, as always, for the trust you place in us.

 

 

  Sincerely,         
     LOGO    LOGO    LOGO   
  David R. Loevner, CFA        Ferrill D. Roll, CFA        Simon Hallett, CFA   

Opinions expressed are those of Harding Loevner and are not intended to be forecasts of future events, a guarantee of future results, nor investment advice. Please read the separate disclosure page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolios. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

 

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Global Equity Portfolio

 

   
Institutional Investors: HLMVX & HLGZX | Individual Investors: HLMGX    
         

 

Portfolio Management Team

 

LOGO  

Peter Baughan, CFA

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

 

Jingyi Li

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

 

Scott Crawshaw

Portfolio Manager

 

Christopher Mack, CFA

Portfolio Manager

 

Richard Schmidt, CFA

Portfolio Manager

 

Moon Surana, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Performance Summary

For the Global Equity Portfolio, the Institutional Class declined 23.95%, the Institutional Class Z declined 23.94%, and the Advisor Class declined 24.03% (net of fees and expenses) in the six-month period ended April 30, 2022. The Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Index, declined 11.63% (net of source taxes).

Market Review

Stock markets fell sharply during the period as the confluence of several macroeconomic events battered share prices.

In November, consumer price inflation in the US reached its highest rate since 1982, leading the US Federal Reserve to signal several interest rate hikes and an imminent end to its bond buying program. Other central banks moved even more quickly: the Bank of England raised its main interest rate and the European Central Bank announced it would end its bond buying program. At the same time, just as supply chain bottlenecks showed signs of easing, the emergence of Omicron threatened to upend the progress and reintroduce global lockdowns. Chinese officials, aiming for zero transmission, pursued the most stringent lockdown policies—further hampering economic growth that had already been stalled amid a slowdown in construction spending after several heavily indebted property developers, including the gargantuan Evergrande, defaulted on bond payments.

Fund Facts at April 30, 2022     

Total Net Assets

  $1,278.3M        

Sales Charge

  None        

Number of Holdings

  70        

Turnover (5 Yr. Avg.)

  46%        

Dividend Policy

  Annual        
   
    Institutional Investors   Individual Investors
     
     Inst. Class   Inst. Class Z   Advisor Class
     

Ticker

  HLMVX   HLGZX   HLMGX
     

CUSIP

  412295602   412295727   412295206
     

Inception Date

  11/3/2009   8/1/2017   12/1/1996
     

Minimum Investment1

  $100,000   $10,000,000   $5,000
     

Expense Ratio2

  0.87%3   0.80%4   1.08%5

1Lower minimums available through certain brokerage firms; 2The Expense Ratios are as of the most recent Prospectus and have been restated to reflect current fees; 3Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 0.90% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors; 4Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 0.80% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors; 5Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.20% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors.

Investors barely had time to digest these events when, in February, Russia commenced its invasion of Ukraine. The reaction by Western governments was swift and emphatic as they sought to tread a delicate balance between punishing Russian aggression and avoiding an escalating military conflict. The US and its allies enacted crippling economic sanctions against Russia, including freezing a significant share of the Russian central bank reserve assets, cutting off many of the country’s banks from the SWIFT global financial messaging system, and outlawing the export of a variety of industrial and luxury goods. The sanctions initially led to a collapse in the ruble, while the Moscow stock exchange closed for almost a month before re-opening for domestic investors only. With foreign investors effectively unable to trade, major market index providers expunged all Russian securities from their indexes.

Prices for a wide range of commodities for which Russia is a major producer—including oil, gas, grains, and metals—surged on fears of disruption, prompting billions of US dollars in margin calls to cover futures positions. Headline inflation, which had already been rising rapidly around the world prior to the invasion, received a fillip from the shock to energy and food supplies stemming from the war, increasing the pressure on central banks to tighten monetary policy. In March, the US Fed did just that, raising interest rates for the first time in three years and signaling as many as seven additional hikes in 2022, causing stocks to retreat further as investors feared efforts to tame inflation may cause a recession.

 

 

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Performance (% Total Return)

 

    

 

For periods ended March 31, 2022

    

 

For periods ended April 30, 2022

 
     1      3      5      10      Since Inception*      1      3      5      10      Since Inception*  
      Year      Years      Years      Years      Nov-09      Aug-17      Dec-96      Year      Years      Years      Years      Nov-09      Aug-17      Dec-96  
               

Global Equity Portfolio – Inst. Class

     -1.52        13.61        12.57        10.62        10.72                          -17.49        7.91        9.19        9.35        9.56                    
               

Global Equity Portfolio – Inst. Class Z

     -1.46        13.69                               10.90                 -17.45        7.99                               7.87           
               

Global Equity Portfolio – Advisor Class

     -1.73        13.40        12.35        10.36                          7.83        -17.67        7.71        8.97        9.09                          7.28  
               

MSCI All Country World Index

     7.28        13.75        11.64        10.00        9.91        10.76               -5.44        9.41        9.46        9.21        9.11        8.64         

Returns are annualized for periods greater than 1 year. *Inception of the Institutional Class, November 3, 2009. Inception of the Institutional Class Z, August 1, 2017. Inception of the Advisor Class, December 1, 1996. Index performance prior to January 1, 2001 cannot be shown since it relies on back-filled data.

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Portfolio may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 435-8105 or visiting hardingloevnerfunds.com.

 

On a sector basis, Energy performed strongly, reflecting the meteoric rise in commodity prices caused by supply shocks from war and sanctions. Utilities and Consumer Staples were the only other sectors to eke out gains. Consumer Discretionary and Communication Services performed the worst; the former was impacted by slumping consumer confidence in the wake of the rapid rise in inflation, while the latter—largely comprised of highly priced growth stocks—was impacted by central bank efforts to tame inflation.

Geographically, all major regions declined. The eurozone was most impacted as sanctions against Russia served to compound the difficulties of countries already grappling with mounting inflation. Japanese stocks also lagged, with supply chain issues emanating out of China and other economic concerns weighing on the market. Emerging Markets also performed poorly, largely due to Russia and China—the latter of which faced an economic slowdown aggravated by difficulties in maintaining its zero-COVID policy, sweeping regulatory actions, and the government’s attempts to slowly deflate its colossal real estate bubble.

Style factors played a significant role: the most highly priced shares suffered throughout, first from the regulatory mauling of many Chinese growth leaders, and then from a reassessment of discount rates in the face of rising inflation. Similarly, the fastest-growing stocks significantly underperformed their slowest-growing peers. There was no clear effect by quality as both the highest- and lowest-quality stocks underperformed.

Performance Attribution

The Portfolio’s concentration in expensive stocks, a hazard of our commitment to investing in the stocks of high-quality rapidly growing businesses, hurt relative performance in the period during which investors fled from richly priced companies. So stiff was this style headwind that, when viewed through the standard lenses of sector and geographic attribution, our Portfolio underperformed within each sector and each region. Walking through sector by sector or region by region would add little to that overarching explanation.

A more informative parsing of sources of underperformance comes from viewing our returns in terms of the Portfolio’s exposure to growth and valuation factors. According to our growth and valuation rankings, the Portfolio’s emphasis on companies in the fastest-growing cohorts—or, inseparably, its tolerance of their rankings among the most richly priced cohorts—accounted for about 40% of our underperformance in the period. Our parallel emphasis on quality provided no defense in the period. However much we’ve steadily reduced holdings of highly priced stocks, the Portfolio remains skewed toward the expensive end of the market, and that skew has cost over 400 basis points of relative performance in the half year.

Perspective and Outlook

The performance of our strategy has been poor throughout the period, a six-month span in which value stocks have trounced growth stocks.

In retrospect, we were too sanguine about the near-term course of inflation, and the extent to which the risk that inflation expectations would become entrenched would rise. We expected surging demand for consumer durables to revert to trend and supply chains to normalize as economies reopened from COVID-19 constraints. But ongoing bottlenecks, such as congestion at US ports, now exacerbated by lockdowns in China’s industrial hubs and commodity supply shocks emanating from the Ukrainian conflict, have led to prolonged shortages of key components and finished goods across many industries. The effects of sustained price pressures on monetary policy and concerns for its prospective impact on economic growth have raised equity discount rates and lowered general growth expectations, leading to severe underperformance of the fastest-growing quintile of the market—the cohort from which we’ve drawn a large portion of our Portfolio, which also meant a large helping of the most expensive quintile (as measured by our composite valuation rankings).

If we’d had better macroeconomic foresight or were less convinced of the through-the-cycle earnings power of our fastest-growing companies, we might have reduced our

 

 

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exposure to the most expensive of them. Too late for that, at this point we are contending with the market’s massive style shift in the midst of rising inflation and discount rates, regulatory uncertainty, and disrupted supply chains, all against a backdrop of nascent fears of an economic slowdown.

However, for many of our holdings, most of the specific blemishes that marred their shares are likely to be transient; the companies’ long-term prospects remain bright while the sell-off has left their shares more attractively priced. PayPal is admittedly at a crossroads with its still-untested strategy of focusing on deepening existing user relationships instead of growing e-commerce commissions off new users; but, at its current price, we are prepared to wait a while longer to gauge if it can succeed. With Meta Platforms (Facebook), we think it is only a matter of time before the company’s heavy investments in proprietary ad targeting tools and the next generation of web experiences launch the next growth phase. Other examples include Align Technology, which remains among the fastest growing and most innovative companies in consumer health, and Japanese healthcare company Sysmex, which—in addition to a promising Alzheimer’s test in clinical trials—is already using its early-disease-detection systems to help doctors diagnose and better treat many types of cancers far earlier in the diseases’ progression.

Over the last 20 years we’ve experienced four other episodes when our quality-growth style has significantly underperformed. The most recent was in December 2018 when the Trump trade war and rising interest rates delivered a shock remarkably similar to the one experienced today and which also contributed to a broad retreat from highly priced growth shares. It’s too soon to tell if the current hiking cycle will prove equally short-lived, but what does seem clear is that the ability of economic activity to withstand higher interest rates has been progressively lowered over time. That said, given today’s potent mix of macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, investors are facing an unusually wide range of potential outcomes. In a scenario of continued high inflation and sharply rising interest rates, shares of quality-growth companies will probably continue to lag the market; but, should inflation moderate and economic growth revert to a more tepid pace, we would expect to see a reversal of their recent underperformance as the market embraces companies growing their earnings faster than average. In the face of this uncertainty, we do what we have done for the last two decades: construct a diversified Portfolio of high-quality growth companies by taking advantage of the most attractive valuations as they emerge.

Portfolio Highlights

The war in Ukraine has given new urgency to the question of whether globalization has reached a tipping point and if the familiar web of decentralized, just-in-time, global supply chains will be a casualty of the inward turn dividing countries into competing trading blocs. It is probably too soon

to know. It is probable, however, that companies everywhere will be reassessing presuppositions about access to low-cost transportation, cheap foreign labor, and business-friendly social and tax policies, and taking steps to minimize future supply disruptions or unanticipated regulatory shifts. At a minimum, we’d expect to see manufacturers begin to reshore or at least duplicate production processes for critical operations, whether it’s setting up plants closer to their end customers or encouraging their suppliers to do the same. We’d also expect future capital expenditures and supply chain reorganizations to take full advantage of the many advances occurring across the industrial automation landscape, which are propelling leading providers of so-called “Industry 4.0” solutions onto favorable growth paths.

Rockwell Automation is one such provider, which we purchased during the market correction in the first three months of 2022. Rockwell’s sales growth had stalled during the US capex recession following the recovery from the Global Financial Crisis. The company sold sensors, actuators, valves, and control software, but lacked the ability to weave all these offerings together to provide a single control point for clients wanting to

 

Portfolio Positioning (% Weight) at April 30, 2022

Sector    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Comm Services

     9.0      7.7

Cons Discretionary

     7.4      11.3

Cons Staples

     1.7      7.5

Energy

     1.2      4.7

Financials

     14.0      14.5

Health Care

     23.8      12.3

Industrials

     14.6      9.4

Info Technology

     23.6      21.6

Materials

     0.0      5.1

Real Estate

     1.3      2.9

Utilities

     0.0      3.0

Cash

     3.4     
Geography    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Canada

     0.0      3.2

Emerging Markets

     12.0      11.3

Europe EMU

     6.5      7.8

Europe ex-EMU

     10.0      8.2

Frontier Markets2

     0.0     

Japan

     2.8      5.4

Middle East

     0.0      0.2

Pacific ex-Japan

     1.9      3.2

United States

     63.4      60.7

Cash

     3.4     

1MSCI All Country World Index; 2Includes countries with less-developed markets outside the Index.

 

 

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automate an existing plant or build a fully automated new one. Its 2018 minority investment in PTC Inc, a Boston-based industrial software firm with a strong capability in augmented reality and visualization tools, marked a turning point in Rockwell’s fortunes. Through this partnership, Rockwell was able to develop software that integrated data from individual business segments, stitching it together on its “FactoryTalk” platform, to give managers a real-time digital picture of their operations. The company is now a chief enabler and beneficiary of reshoring initiatives as a wave of manufacturers scarred by pandemic supply chain disruptions look to automation to help them recreate some of the cost savings that had driven their offshoring in the first place.

Another example is Hexagon, a Swedish industrial sensor and digital reality company, which we added to the Portfolio on share weakness. Hexagon has long made high-value tools that enable more efficient construction and manufacturing, but where these were mostly once expensive standalone pieces of hardware—like high-resolution survey equipment or cameras—they now tend to be expensive hardware connected to cloud-based software sold on a recurring, subscription basis. This can take the form of an advanced sensor drone that buzzes above the factory floor monitoring operations and collecting data to spot inefficiencies or potential breakdowns, or computer modeling software for constructing a virtual twin of an entire plant for processing said data and helping to optimize back the other way. The result is that top-line growth, driven by increasing adoption of such Industry

4.0 efficiency-enhancing tools, has also been accompanied by an improving revenue mix for Hexagon, with 60% of its revenues now coming from higher-margin software and recurring sources.

We sold Baidu; however, it wasn’t due to company-specific factors as Baidu continues to generate strong cash flows and appears reasonably valued with a strong balance sheet. We have simply grown more concerned about the country risk associated with our Chinese shares, especially shares heavily owned by US investors, given the simmering tensions between the two nations. Our bottom-up fundamental research process continues to identify many high quality-growth businesses in China that compare favorably with global peers, but we have decided to trim our overweight as we reassess the implications of our holdings there for overall, Portfolio-level risk.

Additional sales included Neste, the Finnish renewable diesel company, whose CEO resigned unexpectedly at a difficult moment for the company, as it is struggling with inflation and scarcity in its commercial cooking-oil-waste raw material chain and working to complete construction of a large new aviation fuel plant in Singapore. We also sold Disney, due to some concerns about the increasing capital intensity of its business amid signs of rising competition and slowing growth in streaming media consumption.

Ten Largest Holdings by Weight at April 30, 2022

Company    Sector    Market    %

Alphabet

   Comm Services    US    3.6

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

   Health Care    US    3.2

First Republic Bank

   Financials    US    3.0

SVB Financial Group

   Financials    US    3.0

John Deere

   Industrials    US    2.8

Microsoft

   Info Technology    US    2.7

UnitedHealth Group

   Health Care    US    2.7

Schneider Electric

   Industrials    France    2.6

Amazon.com

   Cons Discretionary    US    2.3

Meta Platforms

   Comm Services    US    2.3

Please read the separate disclosures page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

 

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International Equity Portfolio

 

   
Institutional Investors: HLMIX & HLIZX | Individual Investors: HLMNX    
         

 

Portfolio Management Team

 

LOGO  

Ferrill Roll, CFA

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

 

Andrew West, CFA

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

 

Bryan Lloyd, CFA

Portfolio Manager

 

Babatunde Ojo, CFA

Portfolio Manager

 

Patrick Todd, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Performance Summary

For the International Equity Portfolio, the Institutional Class declined 17.46%, the Institutional Class Z declined 17.42%, and the Investor Class declined 17.58% (net of fees and expenses) in the six-month period ended April 30, 2022. The Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI All Country World ex-US Index, declined 11.87% (net of source taxes).

Market Review

Stock markets fell sharply during the period as the confluence of several macroeconomic events battered share prices.

In November, consumer price inflation in the US reached its highest rate since 1982, leading the US Federal Reserve to signal several interest rate hikes and an imminent end to its bond buying program. Other central banks moved even more quickly: the Bank of England raised its main interest rate and the European Central Bank announced it would end its bond buying program. At the same time, just as supply chain bottlenecks showed signs of easing, the emergence of Omicron threatened to upend the progress and reintroduce global lockdowns. Chinese officials, aiming for zero transmission, pursued the most stringent lockdown policies—further hampering economic growth that had already been stalled amid a slowdown in construction spending after several heavily indebted property developers, including the gargantuan Evergrande, defaulted on bond payments.

Investors barely had time to digest these events when, in February, Russia commenced its invasion of Ukraine. The

Fund Facts at April 30, 2022

Total Net Assets

   $17,805.7M          

Sales Charge

   None          

Number of Holdings

   58          

Turnover (5 Yr. Avg.)

   18%          

Dividend Policy

   Annual          
   
     Institutional Investors    Individual Investors
     
      Inst. Class    Inst. Class Z    Investor Class
     

Ticker

   HLMIX    HLIZX    HLMNX
     

CUSIP

   412295107    412295719    412295503
     

Inception Date

   5/11/1994    7/17/2017    9/30/2005
     

Minimum Investment1

   $100,000    $10,000,000    $5,000
     

Expense Ratio2

   0.79%3    0.71%4    1.11%5

1Lower minimums available through certain brokerage firms; 2The Expense Ratios are as of the most recent Prospectus and have been restated to reflect current fees; 3Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.00% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors; 4Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 0.80% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors; 5Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.25% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors.

reaction by Western governments was swift and emphatic as they sought to tread a delicate balance between punishing Russian aggression and avoiding an escalating military conflict. The US and its allies enacted crippling economic sanctions against Russia, including freezing a significant share of the Russian central bank reserve assets, cutting off many of the country’s banks from the SWIFT global financial messaging system, and outlawing the export of a variety of industrial and luxury goods. The sanctions initially led to a collapse in the ruble, while the Moscow stock exchange closed for almost a month before re-opening for domestic investors only. With foreign investors effectively unable to trade, major market index providers expunged all Russian securities from their indexes.

Prices for a wide range of commodities for which Russia is a major producer—including oil, gas, grains, and metals—surged on fears of disruption, prompting billions of US dollars in margin calls to cover futures positions. Headline inflation, which had already been rising rapidly around the world prior to the invasion, received a fillip from the shock to energy and food supplies stemming from the war, increasing the pressure on central banks to tighten monetary policy. In March, the US Fed did just that, raising interest rates for the first time in three years and signaling as many as seven additional hikes in 2022, causing stocks to retreat further as investors feared efforts to tame inflation may cause a recession.

On a sector basis, only Energy was able to eke out modest gains during the period, reflecting the meteoric rise in commodity prices caused by supply shocks from war and sanctions.

 

 

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Table of Contents
Performance (% Total Return)                              
   
            For periods ended March 31, 2022                   For periods ended April 30, 2022      
       
     1      3      5      10      Since Inception*      1      3      5      10      Since Inception*
      Year      Years      Years      Years      May-94      Jul-17      Sep-05      Year      Years      Years      Years      May-94      Jul-17      Sep-05
               

Intl. Equity Portfolio – Inst. Class

     -4.20        9.26        8.14        7.36        6.43                          -13.54        5.08        5.78        6.63        6.11                
               

Intl. Equity Portfolio – Inst. Class Z

     -4.13        9.34                               6.80                 -13.47        5.16                               4.90       
               

Intl. Equity Portfolio – Investor Class

     -4.48        8.93        7.80        7.02                          6.52        -13.83        4.76        5.43        6.29                        5.97
               

MSCI All Country World ex-US Index

     -1.48        7.51        6.76        5.55               5.35        4.84        -10.31        4.30        4.94        5.04               3.84      4.41

Returns are annualized for periods greater than 1 year. *Inception of the Institutional Class, May 11, 1994. Inception of the Institutional Class Z, July 17, 2017. Inception of the Investor Class, September 30, 2005. Index performance prior to January 1, 2001 cannot be shown since it relies on back-filled data.

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Portfolio may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 435-8105 or visiting hardingloevnerfunds.com.

 

Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology (IT) performed the worst; the former was impacted by slumping consumer confidence in the wake of the rapid rise in inflation, while the latter—largely comprised of highly priced growth stocks—was impacted by central bank efforts to tame inflation.

Geographically, all major regions declined. The eurozone was most impacted as sanctions against Russia served to compound the difficulties of countries already grappling with mounting inflation. Emerging Markets also performed poorly, largely due to Russia and China—the latter of which faced an economic slowdown aggravated by difficulties in maintaining its zero-COVID policy, sweeping regulatory actions, and the government’s attempts to slowly deflate its colossal real estate bubble.

Style factors played a significant role: the most highly priced shares suffered throughout, first from the regulatory mauling of many Chinese growth leaders, and then from a reassessment of discount rates in the face of rising inflation. Similarly, the fastest-growing stocks significantly underperformed their slowest-growing peers. There was no clear effect by quality as both the highest- and lowest-quality stocks performed similar to the average.

Performance Attribution

In a period in which investors fled from richly priced, high-quality growth companies, it should come as no surprise that, whether viewed through the lens of sector or geographic attribution, our portfolio underperformed within most sectors and regions. A laundry list of the contributors to underperformance would not improve much on the explanation. An exception, of course, is the value destruction from our two Russian holdings, Lukoil and Yandex—nearly 300 basis points of value wiped off the Portfolio, and almost half the total underperformance in the period—which dominates whichever category they fall under in any breakdown of returns.

A more informative parsing of returns comes from viewing them according to how they relate to rankings of growth, quality, and valuation. Viewed through the lens of growth, our efforts to resist

a skew towards the most expensive members of the faster-growing quintiles of the market meant that only a modest amount of our underperformance, about 60 basis points, is attributable to our preference for growth businesses. The rest, like sector or regional attribution, comes across as poor stocks within the different quintiles of growth. Our heavy skew towards higher quality companies had similarly modest allocation effects. However much we’ve steadily reduced holdings of highly priced stocks, the Portfolio remains skewed toward the expensive end of the market, and that skew has cost about 200 basis points of relative performance in the half year, much of the remainder that is not explained by Russian losses.

Perspective and Outlook

We’ve owned shares in Lukoil and Yandex for several years with the view that while a grasping and ruthless government posed political risks, companies able to navigate those risks and build sound growing businesses that deliver highly valued products and services to their customers could nevertheless generate strong business results. Due to fears of the Russian state’s confiscatory tendencies and corporate governance risks more generally, shares in these companies traded at a discount relative to their global peers, which could lead to strong returns for intrepid investors. Additionally, these political risks bore almost no correlation to other risks embedded in our portfolio. In an investment climate where most fast-growing, resilient businesses commanded historically high valuations, Russian shares offered a tempting mix of diversification and inexpensive growth.

In the end, it wasn’t the corporate governance or expropriation risks that proved our undoing, nor even the brutal and unexpected invasion itself. Instead, it was the resulting broad social revulsion in most developed democracies, which united previously divided or reluctant actors, calling down a ferocious firestorm of nearly inconceivable official and private actions targeting the Russian economy, and in the process also rendering Russian investments held by private Western bystanders effectively worthless. If anything, the episode will have alerted skeptics to the potency of seemingly remote investment risks, including social ones.

 

 

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But we must stress that the Russian invasion and the West’s financially fierce response, as dramatic as they are, have merely accelerated the style headwinds we’ve been facing in recent months, as investors retreat from high-priced stocks. Well before the Ukraine crisis, headline inflation had been rising almost everywhere and intruding on the discount rates used to value shares. The energy and food shocks emanating from the conflict and consequent sanctions have supercharged the existing trends for expected inflation, bond yields, and equity discount rates, and the prospects for tighter monetary policies to combat the rise in prices. These trends have the largest effects on the present value (and therefore the current price) of distant future earnings—and thus pointedly on the price of growth stocks whose expected cash flows lie far in the future.

The monetary policy tightening now underway by central banks is intended to dampen speculative or less productive demand for goods, services, and assets by raising borrowing costs. But those policies, when combined with the demand destruction likely to emanate from soaring food and energy prices, may contain the seeds of their own reversal. If consumer and producer confidence take more than a temporary hit from the war in Ukraine and its ramifications, a recession—either in Europe or more globally—could conspire to reduce the inflationary impulse from COVID-19 re-openings and offset some of the need for monetary tightening. We’re not in the business of making such forecasts but, were that scenario to unfold, it’s possible that the headwinds for our quality/growth investment style would abate.

Much has been written recently about “the end of globalization” being another result of the war in Ukraine, and about the reluctance of some large countries—notably China and India—to sign onto the sanctions imposed by Western and Asian-Pacific governments. We, like many observers, worry that China, ostensibly aiming to be neutral, might risk some consequences by facilitating sanctions workarounds for Russia, and misjudge the West’s resolve. The economic disincentives would appear to work against the possibility. China’s total trade with Russia in 2020 was around a tenth of its US$1.4 trillion trade with the US and Europe. Given China’s flagging growth as it manages its deflating property market—a multi-year prospect, if previous property bubbles are anything to go by—and its stated priority to improve “common prosperity” for its people, the last thing it’s likely to want is to impair its access to the global trading system and court rejection by its largest customers.

While risks of unforeseen consequences arising from the Ukraine conflict are high, on this front we are cautiously optimistic that China will work hard to maintain its neutrality in a credible way, as it is a huge beneficiary of trade with the rest of the world, especially the rich developed nations. We think it likely that China, along with India, will continue to buy oil and gas from Russia, and do not expect that fact to alter China’s trade relations with the West much. Nevertheless, we must contemplate that our optimism is misplaced on the importance of membership in the global network of exchange. If our central

and optimistic case is wrong, then we’d need to greatly modify our views of which companies in our opportunity set will face new barriers to profitable growth, and which might stand to benefit from a further receding of globalization. We’d expect such a world to be less efficient—as the cold logic of comparative advantage is demoted as a determinant of which goods or services are produced and where—and less prosperous, since exploiting comparative advantage is a cornerstone of wealth creation.

Portfolio Highlights

Our fundamental investment process guides our search for durably growing companies with strong finances. Ideally, we’d like to pay no more than our estimate of fair value for such a company’s shares, but as a practical matter we’ve been willing to pay some premium to own superior companies. We rarely own deep value stocks since shares of companies that meet our quality and growth criteria generally don’t plumb the depths of value except fleetingly. Why, then, not own more of those at the other end of the spectrum, the fastest-growing companies,

 

Portfolio Positioning (% Weight) at April 30, 2022

 

  
Sector    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Comm Services

     4.6      6.3

Cons Discretionary

     2.5      11.0

Cons Staples

     14.0      8.8

Energy

     2.0      5.7

Financials

     16.9      20.4

Health Care

     13.7      9.6

Industrials

     15.7      12.0

Info Technology

     14.6      11.6

Materials

     10.5      8.8

Real Estate

     0.0      2.5

Utilities

     1.3      3.3

Cash

     4.2     
Geography    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Canada

     2.6      8.2

Emerging Markets

     24.1      28.8

Europe EMU

     19.8      19.7

Europe ex-EMU

     26.4      21.0

Frontier Markets2

     0.0     

Japan

     12.5      13.7

Middle East

     0.0      0.5

Pacific ex-Japan

     9.0      8.1

Other3

     1.4     

Cash

     4.2     

1MSCI All Country World ex-US Index; 2Includes countries with less-developed markets outside the Index. 3Includes companies classified in countries outside the Index.

 

 

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whose shares are typically very highly priced relative to their current fundamentals? The short answer is that rapid growth is not reason enough when share prices are too high to support acceptable future returns, or when confidence in the business model or financial strength is lacking. For several years such “disruptive innovators” have been at the forefront of growth stock investing. Most of them we regard as speculative businesses. We will entertain them as candidates for investment only when there’s an already-profitable business behind the hype and a market valuation suggesting its growth potential has yet to be fully priced in. We think investors should proceed with humility when forecasting leaps in corporate sales and profits decades into the future.

While the price drop in speculative stocks doesn’t tempt us to purchase them, the underperformance of quality growth stocks has created some interesting opportunities. A number of Japanese quality growth stocks which have declined sharply in recent months have our eye. For example, In April we purchased Shiseido, Japan’s largest cosmetics company by revenue. The company possesses strong brands oriented towards skincare that are particularly well-regarded in Asia and backed by both research and development (R&D) and effective marketing. We expect to see good growth of revenue and profitability in the coming years as Japan and China recover from COVID-19 restrictions and as management moves to emphasize margin improvement by focusing on a smaller number of premium-oriented products, disposing of smaller lower-margin and slower growing brands. The stock has been weak, which allowed us to buy at a price that appears undervalued relative to our expectations of future profitability.

Of course, to buy we must also sell; our recent sales have been of companies that for the most part are achieving our mileposts for business growth but whose share prices still offer no margin for error. We sold our position in UK-based foods and consumer products producer Unilever as we believe inflationary pressures will negatively impact the company’s growth and margins for the foreseeable future. We also sold our position in Israeli security firm Check Point as the stock traded above our fair value estimate. Recent outperformance has been supported by greater awareness of cybersecurity threats; however, we have doubts about the company maintaining longer-term growth given faltering market share and the need to increase personnel spending.

In a world where black swans seem to be multiplying, we believe our focus on companies with sound business models, strong balance sheets, and positive cash flow should at least provide some additional defense against the unexpected.

Ten Largest Holdings by Weight at April 30, 2022

 

Company    Sector    Market    %

Samsung Electronics

   Info Technology    South Korea    3.8

L’Oréal

   Cons Staples    France    3.3

Roche

   Health Care    Switzerland    3.3

BHP

   Materials    Australia    3.2

Atlas Copco

   Industrials    Sweden    3.1

DBS Group

   Financials    Singapore    3.0

Tencent

   Comm Services    China    2.9

AIA Group

   Financials    Hong Kong    2.8

Schneider Electric

   Industrials    France    2.7

Allianz

   Financials    Germany    2.6

Please read the separate disclosures page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

 

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International Small Companies Portfolio    
Institutional Investors: HLMRX | Individual Investors: HLMSX    
         

 

Portfolio Management Team

 

LOGO

Jafar Rizvi, CFA

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Anix Vyas, CFA

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Performance Summary

For the International Small Companies Portfolio, the Institutional Class declined 21.55% and the Investor Class declined 21.69% (net of fees and expenses) in the trailing six months up to April 30, 2022. The Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI All Country World ex-US Small Cap Index, declined 13.36% in the same period (net of source taxes).

Market Review

International small capitalization stocks fell strongly in the fiscal year-to-date, as ongoing concerns over stagflation were joined and intensified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. International small cap companies trailed their larger-cap counterparts in the period.

Headline inflation, which had already been rising rapidly around the world prior to the invasion, received a fillip from the shock to energy and food supplies stemming from the war. Prices for a wide range of commodities for which Russia is a major producer—including oil, gas, grains, and metals—surged on fears of disruption, prompting billions of US dollars in margin calls to cover futures positions. Central banks were pressed to tighten their monetary policy. The Bank of England—along with the South Korean, South African, and Brazilian central banks—continued raising short-term policy rates to beat back rising prices. In the US, the Federal Reserve lifted rates for the first time since December 2018 and signaled a willingness to do whatever it takes to bring inflation under control, announcing an aggressive rate hike path for the months ahead.

Fund Facts at April 30, 2022      

Total Net Assets

  $502.4M     

Sales Charge

  None     

Number of Holdings

  82     

Turnover (5 Yr. Avg.)

  30%     

Dividend Policy

  Annual     
    Institutional Investors    Individual Investors
   
     Institutional Class    Investor Class
   

Ticker

  HLMRX    HLMSX
   

CUSIP

  412295875    412295883
   

Inception Date

  6/30/2011    3/26/2007
   

Minimum Investment1

  $100,000    $5,000
   

Net Expense Ratio2

  1.12%3    1.40%4
   

Gross Expense Ratio2

  1.12%    1.46%

1Lower minimums available through certain brokerage firms; 2The Gross and Net Expense Ratios are as of the most recent Prospectus and have been restated to reflect current fees; 3Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.15% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors; 4The Net Expense Ratio is shown net of Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement through February 28, 2023. Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.40%. The Net Expense Ratio is applicable to investors.

Western governments sought to tread a delicate balance between punishing Russian aggression and avoiding an escalating military conflict. The US and its allies enacted crippling economic sanctions against Russia. The sanctions led to a collapse in the ruble, forcing the central bank to raise overnight interest rates to 20% per annum to bolster the currency, while the Moscow stock exchange closed for almost a month before re-opening for domestic investors only. With foreign investors effectively unable to trade, major market index providers expunged all Russian securities from their indexes.

The shock imposed by the start of the Russia-Ukraine war and the West’s reaction to it was so severe that almost all sectors registered negative growth. Health Care, the worst-performing sector, was hurt by the post-COVID-19 slowdown in health care funding and higher interest rates. Ailing consumer and business confidence resulted in Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology also being among the worst-performing sectors. On the other hand, Energy companies enjoyed higher oil prices.

The two best performing regions, the Middle East and Canada, were helped by their heavy weight in Energy and Materials stocks. In Japan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had been expected to deliver long-needed economic reforms, but those hopes were dashed when he proposed raising Japan’s capital gains tax and limiting share buybacks. Emerging Markets were hurt by China as the country grappled with ongoing regulatory

 

 

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Performance (% Total Return)                                    
            For periods ended March 31, 2022                    For periods ended April 30, 2022       
       
     1      3      5      10      Since Inception*      1      3      5      10      Since Inception*
      Year      Years      Years      Years      Jun-11      Mar-07      Year      Years      Years      Years      Jun-11      Mar-07
           

Intl. Small Companies Portfolio – Inst. Class

     -2.07        9.69        8.83        8.34        7.02                 -14.59        5.00        5.99        7.26        6.10       
           

Intl. Small Companies Portfolio – Investor Class

     -2.31        9.41        8.55        8.07                 6.45        -14.84        4.73        5.72        6.98               5.79
           

MSCI All Country World ex-US Small Cap Index

     0.03        10.22        7.89        7.28        5.90               -10.53        7.01        5.83        6.66        5.21     

Returns are annualized for periods greater than 1 year. *Inception of the Institutional Class, June 30, 2011. Inception of the Investor Class, March 26, 2007. Index performance prior to June 1, 2007 cannot be shown since it relies on back-filled data.

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Portfolio may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 435-8105 or visiting hardingloevnerfunds.com.

 

crackdowns and cracks forming in its zero-COVID policy. The US Securities and Exchange Commission also began the procedural implementation of the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, identifying several US-listed Chinese companies whose latest financial reports fail to adhere to US audit standards and could be subject to delisting. However, investor sentiment towards the country may be worse than reality; after the SEC’s actions, Chinese officials signaled room for compromise on a mutually agreeable auditing framework.

Style effects for the period favored the cheapest companies, which outperformed the most richly valued by over 1500 basis points.

Performance Attribution

The Portfolio’s concentration in expensive, faster growing, and higher quality stocks, a hazard of our investment philosophy, hurt relative performance in a period during which investors fled from richly priced and higher quality companies. So stiff were these style headwinds that walking through sector or regional attribution would add little to that overarching explanation.

Viewing our returns in terms of the Portfolio’s exposure to growth and valuation factors gives us a better picture. The Portfolio’s emphasis on companies in the fastest-growing cohorts accounted for over half of our underperformance in the quarter. Our parallel emphasis on quality provided no defense in the period. But within these faster-growing and richly priced cohorts, some of our holdings performed worse than their peers. The shares of Bossard, a Swiss fastener distribution and logistics company, saw worsening global supply chain problems finally catch up with its ability to procure industrial fasteners from its suppliers, many of which are located in China and Southeast Asia. Management issued lower-than-expected 2022 revenue and profit guidance due to rising personnel and logistics costs and the impact on demand for screws from shortages of other parts. Meanwhile, Japanese seasoning products manufacturer Ariake, another member of the highest-quality quintile, suffered from deteriorating restaurant sales caused by extended lockdowns in its home country, with sales of its home meal kits in supermarkets and convenience stores failing to offset this decline.

The direct impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on our Portfolio was small. We exited Kernel, a vertically integrated sunflower oil producer and our sole holding in Ukraine, about a month before the invasion, and have held no Russian securities since our sale of Moscow Exchange in early 2019. Two banks neighboring Russia that we have owned for several years accounted for about 40 bps of our underperformance: The eponymous Bank of Georgia, and Lithuanian bank Siauliu Bankas. They hold dominant franchises in their respective markets and are well managed. Doing business in emerging democracies along Russia’s border means they trade at a discount, but their geopolitical risks are uncorrelated with most other risks embedded in our Portfolio. While most fast-growing, resilient businesses command historically high valuations today, Bank of Georgia and Siauliu Bankas represent inexpensive growth and diversification.

Perspective and Outlook

Well before the Ukraine crisis, headline inflation had been rising almost everywhere and intruding on the discount rates used to value shares. The energy and food shocks emanating from the conflict and consequent sanctions have supercharged the existing trends for expected inflation, bond yields, and equity discount rates, and the prospects for tighter monetary policies to combat the rise in prices. These trends are most detrimental to growth stocks whose expected cash flows lie far in the future.

The monetary policy tightening now underway by central banks is intended to dampen speculative or less productive demand for goods, services, and assets by raising borrowing costs. If consumer and producer confidence take more than a temporary hit from the war in Ukraine and its ramifications, a recession—either in Europe or more globally—could conspire to reduce the inflationary impulse from COVID-19 re-openings and offset some of the need for monetary tightening. We’re not in the business of making such forecasts but, were that scenario to unfold, it’s possible that the headwinds for our quality/growth investment style would abate.

Much has been written recently about “the end of globalization” being another result of the war in Ukraine, and about the

 

 

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reluctance of some large countries—notably China and India—to sign onto the sanctions imposed by Western and Asian-Pacific governments. We, like many observers, worry that China, ostensibly aiming to be neutral, might risk some consequences by facilitating sanctions workarounds for Russia, and misjudge the West’s resolve. However, China’s total trade with Russia in 2020 was around a tenth of its US$1.4 trillion total trade with the US and Europe, and the last thing it’s likely to want is to court rejection from its largest customers and impair its access to the global trading system. Indeed, On March 16th economic policy czar and Vice Premier Liu He affirmed the importance of economic growth and markets, offering insight into the government’s leanings and reversing a dramatic swoon in Chinese stocks that had coincided with reports that China might be contemplating military aid to Russia.

While risks of unforeseen consequences arising from the Ukraine conflict are high, on this front we are cautiously optimistic that China will maintain its neutrality in a credible way, as it is a huge beneficiary of trade with the rest of the world, especially the rich developed nations. Nevertheless, we must contemplate that our optimism is misplaced on the importance of membership in the global network of exchange. If our central case—admittedly an educated guess—is wrong, then we’d need to modify our views of which companies will be hurt by, and which might stand to benefit, relatively, from a further receding of globalization. We’d expect such a world to be less efficient, as the logic of comparative advantage is demoted as a determinant of which goods or services are produced, and where. If regional blocs began to raise limits on the movement of capital as well as goods, we’d need to parse which of our companies are at risk of declining sales from increasingly insular countries.

Bossard, for example, has built its business upon today’s web of global supply chains. Its specialty is fasteners, whether bespoke or ready-made1; It sources them from its network of 4,500 manufacturing partners. It would throw a considerable monkey wrench in Bossard’s business if some of its best suppliers in China were to find themselves trapped behind new Western tariffs or trade sanctions. At the same time, we need to be careful not to underrate the ability of Bossard or its customers to prepare for and adapt to such scenarios; in the case that Bossard runs into difficulty servicing key client Tesla’s factories in California and Texas, it has plenty of suppliers in Mexico it can turn to. In a world of new barriers and shifting trade patterns, it would become more difficult for companies to manage their fastener sourcing internally. Bossard had a record year in 2021, growing revenues by 22%, as more manufacturers sought out its specialized expertise to help them contend with seized-up supply chains.

 

                                                                      

1The typical car manufactured today contains about 3,500 screws; a smart phone contains about 75, and a jetliner, 1.5 million.

Kinaxis, an Ottawa-based supply chain management software company, could directly benefit from near-shoring initiatives and other efforts to build more resilience into supply chains. The company saw strong demand in response to the pandemic’s logistics challenges, and in its March update management said demand continues to pick up. Their guidance is now for 2022 revenue growth of between 34%-38% with improving profitability.

While some small companies are heavily geared toward globalization or helping with the transition away from it, others have more of a domestic focus. Around 56% of revenues for small caps come from their home markets, compared to 40% for large caps, which means small companies are somewhat less exposed to the risk of losing foreign customers. Even for those with higher foreign sales revenues, sources may align neatly with the trading bloc in which they are likely to find themselves. Diploma, a UK-based controls, seals, and life science equipment supplier, only generates 15% of its sales from the UK, but it generates a further 62% of its sales in Continental Europe and the US, markets to which the UK will remain tightly bound.

 

Portfolio Positioning (% Weight) at April 30, 2022
Sector    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Comm Services

     11.1      4.0

Cons Discretionary

     3.8      11.0

Cons Staples

     8.2      5.8

Energy

     1.7      3.7

Financials

     7.5      11.1

Health Care

     13.2      6.1

Industrials

     16.7      20.3

Info Technology

     25.6      11.3

Materials

     6.8      11.9

Real Estate

     0.5      11.0

Utilities

     2.2      3.8

Cash

     2.7     
Geography    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Canada

     1.9      7.5

Emerging Markets

     22.2      25.8

Europe EMU

     21.7      14.2

Europe ex-EMU

     28.2      21.8

Frontier Markets2

     6.6     

Japan

     11.4      18.0

Middle East

     1.9      2.2

Pacific ex-Japan

     0.5      10.5

Other3

     2.9     

Cash

     2.7     

1MSCI All Country World ex-US Small Cap Index; 2Includes countries with less-developed markets outside the Index; 3Includes companies classified in countries outside the Index.

 

 

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Portfolio Highlights

With the volatility of stock prices this quarter, portfolio activity picked up as a handful of high-quality growth companies we regarded as too expensive saw their valuations fall into range.

We purchased Germany-based Scout24, the dominant internet platform for real estate agents, landlords, and sellers in Germany and Austria, with agents in particular using the product for a wide range of functions within their organizations. Its market share of over 70% gives it a scale advantage over rivals. We think that its services are under-monetized compared to those of counterparts in other developed markets, so the company should be able to raise prices over time.

We added to Financials with the purchase of Spanish insurer Linea Directa. The company was among the first in Spain to sell insurance directly by telephone. It is now the country’s fifth-largest car insurer, twelfth-largest home insurer, and a small but rapidly growing health insurer. Linea Directa’s direct sales approach should lead to improved returns from cost savings as user-acquisition and claims-processing migrate online. The company also has an opportunity to cross-sell its home and health insurance products to its established auto insurance customers. Of the customers for its nascent health insurance business, 71% are existing car or home insurance customers; given the car policyholder base is 25 times the size of the health business and cross-sale penetration is still low, its runway for growth is long.

In Health Care, the sector hardest hit by valuation headwinds this quarter, we made a new purchase in Switzerland-based Tecan, a leading lab automation provider. The company’s recent acquisition of Paramit, a leading manufacturer of medical devices, diagnostics, and life science instruments, provides new verticals with important synergies with Tecan’s core lab systems. Sales are currently focused on the US (46%) and Europe (37%) but are growing in Asia (16%), including China.

Falling prices created opportunities to add two companies in China to the Portfolio. Meyer Optoelectronic makes sophisticated optical sensors. The company is currently focused on applications in food-sorting machines, dental imaging machines, and a range of other industrial and commercial applications. The machine vision market in China alone is growing over 20% per annum, driven by the low penetration of dental equipment in China and a general push toward industrial automation. There is also a large as-yet untapped opportunity for recycling sorting machines, which could be a natural focus of China’s ambitious climate initiatives.

We also added Yantai China Pet Foods, a supplier of white-label pet foods to international customers, and seller of its own branded products in China. China’s pet industry, which grew 20% last year, is still immature. In addition to its brand equity in China, Yantai’s huge manufacturing scale helps keep existing rivals and new entrants at bay.

Ten Largest Holdings by Weight at April 30, 2022

 

Company    Sector    Market    %

Reply

   Info Technology    Italy    3.7

Hoa Phat Group

   Materials    Vietnam    3.6

Alten

   Info Technology    France    2.5

Rubis

   Utilities    France    2.2

Vaisala

   Info Technology    Finland    2.2

LEM Holdings

   Info Technology    Switzerland    2.1

Dechra

   Health Care    United Kingdom    2.1

Diploma

   Industrials    United Kingdom    2.0

STRATEC

   Health Care    Germany    2.0

Senior

   Industrials    United Kingdom    2.0

Our new positions were funded from a combination of cash and sales of holdings that either had excessive valuations, like Japan-based management consulting firm Nihon M&A, elevated risks (Kernel), or were simply squeezed out (UK-based home repair portal HomeServe) to make room for more attractively priced quality growth opportunities.

Please read the separate disclosures page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

 

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Emerging Markets Portfolio    
Institutional Investors: HLMEX & HLEZX | Individual Investors: HLEMX    
         

 

Portfolio Management Team

LOGO

 

Scott Crawshaw

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

 

Craig Shaw, CFA

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

 

Pradipta Chakrabortty

Portfolio Manager

 

Richard Schmidt, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Performance Summary

The Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio (Institutional Class and Institutional Class Z) and the Emerging Markets Portfolio (Advisor Class)—collectively, the “Portfolios”—are both managed in strict accordance with Harding Loevner’s Emerging Markets Equity strategy model portfolio. Therefore, the Portfolios have highly similar holdings and characteristics. We have provided a single commentary to cover both Portfolios. The specific performance and characteristics of each are presented separately in the tables that follow.

For the Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio, the Institutional Class fell 26.94% and Class Z fell 26.89% (net of fees and expenses). For the Emerging Markets Portfolio, the Advisor Class declined 26.96% (net of fees and expenses) in the six-month period ended April 30, 2022. The Portfolios’ benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, fell 14.15% (net of source taxes).

Market Review

Emerging Markets (EMs) began the fiscal year by drifting lower as uncertainty over the trajectory of global inflation and a deceleration in Chinese economic growth quelled investors’ appetite for EM assets. EMs also faced headwinds from expectations the US Federal Reserve would start raising rates to combat rising inflation. The Fed indeed hiked rates 0.25% in March—the first increase since the start of the pandemic in 2020—and primed the market for a subsequent 0.50% increase (which occurred in May). Meanwhile, monetary policy across EMs has been bifurcated. Most EM central banks in the Americas,

Fund Facts at April 30, 2022          

Sales Charge

   None        

Number of Holdings

   80        

Dividend Policy

   Annual        
   
      Institutional Investors   Individual Investors    
   

Total Net Assets

   $4,081.4M       $2,646.5M
   

Turnover (5 Yr. Avg.)

   19%       21%
     
      Inst. Class   Inst. Class Z   Advisor Class
     

Ticker

   HLMEX   HLEZX   HLEMX
     

CUSIP

   412295701   412295693   412295305
     

Inception Date

   10/17/2005   3/5/2014   11/9/1998
     

Minimum Investment1

   $500,000   $10,000,000   $5,000
     

Net Expense Ratio2

   1.10%3   1.00%4   1.19%5
     

Gross Expense Ratio2

   1.10%   1.01%   1.19%

1Lower minimums available through certain brokerage firms; 2The Gross and Net Expense Ratios are as of the most recent Prospectus and have been restated to reflect current fees; 3Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.10% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors; 4The Net Expense Ratio is shown net of Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement through February 28, 2023. Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.00%. The Net Expense Ratio is applicable to investors; 5Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.30% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors.

Europe, and Africa were ahead of the Fed in raising rates, and they continued to tighten further. Asian central banks, however, took a less hawkish stance. China, notably, continued to ease monetary policy to stimulate economic growth.

EMs fell sharply starting in late February when Russia launched its deadly and destructive invasion of Ukraine. The reaction by Western governments was swift and emphatic, with the implementation of crippling economic sanctions against Russia. The sanctions initially led to a collapse in the ruble, while the Moscow stock exchange closed for almost a month before re-opening for domestic investors only. With foreign investors effectively unable to trade, major market index providers expunged all Russian securities from their indexes.

As a result of the uncertainty around the war, European stocks with material businesses in, or trade linkages to, Russia or Ukraine sold off, as well as stocks in markets closest to the conflict. However, markets across Latin America and the Middle East, as well as South Africa, benefited from the sharp rise in energy and commodity prices caused by the conflict. Crude prices nearly reached US$135 before settling above US$100 as OPEC eschewed requests to increase production; grain prices spiked, as did Russian-sourced metals like palladium and nickel.

As war broke out in Europe, China’s economy continued to falter due to a confluence of several factors, including the country’s

 

 

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Table of Contents
Performance (% Total Return)

 

 
     For periods ended March 31, 2022      For periods ended April 30, 2022  
     1      3      5      10      Since Inception*      1      3      5      10      Since Inception*  
      Year      Years      Years      Years      Oct-05      Mar-14      Nov-98      Year      Years      Years      Years      Oct-05      Mar-14      Nov-98  
           

Inst. Emerging Markets Portfolio – Inst. Class

     -21.82        -0.19        2.34        2.90        5.55                          -29.30        -4.16        0.02        2.17        4.97                    
           

Inst. Emerging Markets Portfolio – Inst. Class Z

     -21.75        -0.06        2.50                        2.85                 -29.24        -4.03        0.17                        1.75           
           

Emerging Markets Portfolio – Advisor Class

     -21.77        -0.28        2.24        2.86                          9.49        -29.26        -4.26        -0.07        2.12                          9.05  
           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     -11.37        4.94        5.98        3.36        6.20        4.60               -18.33        2.24        4.32        2.89        5.80        3.82         

Returns are annualized for periods greater than 1 year. *Inception of Institutional Class, October 17, 2005. Inception of Class Z, March 5, 2014. Inception of the Advisor Class, November 9, 1998. Index performance prior to January 1, 2001 cannot be shown since it relies on back-filled data.

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Portfolio may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 435-8105 or visiting hardingloevnerfunds.com.

 

worst COVID-19 outbreak and continued weakening of the property sector. The government’s zero-COVID policy meant the rising case count in Shanghai and other major cities led to large scale lockdowns and strict containment measures in key commercial areas. As a result, the nascent recovery in China’s services sector has been stymied, and factories have been temporarily shuttered, exacerbating global supply chain issues. Vice Premier Liu He sent out some positive signals, however, reaffirming the government’s focus on solving the crisis in the beleaguered real estate sector and supporting economic growth and capital markets ahead of the National Party Congress in October.

The high-growth sectors Consumer Discretionary and Health Care, were the worst performers in the trailing six months. Despite elevated oil and gas prices, Energy was also weak, dragged down by the vaporization of all value in Russian energy stocks, even as other energy stocks were among the top-performing. Financials outperformed as banks and stock exchanges in commodity-exporting countries rallied due to the boon to fiscal accounts and the outlook for economic growth. The rising interest rate environment is also beneficial for most EM banks, helping boost net interest margins and earnings growth.

The style preference in EMs trended toward value stocks and away from growth stocks trading at higher multiples, a consequence of the shift to higher interest rates in the US and many EMs.

Performance Attribution

The Portfolio’s heavy absolute loss and underperformance were primarily due to our direct holdings in Russia: Lukoil and Novatek in Energy, Sberbank in Financials, and Yandex in Communication Services. We began the fiscal year overweight Russia by 600 basis points (bps). As the invasion of Ukraine unfolded, we marked the value of our Russian positions, which had stood at 8.0% of the Portfolio at the end of January, down to zero on March 7, the point at which these US- and UK-listed shares became untradeable because of Western sanctions and actions taken by stock exchanges and brokers to avoid any possibility of entanglement.

The losses in Russia accounted for over 500 bps—roughly half—of our total underperformance. Information Technology (IT) services business EPAM and beverage company Coca-Cola HBC (CCH)— developed-market-listed companies that have significant operations in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus—together cost a further 200 bps in underperformance.

Beyond Russia, the notable detractors from relative returns were weak stock selection in Taiwan and China, where growth stocks generally lagged. Shares of power-management chip designer Silergy declined due to concerns that chip-manufacturing capacity constraints could increase the company’s costs as well as worries that semiconductor demand had peaked. Shares of optical-component manufacturer Sunny Optical fell as chip shortages, the spread of the Omicron variant, and the Ukraine conflict all impacted the sales outlook for premium smartphones and autos, the company’s core markets. More helpful was our overweight to the surging Brazilian and Mexican markets, which rose alongside commodity prices.

By sector, the wipe out of our Russian and Russia-related holdings appeared as severe negative stock selection across Energy (Novatek and Lukoil), IT (EPAM), Communication Services (Yandex), and Financials (Sberbank). Poor returns in Energy were partly mitigated by our holding in Tenaris, a leading maker of seamless pipes for the oil and gas industry. Higher energy prices are boosting investment and rig activation in the sector, particularly in the Americas, which is leading to higher demand and better pricing for Tenaris’s products.

In Financials, the heavy drag from Sberbank was partly counterbalanced by strong contributions from companies in countries that have benefited from rising commodity prices, including Brazil’s Itaú Unibanco, South Africa’s Standard Bank, and Mexico’s GF Banorte.

We outperformed the Index in Consumer Discretionary, where Indonesian automobile company Astra International reported stronger earnings, helped by a recovery in Indonesia’s economy due to rising commodity prices. The Portfolio’s avoidance of some expensively valued Chinese e-commerce and electric-vehicle (EV) companies was also helpful.

 

 

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Perspective and Outlook

We made our Russian investments based on a favorable fundamental view of the four companies: Lukoil and Novatek, both prominent players in the global oil and gas sector; Yandex, Russia’s dominant search engine with expansive growth businesses in ride-hailing, e-commerce, and autonomous mobility; and Sberbank, Russia’s leading banking franchise. Each was a high-quality business with good long-term growth prospects, and each had navigated hazardous economic conditions while cementing their dominant competitive position.

We deeply regret the capital losses suffered by our clients with respect to our Russian investments, which resulted, not from the invasion per se, but as collateral damage from the sanctions heaped upon Russia by the US and its allies. We have a structured, deliberative process designed to defend against behavioral flaws we exhibit as human beings, such as over-confidence and action bias. We refrain from making decisions based upon forecasts of macroeconomic or geopolitical events, where we have little faith in the reliability of such forecasts, ours or those of others. Could one have foreseen this particular set of outcomes, including Russia’s military advance, the unparalleled scope, speed, and unanimity of Western sanctions, and the market disorder that immediately followed? Yes, in theory, but only in hindsight is the chain of causality and the outcome clearly visible. In forecasting, one must consider various possible outcomes and their associated probabilities—wherein, by definition, black swans must be discounted as highly unlikely and accorded little weight. We continue to reflect on whether we could have made better decisions with respect to these investments in the run-up to the invasion, on its eve, and in the very brief period after the attack until trading venues closed. Taking into consideration the information available at each point in time, including the predictions of geopolitical experts and the available market prices (which fell sharply at the outbreak of war), we have yet to identify clear oversights or lapses in judgement.

We continue to believe staying true to the decision-making discipline we have formalized in our investment process will produce over time the best overall result for our clients, even though it will not lead to the best outcome in every instance—as recent events have demonstrated.

The EM landscape is currently fogged by an exceptional confluence of risks: armed conflict, inflation, rising interest rates, volatile commodity prices, and concerns about food and energy security. These risks could lead to changes in the pattern of global trade that would present challenges and opportunities to the businesses we examine. Increased confrontation among the world’s economic powers and a deepening focus on local priorities would erode many of the efficiencies conferred by established global networks, whether they be cost-efficient supply chains, open financial platforms, or telecommunications. Uncoupling would materially reduce growth in the world’s economic output by increasing input costs and introducing

operational frictions. But however ruinous overall, such an environment wouldn’t be bad for all companies. Those companies that can develop innovative products or services and then find smart ways to mitigate the potential risks of a less- globalized economy would have a comparative advantage.

One example among our portfolio companies is Discovery Holdings, one of South Africa’s leading providers of life and health insurance, which has found a creative way to grow globally without having to actually set up shop in other markets. The company was founded thirty years ago as a specialist life insurer; its major innovation was the development of what is referred to as the “shared values” model of insurance. The idea is to apply behavioral economic principles to benefit both the customer and Discovery, encouraging actions that lead to better health for the former and lower claims costs for the latter. For instance, Discovery offers members a subsidized gym membership that costs less the more

Portfolio Positioning (% Weight) at April 30, 2022

 

Sector    Institutional
HLMEX / HLEZX
     Advisor
HLEMX
     Benchmark1

Comm Services

     8.1        8.1      10.3

Cons Discretionary

     14.2        14.2      12.7

Cons Staples

     8.9        8.9      6.0

Energy

     1.7        1.7      5.0

Financials

     25.0        25.0      22.2

Health Care

     3.6        3.6      3.7

Industrials

     12.5        12.6      5.5

Info Technology

     22.8        22.8      20.5

Materials

     0.0        0.0      9.2

Real Estate

     0.5        0.5      2.2

Utilities

     1.7        1.7      2.7

Cash

     1.0        0.9     
Geography    Institutional
HLMEX / HLEZX
     Advisor
HLEMX
     Benchmark1

Brazil

     7.5        7.5      5.3

China + Hong Kong2

     33.2        33.2      30.6

India

     10.4        10.4      13.6

Mexico

     7.4        7.4      2.2

Russia

     0.0        0.0     

South Africa

     2.5        2.5      3.7

South Korea

     9.7        9.8      12.5

Taiwan

     12.1        12.2      15.4

Small Emerging Markets3

     8.3        8.2      16.7

Frontier Markets4

     1.9        1.9     

Developed Markets Listed5

     6.0        6.0     

Cash

     1.0        0.9     

 

1MSCI Emerging Markets Index; 2The Emerging Markets Portfolio’s end weight in China at April 30, 2022 is 27.2% and Hong Kong is 6.0%. The Benchmark does not include Hong Kong; 3Includes the remaining emerging markets which, individually, comprise less than 5% of the Index; 4Includes countries with less-developed markets outside the Index; 5Includes emerging markets or frontier markets companies listed in developed markets.

 

 

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they visit. The benefits to Discovery are clear: if you can find ways to get your customers to be physically active and eat well, they live longer and healthier lives, and claims costs decrease. Discovery has expanded this behavioral model beyond life and health insurance to its auto insurance and investment management businesses, and it is now three years into developing a digital bank in its domestic market.

The potential market for Discovery’s shared-value products stretches far beyond South Africa, as health care and pension costs are rising around the world due to aging populations and growth in the upper-middle class in Emerging Markets countries. But other than its life and health business in the UK, Discovery has not directly expanded into other markets. Instead, it has relied on a series of joint ventures and partnerships where it is not responsible for the sale or administration of policies, but rather supplies technology to enable the same behavioral model to be employed under other insurers’ brands.

This partnership approach not only has the benefit of lower capital requirements for Discovery but also achieves geographic diversification and access to fast-growing markets such as China where the penetration of life and health insurance remains low.

Portfolio Highlights

Although we made only a modest number of transactions in the first half of the fiscal year, the Portfolio’s profile changed significantly because of the write-down of our Russian holdings and the outsized returns of stocks benefiting from commodity price inflation. The latter caused our absolute weight in Latin America to increase over 300 bps; we now have nearly twice as much in this region as the Index. The Portfolio’s combined weight in China and Hong Kong also rose—from 500 bps below to over 200 bps above the benchmark—due to the elimination of our Russian holdings as well as some new purchases and additions we made to take advantage of share-price declines. By sector, the principal change has been the sharp drop in our Energy weight due to Lukoil and Novatek. The Portfolio is now over 300 bps underweight to Energy.

We continue to hold both EPAM in IT and CCH in Consumer Staples. EPAM’s core advantage is its engineering capability that allows it to provide highly complex and valuable services to its customers. While recognizing that its business prospects are uncertain due to the displacement of many of its engineers by the conflict and potential client and staff defections, we believe it will be difficult for its clients to switch providers in the near term notwithstanding their preferences. EPAM should thus have time to adjust its geographic footprint. CCH operates the Coca-Cola bottling franchise in Russia and the Ukraine, which represented about 20% of the company’s operating profit in 2021. That business is obviously under severe threat. However, we consider the shares to be attractive at their current, diminished price given CCH’s long-term growth opportunities outside Russia, including Nigeria and Egypt.

Ten Largest Holdings by Weight at April 30, 2022

 

Company   Sector   Market  

Institutional
HLMEX /

 HLEZX

    Advisor
HLEMX

Samsung Electronics

  Info Technology   South Korea     5.5     5.5

TSMC

  Info Technology   Taiwan     5.2     5.3

Tencent

  Comm Services   China     4.4     4.4

Tata Consultancy Services

  Info Technology   India     3.1     3.1

AIA Group

  Financials   Hong Kong     2.8     2.8

Alibaba

  Cons Discretionary   China     2.7     2.7

HDFC Corp.

  Financials   India     2.7     2.7

Techtronic Industries

  Industrials   Hong Kong     2.3     2.3

Walmart de México

  Cons Staples   Mexico     2.3     2.3

LG Household & Health Care

  Cons Staples   South Korea     2.1     2.1

Our large implicit bet against resources, which includes a long-standing absence of Materials, reflects our focus on high-quality, growing businesses. Companies in these sectors are inordinately reliant upon, and vulnerable to, cyclical moves in commodity prices, which makes it rare for them to meet our investment criteria, especially competitive advantage and financial strength. Western sanctions on Russia have created a supply squeeze in the short term, elevating commodity prices. We are disinclined to make a dash for more commodity exposure, given uncertainty about the duration and effectiveness of sanctions, alternative supply and substitution response, and the cyclical demand outlook, preferring instead to let our deliberative research process bring attractive long-term investments to our attention.

While now having minimal direct exposure to the fossil fuel industry, the Portfolio holds several businesses that are firmly part of the global energy transition—a transition that should accelerate if energy prices remain elevated. Examples include the Brazilian industrial equipment manufacturer WEG, which has a growing solar-energy equipment business, and various Chinese companies including CATL, the world’s biggest, most technologically diverse, and most profitable electric vehicle battery manufacturer, and Sanhua Intelligent Controls, whose thermal management components are needed in EVs.

Please read the separate disclosures page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

 

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Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

 

   

Institutional Investors: HLFMX & HLFFX | Individual Investors: HLMOX

 

   
         

 

Portfolio Management Team

 

LOGO

Pradipta Chakrabortty

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Babatunde Ojo, CFA

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Sergey Dubin, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Performance Summary

For the Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio, the Institutional Class I declined 12.54%, the Institutional Class II declined 12.49%, and the Investor Class declined 12.69% (net of fees and expenses) in the trailing six months up to April 30, 2022. The Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI Frontier Emerging Markets (FEM) Index, declined 8.94% in the same period (net of source taxes).

Market Review

Frontier Emerging Markets (FEMs) began the fiscal year facing the ongoing pandemic and rising prices. Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine in late February provided a new shock; global prices of oil and industrial metals like aluminum, nickel, and steel rose sharply on expectations that sanctions against Russia, a major producer, would disrupt global supply.

Latin America and the Gulf States, big commodity-exporting regions, recorded the best performances for the period. Peru rose nearly 9% as rising copper and other metal prices buoyed the country’s mining stocks. The expectation of higher royalties and tax revenue from mining gave a badly needed lift to Peru’s financial condition following months of political strife and flagging business confidence. Colombia, the other Latin American market in the FEM Index, rose nearly 14%; its oil-producing economy benefitted from rising prices. The Gulf States on aggregate rose over 20%, also on the back of oil prices.

Fund Facts at April 30, 2022            

Total Net Assets

   $191.9M          

Sales Charge

   None          

Number of Holdings

   56          

Turnover (5 Yr. Avg.)

   24%          

Dividend Policy

   Annual          
   
     Institutional Investors    Individual Investors
     
      Inst. Class I    Inst. Class II    Investor Class
     

Ticker

   HLFMX    HLFFX    HLMOX
     

CUSIP

   412295867    412295735    412295859
     

Inception Date

   5/27/2008    3/1/2017    12/31/2010
     

Minimum Investment1

   $100,000    $10,000,000    $5,000
     

Net Expense Ratio2

   1.62%3    1.35%4    2.00%5
     

Gross Expense Ratio2

   1.62%    1.53%    2.12%

1Lower minimums available through certain brokerage firms; 2The Gross and Net Expense Ratios are as of the most recent Prospectus and have been restated to reflect current fees; 3Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the Net Expense Ratio at 1.75% through February 28, 2023. The expense ratio (without cap) is applicable to investors; 4The Net Expense Ratio is shown net of Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement through February 28, 2023. Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.35%. The Net Expense Ratio is applicable to investors; 5The Net Expense Ratio is shown net of Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement through February 28, 2023. Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 2.00%. The Net Expense Ratio is applicable to investors.

In contrast, European stocks suffered the most from the war, due not only to concerns that hostilities could spread beyond Ukraine but also to its adverse economic impact on countries with strong trade and financial linkages with Russia. Kazakhstan was the worst-performing market in the region, down 42%. The market started plunging in January; when protests over the removal of a fuel price cap turned violent, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sought help from Russia, which sent in troops to restore order. In a concession to the protesters, Tokayev reinstated fuel price controls. Attempting to quiet broader grievances about the country’s yawning wealth disparities, he also issued a call for higher taxes on mining companies. But whatever social harmony he might have achieved was soon overwhelmed by the devastating impact of the war on Kazakhstan’s economy. Kazakhstan’s trade with Russia is around 11% of its GDP, and it also relies on Russia as a transit country for most foreign trade. As many of Kazakhstan’s trade partners sought to comply with Western sanctions and ceased shipping goods to Russian ports, Kazakh supply chains were thrown into disarray, its companies left scrambling for alternative trade routes through China or Latvia.

Sector performance in the six-month period was a tale of the competing effects of the meteoric rise in commodity prices and the inflationary pressures created, in part, by that rise. Energy and Materials each outperformed. But Health Care and especially Information Technology (IT), the two worst-performing sectors,

 

 

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Performance (% Total Return)

 

    For periods ended March 31, 2022     For periods ended April 30, 2022
    1     3     5     10     Since Inception*     1     3     5     10     Since Inception*
     Year     Years     Years     Years     May-08     Mar-17     Dec-10     Year     Years     Years     Years     May-08     Mar-17     Dec-10
             

Frontier EM Portfolio – Inst. Class I

    4.89       1.45       2.68       3.00       -0.47                       -1.32       -0.31       1.90       2.63       -0.69              
             

Frontier EM Portfolio – Inst. Class II

    5.22       1.71       2.97                     3.34               -1.10       -0.05       2.18                     2.66      
             

Frontier EM Portfolio – Investor Class

    4.41       1.03       2.31       2.62                       1.04       -1.67       -0.65       1.56       2.24                     0.76
             

MSCI Frontier Emerging Markets Index

    11.58       2.07       3.25       2.70             3.57       1.67       2.21       -0.31       1.54       1.87             2.18     1.06

Returns are annualized for periods greater than 1 year. *Inception of the Institutional Class I, May 27, 2008. Inception of the Institutional Class II, March 1, 2017. Inception of the Investor Class, December 31, 2010. Index performance prior to December 2, 2008 cannot be shown since it relies on back-filled data.

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Portfolio may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 435-8105 or visiting hardingloevnerfunds.com.

 

suffered as equity investors increased the discount rates they use to value future cash flows, to the greater detriment of faster-growing companies whose cash flows lie farther in the future.

Style effects for the period favored cheaper, slower-growing, and lower-quality companies.

Performance Attribution

By sector, weak stocks in Financials detracted the most from relative returns. The poor performance of these holdings was often related in one form or another to the war. Halyk Savings Bank in Kazakhstan and Bank of Georgia plummeted even as each reported strong earnings. Commercial International Bank (CIB) also fell despite strong earnings, as the country’s central bank devalued the Egyptian pound in response to soaring food prices. (Egypt is the world’s largest importer of Ukrainian and Russian wheat.) Our overweight to the poorly performing IT sector was also a major detractor from performance. Stock selection in Real Estate sector helped performance. UAE-based Emaar Properties reported the highest property sales in the company’s history as its rebound from the troughs of the pandemic quickened. Demand has been so strong that Emaar was able to discontinue its flexible payment policy that allowed buyers to pay for properties even after ownership was transferred to them. The change will strengthen the company’s cash flow and financial position.

By region, our underweight to the strong Latin American market of Peru hurt returns. US-listed and Belarus-founded technology services company EPAM was another detractor. Nearly 60% of the company’s workforce is based in either Ukraine, Belarus, or Russia. While many employees are relocating, the disruption to its operations is considerable. Stock selection in Asia helped performance the most, particularly in Vietnam. Vietcombank (VCB) performed well on a combination of strong mortgage loan growth and widening net interest margins.

Perspective and Outlook

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the West’s severe sanctions that followed, are the epitome of a black swan event—very difficult to predict but holding huge consequences. Russia and Ukraine are not part of the MSCI FEM Index or our Portfolio, and only two of our Portfolio holdings (EPAM and Krka) have significant direct business exposure to Russia and Ukraine. Nonetheless, we see two main impacts on broader FEMs. First, the geopolitical risk to countries like Kazakhstan, Poland, and Georgia, which have strong financial and trade ties with Russia, has risen. These countries are now grappling with disrupted trade logistics, lower remittance inflows, and a large influx of refugees. Their currencies also fell, although they have rebounded from the March lows. In the month following the invasion, the Kazakhstan tenge was down 13.4% against the US dollar, the Polish zloty 4.8%, and the Georgian lari 7.3%. Depending on the duration of the war, economic growth throughout the region could suffer.

The war has also affected commodity prices. Wheat and corn exports from Russia and Ukraine have been curtailed now that Black Sea ports are closed. Russia also accounts for 43% of the world’s production of palladium, 6% of aluminum, 17% of natural gas, and 12% of oil. Spot prices for all these commodities jumped, reflecting disruptions to supply and the building of inventories by users (and speculators) in anticipation of disruptions to come.

We are concerned that these food and energy shocks will place an especially large burden on FEMs given the composition of consumer spending in those markets. For example, the IMF estimates that food costs account for 40% of consumer spending in Sub-Saharan Africa, over twice the level in developed economies. This disproportionate impact on FEM households adds to the inflationary pressures from global supply chain disruptions that were present prior to the war. These will likely spur aggressive rate hikes by FEM central banks to support their currencies and keep consumer prices from spiraling out of control, which will retard the post-pandemic growth recovery

 

 

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in FEMs that finally got underway in recent months as their vaccination rates improved. Food and oil importing countries will face ballooning import bills that could badly erode their current account positions. This could affect the currencies of major FEMs such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Kenya, Vietnam, and the Philippines, making them even more susceptible to domestic inflation.

Some FEMs stand to benefit from the rising commodity prices. Latin America and the Gulf have seen a major lift due to their limited trade ties to Russia, geographical remove from the crisis, and high concentration of net commodity-exporting countries. But such regions are in the minority.

While the current crisis will likely slow many FEMs’ growth in the near term, it does not change FEMs’ long-term growth drivers in any fundamental way. They still benefit from distinctive qualities, especially their youthful populations and growing middle classes, which underpin their labor forces and domestic consumption. The emergence of an aspiring middle class is redirecting consumer behavior—so that households in places such as Philippines, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia have the wherewithal to spend on discretionary categories and on services such as health care, laying new avenues for growth. We see a tremendous growth opportunity in banking; despite a relative lack of participation in the formal financial system, access to the internet has exploded in FEMs through the widespread adoption of smart phones. This has led to the emergence of some of the world’s pioneering payment platforms and super apps in FEMs, such as Kenya’s Safaricom and Kazakhstan’s Kaspi Bank, among other new digitally enabled businesses. Despite the tragedy visited upon Ukraine and its perturbation of the global economy, none of these long-term opportunities in FEMs are going away.

Portfolio Highlights

On the eve of the invasion, EPAM and Krka represented about 4% of the Portfolio.

EPAM is an IT services company, headquartered in Pennsylvania and US-listed but founded in Belarus. It delivers high-end software and digital solutions for its corporate clients, utilizing talent mostly based in FEMs, especially Eastern Europe. Before the war, 58% of its 53,000 employees were based in Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus. The conflict has obviously impacted the ability of EPAM’s employees to work effectively and disrupted the servicing of its clients. The company has already relocated some of its Ukrainian and Russian employees overseas and has seen good recovery in the productivity of relocated employees. With the US$1.2 billion in net cash it had available prior to the conflict, the company is also accelerating hiring across its other locations in Central Europe, Latin America, and India. The extent to which its near-term earnings will be affected is not yet clear. Nevertheless, given EPAM’s long-standing relationships with clients, the continued strong demand for IT services, and shortage of

software engineers in developed countries, we expect it to survive this massive disruption. At EPAM’s current valuation, we believe we are being fairly compensated for the challenges and risks.

Krka is a Slovenian generic drug manufacturer with 6% of its sales in Ukraine and 21% in Russia. The sales and marketing-focused operation in Ukraine has been severely disrupted. The company has insurance to cover its trade receivables, so the money it is owed in Ukraine is protected. Another saving grace is that its Ukrainian sales are conducted in euros, minimizing currency risk. The situation for Krka’s Russian operations is the opposite. Its manufacturing and distribution within Russia has been unaffected; drugs are exempt from the Western sanctions and demand for its products remain high. But all transactions are conducted in rubles, a problem now that sanctions prevent counterparties from helping Krka hedge its currency risk. However, management estimates that its first-quarter sales in Russia will remain flat when compared to the same period last year. It is hard to predict what the long-term impact of the war on Krka’s Russian and Ukrainian businesses will be, but we believe the company is in a solid financial position to weather the crisis. It generates strong operating cash flows, has a cash balance of EUR160 million (US$169 million), and no financial debt.

Portfolio Positioning (% Weight) at April 30, 2022

 

Sector    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Comm Services

     5.7      8.0

Cons Discretionary

     7.5      1.2

Cons Staples

     12.2      6.6

Energy

     5.1      4.9

Financials

     35.3      37.3

Health Care

     6.3      2.9

Industrials

     6.2      13.7

Info Technology

     7.5      0.1

Materials

     4.3      9.1

Real Estate

     8.1      12.7

Utilities

     0.0      3.5

Cash

     1.8     
Geography    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Africa

     19.4      15.5

Asia

     39.9      46.9

Europe

     11.6      13.4

Gulf States

     9.5      6.3

Latin America

     8.6      17.2

Middle East

     0.0      0.7

Developed Markets Listed2

     9.2     

Cash

     1.8     

1MSCI Frontier Emerging Markets Index; 2Includes frontier or small emerging markets companies listed in developed markets.

 

 

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Besides the direct impact on EPAM and Krka, we are closely monitoring the secondary impact of the war and sanctions via financial and trade linkages as well as the impact of escalating commodity prices. Egypt has found itself in an especially vulnerable position as a major importer of wheat and oil from Russia and Ukraine. The country also receives a significant share of its tourists from Russia and Ukraine. With these issues threatening its current account, the Egyptian central bank hiked interest rates by 100bps and devalued the Egyptian pound by 14% against the US dollar to stem capital outflows from the country. However, we did not sell any of our holdings in Egypt, as the stock market anticipated the currency impact of the war. Two weeks before the March 21 currency devaluation, the global depositary receipt of our Egyptian banking holding CIB, which is traded on the London Stock Exchange in US dollars, was already trading at a 14% discount to its ordinary shares priced in Egyptian pounds. But the bank’s attractive valuation, and its track record navigating Egypt’s periodic upheavals, provides a margin of comfort. During the last major Egyptian currency devaluation in 2016, the bank managed the crisis better than peers and emerged in a stronger competitive position; we expect a similar outcome this time.

Periods of uncertainty and fear create opportunities to buy superior companies at valuations more attractive than usual. An example is our purchase of Lithuania-based Baltic Classifieds (BCG). BCG operates 12 online classified advertising portals across Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. BCG’s platforms are bolstered by powerful network effects that create barriers to entry for possible competitors. As portals in the Baltics are relatively cheap, management sees room to increase fees gradually for many years before they reach prevailing European levels, while also growing volumes through the addition of ancillary products that connect users with finance companies that pay Baltic for the leads. The company’s share price fell in half due to concerns over Russian aggression, which allowed us to buy it at a price below that which justified our expectations of future growth.

MSCI Index Changes

MSCI implemented changes to our benchmark, the Frontier Emerging Markets Index, on November 30. Argentina was downgraded from small EM to standalone status due to capital controls in place in the country. Pakistan was also downgraded from small EM to frontier status due to low trading volume. These changes will not impact how we manage our Portfolio but has increased its tracking error against the benchmark. The main sectoral change to the Index is a large reduction in the weight of IT, from about 6% to less than 1%, after Globant was removed along with other Argentinian shares. As a result, IT is now our Portfolio’s largest overweight by sector.

Ten Largest Holdings by Weight at April 30, 2022

 

Company   Sector   Market   %

Emaar Properties

  Real Estate   United Arab Emirates   4.5

Vietcombank

  Financials   Vietnam   4.2

Ecopetrol

  Energy   Colombia   3.9

Hoa Phat Group

  Materials   Vietnam   3.6

SM Prime Holdings

  Real Estate   Philippines   3.6

Bancolombia

  Financials   Colombia   3.6

Banca Transilvania

  Financials   Romania   3.5

Globant

  Info Technology   US   3.5

Bank Central Asia

  Financials   Indonesia   3.4

Safaricom

  Comm Services   Kenya   3.4

Please read the separate disclosures page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

 

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Global Equity Research Portfolio

 

   

Institutional Investors: HLRGX

 

   
         

 

Portfolio Management Team

 

 

LOGO

Edmund Bellord

Portfolio Manager

Moon Surana, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Fund Facts at April 30, 2022

Total Net Assets

   $8.1M

Sales Charge

   None

Number of Holdings

   314

Turnover (5 Yr. Avg.)

   43%

Dividend Policy

   Annual
 
     Institutional Investors
 

Ticker

   HLRGX
 

CUSIP

   412295792
 

Inception Date

   12/19/2016
 

Minimum Investment1

   $100,000
 

Net Expense Ratio2

   0.80%3
 

Gross Expense Ratio2

   1.73%

1Lower minimums available through certain brokerage firms; 2The Gross and Net Expense Ratios are as of the most recent Prospectus and have been restated to reflect current fees; 3The Net Expense Ratio is shown net of Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement through February 28, 2023. Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 0.80%. The Net Expense Ratio is applicable to investors.

 

 

Performance Summary

The Global Equity Research Portfolio Institutional Class declined 17.29%, net of fees and expenses, in the six-month period ended April 30, 2022. The Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Index, declined 11.63% (net of source taxes).

Market Review

Stock markets fell sharply during the period as the confluence of several macroeconomic events battered share prices.

In November, consumer price inflation in the US reached its highest rate since 1982, leading the US Federal Reserve to signal several interest rate hikes and an imminent end to its bond buying program. Other central banks moved even more quickly: the Bank of England raised its main interest rate and the European Central Bank announced it would end its bond buying program. At the same time, just as supply chain bottlenecks showed signs of easing, the emergence of Omicron threatened to upend the progress and reintroduce global lockdowns. Chinese officials, aiming for zero transmission, pursued the most stringent lockdown policies—further hampering economic growth that had already been stalled amid a slowdown in construction spending after several heavily indebted property developers, including the gargantuan Evergrande, defaulted on bond payments.

Investors barely had time to digest these events when, in February, Russia commenced its invasion of Ukraine. The

reaction by Western governments was swift and emphatic as they sought to tread a delicate balance between punishing Russian aggression and avoiding an escalating military conflict. The US and its allies enacted crippling economic sanctions against Russia, including freezing a significant share of the Russian central bank reserve assets, cutting off many of the country’s banks from the SWIFT global financial messaging system, and outlawing the export of a variety of industrial and luxury goods. The sanctions initially led to a collapse in the ruble, while the Moscow stock exchange closed for almost a month before re-opening for domestic investors only. With foreign investors effectively unable to trade, major market index providers expunged all Russian securities from their indexes.

Prices for a wide range of commodities for which Russia is a major producer—including oil, gas, grains, and metals—surged on fears of disruption, prompting billions of US dollars in margin calls to cover futures positions. Headline inflation, which had already been rising rapidly around the world prior to the invasion, received a fillip from the shock to energy and food supplies stemming from the war, increasing the pressure on central banks to tighten monetary policy. In March, the US Fed did just that, raising interest rates for the first time in three years and signaling as many as seven additional hikes in 2022, causing stocks to retreat further as investors feared efforts to tame inflation may cause a recession.

 

 

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Performance (% Total Return)

 

     For periods ended March 31, 2022      For periods ended April 30, 2022  
   
      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since Inception*      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since Inception*  
   

Global Equity Research Portfolio – Inst. Class

     -1.33        10.88        11.48        12.39        -12.43        6.41        9.19        10.40  
   

MSCI All Country World Index

     7.28        13.75        11.64        12.37        -5.44        9.41        9.46        10.44  

Returns are annualized for periods greater than 1 year. *Inception date: December 19, 2016.

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Portfolio may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 435-8105 or visiting hardingloevnerfunds.com.

 

On a sector basis, Energy performed strongly, reflecting the meteoric rise in commodity prices caused by supply shocks from war and sanctions. Utilities and Consumer Staples were the only other sectors to eke out gains. Consumer Discretionary and Communication Services performed the worst; the former was impacted by slumping consumer confidence in the wake of the rapid rise in inflation, while the latter—largely comprised of highly priced growth stocks—was impacted by central bank efforts to tame inflation.

Geographically, all major regions declined. The eurozone was most impacted as sanctions against Russia served to compound the difficulties of countries already grappling with mounting inflation. Japanese stocks also lagged, with supply chain issues emanating out of China and other economic concerns weighing on the market. Emerging Markets also performed poorly, largely due to Russia and China—the latter of which faced an economic slowdown aggravated by difficulties in maintaining its zero-COVID policy, sweeping regulatory actions, and the government’s attempts to slowly deflate its colossal real estate bubble.

Style factors played a significant role: the most highly priced shares suffered throughout, first from the regulatory mauling of many Chinese growth leaders, and then from a reassessment of discount rates in the face of rising inflation. Similarly, the fastest-growing stocks significantly underperformed their slowest-growing peers. There was no clear effect by quality as both the highest- and lowest-quality stocks underperformed.

Performance Attribution

The Portfolio’s concentration in expensive stocks, a hazard of our commitment to investing in the stocks of high-quality rapidly growing businesses, hurt relative performance in a period during which investors fled from richly priced and fast-growing companies. The Portfolio’ skew toward expensive companies cost about 70 basis points of relative performance. Our parallel emphasis on quality provided no defense and cost the Portfolio an additional 10 basis points. A modest amount of our underperformance—50 basis points—is directly attributable to our preference for growth businesses.

The rest of the Portfolio underperformance (about 400 basis points) was due to negative stock selection across sectors and geographies. On a sector basis, weak stocks in Health Care and Industrials detracted during the period. In Health Care, Chinese biological pharmaceuticals manufacturer WuXi Biologics declined as Chinese health regulators tightened the standards for approving new oncology drugs. Additionally, the company was placed on a US “unverified list” of foreign importers in February, due to COVID-19 restrictions preventing US Commerce Department inspectors from undertaking routine examinations of the country’s manufacturing facilities to confirm civilian use of US-made equipment. In Industrials, Japanese electric power tools manufacturer Makita detracted as the company suffered from higher shipping costs and exposure to Eastern Europe.

On a geographic basis, the value destruction stemming from our four Russian holdings—Sberbank, Lukoil, Novatek, and Yandex—turned out to have a relatively modest impact on performance, costing us around 50 basis points. Weak stocks in Japan, Europe outside of the eurozone (Switzerland and the UK), and the US accounted for a majority of underperformance. In Japan, furniture company NITORI faced rising materials and logistics costs, alongside a weaker yen. Swiss laboratory instruments producer Tecan Group reported disappointing 2021 revenue and projected revenue growth below expectations. US bank SVB Financial declined as investors feared the impact a potential economic downturn would have on loan growth for startup activity.

Perspective and Outlook

The performance of our strategy has been poor throughout the period, a six-month span in which value stocks have trounced growth stocks.

In retrospect, we were too sanguine about the near-term course of inflation, and the extent to which the risk that inflation expectations would become entrenched would rise. We expected surging demand for consumer durables to revert to trend and supply chains to normalize as economies reopened from COVID-19 constraints. But ongoing bottlenecks,

 

 

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such as congestion at US ports, now exacerbated by lockdowns in China’s industrial hubs and commodity supply shocks emanating from the Ukrainian conflict, have led to prolonged shortages of key components and finished goods across many industries. The effects of sustained price pressures on monetary policy and concerns for its prospective impact on economic growth have raised equity discount rates and lowered general growth expectations, leading to severe underperformance of the fastest-growing quintile of the market—the cohort from which we’ve drawn a large portion of our Portfolio, which also meant a large helping of the most expensive quintile (as measured by our composite valuation rankings).

If we’d had better macroeconomic foresight or were less convinced of the through-the-cycle earnings power of our fastest-growing companies, we might have reduced our exposure even more to the most expensive of them. Too late for that, at this point we are contending with the market’s massive style shift in the midst of rising inflation and discount rates, regulatory uncertainty, and disrupted supply chains, all against a backdrop of nascent fears of an economic slowdown.

However, for many of our holdings, most of the specific blemishes that marred their shares are likely to be transient; the companies’ long-term prospects remain bright while the sell-off has left their shares more attractively priced. PayPal is admittedly at a crossroads with its still-untested strategy of focusing on deepening existing user relationships instead of growing e-commerce commissions off new users; but, at its current price, we are prepared to wait a while longer to gauge if it can succeed. With Meta Platforms (Facebook), we think it is only a matter of time before the company’s heavy investments in proprietary ad targeting tools and the next generation of web experiences launch the next growth phase. Other examples include Align, which remains among the fastest growing and most innovative companies in consumer health, and Japanese healthcare company Sysmex, which—in addition to its promising Alzheimer’s test—is already using its early-disease-detection systems to help doctors diagnose and better treat many types of cancers far earlier in the diseases’ progression.

Over the last 20 years we’ve experienced four other episodes when our quality-growth style has significantly underperformed. The most recent was in December 2018 when the Trump trade war and rising interest rates delivered a shock remarkably similar to the one experienced today and which also contributed to a broad retreat from highly priced growth shares. It’s too soon to tell if the current hiking cycle will prove equally short-lived, but what does seem clear is that the ability of economic activity to withstand higher interest rates has been progressively lowered over time. That said, given today’s potent mix of macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, investors are facing an unusually wide range of potential outcomes. In a scenario of continued high inflation and sharply rising interest rates, shares of

quality-growth companies will probably continue to lag the market; but, should inflation moderate and economic growth revert to a more tepid pace, we would expect to see a reversal of their recent underperformance as the market embraces companies growing their earnings faster than average. In the face of this uncertainty, we do what we have done for the last two decades: construct a diversified Portfolio of high-quality growth companies by taking advantage of the most attractive valuations as they emerge.

Portfolio Highlights

The holdings in the Portfolio are directly determined from the universe of companies that are our analysts have rated buy. We ended the period with 314 holdings. The Portfolio’s profile changed significantly in large part due to the value destruction of our Russian holdings. By sector, the largest change was the drop in our Energy weight, due to the write-down of Russian holdings Lukoil and Novatek. The Portfolio is currently more than 200bps underweight to Energy. By region, Japan saw the largest drop in its relative weight, with other regions staying roughly the same.

Portfolio Positioning (% Weight) at April 30, 2022

 

Sector    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Comm Services

     4.9      7.7

Cons Discretionary

     11.8      11.3

Cons Staples

     5.5      7.5

Energy

     2.6      4.7

Financials

     14.4      14.5

Health Care

     18.8      12.3

Industrials

     14.4      9.4

Info Technology

     19.2      21.6

Materials

     5.2      5.1

Real Estate

     0.8      2.9

Utilities

     1.0      3.0

Cash

     1.4     
Geography    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Canada

     1.7      3.2

Emerging Markets

     21.6      11.3

Europe EMU

     12.3      7.8

Europe ex-EMU

     11.6      8.2

Frontier Markets2

     1.0     

Japan

     7.2      5.4

Middle East

     0.3      0.2

Pacific ex-Japan

     3.1      3.2

United States

     39.8      60.7

Cash

     1.4     

1MSCI All Country World Index; 2Includes countries with less-developed markets outside the Index.

 

 

  26     


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Given our long investment horizon, we tend to be patient when companies we own encounter operational issues that appear to be transient, but our scrutiny of the investment thesis will be heightened. This was the case for many of our Consumer Staples holdings during the period. We’ve been watching for signs of a turnaround at Henkel, German chemical company under its new management team. Their repeated failures to deliver on either organic revenue growth or margin expansion finally led us to conclude that the company is unlikely to resume growing, so we sold our shares. We also sold Japanese disposable hygiene and household products maker Unicharm, Indian conglomerate Godrej, and Indian consumer good multinational Marico after the analysts downgraded the companies due to their high valuations. Grupo Nutresa, a Columbian food processor, was similarly downgraded after multiple takeover bids led to a surge in its share price.

In Consumer Discretionary, notable purchases included Pool Corp and MercadoLibre (MELI). Pool Corp is the largest US wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related products, with a residential pool market share of close to one half. As a dominant distributor, the company has benefitted from work-from-home-induced trends in consumer spending on residential pools, and it is likely to benefit from more secular trends as the US population increasingly shifts south. MELI is a leading ecommerce platform operating in 18 countries in Latin America. It offers multiple integrated e-commerce and digital payment services in a region where online penetration remains low, and a large portion of the population does not have bank accounts. MELI bridges the gap between merchants and their diverse consumers with a unified platform that enables both offline and online commerce, credit, and logistics services.

The Portfolio also made new purchases in Industrials, among which was North American salvage vehicle auctions market Copart. The company is one of the two dominant salvage vehicle auction markets in North America. It has decades-long relationships with major insurance companies and access to salvage yards in proximity to all US metropolitan areas, both of which give it major advantages in scale. Another purchase in industrials, Rockwell Automation, is a US provider of industrial automation services. Through its investment several years ago in PTC Inc, a firm with strong capabilities in augmented reality and visualization tools, Rockwell has been able to develop a software platform that can integrate data from separate business segments and generate a real-time digital picture of operations for managers. The company is a chief enabler and beneficiary of the trend in manufacturers looking toward automation.

China was the region with the largest increase in weight due to position changes. Among our new holdings in the region was CATL, a battery manufacturer and technology company. It is the country’s largest producer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Its proximity to China’s deep EV supply chain gives a significant cost advantage to global rivals; CATL is well-positioned to benefit from the ongoing acceleration in EV adoption both inside and outside China with its planned capacity expansion.

Ten Largest Holdings by Weight at April 30, 2022

 

Company   Sector   Market   %

AbbVie

  Health Care   US   1.2

Gartner

  Info Technology   US   1.1

Thermo Fisher Scientific

  Health Care   US   1.1

UnitedHealth Group

  Health Care   US   1.1

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

  Health Care   US   1.0

OCBC Bank

  Financials   Singapore   1.0

Bristol-Myers Squibb

  Health Care   US   1.0

Microsoft

  Info Technology   US   1.0

Manulife Financial

  Financials   Canada   1.0

Alphabet

  Comm Services   US   1.0

 

 

Please read the separate disclosures page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

 

   27   


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International Equity Research Portfolio

 

   

Institutional Investors: HLIRX

 

   
         

 

Portfolio Management Team

 

 

LOGO

Edmund Bellord

Portfolio Manager

Moon Surana, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Fund Facts at April 30, 2022

Total Net Assets

   $12.1M

Sales Charge

   None

Number of Holdings

   221

Turnover (5 Yr. Avg.)

   44%

Dividend Policy

   Annual
 
     Institutional Investors
 

Ticker

   HLIRX
 

CUSIP

   412295826
 

Inception Date

   12/17/2015
 

Minimum Investment1

   $100,000
 

Net Expense Ratio2

   0.75%3
 

Gross Expense Ratio2

   1.43%

1Lower minimums available through certain brokerage firms; 2The Gross and Net Expense Ratios are as of the most recent Prospectus and have been restated to reflect current fees; 3The Net Expense Ratio is shown net of Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement through February 28, 2023. Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 0.75%. The Net Expense Ratio is applicable to investors.

 

 

Performance Summary

 

For the International Equity Research Portfolio, the Institutional Class declined 18.66% (net of fees and expenses) in the six-month period ended April 30, 2022. The Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI All Country World ex-US Index, declined 11.87% (net of source taxes).

Market Review

Stock markets fell sharply during the period as the confluence of several macroeconomic events battered share prices.

In November, consumer price inflation in the US reached its highest rate since 1982, leading the US Federal Reserve to signal several interest rate hikes and an imminent end to its bond buying program. Other central banks moved even more quickly: the Bank of England raised its main interest rate and the European Central Bank announced it would end its bond buying program. At the same time, just as supply chain bottlenecks showed signs of easing, the emergence of Omicron threatened to upend the progress and reintroduce global lockdowns. Chinese officials, aiming for zero transmission, pursued the most stringent lockdown policies—further hampering economic growth that had already been stalled amid a slowdown in construction spending after several heavily indebted property developers, including the gargantuan Evergrande, defaulted on bond payments.

Investors barely had time to digest these events when, in February, Russia commenced its invasion of Ukraine. The reaction by Western governments was swift and emphatic

 

as they sought to tread a delicate balance between punishing Russian aggression and avoiding an escalating military conflict. The US and its allies enacted crippling economic sanctions against Russia, including freezing a significant share of the Russian central bank reserve assets, cutting off many of the country’s banks from the SWIFT global financial messaging system, and outlawing the export of a variety of industrial and luxury goods. The sanctions initially led to a collapse in the ruble, while the Moscow stock exchange closed for almost a month before re-opening for domestic investors only. With foreign investors effectively unable to trade, major market index providers expunged all Russian securities from their indexes.

Prices for a wide range of commodities for which Russia is a major producer—including oil, gas, grains, and metals—surged on fears of disruption, prompting billions of US dollars in margin calls to cover futures positions. Headline inflation, which had already been rising rapidly around the world prior to the invasion, received a fillip from the shock to energy and food supplies stemming from the war, increasing the pressure on central banks to tighten monetary policy. In March, the US Fed did just that, raising interest rates for the first time in three years and signaling as many as seven additional hikes in 2022, causing stocks to retreat further as investors feared efforts to tame inflation may cause a recession.

On a sector basis, only Energy was able to eke out modest gains during the period, reflecting the meteoric rise in commodity prices caused by supply shocks from war and sanctions. Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology (IT) performed the worst; the former was impacted by slumping

 

 

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Performance (% Total Return)

 

     For periods ended March 31, 2022      For periods ended April 30, 2022
   
      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since Inception*      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since Inception*
   

Intl. Equity Research Portfolio – Inst. Class

     -7.42        6.27        6.63        8.13        -17.26        2.08        4.28      6.62
   

MSCI All Country World ex-US Index

     -1.48        7.51        6.76        7.48        -10.31        4.30        4.94      6.29

Returns are annualized for periods greater than 1 year. *Inception date: December 17, 2015.

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Portfolio may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 435-8105 or visiting hardingloevnerfunds.com.

 

consumer confidence in the wake of the rapid rise in inflation, while the latter—largely comprised of highly priced growth stocks—was impacted by central bank efforts to tame inflation.

Geographically, all major regions declined. The eurozone was most impacted as sanctions against Russia served to compound the difficulties of countries already grappling with mounting inflation. Emerging Markets also performed poorly, largely due to Russia and China—the latter of which faced an economic slowdown aggravated by difficulties in maintaining its zero-COVID policy, sweeping regulatory actions, and the government’s attempts to slowly deflate its colossal real estate bubble.

Style factors played a significant role: the most highly priced shares suffered throughout, first from the regulatory mauling of many Chinese growth leaders, and then from a reassessment of discount rates in the face of rising inflation. Similarly, the fastest-growing stocks significantly underperformed their slowest-growing peers. There was no clear effect by quality as both the highest- and lowest-quality stocks performed similar to the average.

Performance Attribution

In a period during which investors fled from richly priced, high-quality growth companies, it should come as no surprise that, whether viewed through the lens of sector or geographic attribution, our portfolio underperformed within most sectors and most regions. More surprisingly, perhaps, is that the value destruction stemming from our four Russian holdings—Sberbank, Lukoil, Novatek, and Yandex—turned out to be a relatively small impact with a portfolio of over 200 holdings, costing us 29 basis points.

A more informative parsing of returns comes from viewing them according to how they relate to rankings of growth, quality, and valuation. Viewed through the lens of growth, our efforts to resist a skew towards the most expensive members of the faster-growing quintiles of the market meant that only a modest amount of our underperformance, just over 85 basis points, is attributable to our preference for growth businesses. The rest, like sector or regional attribution, comes across as poor stocks within the different quintiles of growth. Similarly, our emphasis

on the highest-quality companies (half the portfolio is sourced from the top two quintiles of our quality rankings) detracted only 10 basis points from relative performance. Nevertheless, however much we’ve steadily reduced holdings of highly priced stocks, the portfolio remains skewed toward the expensive end of the market, and that skew cost about 120 basis points of relative performance.

On a sector basis, weak stocks in Health Care and Industrials detracted the most during the period. In Health Care, Japanese healthcare company Sysmex tumbled after it reported issues with its largest distributor in China as well as disappointing sales in China stemming from the country’s “Buy China” policy initiative. In Industrials, Japanese electric power tools manufacturer Makita detracted as higher shipping costs, currency headwinds (a large percentage of revenue is in euros, which weakened against the dollar), and exposure to Eastern Europe (which has been negatively impacted by the war in Ukraine) all weighed on shares.

On a geographic basis, weak stocks in Japan detracted the most. In addition to Sysmex and Makita, furniture company NITORI declined as it faced rising materials and logistics costs, alongside a weaker yen. Stocks in Europe outside the eurozone also detracted; Swedish manufacturer of specialty heat-transfer, centrifugal-separation, and fluid-handling products Alfa Laval experienced shrinking margins due to weakness in its marine division, where the company cancelled Russian orders for ship equipment following the invasion of Ukraine.

Perspective and Outlook

We’ve owned shares in Sberbank, Lukoil, Novatek, and Yandex for several years with the view that while a grasping and ruthless government posed political risks, companies able to navigate those risks and build sound growing businesses that deliver highly valued products and services to their customers could nevertheless generate strong business results. Due to fears of the Russian state’s confiscatory tendencies and corporate governance risks more generally, shares in these companies traded at a discount relative to their global peers, which could lead to strong returns for intrepid investors. Additionally, these political risks bore almost no correlation to other risks embedded in our portfolio. In an investment climate

 

 

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where most fast-growing, resilient businesses commanded historically high valuations, Russian shares offered a tempting mix of diversification and inexpensive growth.

In the end, it wasn’t the corporate governance or expropriation risks that proved our undoing, nor even the brutal and unexpected invasion itself. Instead, it was the resulting broad social revulsion in most developed democracies, which united previously divided or reluctant actors, calling down a ferocious firestorm of nearly inconceivable official and private actions targeting the Russian economy, and in the process also rendering Russian investments held by private Western bystanders effectively worthless. If anything, the episode will have alerted skeptics to the potency of seemingly remote investment risks, including social ones.

But we must stress that the Russian invasion and the West’s financially fierce response, as dramatic as they are, have merely accelerated the style headwinds we’ve been facing in recent months, as investors retreat from high-priced stocks. Well before the Ukraine crisis, headline inflation had been rising almost everywhere and intruding on the discount rates used to value shares. The energy and food shocks emanating from the conflict and consequent sanctions have supercharged the existing trends for expected inflation, bond yields, and equity discount rates, and the prospects for tighter monetary policies to combat the rise in prices. These trends have the largest effects on the present value (and therefore the current price) of distant future earnings—and thus pointedly on the price of growth stocks whose expected cash flows lie far in the future.

The monetary policy tightening now underway by central banks is intended to dampen speculative or less productive demand for goods, services, and assets by raising borrowing costs. But those policies, when combined with the demand destruction likely to emanate from soaring food and energy prices, may contain the seeds of their own reversal. If consumer and producer confidence take more than a temporary hit from the war in Ukraine and its ramifications, a recession—either in Europe or more globally—could conspire to reduce the inflationary impulse from COVID-19 re-openings and offset some of the need for monetary tightening. We’re not in the business of making such forecasts but, were that scenario to unfold, it’s possible that the headwinds for our quality/growth investment style would abate.

Much has been written recently about “the end of globalization” being another result of the war in Ukraine, and about the reluctance of some large countries—notably China and India—to sign onto the sanctions imposed by Western and Asian-Pacific governments. We, like many observers, worry that China, ostensibly aiming to be neutral, might risk some consequences by facilitating sanctions workarounds for Russia, and misjudge the West’s resolve. The economic disincentives would appear to work against the possibility. China’s total trade with Russia in 2020 was around a tenth of its US$1.4 trillion trade with the US and Europe. Given China’s flagging growth as it manages

its deflating property market—a multi-year prospect, if previous property bubbles are anything to go by—and its stated priority to improve “common prosperity” for its people, the last thing it’s likely to want is to impair its access to the global trading system and court rejection by its largest customers.

While risks of unforeseen consequences arising from the Ukraine conflict are high, on this front we are cautiously optimistic that China will work hard to maintain its neutrality in a credible way, as it is a huge beneficiary of trade with the rest of the world, especially the rich developed nations. We think it likely that China, along with India, will continue to buy oil and gas from Russia, and do not expect that fact to alter China’s trade relations with the West much. Nevertheless, we must contemplate that our optimism is misplaced on the importance of membership in the global network of exchange. If our central and optimistic case is wrong, then we’d need to greatly modify our views of which companies in our opportunity set will face new barriers to profitable growth, and which might stand to benefit from a further receding of globalization. We’d expect such a world to be less efficient—as the cold logic of comparative advantage is demoted as a determinant of which goods or services are produced and where—and less prosperous, since exploiting comparative advantage is a cornerstone of wealth creation.

Portfolio Positioning (%) at April 30, 2022

 

Sector    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Comm Services

     5.1      6.3

Cons Discretionary

     11.8      11.0

Cons Staples

     7.3      8.8

Energy

     2.1      5.7

Financials

     17.1      20.4

Health Care

     11.4      9.6

Industrials

     20.2      12.0

Info Technology

     14.2      11.6

Materials

     5.8      8.8

Real Estate

     1.7      2.5

Utilities

     0.9      3.3

Cash

     2.4      –  
Geography    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Canada

     2.0      8.2

Emerging Markets

     31.6      28.8

Europe EMU

     21.7      19.7

Europe ex-EMU

     19.4      21.0

Frontier Markets2

     1.3      –  

Japan

     14.9      13.7

Middle East

     0.3      0.5

Pacific ex-Japan

     6.4      8.1

Cash

     2.4      –  

1MSCI All Country World ex-US Index; 2Includes countries with less-developed markets outside the Index.

 

 

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Portfolio Highlights

The International Equity Research Portfolio’s holdings follow analysts’ recommendations from Harding Loevner’s collection of researched companies. We ended the period with 221 holdings. By sector, the portfolio’s exposure in Consumer Staples declined the most and its exposure to IT increased the most, both due largely to analyst recommendations. By region, our exposure in Europe outside the eurozone declined the most, due to both analyst recommendations and market movements. Our exposure in Japan increased the most, due to analyst recommendations.

Given our long investment horizon we tend to be patient when companies we own encounter operational issues that appear to be transient, but our scrutiny of the investment thesis will be heightened. This was the case for many of our Consumer Staples holdings during the period. We’ve been watching for signs of a turnaround at Henkel, German chemical company under its new management team. Their repeated failures to deliver on either organic revenue growth or margin expansion finally led us to conclude that the company is unlikely to resume growing, so we sold our shares. Unilever Indonesia is another previously growing business that grew complacent. Its failure to reinvest in its business has resulted in a loss of market share that threatens its longer-term growth and led to our exit. We also sold Japanese disposable hygiene and household products maker Unicharm, Indian conglomerate Godrej, and Indian consumer good multinational Marico after the analysts downgraded the companies due to their high valuations. Grupo Nutresa, a Columbian food processor, was similarly downgraded after multiple takeover bids led to a surge in its share price.

In IT, we purchased LONGi, newly added to our research universe. LONGi is the world’s largest and most vertically integrated supplier of solar power equipment, with market-leading technology and one of the lowest costs of production. The company is well positioned to benefit from the accelerated adoption of solar power necessary to meet emission reduction targets over the coming decades. We also purchased StarPower, the largest Chinese maker of power modules for managing energy distribution in industrial robots, home appliances, and, increasingly, electric vehicles. It is a frontrunner in silicon carbide technology, a more energy-efficient future replacement of the insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) which have long been the core output-switch technology used in high-voltage high-current applications. Our analyst expects the company to gain share from its developed market competitors by offering lower prices in combination with customized service provided by its China-based engineering staff.

In Europe outside the eurozone, several sales reduced our exposure. We sold Swiss drug manufacturer Vifor Pharma and UK-based provider of subscription-based home repair memberships HomeServe after analyst downgrades. Additionally, we sold UK-based assurance, inspection, product testing, and certification company Intertek Group after it was unrated following analyst Shali Zhu’s departure.

Ten Largest Holdings by Weight at April 30, 2022

 

Company    Sector    Market    %

DBS Group

   Financials    Singapore    1.2

Royal Dutch Shell

   Energy    United Kingdom    1.1

BHP

   Materials    Australia    1.1

ASM Pacific Technology

   Info Technology    Hong Kong    1.0

Rio Tinto

   Materials    United Kingdom    1.0

Alcon

   Health Care    Switzerland    1.0

Chugai Pharmaceutical

   Health Care    Japan    1.0

Air Liquide

   Materials    France    1.0

Couche-Tard

   Cons Staples    Canada    1.0

OCBC Bank

   Financials    Singapore    1.0

Our exposure to Japan increased as one of our associate analysts, Japan specialist Takayuki Hayano, CFA, was promoted to an analyst role, making his recommendations eligible for the strategy. We purchased employee outsourcing company UT Group, job recruiter and human resources company Recruit, and Daifuku, a leading provider of automated material handling solutions. We also added to some of our existing Japanese holdings, MISUMI Group, Makita, and Fast Retailing, the owner of Uniqlo, among other brands.

 

 

Please read the separate disclosures page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

 

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Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

 

   

Institutional Investors: HLREX

 

   
         

 

Portfolio Management Team

 

 

 

LOGO

Edmund Bellord

Portfolio Manager

Moon Surana, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Fund Facts at April 30, 2022

Total Net Assets

   $7.2M

Sales Charge

   None

Number of Holdings

   126

Turnover (5 Yr. Avg.)

   56%

Dividend Policy

   Annual
 
     Institutional Investors
 

Ticker

   HLREX
 

CUSIP

   412295776
 

Inception Date

   12/19/2016
 

Minimum Investment1

   $100,000
 

Net Expense Ratio2

   1.15%3
 

Gross Expense Ratio2

   2.28%

1Lower minimums available through certain brokerage firms; 2The Gross and Net Expense Ratios are as of the most recent Prospectus and have been restated to reflect current fees; 3The Net Expense Ratio is shown net of Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement through February 28, 2023. Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.15%. The Net Expense Ratio is applicable to investors.

 

 

Performance Summary

For the Emerging Markets Research Portfolio, the Institutional Class fell 19.10% (net of fees and expenses) in the six-month period ended April 30, 2022. The Portfolios’ benchmark, the MSCI Emerging + Frontier Markets Index, fell 14.14% (net of source taxes).

Market Review

Emerging Markets (EMs) began the fiscal year by drifting lower as uncertainty over the trajectory of global inflation and a deceleration in Chinese economic growth quelled investors’ appetite for EM assets. EMs also faced headwinds from expectations the US Federal Reserve would start raising rates to combat rising inflation. The Fed indeed hiked rates 0.25% in March—the first increase since the start of the pandemic in 2020—and primed the market for a subsequent 0.50% increase (which occurred in May). Meanwhile, monetary policy across EMs has been bifurcated. Most EM central banks in the Americas, Europe, and Africa have been ahead of the Fed in raising rates, and they continued to tighten further. Asian central banks, however, have been taking a less hawkish stance. China, notably, continued to ease monetary policy to stimulate economic growth.

EMs fell sharply starting in late February when Russia launched its deadly and destructive invasion of Ukraine. The reaction by Western governments was swift and emphatic, with the implementation of crippling economic sanctions against Russia. The sanctions initially led to a collapse in the ruble, while the Moscow stock exchange closed for almost a month before

 

re-opening for domestic investors only. With foreign investors effectively unable to trade, major market index providers expunged all Russian securities from their indexes.

As a result of the uncertainty around the war, European stocks with material businesses in, or trade linkages to, Russia or Ukraine sold off, as well as stocks in markets closest to the conflict. However, markets across Latin America and the Middle East, as well as South Africa, benefited from the sharp rise in energy and commodity prices caused by the conflict. Crude prices nearly reached US$135 before settling above US$100 as OPEC eschewed requests to increase production; grain prices spiked, as did Russian-sourced metals like palladium and nickel.

As war broke out in Europe, China’s economy continued to falter due to a confluence of several factors, including the country’s worst COVID-19 outbreak and continued weakening of the property sector. The government’s zero-COVID policy meant the rising case count in Shanghai and other major cities led to large-scale lockdowns and strict containment measures in key commercial areas. As a result, the nascent recovery in China’s services sector has been stymied, and factories have been temporarily shuttered, exacerbating global supply chain issues. Vice Premier Liu He sent out some positive signals, however, reaffirming the government’s focus on solving the crisis in the beleaguered real estate sector and supporting economic growth and capital markets ahead of the National Party Congress in October.

 

 

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Performance (% Total Return)

 

     For periods ended March 31, 2022      For periods ended April 30, 2022
   
      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since Inception*      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since Inception*
   

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio – Inst. Class

     -13.38        3.02        5.17        7.20        -21.08        -0.84        2.91      5.37
   

MSCI Emerging + Frontier Markets Index

     -11.17        4.95        5.95        8.12        -18.15        2.29        4.31      6.86

Returns are annualized for periods greater than 1 year. *Inception date: December 19, 2016.

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Portfolio may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 435-8105 or visiting hardingloevnerfunds.com.

 

The high-growth sectors Consumer Discretionary and Health Care, were the worst performers in the trailing six months. Despite elevated oil and gas prices, Energy was also weak, dragged down by the vaporization of all value in Russian energy stocks, even as other energy stocks were among the top-performing. Financials outperformed as banks and stock exchanges in commodity-exporting countries rallied due to the boon to fiscal accounts and the outlook for economic growth. The rising interest rate environment is also beneficial for most EM banks, helping boost net interest margins and earnings growth.

The style preference in EMs trended toward value stocks and away from growth stocks trading at higher multiples, a consequence of the shift to higher interest rates in the US and many EMs.

Performance Attribution

The Portfolio’s heavy absolute loss and underperformance were primarily due to our direct holdings in Russia: Lukoil and Novatek in Energy, Sberbank in Financials, and Yandex in Communication Services. We began the fiscal year overweight Russia by 200 basis points (bps). As the invasion of Ukraine unfolded, we marked the value of our Russian positions, which had stood at nearly 5.0% of the Portfolio at the end of January, down to zero on March 7, the point at which these US- and UK-listed shares became untradeable because of Western sanctions and actions taken by stock exchanges and brokers to avoid any possibility of entanglement. The losses in Russia accounted for about 200 bps—over half—of our total underperformance.

Beyond Russia, the notable detractors from relative returns were weak stock selection in South Korea, Taiwan, and Brazil, where growth stocks generally lagged. In South Korea, shares of game producer NCSOFT fell as an industry-wide increase in labor costs and higher marketing spend to support new game launches hurt operating margins. Near term revenue growth expectations were also pushed out as the company announced delays in the release of new games. Taiwan-listed power-management chip designer Silergy underperformed on concerns that chip-manufacturing capacity constraints could increase the company’s costs as well as worries that semiconductor demand had peaked. In Brazil, higher interest rates dampened consumer purchasing, hurting the omnichannel (online and offline) retailer

Magazine Luiza whose prolific sales growth during the e-commerce boom of 2020 set a challenging reference for near-term comparisons. The Portfolio’s large overweight in commodity-exporting countries in Latin America, especially Brazil and Mexico, was helpful this period.

By sector, the wipe out of our Russian and Russia-related holdings appeared as severe negative stock selection across Energy (Novatek and Lukoil), Communication Services (Yandex), and Financials (Sberbank). In Financials, the heavy drag from Sberbank was partly counterbalanced by strong contributions from companies in countries that have benefited from rising commodity prices, including Brazil’s Itaú Unibanco, Peru’s Credicorp, and Mexico’s GF Banorte.

We outperformed the Index in Consumer Discretionary, where Indonesian automobile company Astra International reported stronger earnings, helped by a recovery in Indonesia’s economy due to rising commodity prices. The Portfolio’s avoidance of some expensively valued Chinese e-commerce and electric-vehicle companies was also helpful.

Perspective and Outlook

We made our Russian investments based on a favorable fundamental view of the four companies: Lukoil and Novatek, both prominent players in the global oil and gas sector; Yandex, Russia’s dominant search engine with expansive growth businesses in ride-hailing, e-commerce, and autonomous mobility; and Sberbank, Russia’s leading banking franchise. Each was a high-quality business with good long-term growth prospects, and each had navigated hazardous economic conditions while cementing their dominant competitive position.

We deeply regret the capital losses suffered by our clients with respect to our Russian investments, which resulted, not from the invasion per se, but as collateral damage from the sanctions heaped upon Russia by the US and its allies. We have a structured, deliberative process designed to defend against behavioral flaws we exhibit as human beings, such as over-confidence and action bias. We refrain from making decisions based upon forecasts of macroeconomic or geopolitical events, where we have little faith in the reliability of such forecasts, ours or those of others. Could one have foreseen this particular set of

 

 

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outcomes, including Russia’s military advance, the unparalleled scope, speed, and unanimity of Western sanctions, and the market disorder that immediately followed? Yes, in theory, but only in hindsight is the chain of causality and the outcome clearly visible. In forecasting, one must consider various possible outcomes and their associated probabilities—wherein, by definition, black swans must be discounted as highly unlikely and accorded little weight. We continue to reflect on whether we could have made better decisions with respect to these investments in the run-up to the invasion, on its eve, and in the very brief period after the attack until trading venues closed. Taking into consideration the information available at each point in time, including the predictions of geopolitical experts and the available market prices (which fell sharply at the outbreak of war), we have yet to identify clear oversights or lapses in judgement.

We continue to believe staying true to the decision-making discipline we have formalized in our investment process will produce over time the best overall result for our clients, even though it will not lead to the best outcome in every instance—as recent events have demonstrated.

The EM landscape is currently fogged by an exceptional confluence of risks: armed conflict, inflation, rising interest rates, volatile commodity prices, and concerns about food and energy security. These risks could lead to changes in the pattern of global trade that would present challenges and opportunities to the businesses we examine. Increased confrontation among the world’s economic powers and a deepening focus on local priorities would erode many of the efficiencies conferred by established global networks, whether they be cost-efficient supply chains, open financial platforms, or telecommunications. Uncoupling would materially reduce growth in the world’s economic output by increasing input costs and introducing operational frictions. But however ruinous overall, such an environment wouldn’t be bad for all companies. Those companies that can develop innovative products or services and then find smart ways to mitigate the potential risks of a less-globalized economy would have a comparative advantage.

One example among our Portfolio companies is Discovery Holdings (Discovery), one of South Africa’s leading providers of life and health insurance, which has found a creative way to grow globally without having to actually set up shop in other markets. The company was founded thirty years ago as a specialist life insurer; its major innovation was the development of what is referred to as the “shared values” model of insurance. The idea is to apply behavioral economic principles to benefit both the customer and Discovery, encouraging actions that lead to better health for the former and lower claims costs for the latter. For instance, Discovery offers members a subsidized gym membership that costs less the more they visit. The benefits to Discovery are clear: if you can find ways to get your customers to be physically active and eat well, they live longer and healthier lives, and claims costs decrease. Discovery has expanded this behavioral model

beyond life and health insurance to its auto insurance and investment management businesses, and it is now three years into developing a digital bank in its domestic market.

The potential market for Discovery’s shared-value products stretches far beyond South Africa, as health care and pension costs are rising around the world due to aging populations and growth in the upper-middle class in emerging market countries. But other than its life and health business in the UK, Discovery has not directly expanded into other markets. Instead, it has relied on a series of joint ventures and partnerships where it is not responsible for the sale or administration of policies, but rather supplies technology to enable the same behavioral model to be employed under other insurers’ brands.

This partnership approach not only has the benefit of lower capital requirements for Discovery but also achieves geographic diversification and access to fast-growing markets such as China where the penetration of life and health insurance remains low.

Portfolio Positioning (% Weight) at April 30, 2022

 

Sector    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Comm Services

     6.7      10.3

Cons Discretionary

     15.9      12.6

Cons Staples

     11.2      6.0

Energy

     2.9      5.0

Financials

     21.1      22.4

Health Care

     7.4      3.8

Industrials

     10.6      5.5

Info Technology

     14.5      20.2

Materials

     4.7      9.2

Real Estate

     2.6      2.3

Utilities

     0.8      2.7

Cash

     1.6     
Geography    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Brazil

     9.6      5.2

China + Hong Kong2

     30.7      30.2

India

     8.5      13.5

Mexico

     2.6      2.2

Russia

     0.0     

South Africa

     1.0      3.7

South Korea

     8.5      12.3

Taiwan

     11.4      15.2

Small Emerging Markets3

     18.8      16.4

Frontier Markets4

     7.3      1.3

Cash

     1.6     

1MSCI Emerging + Frontier Markets Index; 2The Emerging Markets Research Portfolio’s end weight in China at April 30, 2022 is 30.7% and Hong Kong is 0.0%. The Benchmark does not include Hong Kong; 3Includes the remaining emerging markets which, individually, comprise less than 5% of the Index. 4Includes countries with less-developed markets outside the Index.

 

 

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Portfolio Highlights

The holdings in the Portfolio are directly determined from the universe of companies that are our analysts have rated buy. We ended the period with 126 holdings. The Portfolio’s profile changed significantly over the six-month period largely due to the write-down of our Russian holdings and the outsized returns of stocks benefiting from commodity price inflation. The latter caused our absolute weight in Latin America to increase 200 bps; we now have nearly twice as much in this region as the Index.

By sector, the principal change was the sharp drop in our Energy weight due to Lukoil and Novatek. The Portfolio is now over 300 bps underweight to Energy. The Portfolio’s Financials weight also fell due to Russia’s Sberbank as well as the sale of numerous bank holdings in response to analysts’ downgrades following a surge in the share prices for various banks in commodity-producing countries, including Mexico’s GF Banorte, Brazil’s Itaú Unibanco, and Banco Santander Chile. Meanwhile, we increased the Portfolio’s exposure to Health Care and Industrials wherever share prices led to more attractive entry points; the Portfolio’s weight in each sector rose about 200 basis points.

In Health Care, our new purchases included Thailand’s Bumrungrad Hospital (BH), which operates a high-end private hospital in Bangkok. The company’s competitive advantages include a strong reputation for meeting the highest global standards for care. BH’s growth should be supported by Thailand’s aging population, Thailand’s doctor shortage (which limits the number of new hospitals) and comparatively low-quality of the public hospital system, as well the increase in health care spending as incomes in the country rise. In Industrials, many of our new holdings are in China. The analyst of express delivery company ZTO Express upgraded the shares based on the company’s increasing focus on expanding margins (rather than increasing volumes) by keeping pricing stable and identifying cost savings. The analyst believed the shares were reasonably priced given the potential for ZTO Express to achieve stronger earnings growth over the next several years.

Our analysts’ recommendations also led us to increase the Portfolio’s exposure to companies engaged in various alternative energy businesses. New holding CATL, for example, is China’s dominant producer of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). CATL’s ability to scale its production has been increasing, and the company’s proximity to China’s deep, local supply chain provides a significant cost advantage to global rivals. The analysts expects that the acceleration in EV adoption will continue to propel the company’s capacity expansion—and, in turn, overall growth—over the next several years. Also in China, we purchased StarPower, the largest Chinese maker of power modules for managing energy distribution in industrial robots, home appliances, and, increasingly, electric vehicles and solar power inverters. It is a frontrunner among its Chinese peers in silicon carbide technology, a more energy-efficient future replacement for the IGBTs (insulated-gate bipolar transistors) that have long been the core output-switch technology used in high-voltage, high-current

Top Ten Holdings by Weight at April 30, 2022

 

Company   Sector   Market   %

Hero Motocorp

  Cons Discretionary   India   2.1

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group

  Health Care   China   2.0

Hon Hai Precision

  Info Technology   Taiwan   2.0

FEMSA

  Cons Staples   Mexico   1.9

TSMC

  Info Technology   Taiwan   1.9

NCSoft

  Comm Services   South Korea   1.9

AirTAC

  Industrials   Taiwan   1.8

Ping An Insurance

  Financials   China   1.8

Naver

  Comm Services   South Korea   1.8

Localiza

  Industrials   Brazil   1.8

applications. Our analyst expects the company to gain share from its developed-market competitors by offering lower prices in combination with customized service provided by its China-based engineering staff.

 

Please read the separate disclosures page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

 

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Chinese Equity Portfolio

 

   

Institutional Investors: HLMCX

 

   
         

 

Portfolio Management Team

LOGO

Pradipta Chakrabortty

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Wenting Shen, CFA

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Jingyi Li

Portfolio Manager

Fund Facts at April 30, 2022

Total Net Assets

   $3.7M

Sales Charge

   None

Number of Holdings

   45

Turnover (5 Yr. Avg.)

  

Dividend Policy

   Annual
 
     Institutional Investors
 

Ticker

   HLMCX
 

CUSIP

   412295685
 

Inception Date

   12/16/2020
 

Minimum Investment1

   $100,000
 

Net Expense Ratio2

   1.15%3
 

Gross Expense Ratio2

   6.98%

1Lower minimums available through certain brokerage firms; 2The Gross and Net Expense Ratios are as of the most recent Prospectus and have been restated to reflect current fees; 3The Net Expense Ratio is shown net of Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement through February 28, 2023. Harding Loevner’s contractual agreement caps the net expense ratio at 1.15%. The Net Expense Ratio is applicable to investors.

 

 

Performance Summary

The Chinese Equity Portfolio Institutional Class fell 29.91% (net of fees and expenses). The Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI China All Shares Index, fell 23.79% (net of source taxes).

Market Review

Chinese equities fell sharply in the first half of the fiscal year as new COVID-19 outbreaks and a long-simmering spat with US securities regulators were accompanied by the spike in geopolitical tensions resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The invasion triggered strong, rapid, and coordinated sanctions against Russia by Western governments and US allies in Asia and the Pacific Region, one of the largest refugee crises in recent memory, and the threat of an expanded war in Europe. Global oil and commodity prices skyrocketed, leading to outperformance of energy and material companies in China, as in other stock markets.

The most pressing domestic issue in China during the quarter was COVID-19 outbreaks, the worst since the start of the pandemic. The rising case count prompted lockdowns in several major Chinese cities, including Shenzhen, creating chokepoints in supply chains. In late March, an expansion of testing revealed many thousands of (mostly asymptomatic) cases of the Omicron variant in Shanghai, China’s business and finance hub, which until then had been spared the containment measures periodically imposed on other cities under China’s zero-COVID policy. Within hours, the city’s factories were shuttered and its entire population of 26 million was locked down, causing a scramble for groceries and testing kits.

Concerns mounted over the effect that new lockdowns will have on economic growth. Companies in the consumer industry saw significant drops in nationwide sales volumes in March, between 20–50% year-over-year. The government continues to assert that its zero-COVID policy is the only way to flatten the curve until more of the still-reluctant elderly population can be persuaded to get jabbed. But there is vigorous debate within Chinese society over the logic of the approach.

The future of overseas listings of Chinese securities also remained a focal point as US regulators continued their march toward delisting Chinese companies refusing to provide audit transparency. A number of Chinese companies whose audit reports do not comply with existing US audit standards were officially designated for delisting as early as 2023, sending the share prices of major US-listed Chinese companies (both their US-listed securities and Hong Kong-traded counterparts) into free fall, with some stocks down as much as 25% overnight on the news. Within our Chinese Equity Portfolio, we do not hold any US-listed shares, though we hold Hong Kong-listed shares of several Chinese companies that are also listed in the US as ADRs and, as a result, could be more volatile as the issue evolves.

Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine in late February, Chinese market sentiment has also deteriorated over concerns that China might extend Russia military aid or sanction workarounds that could invite US retaliation. Despite China’s assertion of a

 

 

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Performance (% Total Return)

 

     For periods ended March 31, 2022      For periods ended April 30, 2022
   
      Calendar YTD      1 Year      Since Inception*      Calendar YTD      1 Year      Since Inception*
   

Chinese Equity Portfolio – Inst. Class

     -20.34        -32.26        -23.59        -26.10        -38.80      -26.49
   

MSCI China All Shares Index

     -14.26        -24.20        -18.31        -19.64        -30.55      -21.13

Returns are annualized for periods greater than 1 year. *Inception date: December 16, 2020.

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Portfolio may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 435-8105 or visiting hardingloevnerfunds.com.

 

“no limits” partnership with Russia prior to the invasion, given the magnitude of China’s annual trade with the West (at US$1.4 trillion annually, dwarfing its trade with Russia) and the other many challenges it currently faces at home, we think it unlikely that China will pursue actions that would provoke a serious Western response.

On another positive note, we expect China to continue to carry through with pro-growth policies first sketched out at the end of last year, perhaps even faster now. In a rare gesture of comfort to the markets, Vice Premier Liu He reaffirmed the government’s focus on solving the crisis in the beleaguered property sector, implementing (as opposed to expanding on) existing regulation of big technology platforms, and supporting economic growth and capital markets ahead of the 20th Party Congress scheduled for the fall. He also cited a willingness to work with US regulators on a framework that would be acceptable to both sides to head off delisting of US-listed Chinese stocks, which prompted them to rally.

Performance Attribution

One significant cause of the Portfolio’s underperformance was what we did not hold. We had no direct exposure to banks, which performed well as the scale of the government’s credit easing and other pro-growth policies became clear. Most Chinese banks, largely state-owned, do not meet our threshold for quality and growth, especially during the current real estate deleveraging cycle. The Portfolio also did not hold Energy companies in a period of sharply rising commodity prices.

In addition, stock selection was negative in Information Technology (IT), Real Estate, and Industrials. In IT, shares of power-management chip designer Silergy fell on concerns that chip-manufacturing capacity constraints could increase the company’s costs as well as worries that semiconductor demand had peaked. Software company Sangfor saw lower or delayed demand amid a domestic business downcycle. In Real Estate, we are overweight versus the Index in Country Garden Services, a property management company that suffered amid the general slowdown in the property sector.

We outperformed in Consumer Discretionary, where in this case what we did not hold was actually helpful. We avoided lossmaking, earlier-stage companies such as electric vehicle (EV) makers NIO and XPeng that corrected sharply in the risk-off environment. Similarly, relative returns in Communication Services were helped by our lower exposure to internet and e-commerce companies.

Style headwinds were acute in the six-month period. The MSCI China Growth Index underperformed the MSCI China Value Index by around 1,300 basis points (-31% vs. -18% respectively). While stocks of companies of average quality outperformed those of the highest- and lowest-quality companies, the spread in performance between expensive and inexpensive stocks—3,300 basis points in favor of cheap stocks—was extreme.

Perspective and Outlook

After several decades in which greater openness and interconnectedness led to China’s emergence on the global stage, the last few years have seen the pendulum swing in the opposite direction. Since 2016, coinciding with the beginning of the Trump administration, China has experienced rising tension with the US and other nations over trade, access to advanced technology, and its geo-political ambitions. In 2019, President Xi Jinping began to emphasize the concept of “dual circulation,” whereby China aims to expand domestic consumption as an outlet for expanded local production and as a way to backfill areas of domestic production formerly reliant on overseas suppliers, all while remaining open to international trade and investment.

Chinese policymakers see the upgrading of local brands and industries as critical to achieving their broad social and political goals. However, they also need to ensure the private sector remains vital and continues to innovate and flourish so long-term economic growth is sustained—a challenge that tripped up other large emerging economies, like Brazil and India, when they pursued a path of “import substitution” in the post-war period.

 

 

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To that end, in June 2021, six Chinese ministries jointly issued guidelines aiming to develop 10,000 “little giants”—small- and mid-sized enterprises with differentiated core technologies, strong innovative capacity, and the potential for high global market share in their niches. An apt historical analogy to this aspect of the localization trend might be Germany’s “hidden champions,” a term that first appeared in a German scientific management journal in 1990 describing the small- and mid-sized leaders in specialized global markets that are the country’s economic backbone even today.2 Based on Chinese government reports and our own research, close to 5,000 enterprises are in line for government subsidies and favorable financing under the little giants program. Notably, 340 of these firms are listed on the A-share market and thus accessible to foreign investors, representing a combined market cap of RMB 3.35 trillion (US$520 billion), about 4% of the A-share market’s total.

The government’s support for the little giants dovetails with President Xi’s self-sufficiency agenda. Although China is a large manufacturing country, core parts of its production chains—including semiconductors, software, and key equipment—still rely on imports. For fundamental investors like us, understanding the details of the localization campaign is key to identifying companies that are best positioned to capture a greater share of the potential future demand growth for locally developed and manufactured Chinese goods and services.

To be able to rely on domestic sources of supply, a manufacturer must have access to breadth and depth. Breadth provides a complete domestic supply chain while depth ensures healthy competition among suppliers that stimulates innovation, cost efficiency, and price competitiveness. One area where China has already made tremendous strides on both vectors—and, not coincidentally, has grabbed increasing global market share—is EV manufacturing. Sanhua Intelligent Controls, the global leader in thermal controls, is a participant in the EV industry’s success. Sanhua started in the 1980s as a low-cost maker of specialty pumps and valves for home appliances. Over time, management realized these components had profitable applications in cars, especially EVs, which require precise and efficient temperature management. The company was also influenced by the government’s early emphasis on the domestic promotion of EVs, including sales credits issued through automakers to the consumer, and “dual” manufacturing credits in which automakers not only received incentive payments if they achieved their EV quotas but were fined if they didn’t. Starting about ten years ago, Sanhua repurposed a significant portion of its manufacturing capacity toward producing components for domestic-branded EV manufacturers such as BYD, NIO, and XPeng. In 2017, Sanhua became the first Chinese company to win an industry

 

 

2Of the Fortune 500 companies, 27 are German. However, German firms comprise 48% of global small market cap leaders.

innovation benchmark, the Automotive News PACE Award, for one of its core products: an expansion valve that depressurizes and cools refrigerant.

Like almost all companies in China, Sanhua halted production in January 2020 during the country’s first wave of COVID-19 but reopened within weeks. As one of only a few producers of thermal management parts globally, it was able to win more orders from another growing company: Tesla. Less than two years later, Tesla is Sanhua’s largest customer and Sanhua is Tesla’s exclusive supplier of core thermal management parts. Sanhua also has a position in the supply chain of almost every major EV producer, including Volkswagen, Daimler, Volvo, and General Motors. From its past as the type of company now identified as a “little giant,” Sanhua has become the dominant global supplier in its niche.

Portfolio Highlights

Our experience of investing in China for the last 25 years has taught us that periods of severe market volatility also unveil good long-term investment opportunities. We have stayed disciplined in our investment process and, as the Chinese market declined over the last six months, we have taken the opportunity to make some Portfolio adjustments, including adding to companies that will likely benefit from trends such as increased localization and other longer-term government priorities. We have funded these purchases by trimming or selling some positions where a combination of increasing competition and adverse regulatory

Portfolio Positioning (% Weight) at April 30, 2022

 

Sector    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Comm Services

     9.0      11.5

Cons Discretionary

     23.8      19.7

Cons Staples

     8.1      10.0

Energy

     0.0      2.5

Financials

     6.1      17.3

Health Care

     12.9      7.3

Industrials

     21.6      9.4

Info Technology

     13.1      8.7

Materials

     0.0      7.1

Real Estate

     1.6      3.6

Utilities

     2.0      2.9

Cash

     1.8     
Geography    Portfolio      Benchmark1

Mainland China + Hong Kong

     92.3      100.0

Other Emerging Markets

     5.9     

Cash

     1.8     

1MSCI China All Shares Index.

 

 

  38     


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trends due to misalignment with current government priorities have led us to lower our earnings-growth expectations for the companies.

One area where we made new investments is China’s energy transition away from fossil fuels. We own a number of companies connected to EV manufacturing, for instance. Only 17% of China’s adult population owns a car, and rising incomes are pushing this rate higher—while government incentives and the availability of sleek new EV models are shortening the replacement cycle and pulling forward first-time buyers. But investing in the EV super cycle is difficult. The industry is highly fragmented and very competitive. Despite the industry’s strong revenue growth outlook, we haven’t yet found attractive investment candidates among EV makers, as none are profitable yet or otherwise meet our business quality criteria.

As in the case of Sanhua, however, we are drawn to component suppliers upstream, where the markets are more concentrated and participants benefit from significant economies of scale and strong competitive positions in their niches. Beyond Sanhua, our holdings include Inovance, which makes inverters both for EVs and for the robots that make the EVs; Fuyao Glass, which supplies windows and panoramic sunroofs; CATL, a leading global manufacturer of EV batteries; and Haitian International, which supplies the high-precision injection molding machines used in different parts of the EV manufacturing process.

Another recent purchase connected to China’s energy transition is LONGi, the world’s largest manufacturer of polysilicon wafers, an essential component in solar panels. LONGi first established its leadership a decade ago by making a key early bet on monocrystalline (“mono”) wafers. At the time, the technology was more expensive to produce than the multicrystalline (“multi”) wafer technology that dominated the market, even though multi was less efficient at converting sunlight to electricity. LONGi believed (correctly, as it turned out) that with enough investment in research and development it could learn to make mono wafers that would be cheaper than multi. Since then, LONGi has set multiple world records in the conversion efficiency of solar cells and continues to invest aggressively in new technologies, especially the heterojunction techniques (essentially applying multiple types of conductive layers to both sides of a solar cell) that are expected to dominate the market over the next decade.

Our sales in this period included Ping An Insurance, whose restructuring of its agent workforce has proven to be a significant headwind for growth, adding to our concerns about balance sheet weakness from its exposure (through Ping An Bank and investments by its life insurance funds) to China’s beleaguered property sector. We also exited our position in Shanghai International Airport as the virus resurgences and ongoing zero-COVID policy have pushed chances of a recovery in international travel even further into the future.

Ten Largest Holdings by Weight at April 30, 2022

 

Company    Sector    Market    %

Tencent

   Comm Services    Mainland China    5.3

Alibaba

   Cons Discretionary    Mainland China    3.7

AIA Group

   Financials    Hong Kong    3.7

WuXi AppTec

   Health Care    Mainland China    3.6

AirTAC

   Industrials    Taiwan    3.5

JD.com

   Cons Discretionary    Mainland China    3.4

China Tourism Group Duty Free

   Cons Discretionary    Mainland China    3.2

WuXi Biologics

   Health Care    Mainland China    3.1

Haitian International

   Industrials    Mainland China    3.0

Shenzhou International

   Cons Discretionary    Mainland China    3.0

We conclude with a note about our portfolio management team. At the start of 2022, our Chinese Equity Portfolio migrated to a co-lead portfolio manager structure (in line with other Harding Loevner strategies), with the promotion of Wenting Shen, CFA, to co-lead. Shen has served as a “paper” (supporting) portfolio manager on the strategy since its launch. The change has not resulted in any material alteration of the Portfolio’s quality and growth characteristics or its risk profile.

 

Please read the separate disclosures page for important information, including the risks of investing in the Portfolio.

 

 

   39   


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Disclosures

 

The Portfolios invest in foreign securities, which will involve greater volatility and political, economic, and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. They also invest in emerging markets, which involve unique risks, such as exposure to economies less diverse and mature than the US or other more established foreign markets. Economic and political instability may cause larger price changes in emerging markets securities than other foreign securities.

Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility.

Diversification does not guarantee a profit or prevent a loss in a declining market.

Long-term earnings growth and earnings per share growth are not a forecast of the Portfolios’ future performance.

The value of securities may fluctuate in response to various factors including, but not limited to, public health risks; these may be magnified if conditions and events adversely impact the global economy.

Companies held in the Portfolios at the end of the fiscal year appear in bold type; only the first reference to a particular holding appears in bold. The Portfolios are actively managed; therefore holdings shown may not be current. Portfolio holdings and top ten holdings should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Please refer to the Portfolios of Investments in this report for complete Portfolio holdings. Current and future Portfolio holdings are subject to risk.

While the Portfolios have no sales charge, management fees and other expenses still apply. Please see the Prospectus for further details.

Sector & Geographic Positioning data is sourced from: Northern Trust, Harding Loevner Funds Portfolios, and MSCI Barra.

Expense Ratios: Differences may exist between the commentary data and similar information reported in the financial statements due to timing differences. Unless otherwise stated, the expense ratios presented are shown as of the most recent Prospectus date, February 28, 2022.

Five year average turnover data is calculated using a simple average of annual turnover figures for the past five fiscal years. These annual turnover figures utilize purchase, sales, and market value data which is not reflective of adjustments required pursuant to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Accordingly, differences may exist between this data and similar information reported in the financial statements.

Quasar Distributors, LLC, Distributor.

Index Definitions

The MSCI All Country World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global developed and emerging markets. The Index consists of 47 developed and emerging market countries. Net dividends reinvested.

The MSCI All Country World ex-US Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global developed and emerging markets, excluding the US. The Index consists of 46 developed and emerging market countries. Net dividends reinvested.

The MSCI All Country World ex-US Small Cap Index is a free-float market capitalization index that is designed to measure small cap developed and emerging market equity performance. The Index consists of 46 developed and emerging market countries, and is comprised of companies that fall within a market capitalization range of USD 56-10,590 million (as of March 31, 2022).

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. The Index consists of 24 emerging market countries. Net dividends reinvested.

The MSCI China All Shares Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to reflect an opportunity set capturing large and mid-cap China share classes listed in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and outside of China.

The MSCI Emerging + Frontier Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets and frontier markets. The Index consists of 25 emerging markets countries and 28 frontier markets countries. Net dividends reinvested.

The MSCI Frontier Emerging Markets index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure equity market performance in all countries from the MSCI Frontier Markets Index and the lower size spectrum of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The Index consists of 28 frontier markets and 4 emerging markets. Net dividends reinvested.

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index commonly used to measure performance of US stocks.

You cannot invest directly in these Indexes.

Term Definitions

Basis Points are a common measurement used chiefly for interest rates and other percentages in finance. A basis point is one hundredth of one percent.

Dividend Yield is the annual dividends per share divided by current price per share, expressed as a percent.

Economies of Scale is the cost advantage that arises with increased output of a product.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period (usually calculated on an annual basis).

Market Capitalization is the total dollar market value of all of a company’s outstanding shares.

Return on Capital (ROC) is a calculation used to assess a company’s efficiency at allocating the capital under its control to profitable investments.

Tracking Error is a measure of how closely a portfolio follows the index to which it is benchmarked.

Turnover is calculated by dividing the lesser of Purchases or Sales by Average Capital.

 

 

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Table of Contents
LOGO        

 

Global Equity Portfolio

 

International Equity Portfolio

 

International Small Companies Portfolio

 

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio

 

Emerging Markets Portfolio

 

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

 

Global Equity Research Portfolio

 

International Equity Research Portfolio

 

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

 

Chinese Equity Portfolio


Table of Contents

 

 

 

This page is intentionally left blank

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

Expense Example

     2  

Portfolio of Investments

     4  

Global Equity Portfolio

     4  

International Equity Portfolio

     7  

International Small Companies Portfolio

     10  

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio

     13  

Emerging Markets Portfolio

     16  

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

     19  

Global Equity Research Portfolio

     22  

International Equity Research Portfolio

     30  

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

     36  

Chinese Equity Portfolio

     41  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     43  

Statements of Operations

     46  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     48  

Financial Highlights

     52  

Notes to Financial Statements

     70  

Liquidity Risk Management Program

     83  

Supplemental Information

     84  

Directors and Principal Officers

     85  

 

For use only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Expense Example

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of a Harding Loevner Portfolio, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees; to the extent applicable, distribution (12b-1) fees and/or shareholder services fees; and other fund expenses. The following examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in a Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of a six month period and held through the period ended April 30, 2022.

Actual Expenses

The first line under each Portfolio in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for your Portfolio under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line under each Portfolio in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Portfolio 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. Therefore, the second line under each Portfolio in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

 

Portfolio   

Beginning

Account Value

November 1,

2021

    

Ending

Account Value

April 30, 2022

    

Annualized

Expense Ratio

   

Expenses Paid

During Period*

(November 1,

2021 to April 30,

2022)

 

Global Equity Portfolio — Institutional Class

 

Actual

   $       1,000.00      $ 760.50        0.84   $       3.67  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00              1,020.63        0.84       4.21  

Global Equity Portfolio — Institutional Class Z

 

Actual

     1,000.00        760.60        0.79       3.45  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,020.88        0.79       3.96  

Global Equity Portfolio — Advisor Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        759.70        1.04       4.54  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,019.64        1.04       5.21  

International Equity Portfolio — Institutional Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        825.40        0.79       3.58  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,020.88        0.79       3.96  

International Equity Portfolio — Institutional Class Z

 

Actual

     1,000.00        825.80        0.70       3.17  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,021.32        0.70       3.51  

International Equity Portfolio — Investor Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        824.20        1.09       4.93  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,019.39        1.09       5.46  

International Small Companies Portfolio — Institutional Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        784.50        1.10       4.87  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,019.34        1.10       5.51  

* Expenses are calculated using each Portfolio’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (181 days), and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days).

 

2


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Expense Example (continued)

 

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

Portfolio   

Beginning

Account Value

November 1,

2021

    

Ending

Account Value

April 30, 2022

    

Annualized

Expense Ratio

   

Expenses Paid

During Period*

(November 1,

2021 to April 30,

2022)

 

International Small Companies Portfolio — Investor Class

 

Actual

   $       1,000.00      $ 783.10        1.40   $       6.19  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00              1,017.85        1.40       7.00  

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio — Institutional Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        730.60        1.10       4.72  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,019.34        1.10       5.51  

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio — Institutional Class Z

 

Actual

     1,000.00        731.10        1.00       4.29  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,019.84        1.00       5.01  

Emerging Markets Portfolio — Advisor Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        730.40        1.18       5.06  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,018.94        1.18       5.91  

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio — Institutional Class I

 

Actual

     1,000.00        874.60        1.61       7.48  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,016.81        1.61       8.05  

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio — Institutional Class II

 

Actual

     1,000.00        875.10        1.35       6.28  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,018.10        1.35       6.76  

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio — Investor Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        873.10        2.00       9.29  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,014.88        2.00       9.99  

Global Equity Research Portfolio — Institutional Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        827.10        0.80       3.62  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,020.83        0.80       4.01  

International Equity Research Portfolio — Institutional Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        813.40        0.75       3.37  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,021.08        0.75       3.76  

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio — Institutional Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        809.00        1.15       5.16  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,019.09        1.15       5.76  

Chinese Equity Portfolio — Institutional Class

 

Actual

     1,000.00        700.90        1.15       4.85  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00        1,019.09        1.15       5.76  

 

* Expenses are calculated using each Portfolio’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (181 days), and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days).

 

3


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.6%

     

Australia - 0.8%

     

Xero Ltd. (Software & Services)*†

     156,441        $10,259,691  

Brazil - 1.0%

     

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (Diversified Financials)

     4,773,900        12,842,539  

China - 5.4%

     

Country Garden Services Holdings Co., Ltd. (Real Estate)†

     3,846,000        16,196,855  

Sangfor Technologies Inc., Class A (Software & Services)†

     451,750        6,013,390  

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (Media & Entertainment)†

     284,600        13,349,271  

WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     1,057,301        16,125,360  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*^†

     2,358,000        17,111,742  
        68,796,618  

Denmark - 0.9%

     

Genmab A/S (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*†

     33,202        11,712,106  

France - 3.7%

     

L’Oreal SA (Household & Personal Products)†

     37,773        13,741,840  

Schneider Electric SE (Capital Goods)†

             232,606        33,128,686  
                46,870,526  

Germany - 0.6%

     

HelloFresh SE (Food & Staples Retailing)*†

     175,084        7,487,663  

Hong Kong - 1.1%

     

AIA Group Ltd. (Insurance)†

     1,449,605        14,162,519  

India - 1.2%

     

HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (Banks)

     274,710        15,166,739  

Indonesia - 1.6%

     

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT (Banks)†

     37,006,270        20,697,589  

Japan - 2.8%

     

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     307,500        9,228,339  

Keyence Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     29,900        12,063,345  

MISUMI Group Inc. (Capital Goods)†

     291,400        7,329,487  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.6% (continued)

 

  

Japan - 2.8% (continued)

     

Sysmex Corp. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     117,165        $7,588,391  
        36,209,562  

Netherlands - 2.3%

     

Adyen NV (Software & Services)*^†

     6,722        11,242,262  

ASML Holding NV, Reg S (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     31,451        17,731,130  
        28,973,392  

Poland - 0.7%

     

CD Projekt SA (Media & Entertainment)†

     329,264        8,899,627  

South Korea - 1.0%

     

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - GDR, Reg S (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     9,598        12,552,766  

Sweden - 4.2%

     

Atlas Copco AB, Class A (Capital Goods)†

     262,392        11,882,636  

Epiroc AB, Class A (Capital Goods)†

     727,808        14,801,442  

Hexagon AB, Class B (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     2,115,723        27,355,737  
        54,039,815  

Switzerland - 3.1%

     

Alcon Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)

     236,037        16,808,195  

Roche Holding AG, Genusschein (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     34,718        12,858,389  

VAT Group AG (Capital Goods)^†

     33,389        10,361,679  
        40,028,263  

Taiwan - 1.1%

     

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.,
Ltd. - Sponsored ADR (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     151,251        14,055,755  

United Kingdom - 1.7%

     

Abcam plc (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*†

             1,014,397                15,831,310  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc (Capital Goods)†

     43,081        6,515,729  
        22,347,039  

United States - 63.4%

     

Accenture plc, Class A (Software & Services)

     78,689        23,635,028  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

4


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value    

COMMON STOCKS - 96.6% (continued)

 

  

United States - 63.4% (continued)

     

Adobe Inc. (Software & Services)*

     41,236        $16,327,394  

Align Technology Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)*

     45,676        13,241,929  

Alphabet Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*

     20,227        46,161,857  

Amazon.com Inc. (Retailing)*

     12,036        29,917,043  

AMETEK Inc. (Capital Goods)

             169,049                21,344,127  

Apple Inc. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)

     120,801        19,044,278  

Applied Materials Inc. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     149,094        16,452,523  

Broadcom Inc. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     27,262        15,113,780  

CME Group Inc. (Diversified Financials)

     106,920        23,451,833  

CoStar Group Inc. (Commercial & Professional Services)*

     192,144        12,224,201  

Danaher Corp. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)

     61,952        15,558,006  

Deere & Co. (Capital Goods)

     95,884        36,201,004  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (Health Care Equipment & Services)*

     163,694        17,315,551  

Etsy Inc. (Retailing)*

     83,473        7,778,849  

First Republic Bank (Banks)

     260,673        38,897,625  

Illumina Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*

     87,787        26,042,014  

Intuitive Surgical Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)*

     53,366        12,770,484  

IQVIA Holdings Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*

     61,213        13,343,822  

Lululemon Athletica Inc. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)*

     44,394        15,743,444  

MercadoLibre Inc. (Retailing)*

     14,819        14,428,223  

Meta Platforms Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*

     145,624        29,193,243  

Microsoft Corp. (Software & Services)

     126,366        35,069,092  

Netflix Inc. (Media & Entertainment)*

     30,826        5,868,037  

NIKE Inc., Class B (Consumer Durables & Apparel)

     216,842        27,040,197  

NVIDIA Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     56,211        10,425,454  

PayPal Holdings Inc. (Software & Services)*

     102,700        9,030,411  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.6% (continued)

 

  

United States - 63.4% (continued)

     

Pinterest Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*

     567,584        $11,646,824  

Rockwell Automation Inc. (Capital Goods)

     74,198        18,747,609  

Salesforce Inc. (Software & Services)*

     66,059        11,622,420  

Schlumberger NV (Energy)

     407,578        15,899,618  

SVB Financial Group (Banks)*

     79,033        38,539,652  

Synopsys Inc. (Software & Services)*

     74,907        21,482,579  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)

     42,565        23,535,040  

Trade Desk Inc., Class A (Software & Services)*

     215,404        12,691,604  

Tradeweb Markets Inc., Class A (Diversified Financials)

     219,030        15,592,746  

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)

     67,779        34,469,010  

Verisk Analytics Inc. (Commercial & Professional Services)

     67,185        13,709,099  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*

             147,156                40,205,962  
        809,761,612  
   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $1,039,775,074)

 

     $1,234,863,821  
     

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 3.3%

 

  

Northern Institutional Funds - Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

     42,416,858        42,416,858  
   

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $42,416,858)

 

     $42,416,858  
     
     

Total Investments — 99.9%

                 
     

(Cost $1,082,191,932)

              $1,277,280,679  

Other Assets Less Liabilities - 0.1%

              984,641  
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

              $1,278,265,320  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

5


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Summary of Abbreviations

ADR   American Depositary Receipt
GDR   Global Depositary Receipt
Reg S   Security sold outside United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
*   Non-income producing security.
  Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
^   Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 3.0% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.

 

Industry   

Percentage of  

Net Assets  

 

Banks

     8.8

Capital Goods

     12.6  

Commercial & Professional Services

     2.1  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     3.3  

Diversified Financials

     4.0  

Energy

     1.3  

Food & Staples Retailing

     0.6  

Health Care Equipment & Services

     8.0  

Household & Personal Products

     1.1  

Insurance

     1.1  

Media & Entertainment

     9.0  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     15.7  

Real Estate

     1.3  

Retailing

     4.0  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     5.8  

Software & Services

     12.4  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     5.5  

Money Market Fund

     3.3  

Total Investments

     99.9  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

     0.1  

Net Assets

     100.0

    

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

6


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

International Equity Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value    

COMMON STOCKS - 95.8%

     

Australia - 3.2%

     

BHP Group Ltd. - Sponsored ADR (Materials)

     8,395,120        $562,305,138  

Brazil - 2.3%

     

Ambev SA - ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     76,232,243        221,835,827  

XP Inc., Class A (Diversified Financials)*

     7,315,157        180,026,014  
        401,861,841  

Canada - 2.6%

     

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (Food & Staples Retailing)

     5,695,200        253,538,698  

Canadian National Railway Co. (Transportation)

     1,829,975        215,241,659  
        468,780,357  

China - 9.0%

     

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

             239,908,000                244,301,080  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (Utilities)†

     17,920,300        238,241,042  

Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     73,781,688        283,407,304  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H (Insurance)†

     25,630,000        164,824,181  

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (Media & Entertainment)†

     11,061,800        518,857,938  

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     62,128,337        154,709,087  
        1,604,340,632  

Denmark - 1.1%

     

Novozymes A/S, Class B (Materials)†

     2,840,831        197,379,499  

France - 8.6%

     

Air Liquide SA (Materials)†

     1,156,522        199,665,409  

Dassault Systemes SE (Software & Services)†

     5,850,364        260,252,168  

L’Oreal SA (Household & Personal Products)†

     1,634,850        594,759,391  

Schneider Electric SE (Capital Goods)†

     3,350,324        477,166,684  
        1,531,843,652  

Germany - 7.9%

     

Allianz SE, Reg S (Insurance)†

     2,014,260        458,778,366  

Infineon Technologies AG (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     15,819,357        457,659,480  

SAP SE - Sponsored ADR (Software & Services)

     2,194,479        221,203,483  
     Shares      Value    

COMMON STOCKS - 95.8% (continued)

 

  

Germany - 7.9% (continued)

     

Symrise AG (Materials)†

     2,267,651        $271,137,922  
        1,408,779,251  

Hong Kong - 2.8%

     

AIA Group Ltd. (Insurance)†

     51,826,774        506,343,238  

India - 3.1%

     

HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (Banks)

     3,630,139        200,419,974  

ICICI Bank Ltd. - Sponsored ADR (Banks)

     18,320,752        348,827,118  
        549,247,092  

Indonesia - 1.7%

     

Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT (Telecommunication Services)†

     946,288,800        301,541,236  

Japan - 12.5%

     

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

             8,146,500                244,483,467  

Daifuku Co., Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     1,415,833        87,394,662  

FANUC Corp. (Capital Goods)†

     821,800        127,104,117  

Keyence Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     535,934        216,225,975  

Komatsu Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     9,999,500        224,328,786  

Kubota Corp. (Capital Goods)†

     15,761,800        268,454,078  

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd. (Retailing)†

     1,588,800        161,635,707  

Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     4,735,800        264,718,205  

Shiseido Co., Ltd. (Household & Personal Products)†

     4,200,600        197,956,255  

Sysmex Corp. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     2,899,207        187,772,086  

Unicharm Corp. (Household & Personal Products)†

     6,944,600        241,552,483  
        2,221,625,821  

Mexico - 1.8%

     

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV - Sponsored ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     4,217,547        315,219,463  

Netherlands - 1.9%

     

Adyen NV (Software & Services)*^†

     203,933        341,069,337  

Russia - 0.0%

     

LUKOIL PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Energy)‡

     4,279,605         

Yandex NV, Class A (Media & Entertainment)*‡

     2,609,766         
         
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

7


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

International Equity Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value    

COMMON STOCKS - 95.8% (continued)

 

  

Singapore - 3.0%

     

DBS Group Holdings Ltd. (Banks)†

     22,045,080        $533,957,811  

South Korea - 3.8%

     

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - GDR, Reg S (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     514,236        672,544,714  

Spain - 1.4%

     

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (Banks)†

     47,736,532        251,186,929  

Sweden - 7.3%

     

Alfa Laval AB (Capital Goods)†

     9,132,937        253,489,551  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A (Capital Goods)†

     12,086,236        547,335,054  

Epiroc AB, Class A (Capital Goods)†

     14,030,711        285,342,787  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A (Banks)†

             18,568,724                207,637,847  
        1,293,805,239  

Switzerland - 11.6%

     

Alcon Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)

     3,987,868        283,976,080  

Lonza Group AG, Reg S (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     639,577        375,493,142  

Nestle SA - Sponsored ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     3,297,478        424,187,570  

Roche Holding AG, Genusschein (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     1,575,228        583,411,922  

SGS SA, Reg S (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     60,299        154,848,697  

Sonova Holding AG, Reg S (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     692,423        249,312,160  
        2,071,229,571  

Taiwan - 2.5%

     

Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Co.,
Ltd. - Sponsored ADR (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     4,733,138        439,850,514  

United Kingdom - 6.4%

     

Diageo plc (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     4,975,689        246,570,701  

Rio Tinto plc (Materials)†

     5,582,067        395,946,413  

Shell plc (Energy)†

     12,882,319        348,674,393  

Standard Chartered plc (Banks)†

     21,688,014        148,576,816  
        1,139,768,323  
     Shares      Value    

COMMON STOCKS - 95.8% (continued)

 

  

United States - 1.3%

     

Linde plc (Materials)†

     750,012        $239,513,015  
   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $13,277,815,343)

 

     $17,052,192,673  
     

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 4.0%

 

  

Northern Institutional Funds - Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

             717,810,678                717,810,678  
   

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $717,810,678)

 

     $717,810,678  
     
     

Total Investments — 99.8%

                 
     

(Cost $13,995,626,021)

              $17,770,003,351  

Other Assets Less Liabilities - 0.2%

        35,728,270  
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

              $17,805,731,621  

Summary of Abbreviations

 

ADR   American Depositary Receipt
GDR   Global Depositary Receipt
Reg S   Security sold outside United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
*   Non-income producing security.
  Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
^   Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 1.9% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.
  Investment categorized as level 3 security that is effectively valued at zero. See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

8


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

International Equity Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Industry    Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Banks

     9.5

Capital Goods

     13.7  

Commercial & Professional Services

     0.8  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     1.6  

Diversified Financials

     1.0  

Energy

     2.0  

Food & Staples Retailing

     1.4  

Food Beverage & Tobacco

     6.9  

Health Care Equipment & Services

     4.0  

Household & Personal Products

     5.8  

Insurance

     6.3  

Materials

     10.4  

Media & Entertainment

     2.9  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     9.7  

Retailing

     0.9  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     5.1  

Software & Services

     4.6  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     5.0  

Telecommunication Services

     1.7  

Transportation

     1.2  

Utilities

     1.3  

Money Market Fund

     4.0  

Total Investments

     99.8  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

     0.2  

Net Assets

     100.0

    

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

9


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

International Small Companies Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.3%

     

Bangladesh - 0.9%

     

Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
(Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     1,765,295        $4,600,251  

Brazil - 2.0%

     

Localiza Rent a Car SA (Transportation)

     928,800        9,945,625  

Canada - 1.9%

     

Kinaxis Inc. (Software & Services)*

     84,400        9,339,745  

China - 3.6%

     

Haitian International Holdings Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

             3,310,000                8,177,273  

Hefei Meiya Optoelectronic Technology Inc., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     1,033,301        3,496,989  

TravelSky Technology Ltd.,
Class H (Software & Services)†

     2,238,000        3,350,291  

Yantai China Pet Foods Co., Ltd.,
Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     1,067,349        3,219,378  
        18,243,931  

Denmark - 0.4%

     

SimCorp A/S (Software & Services)†

     30,110        2,112,269  

Egypt - 1.7%

     

Edita Food Industries SAE (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     10,531,985        4,556,042  

Integrated Diagnostics Holdings plc (Health Care Equipment & Services)^†

     3,438,865        3,765,230  
        8,321,272  

Finland - 2.2%

     

Vaisala OYJ, Class A (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     233,526        10,818,123  

France - 4.8%

     

Alten SA (Software & Services)†

     94,937        12,715,233  

Rubis SCA (Utilities)†

     419,186        11,145,717  
        23,860,950  

Germany - 9.0%

     

Bechtle AG (Software & Services)†

     186,794        8,721,328  

FUCHS PETROLUB SE (Materials)†

     278,160        7,414,527  

KWS Saat SE & Co. KGaA (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     95,420        7,066,396  

Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology AG (Capital Goods)†

     24,230        4,326,682  

Scout24 SE (Media & Entertainment)^†

     47,409        3,024,910  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.3% (continued)

 

  

Germany - 9.0% (continued)

     

STRATEC SE (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     88,437        $10,060,604  

TeamViewer AG (Software & Services)*^†

     396,057        4,804,079  
        45,418,526  

Hong Kong - 0.5%

     

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     268,700        2,715,134  

India - 2.2%

     

Max Financial Services Ltd. (Insurance)*†

     701,825        6,905,099  

SH Kelkar & Co., Ltd. (Materials)^†

             2,049,441                4,113,248  
        11,018,347  

Indonesia - 2.5%

     

Prodia Widyahusada Tbk PT (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     2,000,000        951,735  

Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk PT (Telecommunication Services)†

     116,509,700        8,108,708  

Tower Bersama Infrastructure Tbk PT (Telecommunication Services)†

     16,537,000        3,427,850  
        12,488,293  

Israel - 2.0%

     

CyberArk Software Ltd. (Software & Services)*

     62,132        9,763,422  

Italy - 3.7%

     

Reply SpA (Software & Services)†

     126,706        18,590,733  

Japan - 11.4%

     

Ariake Japan Co., Ltd. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     158,600        6,352,894  

BML Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     127,900        3,289,313  

Cosmos Pharmaceutical Corp. (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     49,600        4,607,859  

Infomart Corp. (Software & Services)†

     837,100        4,201,839  

JCU Corp. (Materials)†

     184,100        4,693,086  

MISUMI Group Inc. (Capital Goods)†

     77,700        1,954,362  

Pigeon Corp. (Household & Personal Products)†

     232,700        3,943,186  

Rinnai Corp. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     39,100        2,477,202  

Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Household & Personal Products)†

     111,100        2,964,270  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

10


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

International Small Companies Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.3% (continued)

 

  

Japan - 11.4% (continued)

     

Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     559,300        $4,569,453  

SMS Co., Ltd. (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     324,300        7,487,723  

Solasto Corp. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     759,100        5,251,226  

Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)†

     324,900        5,593,419  
        57,385,832  

Kuwait - 0.5%

     

Mabanee Co. KPSC (Real Estate)†

     955,053        2,600,036  

Lithuania - 1.6%

     

Siauliu Bankas AB (Banks)†

             12,796,457                8,026,539  

Malaysia - 1.4%

     

Dialog Group Bhd. (Energy)†

     5,887,940        3,371,787  

TIME dotCom Bhd. (Telecommunication Services)†

     3,520,800        3,590,270  
        6,962,057  

Mexico - 2.4%

     

Grupo Herdez SAB de CV (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     1,984,638        2,977,954  

Megacable Holdings SAB de CV (Media & Entertainment)

     3,110,400        8,860,292  
        11,838,246  

Norway - 1.1%

     

Tomra Systems ASA (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     138,078        5,464,490  

Poland - 0.3%

     

CD Projekt SA (Media & Entertainment)†

     62,672        1,693,952  

Romania - 0.5%

     

Societatea Nationala de Gaze Naturale ROMGAZ SA (Energy)†

     259,247        2,471,914  

Saudi Arabia - 1.1%

     

Jarir Marketing Co. (Retailing)†

     112,133        5,735,382  

South Africa - 0.8%

     

Clicks Group Ltd. (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     97,345        1,916,623  

Discovery Ltd. (Insurance)*†

     225,592        2,166,921  
        4,083,544  

South Korea - 1.7%

     

Cheil Worldwide Inc. (Media & Entertainment)†

     431,885        8,631,833  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.3% (continued)

     

Spain - 2.0%

     

Bankinter SA (Banks)†

     707,168        $4,175,742  

Linea Directa Aseguradora SA Cia de Seguros y Reaseguros (Insurance)†

             4,161,023                5,955,555  
        10,131,297  

Sweden - 3.0%

     

Intrum AB (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     232,335        5,560,927  

Paradox Interactive AB (Media & Entertainment)†

     419,753        6,979,563  

Thule Group AB (Consumer Durables & Apparel)^†

     73,733        2,547,996  
        15,088,486  

Switzerland - 4.8%

     

Bossard Holding AG, Class A,
Reg S (Capital Goods)†

     32,068        6,966,232  

LEM Holding SA, Reg S (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     4,686        10,766,304  

Tecan Group AG, Reg S
(Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     20,371        6,121,852  
        23,854,388  

Taiwan - 1.9%

     

Advantech Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     254,645        3,154,309  

Chipbond Technology Corp.
(Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     1,701,700        3,819,769  

Eclat Textile Co., Ltd.
(Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     166,909        2,720,107  
        9,694,185  

United Kingdom - 18.9%

     

Abcam plc (Pharmaceuticals,
Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*†

     612,821        9,564,065  

Bank of Georgia Group plc (Banks)†

     502,468        7,738,238  

Clarkson plc (Transportation)†

     162,436        7,451,930  

Cranswick plc (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     88,788        3,518,189  

Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     231,523        10,474,077  

Diploma plc (Capital Goods)†

     296,301        10,136,004  

EMIS Group plc (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     465,465        7,781,212  

Keywords Studios plc (Software & Services)†

     318,505        9,466,396  

Network International Holdings plc (Software & Services)*^†

     1,530,938        4,973,756  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

11


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

International Small Companies Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.3% (continued)

 

  

United Kingdom - 18.9% (continued)

     

Rathbones Group plc
(Diversified Financials)†

     108,251        $2,844,244  

Rightmove plc (Media & Entertainment)†

     566,654        4,356,061  

Senior plc (Capital Goods)*†

             6,310,737                9,982,013  

YouGov plc (Media & Entertainment)†

     435,966        6,776,784  
        95,062,969  

United States - 2.9%

     

Core Laboratories NV (Energy)

     108,667        2,825,342  

Globant SA (Software & Services)*

     41,642        8,994,255  

Sensata Technologies Holding plc (Capital Goods)*

     64,387        2,923,814  
        14,743,411  

Vietnam - 3.6%

     

Hoa Phat Group JSC (Materials)†

     9,641,996        18,082,781  
   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $438,695,126)

 

     $488,787,963  
     

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 3.0%

 

  

Northern Institutional Funds -
Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

     15,337,729        15,337,729  
   

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $15,337,729)

 

     $15,337,729  
  
     

Total Investments — 100.3%

                 
     

(Cost $454,032,855)

              $504,125,692  

Liabilities Less Other Assets - (0.3)%

        (1,739,872
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

              $502,385,820  

Summary of Abbreviations

 

Reg S

Security sold outside United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

^

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 4.6% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.

Industry    Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Automobiles & Components

     1.1

Banks

     3.9  

Capital Goods

     9.6  

Commercial & Professional Services

     3.7  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     1.5  

Diversified Financials

     0.6  

Energy

     1.7  

Food & Staples Retailing

     1.3  

Food Beverage & Tobacco

     5.5  

Health Care Equipment & Services

     6.2  

Household & Personal Products

     1.4  

Insurance

     3.0  

Materials

     6.8  

Media & Entertainment

     8.0  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     7.0  

Real Estate

     0.5  

Retailing

     1.1  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     1.3  

Software & Services

     19.4  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     5.0  

Telecommunication Services

     3.0  

Transportation

     3.5  

Utilities

     2.2  

Money Market Fund

     3.0  

Total Investments

     100.3  

Liabilities Less Other Assets

     (0.3

Net Assets

     100.0
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

12


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0%

     

Brazil - 5.9%

     

Ambev SA - ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     15,000,174        $43,650,507  

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao
(Diversified Financials)

             13,623,400                36,649,080  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao -
ADR (Food & Staples Retailing)

     1,126,612        4,709,238  

Localiza Rent a Car SA (Transportation)

     4,828,770        51,706,648  

Lojas Renner SA (Retailing)*

     3,581,270        17,203,888  

Magazine Luiza SA (Retailing)*

     10,552,400        10,415,905  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA (Energy)

     2,940,435        7,773,437  

WEG SA (Capital Goods)

     5,554,492        33,817,132  

XP Inc., Class A (Diversified Financials)*

     1,365,228        33,598,261  
        239,524,096  

China - 27.2%

     

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (Retailing)*†

     6,044,816        73,878,536  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. - Sponsored ADR (Retailing)*

     393,181        38,173,943  

Baidu Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*†

     2,064,558        32,409,597  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp., Ltd., Class A (Retailing)†

     1,278,600        34,273,096  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     564,300        34,147,415  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co., Ltd. (Real Estate)†

     4,632,504        19,509,099  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     50,664,080        51,591,816  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (Utilities)†

     5,201,800        69,155,218  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co.,
Ltd., Class H (Automobiles & Components)^†

     9,984,200        40,721,950  

Hefei Meiya Optoelectronic
Technology Inc., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     7,032,316        23,799,388  

JD.com Inc., Class A (Retailing)*†

     163,488        5,095,999  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     2,163,920        9,537,530  

Li Ning Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     4,015,500        31,400,192  

Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     8,118,464        69,063,144  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

 

  

China - 27.2% (continued)

     

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H (Insurance)†

     10,933,500        $70,312,336  

Sangfor Technologies Inc., Class A (Software & Services)†

     1,237,200        16,468,767  

SF Holding Co., Ltd., Class A (Transportation)†

     2,662,200        20,393,553  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     3,323,000        45,683,695  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.
(Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

             20,569,135                10,710,162  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     3,497,100        51,165,141  

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (Media & Entertainment)†

     3,837,700        180,008,779  

WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class H (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)^†

     2,040,200        27,325,330  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*^†

     6,728,500        48,827,971  

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     21,563,636        53,696,760  

ZTO Express Cayman Inc. - ADR (Transportation)

     1,854,019        51,004,063  
        1,108,353,480  

Czech Republic - 0.9%

     

Komercni banka AS (Banks)†

     1,107,268        36,109,718  

Egypt - 0.6%

     

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

     10,547,014        23,637,154  

Hong Kong - 6.0%

     

AIA Group Ltd. (Insurance)†

     11,489,815        112,254,530  

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     3,950,469        39,918,317  

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     6,945,301        92,724,053  
        244,896,900  

India - 10.4%

     

HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (Banks)

     896,297        49,484,557  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd. (Banks)†

     3,821,120        110,016,570  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (Banks)†

     3,122,662        72,539,745  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

13


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

 

  

India - 10.4% (continued)

     

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)†

     655,483        $65,706,661  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (Software & Services)†

     2,766,921        127,318,271  
        425,065,804  

Indonesia - 4.0%

     

Astra International Tbk PT (Automobiles & Components)†

     86,304,900        45,032,705  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT (Banks)†

     79,033,165        44,203,211  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT (Banks)†

     226,677,200        75,344,514  
        164,580,430  

Italy - 1.5%

     

Tenaris SA - ADR (Energy)

     2,051,858        61,925,074  

Kenya - 1.3%

     

East African Breweries Ltd. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     2,772,533        3,451,199  

Safaricom plc (Telecommunication Services)†

             170,793,627        49,492,301  
                52,943,500  

Mexico - 7.4%

     

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV - Sponsored ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     886,096        66,226,815  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV - ADR (Transportation)

     295,944        64,580,900  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Series O (Banks)

     12,177,800        80,389,652  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV (Food & Staples Retailing)

     26,104,200        92,307,798  
        303,505,165  

Panama - 0.6%

     

Copa Holdings SA, Class A (Transportation)*

     320,036        24,121,113  

Poland - 0.3%

     

CD Projekt SA (Media & Entertainment)†

     502,139        13,572,239  

Russia - 0.0%

     

LUKOIL PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Energy)‡

     1,601,095         

Novatek PJSC - Sponsored GDR, Reg S (Energy)‡

     602,214         

Sberbank of Russia PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Banks)‡

     9,147,062         

Yandex NV, Class A (Media & Entertainment)*‡

     1,693,430         
         
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

 

  

South Africa - 2.5%

     

Discovery Ltd. (Insurance)*†

     5,378,653        $51,664,583  

Standard Bank Group Ltd. (Banks)†

     4,644,598        49,258,009  
        100,922,592  

South Korea - 9.4%

     

Coway Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     586,896        32,856,531  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd. (Household & Personal Products)†

     119,810        85,168,015  

NAVER Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     153,344        34,686,792  

NCSoft Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     62,835        20,953,962  

Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd. - GDR, Reg S (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     160,072        209,350,527  
        383,015,827  

Taiwan - 12.1%

     

Airtac International Group (Capital Goods)†

     2,271,633        61,712,781  

Eclat Textile Co., Ltd.
(Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     4,246,031        69,197,328  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

             21,117,545        72,249,541  

Largan Precision Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     252,000        14,296,451  

Silergy Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     719,122        63,514,484  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     11,747,277        214,270,318  
        495,240,903  

Thailand - 1.4%

     

SCB X pcl, Reg S (Banks)†

     16,853,870        56,589,637  

United Kingdom - 2.5%

     

Bank of Georgia Group plc (Banks)†

     617,791        9,514,265  

Coca-Cola HBC AG - CDI (Food Beverage & Tobacco)*†

     3,314,423        67,011,793  

Network International Holdings plc (Software & Services)*^†

     7,327,153        23,804,670  
                100,330,728  

United States - 2.0%

     

EPAM Systems Inc. (Software & Services)*

     313,416        83,052,106  
   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $3,527,931,835)

 

     $3,917,386,466  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

14


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

PREFERRED STOCKS - 3.0%

 

  

Brazil - 1.6%

     

Banco Bradesco SA - ADR, 0.95% (Banks)+

     5,686,897        $20,472,832  

Itau Unibanco Holding
SA - Sponsored ADR, 0.66% (Banks)+

     9,548,134        45,735,562  
        66,208,394  

Colombia - 1.0%

     

Bancolombia SA - Sponsored ADR, 7.55% (Banks)+

     1,098,911        42,604,779  

South Korea - 0.4%

     

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - GDR, Reg S, 2.46% (Technology Hardware & Equipment)+†

     12,697        14,737,554  
     
   

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $92,650,062)

 

     $123,550,727  
     

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.8%

 

  

Northern Institutional Funds - Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

             32,648,234                32,648,234  
     
   

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $32,648,234)

 

     $32,648,234  
     
     

Total Investments — 99.8%

                 
     

(Cost $3,653,230,131)

              $4,073,585,427  

Other Assets Less Liabilities - 0.2%

        7,832,107  
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

              $4,081,417,534  

    

Summary of Abbreviations

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

CDI

Chess Depositary Interest

 

GDR

Global Depositary Receipt

 

Reg S

Security sold outside United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

^

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 3.4% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.

 

Investment categorized as level 3 security that is effectively valued at zero. See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

+

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

Industry    Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Automobiles & Components

     3.7

Banks

     17.5  

Capital Goods

     7.3  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     6.1  

Diversified Financials

     1.7  

Energy

     1.7  

Food & Staples Retailing

     2.3  

Food Beverage & Tobacco

     4.5  

Household & Personal Products

     2.1  

Insurance

     5.7  

Media & Entertainment

     6.9  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     3.7  

Real Estate

     0.5  

Retailing

     4.3  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     7.8  

Software & Services

     6.1  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     8.9  

Telecommunication Services

     1.2  

Transportation

     5.3  

Utilities

     1.7  

Money Market Fund

     0.8  

Total Investments

     99.8  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

     0.2  

Net Assets

     100.0
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

15


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1%

     

Brazil - 5.9%

     

Ambev SA - ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     9,755,085        $28,387,297  

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (Diversified Financials)

     8,851,509        23,811,946  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao - ADR (Food & Staples Retailing)

     733,321        3,065,282  

Localiza Rent a Car SA (Transportation)

     3,137,390        33,595,288  

Lojas Renner SA (Retailing)*

     2,326,888        11,178,024  

Magazine Luiza SA (Retailing)*

     6,881,868        6,792,851  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA (Energy)

     1,880,254        4,970,706  

WEG SA (Capital Goods)

     3,608,848        21,971,566  

XP Inc., Class A (Diversified Financials)*

     887,025        21,829,685  
        155,602,645  

China - 27.2%

     

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (Retailing)*†

             3,927,437                48,000,352  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. - Sponsored ADR (Retailing)*

     255,460        24,802,611  

Baidu Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*†

     1,341,414        21,057,624  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp., Ltd., Class A (Retailing)†

     830,807        22,269,926  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     366,600        22,184,020  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co., Ltd. (Real Estate)†

     3,009,930        12,675,871  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     32,918,680        33,521,471  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (Utilities)†

     3,379,713        44,931,522  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd., Class H (Automobiles & Components)^†

     6,487,096        26,458,525  

Hefei Meiya Optoelectronic Technology Inc., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     4,569,134        15,463,269  

JD.com Inc., Class A (Retailing)*†

     105,264        3,281,130  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     1,393,260        6,140,827  

Li Ning Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     2,609,000        20,401,718  

Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     5,274,768        44,872,043  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1% (continued)

 

  

China - 27.2% (continued)

     

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H (Insurance)†

     7,103,880        $45,684,401  

Sangfor Technologies Inc., Class A (Software & Services)†

     803,800        10,699,640  

SF Holding Co., Ltd., Class A (Transportation)†

     1,729,700        13,250,217  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     2,158,710        29,677,355  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     13,467,792        7,012,557  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     2,272,144        33,243,135  

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (Media & Entertainment)†

     2,493,500        116,958,566  

WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class H (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)^†

     1,325,600        17,754,366  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*^†

     4,371,750        31,725,300  

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

             14,010,499                34,888,291  

ZTO Express Cayman Inc. - ADR (Transportation)

     1,204,605        33,138,684  
        720,093,421  

Czech Republic - 0.9%

     

Komercni banka AS (Banks)†

     719,421        23,461,429  

Egypt - 0.6%

     

Commercial International Bank Egypt
SAE - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

     6,837,211        15,323,030  

Hong Kong - 6.0%

     

AIA Group Ltd. (Insurance)†

     7,465,271        72,935,072  

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     2,566,745        25,936,197  

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     4,512,860        60,249,465  
        159,120,734  

India - 10.4%

     

HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (Banks)

     582,348        32,151,433  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd. (Banks)†

     2,482,682        71,480,655  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (Banks)†

     2,028,875        47,130,966  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

16


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1% (continued)

 

  

India - 10.4% (continued)

     

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)†

     425,885        $42,691,391  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (Software & Services)†

     1,797,741        82,722,013  
        276,176,458  

Indonesia - 4.0%

     

Astra International Tbk PT (Automobiles & Components)†

     55,565,507        28,993,314  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT (Banks)†

     50,883,664        28,459,209  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT (Banks)†

     145,941,036        48,508,877  
        105,961,400  

Italy - 1.5%

     

Tenaris SA - ADR (Energy)

     1,333,146        40,234,346  

Kenya - 1.3%

     

East African Breweries Ltd.
(Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     1,478,450        1,840,347  

Safaricom plc (Telecommunication Services)†

             109,961,673                31,864,516  
        33,704,863  

Mexico - 7.5%

     

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV - Sponsored ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     575,720        43,029,313  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV - ADR (Transportation)

     192,283        41,959,996  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Series O (Banks)

     7,912,174        52,230,856  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV (Food & Staples Retailing)

     16,960,615        59,974,909  
        197,195,074  

Panama - 0.6%

     

Copa Holdings SA, Class A (Transportation)*

     207,936        15,672,136  

Poland - 0.3%

     

CD Projekt SA (Media & Entertainment)†

     326,253        8,818,243  

Russia - 0.0%

     

LUKOIL PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Energy)‡

     910,483         

Novatek PJSC - Sponsored GDR, Reg S (Energy)‡

     342,744         

Sberbank of Russia PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Banks)‡

     5,203,159         

Yandex NV, Class A (Media & Entertainment)*‡

     968,763         
         
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1% (continued)

 

  

South Africa - 2.5%

     

Discovery Ltd. (Insurance)*†

     3,494,651        $33,567,826  

Standard Bank Group Ltd. (Banks)†

     3,017,717        32,004,219  
        65,572,045  

South Korea - 9.4%

     

Coway Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     381,322        21,347,765  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd. (Household & Personal Products)†

     77,844        55,336,107  

NAVER Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     99,625        22,535,421  

NCSoft Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     40,826        13,614,490  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - GDR, Reg S (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     104,003        136,020,559  
        248,854,342  

Taiwan - 12.2%

     

Airtac International Group (Capital Goods)†

     1,475,823        40,093,246  

Eclat Textile Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     2,758,846        44,960,758  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

             13,720,146                46,940,790  

Largan Precision Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     163,631        9,283,106  

Silergy Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     467,300        41,272,994  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     7,632,147        139,210,352  
        321,761,246  

Thailand - 1.3%

     

SCB X pcl, Reg S (Banks)†

     10,592,691        35,566,700  

United Kingdom - 2.5%

     

Bank of Georgia Group plc (Banks)†

     397,751        6,125,548  

Coca-Cola HBC AG - CDI (Food Beverage & Tobacco)*†

     2,153,467        43,539,308  

Network International Holdings plc (Software & Services)*^†

     4,691,994        15,243,488  
        64,908,344  

United States - 2.0%

     

EPAM Systems Inc. (Software & Services)*

     203,635        53,961,239  
     
   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,114,155,984)

 

     $2,541,987,695  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

17


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

PREFERRED STOCKS - 3.0%

 

Brazil - 1.6%

     

Banco Bradesco SA - ADR, 0.95% (Banks)+

     3,661,381        $13,180,971  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA - Sponsored ADR, 0.66% (Banks)+

     6,203,673        29,715,593  
        42,896,564  

Colombia - 1.0%

     

Bancolombia SA - Sponsored ADR, 7.55% (Banks)+

     713,991        27,681,431  

South Korea - 0.4%

     

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - GDR, Reg S, 2.46% (Technology Hardware & Equipment)+†

     8,250        9,575,870  
                   
   

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $61,796,504)

 

     $80,153,865  
  

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.2%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

             31,846,445                31,846,445  
     
   

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $31,846,445)

 

     $31,846,445  
     
     

Total Investments — 100.3%

                 
     

(Cost $2,207,798,933)

              $2,653,988,005  

Liabilities Less Other Assets - (0.3)%

        (7,462,631
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

              $2,646,525,374  

    

Summary of Abbreviations

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

CDI

Chess Depositary Interest

 

GDR

Global Depositary Receipt

 

Reg S

Security sold outside United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

^

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 3.5% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.

 

Investment categorized as level 3 security that is effectively valued at zero. See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

+

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

Industry    Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Automobiles & Components

     3.7

Banks

     17.4  

Capital Goods

     7.3  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     6.1  

Diversified Financials

     1.7  

Energy

     1.7  

Food & Staples Retailing

     2.4  

Food Beverage & Tobacco

     4.5  

Household & Personal Products

     2.1  

Insurance

     5.7  

Media & Entertainment

     6.9  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     3.7  

Real Estate

     0.5  

Retailing

     4.3  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     7.9  

Software & Services

     6.1  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     8.9  

Telecommunication Services

     1.2  

Transportation

     5.3  

Utilities

     1.7  

Money Market Fund

     1.2  

Total Investments

     100.3  

Liabilities Less Other Assets

     (0.3

Net Assets

     100.0
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

18


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 94.6%

 

Bangladesh - 2.7%

     

GrameenPhone Ltd. (Telecommunication Services)†

     147,326        $542,754  

Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     1,785,504        4,652,914  
        5,195,668  

Colombia - 4.4%

     

Cementos Argos SA - Sponsored ADR (Materials)#†

     137,381        1,042,159  

Ecopetrol SA - Sponsored ADR (Energy)

     455,980        7,400,555  
        8,442,714  

Croatia - 0.2%

     

Ericsson Nikola Tesla (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     1,700        446,820  

Egypt - 5.1%

     

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

     2,866,753        6,424,746  

Edita Food Industries SAE (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     2,214,224        957,853  

Integrated Diagnostics Holdings plc (Health Care Equipment & Services)^†

     2,153,737        2,358,137  
        9,740,736  

Iceland - 1.0%

     

Marel HF (Capital Goods)^†

     363,387        1,885,635  

Indonesia - 3.4%

     

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT (Banks)†

             11,642,200                6,511,477  

Kazakhstan - 4.7%

     

Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan
JSC - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

     454,535        4,442,104  

Kaspi.KZ JSC - GDR, Reg S (Diversified Financials)†

     72,323        4,597,658  
        9,039,762  

Kenya - 5.4%

     

East African Breweries Ltd. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     620,700        772,636  

Equity Group Holdings plc (Banks)*†

     7,704,500        3,187,279  

Safaricom plc (Telecommunication Services)†

     22,347,550        6,475,837  
        10,435,752  

Morocco - 2.7%

     

Itissalat Al-Maghrib (Telecommunication Services)†

     156,447        2,103,777  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 94.6% (continued)

 

Morocco - 2.7% (continued)

     

Societe d’Exploitation des Ports (Transportation)†

     108,889        $3,009,900  
        5,113,677  

Nigeria - 6.2%

     

Guaranty Trust Holding Co., plc (Banks)

     48,903,727        2,828,216  

Nestle Nigeria plc (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     1,394,492        4,838,719  

Zenith Bank plc (Banks)†

     71,417,980        4,216,478  
        11,883,413  

Pakistan - 0.6%

     

MCB Bank Ltd. (Banks)†

     1,169,700        949,530  

Oil & Gas Development Co., Ltd. (Energy)†

     515,000        234,322  
        1,183,852  

Peru - 0.7%

     

Alicorp SAA (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     750,417        1,001,208  

Cementos Pacasmayo SAA (Materials)

     222,899        267,188  
        1,268,396  

Philippines - 18.4%

     

Bank of the Philippine Islands (Banks)†

     2,525,334        4,579,110  

BDO Unibank Inc. (Banks)†

     1,203,888        2,971,678  

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (Transportation)†

     780,030        3,195,782  

Jollibee Foods Corp. (Consumer Services)†

     1,235,780        5,068,529  

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     1,366,430        1,399,798  

Security Bank Corp. (Banks)†

     896,340        1,765,378  

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (Real Estate)†

     10,343,500        6,913,745  

Universal Robina Corp. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     1,763,240        3,455,433  

Wilcon Depot Inc. (Retailing)†

             11,098,400                5,954,196  
        35,303,649  

Poland - 0.2%

     

Allegro.eu SA (Retailing)*^†

     61,608        315,247  

Romania - 4.6%

     

Banca Transilvania SA (Banks)†

     13,285,442        6,695,241  

Societatea Nationala de Gaze Naturale ROMGAZ SA (Energy)†

     228,909        2,182,642  
        8,877,883  

Saudi Arabia - 3.7%

     

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co. (Insurance)†

     41,163        1,821,850  

Jarir Marketing Co. (Retailing)†

     37,555        1,920,864  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

19


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 94.6% (continued)

 

Saudi Arabia - 3.7% (continued)

     

Mouwasat Medical Services Co. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     51,284        $3,272,159  
        7,014,873  

Slovenia - 0.9%

     

Krka dd Novo mesto (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     18,539        1,757,786  

Sri Lanka - 0.0%

     

Commercial Bank of Ceylon plc (Banks)†

     325,315        47,471  

Thailand - 0.6%

     

Home Product Center pcl, Reg S (Retailing)

     2,620,494        1,147,662  

United Arab Emirates - 5.8%

     

Agthia Group PJSC (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     2,119,592        2,465,062  

Emaar Properties PJSC (Real Estate)†

             5,013,686                8,668,663  
        11,133,725  

United Kingdom - 3.8%

     

Baltic Classifieds Group plc (Media & Entertainment)*

     1,093,941        1,788,938  

Bank of Georgia Group plc (Banks)†

     70,511        1,085,902  

Network International Holdings plc (Software & Services)*^†

     1,121,556        3,643,744  

TBC Bank Group plc (Banks)†

     54,947        868,933  
        7,387,517  

United States - 5.4%

     

EPAM Systems Inc. (Software & Services)*

     14,130        3,744,309  

Globant SA (Software & Services)*

     30,652        6,620,525  
        10,364,834  

Vietnam - 14.1%

     

Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam JSC (Banks)†

     2,265,295        7,964,672  

Hoa Phat Group JSC (Materials)†

     3,710,762        6,959,233  

Sai Gon Cargo Service Corp. (Transportation)†

     476,970        3,724,164  

Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     460,910        3,244,272  

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     1,614,194        5,210,425  
        27,102,766  
   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $151,085,443)

 

     $181,601,315  
     Shares      Value  

PREFERRED STOCKS - 3.6%

 

Colombia - 3.6%

     

Bancolombia SA - Sponsored ADR, 7.55% (Banks)+

             177,202        $6,870,122  
     
   

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $5,119,667)

 

     $6,870,122  
  

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.0%

 

  

Northern Institutional Funds - Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

     1,886,886                1,886,886  
   

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $1,886,886)

 

     $1,886,886  
  
     

Total Investments — 99.2%

                 
     

(Cost $158,091,996)

              $190,358,323  

Other Assets Less Liabilities - 0.8%

        1,587,781  
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

              $191,946,104  

Summary of Abbreviations

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

GDR

Global Depositary Receipt

 

Reg S

Security sold outside United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

#

Security valued at fair value as determined in good faith under policies and procedures established by and under the supervision of the Portfolio’s Board of Directors as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

^

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 4.3% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

+

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

20


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Industry   

Percentage of

Net Assets

 

Banks

     32.1

Capital Goods

     1.0  

Consumer Services

     2.6  

Diversified Financials

     2.4  

Energy

     5.1  

Food & Staples Retailing

     0.7  

Food Beverage & Tobacco

     11.4  

Health Care Equipment & Services

     2.9  

Insurance

     1.0  

Materials

     4.3  

Media & Entertainment

     0.9  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     3.3  

Real Estate

     8.1  

Retailing

     4.9  

Software & Services

     7.3  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     0.2  

Telecommunication Services

     4.8  

Transportation

     5.2  

Money Market Fund

     1.0  

Total Investments

     99.2  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

     0.8  

Net Assets

     100.0

    

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

21


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5%

 

Australia - 0.6%

     

BHP Group Ltd. (Materials)†

     676        $22,721  

Cochlear Ltd. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     145        23,297  
        46,018  

Brazil - 1.8%

     

Ambev SA - ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     7,484        21,778  

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (Diversified Financials)

     7,000        18,831  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao - ADR (Food & Staples Retailing)

     2,433        10,170  

Localiza Rent a Car SA (Transportation)

     2,300        24,628  

Magazine Luiza SA (Retailing)*

             12,800        12,634  

Raia Drogasil SA (Food & Staples Retailing)

     2,500        10,584  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA - Sponsored ADR (Energy)

     6,271        16,744  

WEG SA (Capital Goods)

     3,500        21,309  

XP Inc., Class A (Diversified Financials)*

     393        9,672  
        146,350  

Canada - 1.7%

     

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (Food & Staples Retailing)

     1,400        62,325  

Manulife Financial Corp. (Insurance)

     4,000        78,216  
                140,541  

China - 8.2%

     

Baidu Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*†

     1,200        18,838  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp., Ltd., Class A (Retailing)†

     500        13,403  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     100        6,051  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co., Ltd. (Real Estate)†

     3,000        12,634  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     15,360        15,641  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (Utilities)†

     3,700        49,190  

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     821        10,013  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd., Class H (Automobiles & Components)^†

     3,600        14,683  

Glodon Co., Ltd., Class A (Software & Services)†

     2,000        13,720  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

China - 8.2% (continued)

     

Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Materials)†

     6,200        $68,303  

Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd., Class H (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     4,000        14,296  

Haitian International Holdings Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     5,000        12,352  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd., Class H (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)^†

     1,500        14,541  

Hongfa Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)*†

     2,700        19,395  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

             2,600        14,942  

JD.com Inc., Class A (Retailing)*†

     414        12,905  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     2,408        10,613  

Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     600        14,233  

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     100        27,291  

Li Ning Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     1,500        11,730  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     1,100        11,036  

Meituan, Class B (Retailing)*^†

     1,200        25,757  

Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     1,200        10,208  

NetEase Inc. - ADR (Media & Entertainment)

     205                19,543  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H (Insurance)†

     2,000        12,862  

SF Holding Co., Ltd., Class A (Transportation)†

     1,900        14,555  

Shandong Sinocera Functional Material Co., Ltd., Class A (Materials)†

     2,000        9,693  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     1,350        11,588  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     1,000        13,748  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

22


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

China - 8.2% (continued)

     

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     20,000        $10,414  

Songcheng Performance Development Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Services)†

     4,200        7,857  

StarPower Semiconductor Ltd., Class A (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     300        15,296  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     600        8,778  

TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H (Software & Services)†

     11,000        16,467  

Trip.com Group Ltd. (Consumer Services)*†

     514        12,235  

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     500        12,056  

WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     1,286        19,613  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*^†

     2,500        18,142  

Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Software & Services)†

     3,500        9,954  

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     4,400        10,957  

ZTO Express Cayman Inc. - ADR (Transportation)

     463        12,737  
        658,270  

Colombia - 0.9%

     

Cementos Argos SA (Materials)

     9,486        14,392  

Ecopetrol SA - Sponsored ADR (Energy)

             3,708                60,181  
        74,573  

Czech Republic - 0.2%

     

Komercni banka AS (Banks)†

     493        16,077  

Denmark - 1.1%

     

Ambu A/S, Class B (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     852        11,198  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S (Materials)†

     249        19,404  

Coloplast A/S, Class B (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     193        26,058  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

Denmark - 1.1% (continued)

     

Genmab A/S (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*†

     39        $13,757  

Novozymes A/S, Class B (Materials)†

     254        17,648  
        88,065  

Egypt - 0.2%

     

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

     6,085        13,637  

Finland - 0.3%

     

Kone OYJ, Class B (Capital Goods)†

     211        10,125  

Neste OYJ (Energy)†

     314        13,498  
        23,623  

France - 4.5%

     

Air Liquide SA (Materials)†

     330        56,972  

Alten SA (Software & Services)†

     286        38,305  

Dassault Systemes SE (Software & Services)†

     650        28,915  

IPSOS (Media & Entertainment)†

     1,082        51,876  

Kering SA (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     60        31,869  

LISI (Capital Goods)†

     1,514        33,990  

L’Oreal SA (Household & Personal Products)†

     49        17,826  

Rubis SCA (Utilities)†

             1,135        30,179  

Safran SA (Capital Goods)†

     327        34,802  

Sartorius Stedim Biotech (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     41        13,345  

Schneider Electric SE (Capital Goods)†

     159        22,646  
                360,725  

Germany - 3.7%

     

adidas AG (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     60        12,221  

Allianz SE, Reg S (Insurance)†

     230        52,386  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Automobiles & Components)†

     715        59,201  

Bechtle AG (Software & Services)†

     246        11,486  

Brenntag SE (Capital Goods)†

     257        20,055  

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (Bearer) (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     134        16,925  

FUCHS PETROLUB SE (Materials)†

     685        18,259  

HelloFresh SE (Food & Staples Retailing)*†

     415        17,748  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

23


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

Germany - 3.7% (continued)

     

Infineon Technologies AG (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     438        $12,671  

Nemetschek SE (Software & Services)†

     198        15,898  

SAP SE - Sponsored ADR (Software & Services)

     110        11,088  

Scout24 SE (Media & Entertainment)^†

     235        14,994  

Symrise AG (Materials)†

     160        19,131  

TeamViewer AG (Software & Services)*^†

     1,400        16,982  
        299,045  

Hong Kong - 0.7%

     

AIA Group Ltd. (Insurance)†

     1,600        15,632  

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     1,800        18,189  

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     2,000        26,701  
        60,522  

Iceland - 0.2%

     

Marel HF (Capital Goods)^†

     2,669        13,850  

India - 1.3%

     

Asian Paints Ltd. (Materials)†

     460        19,321  

HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (Banks)

     204        11,263  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)†

     419        13,552  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd. (Banks)†

     426        12,265  

ICICI Bank Ltd. - Sponsored ADR (Banks)

     1,034        19,687  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (Banks)†

     608        14,124  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (Software & Services)†

     327        15,047  
                105,259  

Indonesia - 0.4%

     

Astra International Tbk PT (Automobiles & Components)†

     33,400        17,428  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT (Banks)†

             53,600        17,816  
        35,244  

Ireland - 0.2%

     

Ryanair Holdings plc - Sponsored ADR (Transportation)*

     196        17,115  

Israel - 0.3%

     

CyberArk Software Ltd. (Software & Services)*

     140        22,000  

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

Italy - 0.9%

     

Amplifon SpA (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     387        $15,399  

DiaSorin SpA (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     148        19,346  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA (Banks)†

     1,194        16,449  

Reply SpA (Software & Services)†

     131        19,221  
        70,415  

Japan - 7.2%

     

BML Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     1,100        28,290  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     600        18,006  

Daifuku Co., Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     200        12,345  

FANUC Corp. (Capital Goods)†

     100        15,467  

Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. (Retailing)†

     40        18,330  

GMO Payment Gateway Inc. (Software & Services)†

     200        16,887  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. (Media & Entertainment)†

     3,100        36,651  

Kakaku.com Inc. (Media & Entertainment)†

     500        10,515  

Keyence Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     40        16,138  

Komatsu Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     900        20,191  

Kubota Corp. (Capital Goods)†

     2,300        39,173  

M3 Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     400        12,879  

Makita Corp. (Capital Goods)†

             1,200        35,653  

MISUMI Group Inc. (Capital Goods)†

     700        17,607  

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd. (Retailing)†

     400        40,694  

Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     300        11,066  

Rinnai Corp. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     540                34,212  

Shimano Inc. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     100        17,477  

Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     900        50,307  

Shiseido Co., Ltd. (Household & Personal Products)†

     300        14,138  

SMC Corp. (Capital Goods)†

     40        19,334  

Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)†

     2,600        44,761  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

24


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

Japan - 7.2% (continued)

     

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd. (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     400        $17,204  

Sysmex Corp. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     200        12,953  

UT Group Co., Ltd. (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     1,100        24,863  
        585,141  

Kazakhstan - 0.4%

     

Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan JSC - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

     1,120        10,945  

Kaspi.KZ JSC - GDR, Reg S (Diversified Financials)†

     343        21,805  
        32,750  

Mexico - 0.5%

     

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV - Sponsored ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     192        14,350  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV (Food & Staples Retailing)

     6,800        24,046  
        38,396  

Netherlands - 0.9%

     

Adyen NV (Software & Services)*^†

     8        13,380  

ASM International NV (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     37        11,049  

ASML Holding NV, Reg S (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     90        50,739  
        75,168  

Norway - 0.2%

     

Adevinta ASA (Media & Entertainment)*†

     1,658        12,948  

Panama - 0.2%

     

Copa Holdings SA, Class A (Transportation)*

     216        16,280  

Peru - 0.2%

     

Credicorp Ltd. (Banks)

     126                17,500  

Philippines - 1.8%

     

Bank of the Philippine Islands (Banks)†

             12,490        22,648  

BDO Unibank Inc. (Banks)†

     10,070        24,857  

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (Transportation)†

     4,970        20,362  

Jollibee Foods Corp. (Consumer Services)†

     4,720        19,359  

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     10,510        10,767  

Security Bank Corp. (Banks)†

     8,660        17,056  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

Philippines - 1.8% (continued)

     

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (Real Estate)†

     27,500        $18,381  

Universal Robina Corp. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     6,400        12,542  
        145,972  

Poland - 0.4%

     

Allegro.eu SA (Retailing)*^†

     3,048        15,596  

ING Bank Slaski SA (Banks)†

     426        18,898  
        34,494  

Russia - 0.0%

     

LUKOIL PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Energy)‡

     278         

Novatek PJSC - Sponsored GDR, Reg S (Energy)‡

     89         

Sberbank of Russia PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Banks)‡

     1,278         

Yandex NV, Class A (Media & Entertainment)*‡

     383         
         

Saudi Arabia - 0.9%

     

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co. (Insurance)†

     401        17,748  

Jarir Marketing Co. (Retailing)†

     252        12,889  

Mouwasat Medical Services Co. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     252        16,079  

Saudi National Bank (Banks)†

     1,118        23,382  
        70,098  

Singapore - 1.7%

     

DBS Group Holdings Ltd. (Banks)†

     2,418        58,567  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Ltd. (Banks)†

     9,224        81,788  
                140,355  

Slovenia - 0.2%

     

Krka dd Novo mesto (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     152        14,247  

South Africa - 0.2%

     

Discovery Ltd. (Insurance)*†

             1,831        17,588  

South Korea - 0.9%

     

Cheil Worldwide Inc. (Media & Entertainment)†

     1,001        20,007  

Coway Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     184        10,301  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd. (Household & Personal Products)†

     19        13,506  

NAVER Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     55        12,441  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

25


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

South Korea - 0.9% (continued)

     

NCSoft Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     38        $12,672  
        68,927  

Spain - 1.7%

     

Amadeus IT Group SA (Software & Services)*†

     248        15,464  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (Banks)†

     6,148        32,350  

Banco Santander SA - Sponsored ADR (Banks)

     14,529        41,844  

Bankinter SA (Banks)†

     8,132        48,018  
        137,676  

Sweden - 2.4%

     

Alfa Laval AB (Capital Goods)†

     887        24,619  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B (Capital Goods)†

     664        16,751  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A (Capital Goods)†

     544        24,636  

Epiroc AB, Class A (Capital Goods)†

     1,467        29,834  

Evolution AB (Consumer Services)^†

     112        11,517  

Hexagon AB, Class B (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     1,890        24,437  

Intrum AB (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     1,097        26,257  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A (Banks)†

             1,670        18,674  

Thule Group AB (Consumer Durables & Apparel)^†

     390        13,477  
                190,202  

Switzerland - 2.8%

     

Alcon Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)

     661        47,070  

Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Class A, Reg S (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     244        28,363  

Lonza Group AG, Reg S (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     60        35,226  

SGS SA, Reg S (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     8        20,544  

Sonova Holding AG, Reg S (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     68        24,484  

Straumann Holding AG, Reg S (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     150        17,687  

Tecan Group AG, Reg S (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     32        9,617  

Temenos AG, Reg S (Software & Services)†

     174        17,525  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

Switzerland - 2.8% (continued)

     

VAT Group AG (Capital Goods)^†

     96        $29,792  
        230,308  

Taiwan - 1.8%

     

Advantech Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     999        12,375  

Airtac International Group (Capital Goods)†

     418        11,356  

Chipbond Technology Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     14,000        31,425  

Eclat Textile Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     600        9,778  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     4,000        13,685  

Largan Precision Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     210        11,914  

Silergy Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     200        17,664  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

             2,000        36,480  
        144,677  

Thailand - 0.3%

     

SCB X pcl, Reg S (Banks)†

     6,200        20,818  

Turkey - 0.2%

     

BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     2,570        14,369  

United Arab Emirates - 0.5%

     

Agthia Group PJSC (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     8,681                10,096  

Emaar Properties PJSC (Real Estate)†

     18,834        32,564  
        42,660  

United Kingdom - 5.1%

     

Abcam plc (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*†

     872        13,609  

Coca-Cola HBC AG - CDI (Food Beverage & Tobacco)*†

     576        11,646  

Compass Group plc (Consumer Services)†

     967        20,368  

Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     435        19,679  

Diploma plc (Capital Goods)†

     1,655        56,615  

Grafton Group plc (Capital Goods)†

     2,919        35,514  

Rathbones Group plc (Diversified Financials)†

     1,554        40,831  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

26


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

     

United Kingdom - 5.1% (continued)

     

Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (Household & Personal Products)†

     152        $11,858  

Rightmove plc (Media & Entertainment)†

     2,075        15,951  

Rio Tinto plc (Materials)†

     994        70,506  

Shell plc - ADR (Energy)

     1,324        70,741  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc (Capital Goods)†

     154        23,292  

Standard Chartered plc (Banks)†

             3,634        24,895  
                415,505  

United States - 39.8%

     

Abbott Laboratories (Health Care Equipment & Services)

     390        44,265  

AbbVie Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)

     637        93,563  

ABIOMED Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)*

     55        15,762  

Accenture plc, Class A (Software & Services)

     70        21,025  

Adobe Inc. (Software & Services)*

     90        35,635  

Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (Materials)

     66        15,449  

Align Technology Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)*

     32        9,277  

Allegion plc (Capital Goods)

     136        15,537  

Alphabet Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*

     34        77,594  

Altair Engineering Inc., Class A (Software & Services)*

     277        15,047  

Amazon.com Inc. (Retailing)*

     14        34,799  

AMETEK Inc. (Capital Goods)

     147        18,560  

Amphenol Corp., Class A (Technology Hardware & Equipment)

     288        20,592  

ANSYS Inc. (Software & Services)*

     78        21,504  

Apple Inc. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)

     260        40,989  

Applied Materials Inc. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     615        67,865  

Atlassian Corp. plc, Class A (Software & Services)*

     46        10,342  

Automatic Data Processing Inc. (Software & Services)

     92        20,073  

BorgWarner Inc. (Automobiles & Components)

     1,850        68,135  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)

     1,086        81,743  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

     

United States - 39.8% (continued)

     

Broadcom Inc. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     62        $34,372  

Cisco Systems Inc. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)

     907        44,425  

Cognex Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)

     230        15,555  

Copart Inc. (Commercial & Professional Services)*

     542        61,598  

Costco Wholesale Corp. (Food & Staples Retailing)

     35        18,610  

Danaher Corp. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)

     298        74,837  

Deere & Co. (Capital Goods)

     180        67,959  

Domino’s Pizza Inc. (Consumer Services)

     42        14,196  

eBay Inc. (Retailing)

     259        13,447  

Ecolab Inc. (Materials)

     84        14,225  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (Health Care Equipment & Services)*

     212        22,425  

Elanco Animal Health Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*

             3,065        77,575  

Electronic Arts Inc. (Media & Entertainment)

     143        16,881  

Emerson Electric Co. (Capital Goods)

     188        16,954  

EnerSys (Capital Goods)

     200        13,092  

EPAM Systems Inc. (Software & Services)*

     31        8,215  

Equifax Inc. (Commercial & Professional Services)

     78        15,875  

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A (Household & Personal Products)

     58        15,315  

Etsy Inc. (Retailing)*

     183        17,054  

First Republic Bank (Banks)

     384        57,300  

Gartner Inc. (Software & Services)*

     311        90,361  

Globant SA (Software & Services)*

     74        15,983  

Guidewire Software Inc. (Software & Services)*

     152        13,215  

HEICO Corp. (Capital Goods)

     290        40,957  

Helmerich & Payne Inc. (Energy)

     501        23,061  

IDEXX Laboratories Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)*

     70                30,134  

Illumina Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*

     60        17,799  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

27


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

United States - 39.8% (continued)

     

Intuitive Surgical Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)*

     63        $15,076  

IPG Photonics Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)*

     179        16,912  

IQVIA Holdings Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*

     100        21,799  

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Banks)

     589        70,303  

Linde plc (Materials)†

     169        53,969  

Malibu Boats Inc., Class A (Consumer Durables & Apparel)*

             517        26,000  

Mastercard Inc., Class A (Software & Services)

     52        18,896  

McDonald’s Corp. (Consumer Services)

     85        21,179  

MercadoLibre Inc. (Retailing)*

     12        11,684  

Merck & Co., Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)

     734        65,098  

Meta Platforms Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*

     270        54,127  

Microsoft Corp. (Software & Services)

     290        80,481  

Monster Beverage Corp. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)*

     204        17,479  

Neurocrine Biosciences Inc.

     

(Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*

     445        40,063  

NIKE Inc., Class B (Consumer Durables & Apparel)

     156        19,453  

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc. (Retailing)*

     815        39,161  

Palo Alto Networks Inc. (Software & Services)*

     52        29,187  

PayPal Holdings Inc. (Software & Services)*

     161        14,157  

Penumbra Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)*

     62        10,699  

Pinterest Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*

     566        11,614  

Pool Corp. (Retailing)

     103        41,738  

Procter & Gamble Co. (Household & Personal Products)

     137        21,995  

Reinsurance Group of America Inc. (Insurance)

     430                46,148  

Repligen Corp. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*

     97        15,252  

ResMed Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)

     81        16,198  
     
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 97.5% (continued)

 

United States - 39.8% (continued)

     

Rockwell Automation Inc. (Capital Goods)

     55        $13,897  

Rollins Inc. (Commercial & Professional Services)

             1,132        37,967  

Roper Technologies Inc. (Software & Services)

     47        22,086  

Salesforce Inc. (Software & Services)*

     130        22,872  

Schlumberger NV (Energy)

     698        27,229  

Sensata Technologies Holding plc (Capital Goods)*

     328        14,894  

ServiceNow Inc. (Software & Services)*

     54        25,817  

Signature Bank (Banks)

     150        36,337  

Starbucks Corp. (Consumer Services)

     578        43,142  

SVB Financial Group (Banks)*

     144        70,220  

Synopsys Inc. (Software & Services)*

     269        77,146  

Teradyne Inc. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     618        65,174  

Texas Instruments Inc. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     115        19,579  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)

     156        86,255  

TJX Cos., Inc. (Retailing)

     274        16,791  

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)

     169        85,945  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*

     307        83,879  

Visa Inc., Class A (Software & Services)

     76        16,198  

Walt Disney Co. (Media & Entertainment)*

     98        10,940  

Workday Inc., Class A (Software & Services)*

     140        28,938  

Zoetis Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)

     261        46,262  
                        3,209,412  
     

Total Common Stocks (Cost $7,160,146)

              $7,866,820  

    

     

PREFERRED STOCKS - 1.1%

     

Colombia - 0.2%

     

Bancolombia SA - Sponsored ADR, 7.55% (Banks)+

     360        13,957  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

28


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Global Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value    

PREFERRED STOCKS - 1.1% (continued)

 

Germany - 0.1%

     

Sartorius AG, 0.36% (Health Care Equipment & Services)+†

     33        $12,500  

South Korea - 0.8%

     

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - GDR, Reg S, 2.46% (Technology Hardware & Equipment)+†

     56        65,000  
     

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $93,945)

              $91,457  

    

     

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.5%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

             118,596                118,596  
   

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $118,596)

 

     $118,596  

    

     
     

Total Investments — 100.1%

                 
     

(Cost $7,372,687)

              $8,076,873  

Liabilities Less Other Assets - (0.1)%

              (7,559
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

              $8,069,314  

 

Summary of Abbreviations
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
CDI    Chess Depositary Interest
GDR    Global Depositary Receipt
Reg S    Security sold outside United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
   Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
*    Non-income producing security.
^    Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 2.5% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.
   Investment categorized as level 3 security that is effectively valued at zero. See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
+    Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.
Industry   

Percentage of

Net Assets

 

Automobiles & Components

     2.7

Banks

     10.2  

Capital Goods

     10.5  

Commercial & Professional Services

     2.5  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     3.0  

Consumer Services

     2.0  

Diversified Financials

     1.1  

Energy

     2.6  

Food & Staples Retailing

     2.2  

Food Beverage & Tobacco

     2.1  

Health Care Equipment & Services

     6.7  

Household & Personal Products

     1.2  

Insurance

     3.0  

Materials

     5.3  

Media & Entertainment

     4.9  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     12.1  

Real Estate

     0.8  

Retailing

     4.1  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     4.7  

Software & Services

     10.9  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     3.6  

Transportation

     1.4  

Utilities

     1.0  

Money Market Fund

     1.5  

Total Investments

     100.1  

Liabilities Less Other Assets

     (0.1

Net Assets

     100.0
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

29


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

International Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0%

     

Australia - 1.6%

     

BHP Group Ltd. (Materials)†

             3,859                $129,704  

Cochlear Ltd. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     427        68,605  
        198,309  

Brazil - 2.8%

     

Ambev SA - ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     13,956        40,612  

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (Diversified Financials)

     14,500        39,007  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao - ADR (Food & Staples Retailing)

     6,733        28,144  

Localiza Rent a Car SA (Transportation)

     4,800        51,399  

Magazine Luiza SA (Retailing)*

     32,200        31,783  

Raia Drogasil SA (Food & Staples Retailing)

     10,300        43,605  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA - Sponsored ADR (Energy)

     16,618        44,370  

WEG SA (Capital Goods)

     6,200        37,747  

XP Inc., Class A (Diversified Financials)*

     1,028        25,299  
        341,966  

Canada - 2.0%

     

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (Food & Staples Retailing)

     2,800        124,650  

Manulife Financial Corp. (Insurance)

     6,100        119,279  
        243,929  

China - 10.8%

     

Baidu Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*†

     2,250        35,321  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp., Ltd., Class A (Retailing)†

     1,200        32,166  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     300        18,154  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co., Ltd. (Real Estate)†

     7,000        29,479  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     37,600        38,289  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (Utilities)†

     2,200        29,248  

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     2,289        27,932  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd., Class H (Automobiles & Components)^†

     6,800        27,735  

Glodon Co., Ltd., Class A (Software & Services)†

     3,480        23,873  
    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

     

China - 10.8% (continued)

     

Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Materials)†

             2,000                $22,033  

Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd., Class H (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     10,800        38,599  

Haitian International Holdings Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     15,000        37,057  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd., Class H (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)^†

     3,300        31,991  

Hongfa Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)*†

     4,400        31,606  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     5,200        29,884  

JD.com Inc., Class A (Retailing)*†

     1,176        36,656  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     5,564        24,523  

Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     1,100        26,093  

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     100        27,292  

Li Ning Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     3,500        27,369  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     4,000        40,133  

Meituan, Class B (Retailing)*^†

     1,800        38,635  

Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     3,400        28,924  

NetEase Inc. - ADR (Media & Entertainment)

     571        54,433  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H (Insurance)†

     6,000        38,585  

SF Holding Co., Ltd., Class A (Transportation)†

     3,800        29,110  

Shandong Sinocera Functional Material Co., Ltd., Class A (Materials)†

     5,300        25,686  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     4,050        34,766  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     2,000        27,495  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

30


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

International Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

 

China - 10.8% (continued)

     

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

             51,000                $26,555  

Songcheng Performance Development Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Services)†

     11,800        22,076  

StarPower Semiconductor Ltd., Class A (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     700        35,691  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     4,700        68,764  

TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H (Software & Services)†

     23,000        34,431  

Trip.com Group Ltd. (Consumer Services)*†

     1,251        29,779  

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     1,300        31,345  

WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     1,790        27,300  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*^†

     4,500        32,656  

Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Software & Services)†

     7,700        21,898  

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     11,900        29,633  

ZTO Express Cayman Inc. - ADR (Transportation)

     1,185        32,599  
        1,305,794  

Colombia - 0.8%

     

Cementos Argos SA (Materials)

     26,196        39,744  

Ecopetrol SA - Sponsored ADR (Energy)

     3,334        54,111  
        93,855  

Czech Republic - 0.4%

     

Komercni banka AS (Banks)†

     1,394        45,460  

Denmark - 2.3%

     

Ambu A/S, Class B (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     1,550        20,373  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S (Materials)†

     702        54,705  

Coloplast A/S, Class B (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     377        50,900  
    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

 

Denmark - 2.3% (continued)

     

Genmab A/S (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*†

     328                $115,703  

Novozymes A/S, Class B (Materials)†

     598        41,549  
        283,230  

Egypt - 0.6%

     

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

             30,792        69,009  

Finland - 0.5%

     

Kone OYJ, Class B (Capital Goods)†

     601        28,839  

Neste OYJ (Energy)†

     665        28,588  
        57,427  

France - 6.8%

     

Air Liquide SA (Materials)†

     723        124,821  

Alten SA (Software & Services)†

     710        95,093  

Dassault Systemes SE (Software & Services)†

     887        39,458  

IPSOS (Media & Entertainment)†

     2,051        98,334  

Kering SA (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     162        86,047  

LISI (Capital Goods)†

     3,059        68,676  

L’Oreal SA (Household & Personal Products)†

     100        36,380  

Rubis SCA (Utilities)†

     3,120        82,957  

Safran SA (Capital Goods)†

     558        59,387  

Sartorius Stedim Biotech (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     103        33,526  

Schneider Electric SE (Capital Goods)†

     691        98,415  
        823,094  

Germany - 8.1%

     

adidas AG (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     146        29,737  

Allianz SE, Reg S (Insurance)†

     507        115,477  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Automobiles & Components)†

     1,419        117,491  

Bechtle AG (Software & Services)†

     2,341        109,300  

Brenntag SE (Capital Goods)†

     1,433        111,827  

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (Bearer) (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     256        32,334  

FUCHS PETROLUB SE (Materials)†

     2,480        66,106  

HelloFresh SE (Food & Staples Retailing)*†

     754        32,246  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

31


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

International Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

     

Germany - 8.1% (continued)

     

Infineon Technologies AG (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

             3,128                $90,494  

Nemetschek SE (Software & Services)†

     911        73,145  

SAP SE - Sponsored ADR (Software & Services)

     717        72,274  

Scout24 SE (Media & Entertainment)^†

     1,132        72,227  

Symrise AG (Materials)†

     253        30,251  

TeamViewer AG (Software & Services)*^†

     2,653        32,180  
        985,089  

Hong Kong - 2.6%

     

AIA Group Ltd. (Insurance)†

     8,600        84,021  

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     12,600        127,319  

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     7,500        100,130  
        311,470  

Iceland - 0.2%

     

Marel HF (Capital Goods)^†

     5,278        27,388  

India - 2.1%

     

Asian Paints Ltd. (Materials)†

     998        41,918  

HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (Banks)

     541        29,869  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)†

     1,194        38,618  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd. (Banks)†

     1,063        30,606  

ICICI Bank Ltd. - Sponsored ADR (Banks)

     1,648        31,378  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (Banks)†

     1,697        39,421  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (Software & Services)†

     892        41,045  
        252,855  

Indonesia - 0.9%

     

Astra International Tbk PT (Automobiles & Components)†

     122,700        64,023  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT (Banks)†

     141,200        46,933  
        110,956  

Ireland - 0.3%

     

Ryanair Holdings plc - Sponsored ADR (Transportation)*

     375        32,745  

Israel - 0.3%

     

CyberArk Software Ltd. (Software & Services)*

     241        37,871  
    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

     

Italy - 1.7%

     

Amplifon SpA (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     767                $30,520  

DiaSorin SpA (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     281        36,732  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA (Banks)†

             2,153        29,661  

Reply SpA (Software & Services)†

     729        106,961  
        203,874  

Japan - 14.9%

     

BML Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     2,100        54,008  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     4,200        126,046  

Daifuku Co., Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     1,800        111,108  

FANUC Corp. (Capital Goods)†

     350        54,133  

Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. (Retailing)†

     70        32,077  

GMO Payment Gateway Inc. (Software & Services)†

     300        25,331  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. (Media & Entertainment)†

     9,090        107,469  

Kakaku.com Inc. (Media & Entertainment)†

     2,700        56,780  

Keyence Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     60        24,207  

Komatsu Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     4,740        106,337  

Kubota Corp. (Capital Goods)†

     6,100        103,895  

M3 Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     800        25,758  

Makita Corp. (Capital Goods)†

     3,900        115,872  

MISUMI Group Inc. (Capital Goods)†

     4,500        113,187  

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd. (Retailing)†

     800        81,388  

Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     2,800        103,285  

Rinnai Corp. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     1,100        69,691  

Shimano Inc. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     600        104,859  

Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     1,600        89,436  

Shiseido Co., Ltd. (Household & Personal Products)†

     600        28,275  

SMC Corp. (Capital Goods)†

     160        77,336  

Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)†

     4,415        76,008  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

32


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

International Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

     

Japan - 14.9% (continued)

     

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd. (Food & Staples Retailing)†

             1,555                $66,880  

Sysmex Corp. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     500        32,383  

UT Group Co., Ltd. (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     1,000        22,603  
        1,808,352  

Kazakhstan - 0.6%

     

Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan JSC - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

     3,384        33,072  

Kaspi.KZ JSC - GDR, Reg S (Diversified Financials)†

     657        41,766  
        74,838  

Mexico - 0.7%

     

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV - Sponsored ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     655        48,955  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV (Food & Staples Retailing)

     11,100        39,251  
        88,206  

Netherlands - 1.5%

     

Adyen NV (Software & Services)*^†

     16        26,759  

ASM International NV (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     172        51,362  

ASML Holding NV, Reg S (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     192        108,244  
        186,365  

Norway - 0.2%

     

Adevinta ASA (Media & Entertainment)*†

     3,174        24,787  

Panama - 0.2%

     

Copa Holdings SA, Class A (Transportation)*

     404        30,449  

Peru - 0.4%

     

Credicorp Ltd. (Banks)

     323        44,861  

Philippines - 2.9%

     

Bank of the Philippine Islands (Banks)†

     27,440        49,756  

BDO Unibank Inc. (Banks)†

     18,870        46,579  

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (Transportation)†

     14,190        58,136  

Jollibee Foods Corp. (Consumer Services)†

     8,190        33,591  

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     39,680        40,649  

Security Bank Corp. (Banks)†

     19,210        37,835  
    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

     

Philippines - 2.9% (continued)

     

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (Real Estate)†

             83,300                $55,679  

Universal Robina Corp. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     14,560        28,533  
        350,758  

Poland - 0.5%

     

Allegro.eu SA (Retailing)*^†

     4,376        22,392  

ING Bank Slaski SA (Banks)†

     878        38,949  
        61,341  

Russia - 0.0%

     

LUKOIL PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Energy)‡

     603         

Novatek PJSC - Sponsored GDR, Reg S (Energy)‡

     190         

Sberbank of Russia PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Banks)‡

     3,389         

Yandex NV, Class A (Media & Entertainment)*‡

     541         
         

Saudi Arabia - 1.4%

     

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co. (Insurance)†

     1,021        45,189  

Jarir Marketing Co. (Retailing)†

     724        37,031  

Mouwasat Medical Services Co. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     648        41,346  

Saudi National Bank (Banks)†

     2,214        46,303  
        169,869  

Singapore - 2.2%

     

DBS Group Holdings Ltd. (Banks)†

     6,014        145,666  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Ltd. (Banks)†

     14,038        124,474  
        270,140  

Slovenia - 0.2%

     

Krka dd Novo mesto (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     303        28,399  

South Africa - 0.3%

     

Discovery Ltd. (Insurance)*†

     4,148        39,844  

South Korea - 1.3%

     

Cheil Worldwide Inc. (Media & Entertainment)†

     2,148        42,931  

Coway Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     524        29,335  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd. (Household & Personal Products)†

     43        30,567  

NAVER Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     111        25,109  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

33


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

International Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

 

South Korea - 1.3% (continued)

     

NCSoft Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     105                $35,015  
        162,957  

Spain - 2.6%

     

Amadeus IT Group SA (Software & Services)*†

     528        32,923  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (Banks)†

             16,305        85,796  

Banco Santander SA - Sponsored ADR (Banks)

     34,683        99,887  

Bankinter SA (Banks)†

     15,831        93,480  
        312,086  

Sweden - 5.5%

     

Alfa Laval AB (Capital Goods)†

     2,478        68,778  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B (Capital Goods)†

     4,623        116,629  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A (Capital Goods)†

     998        45,195  

Epiroc AB, Class A (Capital Goods)†

     5,084        103,394  

Evolution AB (Consumer Services)^†

     1,144        117,636  

Hexagon AB, Class B (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     2,300        29,738  

Intrum AB (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     2,169        51,915  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A (Banks)†

     9,177        102,619  

Thule Group AB (Consumer Durables & Apparel)^†

     769        26,574  
        662,478  

Switzerland - 3.9%

     

Alcon Inc. (Health Care Equipment & Services)

     1,774        126,327  

Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Class A, Reg S (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     470        54,634  

Lonza Group AG, Reg S (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     117        68,690  

SGS SA, Reg S (Commercial & Professional Services)†

     11        28,248  

Sonova Holding AG, Reg S (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     124        44,647  

Straumann Holding AG, Reg S (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     290        34,196  

Tecan Group AG, Reg S (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     77        23,140  

Temenos AG, Reg S (Software & Services)†

     306        30,820  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

 

Switzerland - 3.9% (continued)

     

VAT Group AG (Capital Goods)^†

     187                $58,032  
        468,734  

Taiwan - 2.4%

     

Advantech Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     2,998        37,137  

Airtac International Group (Capital Goods)†

     1,046        28,416  

Chipbond Technology Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

             21,000        47,138  

Eclat Textile Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     2,000        32,594  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     9,000        30,792  

Largan Precision Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     450        25,529  

Silergy Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     250        22,081  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     4,000        72,960  
        296,647  

Thailand - 0.4%

     

SCB X pcl, Reg S (Banks)†

     14,400        48,350  

Turkey - 0.4%

     

BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     8,225        45,985  

United Arab Emirates - 1.2%

     

Agthia Group PJSC (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     23,110        26,877  

Emaar Properties PJSC (Real Estate)†

     70,076        121,161  
        148,038  

United Kingdom - 7.5%

     

Abcam plc (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*†

     4,498        70,199  

Coca-Cola HBC AG - CDI (Food Beverage & Tobacco)*†

     1,463        29,579  

Compass Group plc (Consumer Services)†

     1,711        36,040  

Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     555        25,108  

Diploma plc (Capital Goods)†

     3,481        119,080  

Grafton Group plc (Capital Goods)†

     5,899        71,770  

Rathbones Group plc (Diversified Financials)†

     2,788        73,253  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

34


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

International Equity Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.0% (continued)

 

United Kingdom - 7.5% (continued)

     

Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (Household & Personal Products)†

     736                $57,417  

Rightmove plc (Media & Entertainment)†

     8,008        61,560  

Rio Tinto plc (Materials)†

     1,782        126,401  

Shell plc - ADR (Energy)

     2,443        130,529  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc (Capital Goods)†

     248        37,508  

Standard Chartered plc (Banks)†

             11,266        77,179  
     
                915,623  

Total Common Stocks (Cost $11,445,100)

              $11,663,428  

                     

     

PREFERRED STOCKS - 1.6%

 

Colombia - 0.5%

     

Bancolombia SA - Sponsored ADR, 7.55% (Banks)+

     1,364        52,882  

Germany - 0.2%

     

Sartorius AG, 0.36% (Health Care Equipment & Services)+†

     70        26,515  

South Korea - 0.9%

     

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - GDR, Reg S, 2.46% (Technology Hardware & Equipment)+†

     94        109,107  
     

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $180,493)

              $188,504  

                     

     

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.4%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

     287,115        287,115  
   

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $287,115)

 

     $287,115  

                     

     
     

Total Investments — 100.0%

                 
     

(Cost $11,912,708)

              $12,139,047  

Other Assets Less Liabilities - 0.0%

        5,180  
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

              $12,144,227  

    

Summary of Abbreviations

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

CDI

Chess Depositary Interest

 

GDR

Global Depositary Receipt

 

Reg S

Security sold outside United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

^

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 4.2% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.

 

Investment categorized as level 3 security that is effectively valued at zero. See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

+

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

Industry   

Percentage of

Net Assets

 

Automobiles & Components

     2.6

Banks

     12.1  

Capital Goods

     16.8  

Commercial & Professional Services

     1.6  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     4.4  

Consumer Services

     2.1  

Diversified Financials

     1.4  

Energy

     2.2  

Food & Staples Retailing

     3.5  

Food Beverage & Tobacco

     2.5  

Health Care Equipment & Services

     5.1  

Household & Personal Products

     1.2  

Insurance

     3.7  

Materials

     5.5  

Media & Entertainment

     5.2  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     6.3  

Real Estate

     1.7  

Retailing

     2.7  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     4.9  

Software & Services

     6.7  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     2.6  

Transportation

     1.9  

Utilities

     0.9  

Money Market Fund

     2.4  

Total Investments

     100.0  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

     0.0  

Net Assets

     100.0
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

35


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1%

     

Bangladesh - 0.4%

     

Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

             10,847                $28,267  

Brazil - 9.6%

     

Ambev SA - ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     20,505        59,669  

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (Diversified Financials)

     45,400        122,133  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao - ADR (Food & Staples Retailing)

     8,181        34,197  

Localiza Rent a Car SA (Transportation)

     11,900        127,426  

Magazine Luiza SA (Retailing)*

     68,100        67,219  

Raia Drogasil SA (Food & Staples Retailing)

     14,100        59,692  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA - Sponsored ADR (Energy)

     15,872        42,378  

WEG SA (Capital Goods)

     12,500        76,103  

XP Inc., Class A (Diversified Financials)*

     3,890        95,733  
        684,550  

China - 30.8%

     

Baidu Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*†

     2,650        41,600  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp., Ltd., Class A (Retailing)†

     1,700        45,569  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     600        36,308  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co., Ltd. (Real Estate)†

     8,000        33,691  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     140,080        142,645  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (Utilities)†

     4,400        58,496  

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     2,739        33,421  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd., Class H (Automobiles & Components)^†

     8,400        34,261  

Glodon Co., Ltd., Class A (Software & Services)†

     3,400        23,324  

Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Materials)

     10,600        116,776  

Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd., Class H (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     30,400        108,648  

Haitian International Holdings Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     15,000        37,057  
     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1% (continued)

 

China - 30.8% (continued)

     

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd., Class H (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)^†

             3,900                $37,807  

Hefei Meiya Optoelectronic Technology Inc., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     3,700        12,522  

Hongfa Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)*†

     5,300        38,071  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     11,300        64,939  

JD.com Inc., Class A (Retailing)*†

     3,252        101,366  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     6,480        28,561  

Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     2,200        52,187  

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     100        27,292  

Li Ning Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)

     4,000        31,279  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     3,400        34,113  

Meituan, Class B (Retailing)*^†

     1,600        34,342  

Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     14,300        121,649  

NetEase Inc. - ADR (Media & Entertainment)

     648        61,774  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H (Insurance)†

     20,000        128,618  

Qingdao Haier Biomedical Co., Ltd., Class A (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     2,900        28,172  

SF Holding Co., Ltd., Class A (Transportation)†

     5,900        45,196  

Shandong Sinocera Functional Material Co., Ltd., Class A (Materials)†

     6,300        30,532  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     4,800        41,204  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     3,000        41,243  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     123,000        64,045  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

36


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1% (continued)

 

China - 30.8% (continued)

     

Songcheng Performance Development Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Services)†

             19,100                $35,733  

StarPower Semiconductor Ltd., Class A (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

     1,300        66,284  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     2,700        39,503  

TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H (Software & Services)†

     23,000        34,431  

Trip.com Group Ltd. (Consumer Services)*†

     2,161        51,441  

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     1,400        33,756  

WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     3,727        56,842  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*^†

     6,000        43,541  

Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Software & Services)†

     9,600        27,301  

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     14,200        35,360  

ZTO Express Cayman Inc. - ADR (Transportation)

     1,449        39,862  
        2,200,762  

Colombia - 1.4%

     

Cementos Argos SA (Materials)

     15,277        23,178  

Ecopetrol SA - Sponsored ADR (Energy)

     4,717        76,557  
        99,735  

Czech Republic - 0.3%

     

Komercni banka AS (Banks)†

     706        23,024  

Egypt - 0.5%

     

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

     15,603        34,968  

Iceland - 0.2%

     

Marel HF (Capital Goods)^†

     3,210        16,657  

India - 8.5%

     

Asian Paints Ltd. (Materials)†

     1,186        49,815  

HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (Banks)

     2,301        127,038  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)†

     4,698        151,948  
    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1% (continued)

 

India - 8.5% (continued)

     

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd. (Banks)†

             2,467                $71,029  

ICICI Bank Ltd. - Sponsored ADR (Banks)

     4,058        77,264  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (Banks)†

     1,950        45,299  

Max Financial Services Ltd. (Insurance)*†

     1,683        16,559  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (Software & Services)†

     1,502        69,114  
        608,066  

Indonesia - 1.6%

     

Astra International Tbk PT (Automobiles & Components)†

     116,400        60,736  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT (Banks)†

     164,300        54,611  
        115,347  

Kazakhstan - 0.6%

     

Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan JSC - GDR, Reg S (Banks)†

     1,819        17,777  

Kaspi.KZ JSC - GDR, Reg S (Diversified Financials)†

     386        24,538  
        42,315  

Kenya - 0.2%

     

Safaricom plc (Telecommunication Services)†

     62,300        18,053  

Malaysia - 0.5%

     

Dialog Group Bhd. (Energy)†

     63,800        36,536  

Mexico - 2.6%

     

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV - Sponsored ADR (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     1,864        139,315  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV (Food & Staples Retailing)

     13,300        47,031  
        186,346  

Morocco - 0.6%

     

Attijariwafa Bank (Banks)†

     430        20,045  

Itissalat Al-Maghrib (Telecommunication Services)†

     1,491        20,050  
        40,095  

Pakistan - 0.3%

     

Oil & Gas Development Co., Ltd. (Energy)†

     41,800        19,019  

Panama - 0.6%

     

Copa Holdings SA, Class A (Transportation)*

     607        45,750  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

37


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1% (continued)

 

Peru - 1.8%

     

Credicorp Ltd. (Banks)

     907                $125,973  

Philippines - 4.3%

     

Bank of the Philippine Islands (Banks)†

             13,720        24,878  

BDO Unibank Inc. (Banks)†

     26,400        65,166  

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (Transportation)†

     18,410        75,426  

Jollibee Foods Corp. (Consumer Services)†

     6,330        25,962  

Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     16,410        16,811  

Security Bank Corp. (Banks)†

     10,700        21,074  

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (Real Estate)†

     88,800        59,355  

Universal Robina Corp. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     8,270        16,207  
        304,879  

Poland - 0.7%

     

Allegro.eu SA (Retailing)*^†

     5,182        26,516  

ING Bank Slaski SA (Banks)†

     505        22,403  
        48,919  

Romania - 0.7%

     

Banca Transilvania SA (Banks)†

     38,734        19,520  

Societatea Nationala de Gaze Naturale ROMGAZ SA (Energy)†

     3,372        32,152  
        51,672  

Russia - 0.0%

     

LUKOIL PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Energy)‡

     1,738         

Novatek PJSC - Sponsored GDR, Reg S (Energy)‡

     531         

Sberbank of Russia PJSC - Sponsored ADR (Banks)‡

     8,719         

Yandex NV, Class A (Media & Entertainment)*‡

     941         
         

Saudi Arabia - 2.5%

     

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co. (Insurance)†

     621        27,485  

Jarir Marketing Co. (Retailing)†

     1,292        66,083  

Mouwasat Medical Services Co. (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     471        30,052  

Saudi National Bank (Banks)†

     2,666        55,756  
        179,376  

Slovenia - 0.2%

     

Krka dd Novo mesto (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     179        16,777  
    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1% (continued)

 

South Africa - 1.0%

     

Discovery Ltd. (Insurance)*†

     7,600                $73,002  

South Korea - 6.8%

     

Cheil Worldwide Inc. (Media & Entertainment)†

     3,865        77,247  

Coway Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     1,180        66,060  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd. (Household & Personal Products)†

     116        82,460  

NAVER Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     567        128,257  

NCSoft Corp. (Media & Entertainment)†

     405        135,058  
        489,082  

Taiwan - 11.4%

     

Advantech Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     5,499        68,117  

Airtac International Group (Capital Goods)†

     4,800        130,400  

ASPEED Technology Inc. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     550        48,542  

Chipbond Technology Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     31,000        69,585  

Eclat Textile Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     4,000        65,188  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

             41,000        140,273  

Largan Precision Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     700        39,712  

Silergy Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     1,350        119,235  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     7,500        136,800  
        817,852  

Thailand - 2.2%

     

Bumrungrad Hospital pcl, Reg S (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     11,200        52,485  

SCB X pcl, Reg S (Banks)

     32,000        107,445  
        159,930  

Turkey - 0.9%

     

BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS (Food & Staples Retailing)†

     11,148        62,328  

United Arab Emirates - 1.5%

     

Agthia Group PJSC (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     13,882        16,145  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

38


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 96.1% (continued)

 

United Arab Emirates - 1.5% (continued)

     

Emaar Properties PJSC (Real Estate)†

     53,031                $91,690  
        107,835  

Vietnam - 3.4%

     

Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam JSC (Banks)†

     19,446        68,371  

Hoa Phat Group JSC (Materials)†

             62,966        118,088  

Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     2,320        16,330  

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     11,810        38,121  
        240,910  
     

Total Common Stocks (Cost $7,445,437)

              $6,878,025  

    

                 

PREFERRED STOCKS - 2.3%

 

Colombia - 0.6%

     

Bancolombia SA - Sponsored ADR, 7.55% (Banks)+

     1,139        44,159  

South Korea - 1.7%

     

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - GDR, Reg S, 2.46% (Technology Hardware & Equipment)+†

     106        123,035  

    

     
     

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $135,581)

              $167,194  

    

     

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.1%

 

Northern Institutional Funds - Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

     78,718        78,718  

    

     
   

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $78,718)

 

     $78,718  

    

 

        

Total Investments — 99.5%

                 
     

(Cost $7,659,736)

              $7,123,937  

Other Assets Less Liabilities - 0.5%

        32,237  
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

              $7,156,174  

    

Summary of Abbreviations

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

GDR

Global Depositary Receipt

 

Reg S

Security sold outside United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

^

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 2.7% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.

 

Investment categorized as level 3 security that is effectively valued at zero. See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

+

Current yield is disclosed. Dividends are calculated based on a percentage of the issuer’s net income.

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

39


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Industry   

 

Percentage of

Net Assets

 

Automobiles & Components

     3.4

Banks

     14.6  

Capital Goods

     5.9  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     6.0  

Consumer Services

     1.6  

Diversified Financials

     3.3  

Energy

     2.9  

Food & Staples Retailing

     3.1  

Food Beverage & Tobacco

     6.8  

Health Care Equipment & Services

     1.5  

Household & Personal Products

     1.1  

Insurance

     3.4  

Materials

     4.7  

Media & Entertainment

     6.3  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     5.8  

Real Estate

     2.6  

Retailing

     4.8  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     6.7  

Software & Services

     2.2  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     5.7  

Telecommunication Services

     0.5  

Transportation

     4.7  

Utilities

     0.8  

Money Market Fund

     1.1  

Total Investments

     99.5  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

     0.5  

Net Assets

     100.0

        

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

40


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Chinese Equity Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 98.2%

 

China - 81.2%

     

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (Retailing)*†

             11,200              $ 136,884  

ANTA Sports Products Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     5,500        63,254  

Baidu Inc., Class A (Media & Entertainment)*†

     3,558        55,854  

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp., Ltd., Class A (Retailing)†

     4,300        115,262  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     1,300        78,667  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co., Ltd. (Real Estate)†

     14,000        58,959  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     78,000        79,428  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (Utilities)†

     5,500        73,120  

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     3,399        41,475  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd., Class H (Automobiles & Components)^†

     10,000        40,786  

Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd., Class H (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     18,000        64,331  

Haitian International Holdings Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     45,020        111,221  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd., Class H (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)^†

     7,400        71,737  

Hefei Meiya Optoelectronic Technology Inc., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     16,600        56,179  

Hongfa Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)*†

     4,700        33,761  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     16,900        97,122  

JD.com Inc., Class A (Retailing)*†

     3,971        123,778  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     8,540        37,640  

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)

     300        81,875  

Li Ning Co., Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)

     4,500        35,189  
    

 

Shares

    

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 98.2% (continued)

 

China - 81.2% (continued)

     

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     8,400                $84,279  

Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

             11,800        100,382  

NetEase Inc. (Media & Entertainment)†

     4,300        82,168  

Qingdao Haier Biomedical Co., Ltd., Class A (Health Care Equipment & Services)†

     4,000        38,857  

Sangfor Technologies Inc., Class A (Software & Services)†

     2,929        38,989  

SF Holding Co., Ltd., Class A (Transportation)†

     9,700        74,306  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     11,900        102,151  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)†

     8,000        109,982  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)†

     5,400        79,006  

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (Media & Entertainment)†

     4,100        192,312  

TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H (Software & Services)†

     62,000        92,814  

Trip.com Group Ltd. (Consumer Services)*†

     2,146        51,084  

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A (Food Beverage & Tobacco)†

     1,700        40,989  

WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class A (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)†

     8,560        130,552  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*^†

     15,500        112,482  

Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd., Class A (Software & Services)†

     19,800        56,309  

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd., Class A (Capital Goods)†

     40,400        100,602  

Zhejiang Shuanghuan Driveline Co., Ltd., Class A (Automobiles & Components)

     11,300        32,438  
        2,976,224  

Hong Kong - 11.1%

     

AIA Group Ltd. (Insurance)†

     14,000        136,779  
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

41


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

Chinese Equity Portfolio

Portfolio of Investments

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

     Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 98.2% (continued)

 

Hong Kong - 11.1% (continued)

    

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     4,100               $41,429  

Budweiser Brewing Co. APAC Ltd. (Food Beverage & Tobacco)^†

     14,200       35,521  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. (Diversified Financials)†

     2,000       84,821  

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. (Capital Goods)†

     8,000       106,805  
       405,355  

Taiwan - 5.9%

    

Airtac International Group (Capital Goods)†

     4,685       127,276  

Silergy Corp. (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)†

     1,000       88,322  
       215,598  
     

Total Common Stocks (Cost $4,937,375)

             $3,597,177  

                     

    

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.8%

    

Northern Institutional Funds - Treasury Portfolio (Premier Shares), 0.18% (Money Market Funds)

     68,046       68,046  
     

Total Short Term Investments (Cost $68,046)

             $68,046  

                     

    
     

Total Investments — 100.0%

                
     

(Cost $5,005,421)

             $3,665,223  

Liabilities Less Other Assets - (0.0)%

       (1,501
     

Net Assets — 100.0%

             $3,663,722  

 

  *

Non-income producing security.

 

 

Investment categorized as level 2 security as disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

  ^

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities, which represent 7.1% of net assets as of April 30, 2022, are considered liquid and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified buyers.

Industry   

Percentage of

Net Assets

 

Automobiles & Components

     2.0

Capital Goods

     19.5  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     10.2  

Consumer Services

     1.4  

Diversified Financials

     2.3  

Food Beverage & Tobacco

     8.1  

Health Care Equipment & Services

     1.1  

Insurance

     3.8  

Media & Entertainment

     9.0  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     11.9  

Real Estate

     1.6  

Retailing

     10.2  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     5.8  

Software & Services

     5.1  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     2.2  

Transportation

     2.0  

Utilities

     2.0  

Money Market Fund

     1.8  

Total Investments

     100.0  

Liabilities Less Other Assets

     (0.0

Net Assets

     100.0
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

42


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 

April 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

     

Global

Equity

Portfolio

   

International

Equity

Portfolio

   

International

Small

Companies

Portfolio

 
   

ASSETS:

          
   

Investments (cost $1,082,191,932, $13,995,626,021 and $454,032,855, respectively)

           $1,277,280,679               $17,770,003,351               $504,125,692    
   

Dividends and interest receivable

     634,461       30,870,014       773,312  
   

Foreign currency (cost $143,460, $6,981,030 and $143,043, respectively)

     143,460       6,987,634       143,122  
   

Receivable for investments sold

     1,094,073       137,143       805,540  
   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     505,379       15,524,305       1,196,078  
   

Tax reclaims receivable

     531,285       29,638,332       373,835  
   

Capital gain tax refund receivable

                 5,332  
   

Prepaid expenses

     46,675       133,044       27,849  
   

Total Assets:

     1,280,236,012       17,853,293,823       507,450,760  
   

LIABILITIES:

          
   

Payable to Investment Adviser

     (853,456     (10,262,706     (411,378
   

Payable for investments purchased

     (410,973     (12,074,849     (4,135,901
   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

     (259,958     (21,034,276     (96,665
   

Payable for directors’ fees and expenses

     (12,641     (160,811     (4,490
   

Payable for distribution fees

           (202,795     (28,315
   

Deferred capital gains tax

                 (212,535
   

Other liabilities

     (433,664     (3,826,765     (175,656
   

Total Liabilities

     (1,970,692     (47,562,202     (5,064,940
       

Net Assets

     $1,278,265,320       $17,805,731,621       $502,385,820  
   

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

          
   

Paid in capital

     $1,068,465,477       $13,817,129,092       $456,823,404  
   

Distributable earnings

     209,799,843       3,988,602,529       45,562,416  
   

Net Assets

     $1,278,265,320       $17,805,731,621       $502,385,820  
   

Net Assets:

          
   

Institutional Class

     $963,145,158       $14,530,945,268       $464,641,692  
   

Institutional Class Z

     277,597,418       2,961,154,692        
   

Investor Class

           313,631,661       37,744,128  
   

Advisor Class

     37,522,744              
   

Total Shares Outstanding:

          
   

Institutional Class (500,000,000, 700,000,000 and 500,000,000, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

     27,364,728       588,312,773       26,811,594  
   

Institutional Class Z (200,000,000, 300,000,000 and —, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

     7,881,614       119,922,252        
   

Investor Class (—, 100,000,000 and 400,000,000, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

           12,706,838       2,204,559  
   

Advisor Class (400,000,000, — and —, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

     1,069,958              
   

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share:

          
   

Institutional Class

     $35.20       $24.70       $17.33  
   

Institutional Class Z

     35.22       24.69        
   

Investor Class

           24.68       17.12  
   

Advisor Class

     35.07              

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

43


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

 

April 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

     

Institutional

Emerging

Markets

Portfolio

   

Emerging

Markets

Portfolio

   

Frontier

Emerging

Markets

Portfolio

 
   

ASSETS:

          
   

Investments (cost $3,653,230,131, $2,207,798,933 and $158,091,996, respectively)

           $4,073,585,427             $2,653,988,005             $190,358,323  
   

Dividends and interest receivable

     3,525,039       2,225,404       127,029  
   

Foreign currency (cost $6,382,265, $845,491 and $2,769,604, respectively)

     6,373,894         844,806         2,729,624    
   

Receivable for investments sold

     33,668,655       1,095,046       83  
   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     2,389,672       1,503,082       154,527  
   

Tax reclaims receivable

     210,220       128,398       1,294  
   

Capital gain tax refund receivable

     1,013              
   

Prepaid expenses

     223,050       295,268       48,294  
   

Total Assets:

     4,119,976,970       2,660,080,009       193,419,174  
   

LIABILITIES:

          
   

Payable to Investment Adviser

     (3,473,831     (2,259,430     (218,448
   

Payable for investments purchased

     (207,958     (154,381     (391,155
   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

     (23,002,212     (3,626,801     (14,235
   

Payable for directors’ fees and expenses

     (43,142     (24,926     (1,664
   

Payable for distribution fees

                 (15,677
   

Deferred capital gains tax

     (10,360,103     (5,815,805     (700,246
   

Other liabilities

     (1,472,190     (1,673,292     (131,645
   

Total Liabilities

     (38,559,436     (13,554,635     (1,473,070
       

Net Assets

     $4,081,417,534       $2,646,525,374       $191,946,104  
   

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

          
   

Paid in capital

     $3,759,187,144       $2,146,959,193       $268,879,652  
   

Distributable earnings

     322,230,390       499,566,181       (76,933,548
   

Net Assets

     $4,081,417,534       $2,646,525,374       $191,946,104  
   

Net Assets:

          
   

Institutional Class

     $3,585,165,124       $—       $—  
   

Institutional Class I

                 80,876,933  
   

Institutional Class II

                 103,074,503  
   

Institutional Class Z

     496,252,410              
   

Investor Class

                 7,994,668  
   

Advisor Class

           2,646,525,374        
   

Total Shares Outstanding:

          
   

Institutional Class (500,000,000, — and —, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

     193,170,601              
   

Institutional Class I (—, — and 400,000,000, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

                 10,398,724  
   

Institutional Class II (—, — and 200,000,000, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

                 13,159,273  
   

Institutional Class Z (500,000,000, — and —, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

     26,669,849              
   

Investor Class (—, — and 400,000,000, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

                 1,032,161  
   

Advisor Class (—, 500,000,000 and —, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

           58,839,542        
   

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share:

          
   

Institutional Class

     $18.56       $—       $—  
   

Institutional Class I

                 7.78  
   

Institutional Class II

                 7.83  
   

Institutional Class Z

     18.61              
   

Investor Class

                 7.75  
   

Advisor Class

           44.98        

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

44


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

 

April 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

      Global
Equity
Research
Portfolio
    International
Equity
Research
Portfolio
    Emerging
Markets
Research
Portfolio
    Chinese
Equity
Portfolio
 
     

ASSETS:

              
     

Investments (cost $7,372,687, $11,912,708, $7,659,736 and $5,005,421, respectively)

           $8,076,873               $12,139,047               $7,123,937               $3,665,223    
     

Dividends and interest receivable

     14,263       30,166       5,343       8  
     

Foreign currency (cost $950, $2,087, $67,154 and $318, respectively)

     950       2,090       66,111       318  
     

Receivable for Fund shares sold

           3,294              
     

Tax reclaims receivable

     2,543       10,264       97        
     

Prepaid offering fees

                       5,806  
     

Prepaid expenses

     18,171       19,328       18,925       19,240  

Total Assets:

     8,112,800       12,204,189       7,214,413       3,690,595  
     

LIABILITIES:

              
     

Payable to Investment Adviser

     (4,903     (7,345     (6,168     (2,947
     

Payable for investments purchased

     (2     (3            
     

Payable for directors’ fees and expenses

     (69     (121     (54     (30
     

Deferred capital gains tax

     (2,966     (6,762     (8,687      
     

Other liabilities

     (35,546     (45,731     (43,330     (23,896

Total Liabilities

     (43,486     (59,962     (58,239     (26,873
         

Net Assets

     $8,069,314       $12,144,227       $7,156,174       $3,663,722  
     

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS:

              
     

Paid in capital

     $7,068,048       $11,711,812       $7,793,229       $5,470,854  
     

Distributable earnings

     1,001,266       432,415       (637,055     (1,807,132
     

Net Assets

     $8,069,314       $12,144,227       $7,156,174       $3,663,722  
     

Net Assets:

              

Institutional Class

     $8,069,314       $12,144,227       $7,156,174       $3,663,722  
     

Total Shares Outstanding:

              
     

Institutional Class (400,000,000, 400,000,000, 400,000,000 and 500,000,000, respectively, $.001 par value shares authorized)

     660,793       1,149,791       742,173       560,169  
     

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share:

              
     

Institutional Class

     $12.21       $10.56       $9.64       $6.54  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

45


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Statements of Operations

 

Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

     

Global

Equity
Portfolio

   

International

Equity

Portfolio

   

International

Small

Companies

Portfolio

   

Institutional

Emerging

Markets

Portfolio

   

Emerging

Markets

Portfolio

 
       

INVESTMENT INCOME

                  
       

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $350,553, $10,739,842, $370,254, $5,718,546 and $3,465,315, respectively)

           $4,457,616               $228,245,186               $3,486,698               $37,635,042               $22,034,293    
       

Non-cash dividends

     508,239       19,316,844             6,946,677       3,958,305  
       

Total investment income

     4,965,855       247,562,030       3,486,698       44,581,719       25,992,598  
       

EXPENSES

                  
       

Investment advisory fees (Note 3)

     5,784,289       67,498,937       2,651,470       27,021,436       16,074,739  
       

Administration fees (Note 3)

     106,211       1,325,318       41,246       370,467       219,147  
       

Distribution fees, Investor Class

           453,288       54,913              
       

Custody and accounting fees (Note 3)

     93,651       1,238,808       92,904       880,733       507,051  
       

Directors’ fees and expenses

     25,132       321,443       8,691       90,807       52,276  
       

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 3)

     4,699       154,256       1,184       10,515        
       

Printing and postage fees

     15,528       398,588       10,488       129,297       146,528  
       

State registration filing fees

     34,173       80,811       22,052       30,123       31,631  
       

Professional fees

     33,705       222,398       30,294       84,971       65,774  
       

Shareholder servicing fees (Note 3)

     353,691       7,088,578       210,691       2,085,264       2,242,601  
       

Compliance officers’ fees and expenses (Note 3)

     1,889       24,123       649       6,908       3,948  
       

Other fees and expenses

     22,846       228,606       9,180       68,222       27,333  
       

Total Expenses

     6,475,814       79,035,154       3,133,762       30,778,743       19,371,028  
       

Less Waiver of investment advisory fee and/or reimbursement of other operating expenses (Note 3)

                 (4,335     (174,999      
       

Net expenses

     6,475,814       79,035,154       3,129,427       30,603,744       19,371,028  
           

Net investment income (loss)

     (1,509,959     168,526,876       357,271       13,977,975       6,621,570  
       

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

                  
       

Net realized gain (loss)

                  
       

Investment transactions

     20,553,025       191,676,907       1,471,732       82,056,719       107,251,506  
       

Foreign currency transactions

     (64,958     (1,772,804     (94,878     (620,861     25,702  

Net realized gain

     20,488,067       189,904,103       1,376,854       81,435,858       107,277,208  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

          

Investments (net of increase (decrease) in deferred foreign taxes of $—, $—, $234,352, $4,584,898 and $3,483,901, respectively)

     (429,997,359     (4,162,650,532     (135,986,348     (1,777,997,378     (1,107,142,428
       

Translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (39,935     (1,782,470     (41,631     362,372       207,116  
       

Net change in unrealized depreciation

     (430,037,294     (4,164,433,002     (136,027,979     (1,777,635,006     (1,106,935,312
       

Net realized and unrealized loss

     (409,549,227     (3,974,528,899     (134,651,125     (1,696,199,148     (999,658,104
       

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

     $(411,059,186     $(3,806,002,023     $(134,293,854     $(1,682,221,173     $(993,036,534

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

46


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Statements of Operations (continued)

 

Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

     

    Frontier    

Emerging

Markets

Portfolio

    

    Global    

Equity

Research

Portfolio

    

    International    

Equity

Research

Portfolio

    

    Emerging    

Markets

Research

Portfolio

    

    Chinese    

Equity

Portfolio

         

INVESTMENT INCOME

              
         

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $507,010, $6,781, $15,832, $8,168 and $35, respectively)

     $2,984,788        $67,766        $125,784        $67,421        $8,610  
         

Non-cash dividends

                                 6,238  
         

Total investment income

     2,984,788        67,766        125,784        67,421        14,848      
         

EXPENSES

              
         

Investment advisory fees (Note 3)

     1,382,014        31,859        48,555        41,322        18,681  
         

Administration fees (Note 3)

     18,269        5,551        5,861        5,497        5,344  
         

Distribution fees, Investor Class

     10,832                              
         

Custody and accounting fees (Note 3)

     124,970        5,292        6,075        8,696        4,947  
         

Directors’ fees and expenses

     3,265        149        212        140        52  
         

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 3)

     1,142        236        271        255        385  
         

Printing and postage fees

     3,737        132        201        122        230  
         

State registration filing fees

     22,551        10,653        11,021        10,697        8,311  
         

Professional fees

     25,360        19,947        19,986        24,045        14,004  
         

Shareholder servicing fees (Note 3)

     33,596               461        54        111  
         

Compliance officers’ fees and expenses (Note 3)

     247        11        16        11        4  
         

Offering fees

                                 26,123  
         

Other fees and expenses

     7,643        1,973        2,013        1,968        2,106  
         

Total Expenses

     1,633,626        75,803        94,672        92,807        80,298  
         

Less Waiver of investment advisory fee and/or reimbursement of other operating expenses (Note 3)

     (109,503      (39,393      (42,649      (45,287      (57,684
         

Net expenses

     1,524,123        36,410        52,023        47,520        22,614  
           

  Net investment income (loss)

     1,460,665        31,356        73,761        19,901        (7,766
         

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

              
         

Net realized gain (loss)

Investment transactions

     608,807        282,799        279,144        (82,383      (269,831
         

Foreign currency transactions

     (38,289      (1,389      (2,691      (2,761      (490
         

Net realized gain (loss)

     570,518        281,410        276,453        (85,144      (270,321

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

              

Investments (net of increase (decrease) in deferred foreign taxes of $(186,485), $1,990, $4,627, $6,311 and $—, respectively)

     (29,556,558      (1,996,501      (3,150,558      (1,628,182      (1,181,079
         

Translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     6,830        (535      (1,579      116         
         

Net change in unrealized depreciation

     (29,549,728      (1,997,036      (3,152,137      (1,628,066      (1,181,079
         

Net realized and unrealized loss

     (28,979,210      (1,715,626      (2,875,684      (1,713,210      (1,451,400
         

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

     $(27,518,545      $(1,684,270      $(2,801,923      $(1,693,309      $(1,459,166

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

47


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

 

    

Global Equity

Portfolio

    

International Equity

Portfolio

    

International Small Companies

Portfolio

 
     2022      2021      2022      2021      2022        2021  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

                   
     

Net investment income (loss)

     $(1,509,959      $(4,545,036      $168,526,876        $241,579,583        $357,271          $1,338,454  
     

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

     20,488,067        250,426,555        189,904,103        792,159,294        1,376,854          20,518,770  
     

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (430,037,294      230,188,057        (4,164,433,002      3,879,532,363        (136,027,979        111,531,955  
     

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (411,059,186      476,069,576        (3,806,002,023      4,913,271,240        (134,293,854        133,389,179  
     

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

                   
     

Institutional Class

     (185,635,345      (65,209,713      (444,803,839      (123,781,067      (16,184,086        (609,752
     

Institutional Class Z

     (50,280,731      (17,916,242      (81,696,227      (21,728,233                
     

Investor Class

                   (8,326,347      (1,685,707      (1,329,708        (12,869
     

Advisor Class

     (7,355,600      (3,368,857                              
     

Total distributions to shareholders

     (243,271,676      (86,494,812      (534,826,413      (147,195,007      (17,513,794        (622,621
     

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

                   
     

Institutional Class

     105,402,848        18,309,218        (150,824,810      646,601,165        54,740,734          92,733,830  
     

Institutional Class Z

     35,268,903        7,371,412        403,753,690        422,221,016                  
     

Investor Class

                   (19,158,512      (21,699,734      (199,478        (2,710,589
     

Advisor Class

     3,742,179        (13,246,523                              
     

Net Increase in net assets from portfolio share transactions

     144,413,930        12,434,107        233,770,368        1,047,122,447        54,541,256          90,023,241  
     

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     (509,916,932      402,008,871        (4,107,058,068      5,813,198,680        (97,266,392        222,789,799  
     

NET ASSETS

                   
     

At beginning of period

     1,788,182,252        1,386,173,381        21,912,789,689        16,099,591,009        599,652,212          376,862,413  
     

At end of period

     $1,278,265,320        $1,788,182,252        $17,805,731,621        $21,912,789,689        $502,385,820          $599,652,212  
                                                         

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

48


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

 

    

Institutional Emerging Markets

Portfolio

    

Emerging Markets

Portfolio

    

Frontier Emerging Markets

Portfolio

 
     2022      2021      2022      2021      2022      2021  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

                 
     

Net investment income

     $13,977,975        $23,198,946        $6,621,570        $7,726,216        $1,460,665        $2,035,958  
     

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

     81,435,858        130,998,582        107,277,208        320,983,925        570,518        18,982,850  
     

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (1,777,635,006      1,003,016,842        (1,106,935,312      482,938,965        (29,549,728      39,990,501  
     

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (1,682,221,173      1,157,214,370        (993,036,534      811,649,106        (27,518,545      61,009,309  
     

DISTRIBUTIONS TO

                 
     

SHAREHOLDERS:

                 
     

Institutional Class

     (39,642,558      (23,061,824                            
     

Institutional Class I

                                 (756,883      (1,305,371
     

Institutional Class II

                                 (1,026,818      (2,278,483
     

Institutional Class Z

     (5,159,015      (3,583,856                            
     

Investor Class

                                 (44,023      (146,250
     

Advisor Class

                   (289,296,570      (14,604,731              
     

Total distributions to shareholders

     (44,801,573      (26,645,680      (289,296,570      (14,604,731      (1,827,724      (3,730,104
     

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

                 
     

Institutional Class

     (663,986,081      (72,145,922                            
     

Institutional Class I

                                 (3,553,081      1,089,776  
     

Institutional Class II

                                 1,026,818        (31,446,987
     

Institutional Class Z

     (21,459,680      (38,875,745                            
     

Investor Class

                                 (317,165      (3,400,547
     

Advisor Class

                   115,527,631        (722,922,763              
     

Net Increase (Decrease) in net assets from portfolio share transactions

     (685,445,761      (111,021,667      115,527,631        (722,922,763      (2,843,428      (33,757,758
     

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     (2,412,468,507      1,019,547,023        (1,166,805,473      74,121,612        (32,189,697      23,521,447  
     

NET ASSETS

                 
     

At beginning of period

     6,493,886,041        5,474,339,018        3,813,330,847        3,739,209,235        224,135,801        200,614,354  
     

At end of period

     $4,081,417,534        $6,493,886,041        $2,646,525,374        $3,813,330,847        $191,946,104        $224,135,801  
                                                       

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

49


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

 

    

Global Equity Research

Portfolio

    

International Equity

Research Portfolio

    

Emerging Markets Research

Portfolio

 
     2022      2021      2022      2021      2022      2021  
 INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS                  
     

Net investment income

     $31,356        $61,559        $73,761        $149,982        $19,901        $68,200  
     

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     281,410        993,321        276,453        1,549,600        (85,144      771,316  
     

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (1,997,036      1,413,992        (3,152,137      1,625,603        (1,628,066      564,118  
     

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (1,684,270      2,468,872        (2,801,923      3,325,185        (1,693,309      1,403,634  
     

 DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

                 
     

Institutional Class

     (1,055,667      (217,846      (1,698,835      (489,632      (819,048      (134,267
     

Total distributions to shareholders

     (1,055,667      (217,846      (1,698,835      (489,632      (819,048      (134,267
     

 TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

                 
     

Institutional Class

     952,862        218,347        1,350,214        (34,784      603,964        428,228  
     

Net Increase (Decrease) in net assets from portfolio share transactions

     952,862        218,347        1,350,214        (34,784      603,964        428,228  
     

 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     (1,787,075      2,469,373        (3,150,544      2,800,769        (1,908,393      1,697,595  
     

 NET ASSETS

                 
     

At beginning of period

     9,856,389        7,387,016        15,294,771        12,494,002        9,064,567        7,366,972  
     

At end of period

            $8,069,314               $9,856,389             $12,144,227             $15,294,771            $7,156,174            $9,064,567  
                                                       

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

50


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

 

            

  Chinese Equity  

Portfolio

              
       2022            2021(1)        

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

           
 

Net investment loss

       $(7,766        $(7,935  
 

Net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions

       (270,321        (171,141                   
 

Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

       (1,181,079        (159,119  
 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

       (1,459,166              (338,195        
 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

           
 

Institutional Class

       (11,045           
 

Total distributions to shareholders

       (11,045                       
 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

           
 

Institutional Class

       1,191,628          4,280,500    
 

Net Increase in net assets from portfolio share transactions

       1,191,628                4,280,500          
 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       (278,583        3,942,305    
 

NET ASSETS

           
 

At beginning of period

       3,942,305             
 

At end of period

       $3,663,722                $3,942,305          
                                     

 

(1)

For the period from December 16, 2020 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2021.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

51


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Global Equity Portfolio

Institutional Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 53.93 $ 42.41 $ 35.38 $ 35.68 $ 40.84 $ 32.53
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income (loss)(1)

  (0.04 )   (0.14 )   (0.06 )   0.09   0.13   0.09
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (11.28 )   14.30   7.33   3.45   (0.13 )   8.74

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (11.32 )   14.16   7.27   3.54     8.83
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

      (0.24 )   (0.12 )   (0.14 )   (0.13 )
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (7.41 )   (2.64 )     (3.72 )   (5.02 )   (0.39 )

Total distributions

  (7.41 )   (2.64 )   (0.24 )   (3.84 )   (5.16 )   (0.52 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 35.20 $ 53.93 $ 42.41 $ 35.38 $ 35.68 $ 40.84
       

Total Return

  (23.95 )%(A)       34.57 %   20.63 %   11.86 %   (0.35 )%       27.58 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 963,145 $ 1,354,918 $ 1,043,741 $ 684,764 $ 619,347 $ 790,097
       

Expenses to average net assets

  0.84 %(B)   0.88 %   0.92 %   0.93 %   0.94 %   0.93 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  0.84 %(B)   0.88 %   0.92 %   0.93 %   0.94 %   0.93 %
       

Net investment income (loss) to average net assets

  (0.20 )%(B)   (0.28 )%        (0.15 )%       0.28 %       0.34 %   0.25 %    
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  25 %(A)   59 %   63 %   39 %   42 %   33 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

52


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Global Equity Portfolio

Institutional Class Z

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017(1)(2)

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 53.95 $ 42.39 $ 35.36 $ 35.67 $ 40.84 $ 39.33
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income (loss)(3)

  (0.03 )   (0.10 )   (0.02 )   0.11   0.17   (0.01 )
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (11.29 )   14.30   7.31   3.44   (0.15 )   1.52

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (11.32 )   14.20   7.29   3.55   0.02   1.51
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

      (0.26 )   (0.14 )   (0.17 )  
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (7.41 )   (2.64 )     (3.72 )   (5.02 )  

Total distributions

  (7.41 )   (2.64 )   (0.26 )   (3.86 )   (5.19 )  
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 35.22 $ 53.95 $ 42.39 $ 35.36 $ 35.67 $ 40.84
       

Total Return

  (23.94 )%(A)       34.66 %   20.76 %   11.89 %   (0.26 )%       3.80 %(A)
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 277,597 $ 379,781 $ 289,320 $ 229,355 $ 140,359 $ 46,493
       

Expenses to average net assets

  0.79 %(B)   0.81 %   0.85 %   0.88 %   0.91 %   1.21 %(B)
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  0.79 %(B)   0.80 %   0.84 %   0.88 %   0.90 %   0.90 %(B)
       

Net investment income (loss) to average net assets

  (0.15 )%(B)   (0.20 )%        (0.05 )%       0.32 %       0.43 %   (0.05 )%(B)   
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  25 %(A)   59 %   63 %   39 %   42 %   33 %(A)

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

For the period from August 1, 2017 (commencement of class operations) through October 31, 2017.

 

(2)

All per share amounts and net asset values have been adjusted as a result of the reverse share split effected after the close of business on December 1, 2017.

 

(3)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

53


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Global Equity Portfolio

Advisor Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 53.82 $ 42.41 $ 35.30 $ 35.60 $ 40.78 $ 32.47
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income (loss)(1)

  (0.09 )   (0.24 )   (0.12 )   0.03   0.07   0.01
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (11.25 )   14.29   7.33   3.43   (0.15 )   8.73

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (11.34 )   14.05   7.21   3.46   (0.08 )   8.74
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

      (0.10 )   (0.04 )   (0.08 )   (0.04 )
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (7.41 )   (2.64 )     (3.72 )   (5.02 )   (0.39 )

Total distributions

  (7.41 )   (2.64 )   (0.10 )   (3.76 )   (5.10 )   (0.43 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 35.07 $ 53.82 $ 42.41 $ 35.30 $ 35.60 $ 40.78
       

Total Return

  (24.03 )%(A)       34.28 %   20.47 %   11.60 %   (0.57 )%       27.28 %    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 37,523 $ 53,483 $ 53,112 $ 48,181 $ 90,567 $ 75,244
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.04 %(B)   1.09 %   1.11 %   1.12 %   1.14 %   1.14 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.04 %(B)   1.09 %   1.11 %   1.12 %   1.14 %   1.14 %
       

Net investment income (loss) to average net assets

  (0.40 )%(B)   (0.48 )%       (0.32 )%       0.09 %       0.18 %   0.02 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  25 %(A)   59 %   63 %   39 %   42 %   33 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

54


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

International Equity Portfolio

Institutional Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 30.69 $ 23.76 $ 22.72 $ 20.74 $ 22.64 $ 18.37
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(1)

  0.23   0.34   0.23   0.29   0.31   0.23
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (5.47 )   6.80   1.19   1.98   (1.83 )   4.22

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (5.24 )   7.14   1.42   2.27   (1.52 )   4.45
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.43 )   (0.21 )   (0.38 )   (0.29 )   (0.20 )   (0.18 )
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (0.32 )         (0.18 )  

Total distributions

  (0.75 )   (0.21 )   (0.38 )   (0.29 )   (0.38 )   (0.18 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 24.70 $ 30.69 $ 23.76 $ 22.72 $ 20.74 $ 22.64
       

Total Return

  (17.46 )%(A)       30.16 %   6.25 %   11.19 %   (6.86 )%       24.47 %    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 14,530,945 $ 18,268,498 $ 13,596,900 $ 13,766,876 $ 11,995,592 $ 11,107,736
       

Expenses to average net assets

  0.79 %(B)   0.80 %   0.81 %   0.81 %       0.81 %   0.82 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  0.79 %(B)   0.80 %       0.81 %       0.81 %   0.81 %   0.82 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  1.64 %(B)   1.17 %   1.01 %   1.35 %   1.34 %   1.22 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  8 %(A)   14 %   17 %   30 %   10 %   12 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

55


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

International Equity Portfolio

Institutional Class Z

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017(1)(2)

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 30.69 $ 23.76 $ 22.72 $ 20.75 $ 22.64 $ 21.35
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(3)

  0.25   0.37   0.25   0.30   0.40   0.02
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (5.48 )   6.79   1.18   1.98   (1.90 )   1.27

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (5.23 )   7.16   1.43   2.28   (1.50 )   1.29
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.45 )   (0.23 )   (0.39 )   (0.31 )   (0.21 )  
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (0.32 )         (0.18 )  

Total distributions

  (0.77 )   (0.23 )   (0.39 )   (0.31 )   (0.39 )  
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 24.69 $ 30.69 $ 23.76 $ 22.72 $ 20.75 $ 22.64
       

Total Return

  (17.42 )%(A)       30.25 %   6.32 %   11.29 %   (6.79 )%       6.00 %(A)    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 2,961,155 $ 3,235,428 $ 2,165,343 $ 1,938,763 $ 1,342,804 $ 166,923
       

Expenses to average net assets

  0.70 %(B)   0.72 %   0.73 %       0.75 %       0.74 %   0.99 %(B)
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  0.70 %(B)   0.72 %       0.73 %   0.75 %   0.74 %   0.80 %(B)
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  1.79 %(B)   1.25 %   1.08 %   1.42 %   1.77 %   0.33 %(B)
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  8 %(A)   14 %   17 %   30 %   10 %   12 %(A)

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

All per share amounts and net asset values have been adjusted as a result of the reverse share split effected after the close of business on December 1, 2017.

 

(2)

For the period from July 17, 2017 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2017.

 

(3)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

56


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

International Equity Portfolio

Investor Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 30.61 $ 23.70 $ 22.66 $ 20.65 $ 22.55 $ 18.30
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(1)

  0.19   0.24   0.16   0.22   0.21   0.19
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (5.47 )   6.80   1.18   1.98   (1.80 )   4.18

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (5.28 )   7.04   1.34   2.20   (1.59 )   4.37
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.33 )   (0.13 )   (0.30 )   (0.19 )   (0.13 )   (0.12 )
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (0.32 )         (0.18 )  

Total distributions

  (0.65 )   (0.13 )   (0.30 )   (0.19 )   (0.31 )   (0.12 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 24.68 $ 30.61 $ 23.70 $ 22.66 $ 20.65 $ 22.55
       

Total Return

  (17.58 )%(A)       29.74 %   5.91 %       10.79 %       (7.16 )%       24.04 %    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 313,632 $ 408,864 $ 337,348 $ 395,339 $ 411,712 $ 644,243
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.09 %(B)   1.12 %       1.13 %   1.13 %   1.14 %   1.14 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.09 %(B)   1.12 %   1.13 %   1.13 %   1.14 %   1.14 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  1.34 %(B)   0.83 %   0.69 %   1.03 %   0.92 %   0.95 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  8 %(A)   14 %   17 %   30 %   10 %   12 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

57


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

International Small Companies Portfolio

Institutional Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 22.80 $ 17.14 $ 15.64 $ 15.29 $ 16.67 $ 13.72
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(1)

  0.02   0.06   0.08   0.12   0.13   0.11
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (4.82 )   5.63   1.53   1.24   (1.30 )   3.41

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (4.80 )   5.69   1.61   1.36   (1.17 )   3.52
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.06 )   (0.03 )   (0.11 )   (0.13 )   (0.06 )   (0.16 )
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (0.61 )       (0.88 )   (0.15 )   (0.41 )

Total distributions

  (0.67 )   (0.03 )   (0.11 )   (1.01 )   (0.21 )   (0.57 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 17.33 $ 22.80 $ 17.14 $ 15.64 $ 15.29 $ 16.67
       

Total Return

  (21.55 )%(A)       33.16 %       10.34 %       10.14 %       (7.15 )%       26.98 %    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 464,642 $ 549,895 $ 337,166 $ 272,252 $ 151,283 $ 144,170
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.10 %(B)   1.16 %   1.34 %   1.38 %   1.39 %   1.41 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.10 %(B)   1.14 %   1.15 %   1.15 %   1.15 %   1.15 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  0.15 %(B)   0.29 %   0.50 %   0.78 %   0.75 %   0.72 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  14 %(A)   13 %   30 %   37 %   52 %   19 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

58


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

International Small Companies Portfolio

Investor Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 22.51 $ 16.94 $ 15.48 $ 15.16 $ 16.55 $ 13.64
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income (loss)(1)

  (0.02 )   (2)     0.04   0.09   0.10   0.05
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (4.76 )   5.58   1.51   1.21   (1.29 )   3.42

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (4.78 )   5.58   1.55   1.30   (1.19 )   3.47
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.01 )   (0.01 )   (0.09 )   (0.10 )   (0.05 )   (0.15 )
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (0.60 )       (0.88 )   (0.15 )   (0.41 )

Total distributions

  (0.61 )   (0.01 )   (0.09 )   (0.98 )   (0.20 )   (0.56 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 17.12 $ 22.51 $ 16.94 $ 15.48 $ 15.16 $ 16.55
       

Total Return

  (21.69 )%(A)       32.84 %       10.07 %       9.82 %       (7.35 )%       26.71 %    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 37,744 $ 49,757 $ 39,696 $ 57,095 $ 57,912 $ 50,292
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.42 %(B)   1.50 %   1.67 %   1.70 %   1.75 %   1.80 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.40 %(B)   1.40 %   1.40 %   1.40 %   1.40 %   1.40 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  (0.17 )%(B)   0.01 %   0.28 %   0.63 %   0.58 %   0.37 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  14 %(A)   13 %   30 %   37 %   52 %   19 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

(2)

Amount was less than $0.005 per share.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

59


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio

Institutional Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 25.59 $ 21.23 $ 21.25 $ 18.43 $ 21.94 $ 17.65
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(1)

  0.06   0.09   0.12   0.24   0.19   0.19
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (6.91 )   4.37   0.19   2.76   (3.53 )   4.20

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (6.85 )   4.46   0.31   3.00   (3.34 )   4.39
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.18 )   (0.10 )   (0.33 )   (0.18 )   (0.17 )   (0.10 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 18.56 $ 25.59 $ 21.23 $ 21.25 $ 18.43 $ 21.94
       

Total Return

  (26.94 )%(A)       21.03 %   1.38 %   16.43 %   (15.33 )%   25.08 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 3,585,165 $ 5,774,486 $ 4,847,707 $ 4,864,702 $ 3,978,321 $ 4,386,511
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.10 %(B)   1.22 %       1.28 %       1.27 %       1.27 %       1.28 %    
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.10 %(B)   1.15 %   1.28 %   1.27 %   1.27 %   1.28 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  0.49 %(B)   0.33 %   0.59 %   1.18 %   0.84 %   0.97 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  8 %(A)   13 %   23 %   17 %   24 %   17 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

60


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio

Institutional Class Z

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017(1)

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 25.65 $ 21.28 $ 21.28 $ 18.45 $ 21.94 $ 17.71
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(2)

  0.07   0.11   0.15   0.27   0.22   0.22
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (6.93 )   4.38   0.20   2.76   (3.52 )   4.21

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (6.86 )   4.49   0.35   3.03   (3.30 )   4.43
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.18 )   (0.12 )   (0.35 )   (0.20 )   (0.19 )   (0.20 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 18.61 $ 25.65 $ 21.28 $ 21.28 $ 18.45 $ 21.94
       

Total Return

  (26.89 )%(A)       21.11 %       1.55 %   16.61 %   (15.21 )%   25.43 %
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 496,253 $ 719,400 $ 626,632 $ 557,924 $ 391,583 $ 458,288
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.02 %(B)   1.13 %   1.19 %       1.19 %       1.20 %       1.23 %    
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.00 %(B)   1.07 %   1.11 %   1.11 %   1.11 %   1.12 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  0.58 %(B)   0.41 %   0.76 %   1.34 %   1.00 %   1.12 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  8 %(A)   13 %   23 %   17 %   24 %   17 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

All per share amounts and net asset values have been adjusted as a result of the reverse share split effected after the close of business on December 1, 2017.

 

(2)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

61


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Advisor Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 66.93 $ 55.48 $ 55.65 $ 48.21 $ 57.46 $ 46.27
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(1)

  0.11   0.12   0.26   0.58   0.42   0.43
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (16.98 )   11.55   0.40   7.28   (9.24 )   11.02

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (16.87 )   11.67   0.66   7.86   (8.82 )   11.45
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.36 )   (0.22 )   (0.83 )   (0.42 )   (0.40 )   (0.26 )
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (4.72 )         (0.03 )  

Total distributions

  (5.08 )   (0.22 )   (0.83 )   (0.42 )   (0.43 )   (0.26 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 44.98 $ 66.93 $ 55.48 $ 55.65 $ 48.21 $ 57.46
       

Total Return

  (26.96 )%(A)       21.04 %       1.11 %       16.46 %       (15.47 )%       24.93 %    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 2,646,525 $ 3,813,331 $ 3,739,209 $ 4,274,314 $ 3,459,157 $ 4,014,977
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.18 %(B)   1.31 %   1.36 %   1.37 %   1.40 %   1.42 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.18 %(B)   1.28 %   1.36 %   1.37 %   1.40 %   1.42 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  0.40 %(B)   0.18 %   0.49 %   1.10 %   0.73 %   0.84 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  13 %(A)   15 %   18 %   19 %   24 %   17 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

62


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

Institutional Class I

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 8.97 $ 6.92 $ 7.80 $ 7.62 $ 8.50 $ 7.35
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(1)

  0.05   0.06   0.10   0.14   0.11   0.05
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (1.17 )   2.12   (0.82 )   0.14   (0.82 )   1.17

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (1.12 )   2.18   (0.72 )   0.28   (0.71 )   1.22
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.07 )   (0.13 )   (0.16 )   (0.10 )   (0.17 )   (0.07 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 7.78 $ 8.97 $ 6.92 $ 7.80 $ 7.62 $ 8.50
       

Total Return

  (12.54 )%(A)       31.74 %       (9.50 )%       3.59 %       (8.47 )%       16.82 %    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 80,877 $ 96,905 $ 73,376 $ 144,742 $ 220,367 $ 266,844
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.61 %(B)   1.64 %   1.68 %   1.63 %   1.62 %   1.71 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.61 %(B)   1.64 %   1.68 %   1.63 %   1.62 %   1.71 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  1.29 %(B)   0.75 %   1.44 %   1.72 %   1.24 %   0.69 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  5 %(A)   30 %   21 %   31 %   20 %   28 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

63


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

Institutional Class II

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017(1)(2)

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 9.03 $ 6.95 $ 7.82 $ 7.63 $ 8.50 $ 7.43
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(3)

  0.07   0.09   0.14   0.17   0.14   0.08
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (1.19 )   2.13   (0.84 )   0.13   (0.83 )   0.99

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (1.12 )   2.22   (0.70 )   0.30   (0.69 )   1.07
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.08 )   (0.14 )   (0.17 )   (0.11 )   (0.18 )  
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 7.83 $ 9.03 $ 6.95 $ 7.82 $ 7.63 $ 8.50
       

Total Return

  (12.49 )%(A)       32.18 %       (9.26 )%       4.01 %       (8.31 )%       14.40 %(A)    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 103,074 $ 117,689 $ 116,911 $ 128,742 $ 163,794 $ 166,698
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.54 %(B)   1.55 %   1.60 %   1.55 %   1.56 %   1.58 %(B)
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.35 %(B)   1.35 %   1.35 %   1.35 %   1.35 %   1.35 %(B)
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  1.58 %(B)   1.05 %   1.95 %   2.19 %   1.51 %   1.47 %(B)
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  5 %(A)   30 %   21 %   31 %   20 %   28 %(A)

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

For the period from March 1, 2017 (commencement of class operations) through October 31, 2017.

 

(2)

All per share amounts and net asset values have been adjusted as a result of the share dividend effected after the close of business on December 1, 2017.

 

(3)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

64


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

Investor Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 8.92 $ 6.88 $ 7.75 $ 7.57 $ 8.43 $ 7.28
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(1)

  0.04   0.03   0.08   0.11   0.07   0.04
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (1.17 )   2.11   (0.83 )   0.13   (0.79 )   1.15

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (1.13 )   2.14   (0.75 )   0.24   (0.72 )   1.19
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.04 )   (0.10 )   (0.12 )   (0.06 )   (0.14 )   (0.04 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 7.75 $ 8.92 $ 6.88 $ 7.75 $ 7.57 $ 8.43
       

Total Return

  (12.69 )%(A)       31.14 %       (9.70 )%       3.24 %       (8.75 )%       16.40 %    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 7,995 $ 9,542 $ 10,327 $ 20,560 $ 25,388 $ 30,981
       

Expenses to average net assets

  2.12 %(B)   2.14 %   2.12 %   2.00 %   2.06 %   2.13 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  2.00 %(B)   2.00 %   2.00 %   2.00 %   2.00 %   2.00 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  0.89 %(B)   0.35 %   1.17 %   1.38 %   0.87 %   0.48 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  5 %(A)   30 %   21 %   31 %   20 %   28 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

65


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Global Equity Research Portfolio

Institutional Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017(1)

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 16.59 $ 12.76 $ 12.57 $ 12.06 $ 12.23 $ 10.00
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(2)

  0.05   0.10   0.10   0.14   0.10   0.08
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (2.65 )   4.11   0.78   1.40   0.23   2.15

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (2.60 )   4.21   0.88   1.54   0.33   2.23
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.11 )   (0.09 )   (0.15 )   (0.09 )   (0.18 )  
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (1.67 )   (0.29 )   (0.54 )   (0.94 )   (0.32 )  

Total distributions

  (1.78 )   (0.38 )   (0.69 )   (1.03 )   (0.50 )  
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 12.21 $ 16.59 $ 12.76 $ 12.57 $ 12.06 $ 12.23
       

Total Return

  (17.29 )%(A)       33.45 %       7.15 %       14.36 %       2.74 %       22.30 %(A)    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 8,069 $ 9,856 $ 7,387 $ 6,895 $ 5,452 $ 5,308
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.67 %(B)   1.75 %   2.04 %   1.96 %   2.64 %   3.49 %(B)
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  0.80 %(B)   0.80 %   0.80 %   0.83 %   0.90 %   0.90 %(B)
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  0.69 %(B)   0.67 %   0.80 %   1.18 %   0.76 %   0.80 %(B)
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  21 %(A)   39 %   44 %   44 %   45 %   36 %(A)

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

For the period from December 19, 2016 (commencement of class operations) through October 31, 2017.

 

(2)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

66


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

International Equity Research Portfolio

Institutional Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 14.71 $ 12.01 $ 12.03 $ 11.59 $ 13.11 $ 11.10
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(1)

  0.07   0.14   0.14   0.18   0.14   0.12
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (2.56 )   3.03   0.07   1.17   (0.93 )   2.26

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (2.49 )   3.17   0.21   1.35   (0.79 )   2.38
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.16 )   (0.15 )   (0.14 )   (0.13 )   (0.14 )   (0.17 )
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (1.50 )   (0.32 )   (0.09 )   (0.78 )   (0.59 )   (0.20 )

Total distributions

  (1.66 )   (0.47 )   (0.23 )   (0.91 )   (0.73 )   (0.37 )
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 10.56 $ 14.71 $ 12.01 $ 12.03 $ 11.59 $ 13.11
       

Total Return

  (18.66 )%(A)       26.76 %       1.73 %       12.93 %       (6.43 )%       22.26 %    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 12,144 $ 15,295 $ 12,494 $ 19,458 $ 9,305 $ 9,479
       

Expenses to average net assets

  1.36 %(B)   1.45 %   1.40 %   1.42 %   1.78 %   2.26 %
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  0.75 %(B)   0.75 %   0.75 %   0.79 %   0.90 %   0.90 %
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  1.06 %(B)   0.99 %   1.20 %   1.62 %   1.07 %   0.99 %
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  22 %(A)   38 %   51 %   44 %   43 %   55 %

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

67


Table of Contents

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

 

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

Institutional Class

  2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017(1)

Net asset value, beginning of period

$ 13.15 $ 11.21 $ 11.42 $ 10.82 $ 13.01 $ 10.00
       

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

       

Net investment income(2)

  0.03   0.10   0.09   0.15   0.12   0.10
       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

  (2.35 )   2.04   0.17   1.35   (1.34 )   2.91

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

  (2.32 )   2.14   0.26   1.50   (1.22 )   3.01
       

Distributions to Shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

  (0.11 )   (0.07 )   (0.14 )   (0.09 )   (0.23 )  
       

Net realized gain from investments

  (1.08 )   (0.13 )   (0.33 )   (0.81 )   (0.74 )  

Total distributions

  (1.19 )   (0.20 )   (0.47 )   (0.90 )   (0.97 )  
       

Net asset value, end of period

$ 9.64 $ 13.15 $ 11.21 $ 11.42 $ 10.82 $ 13.01
       

Total Return

  (19.10 )%(A)       19.18 %       2.19 %       15.05 %       (10.24 )%       30.10 %(A)    
       

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

$ 7,156 $ 9,065 $ 7,367 $ 7,198 $ 5,702 $ 5,880
       

Expenses to average net assets

  2.25 %(B)   2.30 %   2.40 %   2.29 %   2.90 %   3.72 %(B)
       

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

  1.15 %(B)   1.15 %   1.15 %   1.19 %   1.30 %   1.30 %(B)
       

Net investment income to average net assets

  0.48 %(B)   0.76 %   0.83 %   1.35 %   0.93 %   1.04 %(B)
       

Portfolio turnover rate

  28 %(A)   45 %   67 %   58 %   55 %   46 %(A)

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

For the period from December 19, 2016 (commencement of class operations) through October 31, 2017.

 

(2)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Financial Highlights (continued)

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) and the Fiscal Year Ended October 31

 

 

   

Chinese Equity Portfolio

Institutional Class

   
    2022       2021(1)    

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 9.36         $ 10.00    
     

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

             
     

Net investment income (loss)(2)

      0.01           (0.02 )  
     

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency-related transactions

      (2.80 )           (0.62 )  

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      (2.79 )           (0.64 )    
     

Distributions to Shareholders from:

             
     

Net investment income

      (0.03 )            

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 6.54         $ 9.36    
     

Total Return

      (29.91 )%(A)           (6.40 )%(A)    
     

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

             
     

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

    $ 3,664         $ 3,942  
     

Expenses to average net assets

      4.08 %(B)           7.00 %(B)  
     

Expenses to average net assets (net of fees waived/reimbursed)

      1.15 %(B)           1.15 %(B)  
     

Net investment income (loss) to average net assets

      (0.39 )%(B)           (0.23 )%(B)  
     

Portfolio turnover rate

      24 %(A)           17 %(A)    

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

(1)

For the period from December 16, 2020 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2021.

 

(2)

Net investment income per share was calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Notes to Financial Statements

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

1.

Organization

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”) was organized as a Maryland corporation on July 31, 1996, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund currently has nine separate diversified Portfolios and one non-diversified Portfolio, all of which were active as of April 30, 2022 (individually, a “Portfolio”, collectively, the “Portfolios”). The Fund is managed by Harding Loevner LP (the “Investment Adviser”).

 

Portfolio   Inception Date   Investment Objective

Global Equity Portfolio

(“Global Equity”)

 

Institutional Class: November 3, 2009

Institutional Class Z: August 1, 2017

Advisor Class: December 1, 1996

 

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of companies based both inside and outside the United States

International Equity Portfolio

(“International Equity”)

 

Institutional Class: May 11, 1994*

Institutional Class Z: July 17, 2017

Investor Class: September 30, 2005

 

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of companies based outside the United States

International Small Companies Portfolio

(“International Small Companies”)

 

Institutional Class: June 30, 2011

Investor Class: March 26, 2007

 

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of small companies based outside the United States

Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio**

(“Institutional Emerging Markets”)

 

Institutional Class (Formerly Class I):

October 17, 2005

Institutional Class Z (Formerly Class II): March 5, 2014

 

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of companies based in emerging markets

Emerging Markets Portfolio**

(“Emerging Markets”)

  Advisor Class: November 9, 1998  

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of companies based in emerging markets

Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio

(“Frontier Emerging Markets”)

 

Institutional Class I: May 27, 2008

Institutional Class II: March 1, 2017

Investor Class: December 31, 2010

 

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of companies based in frontier and smaller emerging markets

Global Equity Research Portfolio

(“Global Equity Research”)

  Institutional Class: December 19, 2016  

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of companies based both inside and outside the United States

International Equity Research Portfolio

(“International Equity Research”)

  Institutional Class: December 17, 2015  

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of companies based outside the United States

Emerging Markets Research Portfolio

(“Emerging Markets Research”)

  Institutional Class: December 19, 2016  

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of companies based in emerging markets

Chinese Equity Portfolio

(“Chinese Equity”)

  Institutional Class: December 16, 2020  

to seek long-term capital appreciation through investments in equity securities of Chinese companies

* The International Equity Portfolio is the successor to the HLM International Equity Portfolio of AMT Capital Fund, Inc., pursuant to a reorganization that took place on October 31, 1996. Information for periods prior to October 31, 1996, is historical information for the predecessor portfolio.

** Effective March 1, 2019, the Institutional Emerging Markets and Emerging Markets Portfolios’ shares are generally available for purchase by new and existing shareholders, subject to certain limitations that may apply at the Fund’s discretion.

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting policies of the Fund are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, “Financial Services - Investment Companies”. The following is a summary of the Fund’s significant accounting policies:

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Valuation

The Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board” or the “Directors”) has adopted procedures (“Procedures”) to govern the valuation of the securities held by each Portfolio of the Fund in accordance with the 1940 Act. The Procedures incorporate principles set forth in relevant pronouncements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and its staff, including guidance on the obligations of the Portfolios and their Directors to determine, in good faith, the fair value of the Portfolios’ securities when market quotations are not readily available.

In determining a Portfolio’s net asset value per share (“NAV”), each equity security traded on a securities exchange, including the NASDAQ Stock Market, and over-the-counter securities, are first valued at the closing price on the exchange or market designated by the Fund’s accounting agent as the principal exchange (each, a “principal exchange”). The closing price provided by the Fund’s accounting agent for a principal exchange may differ from the price quoted elsewhere and may represent information such as last sales price, an official closing price, a closing auction price or other information, depending on exchange or market convention. Shares of open-end mutual funds including money market funds are valued at NAV. Such securities are typically categorized as “Level 1” pursuant to the hierarchy described below.

Since trading in many foreign securities is normally completed before the time at which a Portfolio calculates its NAV, the effect on the value of such securities held by a Portfolio of events that occur between the close of trading in the security and the time at which the Portfolio prices its securities would not be reflected in the Portfolio’s calculation of its NAV if foreign securities were generally valued at their closing prices. To address this issue, the Board has approved the daily use of independently provided quantitative models that may adjust the closing prices of certain foreign equity securities based on information that becomes available after the foreign market closes, through the application of an adjustment factor to such securities’ closing price. Adjustment factors may be greater than, less than, or equal to 1. Thus, use of these quantitative models could cause a Portfolio to value a security higher, lower or equal to its closing market price, which in turn could cause the Portfolio’s NAV per share to differ significantly from that which would have been calculated using closing market prices. The use of these quantitative models is also intended to decrease the opportunities for persons to engage in ‘‘time zone arbitrage,’’ i.e., trading intended to take advantage of stale closing prices in foreign markets that could affect the NAV of the Portfolios. Securities subjected to an adjustment factor due to the use of these quantitative models are not specifically designated on the Portfolios’ Portfolio of Investments as being “fair valued”. Securities with an adjustment factor greater than or less than 1, which are absent the use of significant unobservable inputs into their valuation, are categorized as “Level 2” and securities with an adjustment factor equal to 1, which are absent the use of significant unobservable inputs into their valuation, are categorized as “Level 1” pursuant to the hierarchy described below.

Any securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which available prices are deemed unreliable are priced by the Investment Adviser at “fair value as determined in good faith”, in accordance with the Procedures. Such securities are identified on the Portfolios’ Portfolio of Investments as securities valued at “fair value as determined in good faith” and absent the use of significant unobservable inputs into their valuation, such securities would be categorized as “Level 2” pursuant to the hierarchy described below.

GAAP has established a hierarchy for NAV determination purposes in which various inputs are used in determining the value of each Portfolio’s assets or liabilities. GAAP defines fair value as the price that the Portfolio would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy 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. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability including assumptions about risk. Such risks include the inherent risk in a particular valuation technique which is used to measure fair value. This may include the quantitative models and/or the inputs to the quantitative models used in the valuation technique described above. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Level 1

unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

Level 2

other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

Level 3

significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

GAAP provides additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased as well as guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate when a transaction is not orderly.

The following is a summary of the Portfolios’ investments classified by Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 and security type as of April 30, 2022. Please refer to each Portfolio’s Portfolio of Investments to view individual securities classified by industry type and country.

 

Portfolio   

Unadjusted Quoted Prices

in Active Markets for

Identical Assets (Level 1)

    

Other Significant

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

    Total  

Global Equity

          

Common Stocks

       $ 886,365,970      $ 348,497,851      $     $ 1,234,863,821  

Short Term Investments

     42,416,858                     42,416,858  

Total Investments

       $ 928,782,828      $ 348,497,851      $     $ 1,277,280,679  

International Equity

          

Common Stocks

       $ 3,666,631,538      $ 13,385,561,135      $     $ 17,052,192,673  

Short Term Investments

     717,810,678                     717,810,678  

Total Investments

       $ 4,384,442,216      $ 13,385,561,135      $     $ 17,770,003,351  

International Small Companies

          

Common Stocks

       $ 55,630,449      $ 433,157,514      $     $ 488,787,963  

Short Term Investments

     15,337,729                     15,337,729  

Total Investments

       $ 70,968,178      $ 433,157,514      $     $ 504,125,692  

Institutional Emerging Markets

          

Common Stocks

       $ 850,790,117      $ 3,066,596,349      $     $ 3,917,386,466  

Preferred Stocks

     108,813,173        14,737,554              123,550,727  

Short Term Investments

     32,648,234                     32,648,234  

Total Investments

       $ 992,251,524      $ 3,081,333,903      $     $ 4,073,585,427  

Emerging Markets

          

Common Stocks

       $ 552,758,168      $ 1,989,229,527      $     $ 2,541,987,695  

Preferred Stocks

     70,577,995        9,575,870              80,153,865  

Short Term Investments

     31,846,445                     31,846,445  

Total Investments

       $ 655,182,608      $ 1,998,805,397      $     $ 2,653,988,005  

Frontier Emerging Markets

          

Common Stocks

       $ 25,020,166      $ 156,581,149      $     $ 181,601,315  

Preferred Stocks

     6,870,122                     6,870,122  

Short Term Investments

     1,886,886                     1,886,886  

Total Investments

       $ 33,777,174      $ 156,581,149      $     $ 190,358,323  

Global Equity Research

          

Common Stocks

       $ 3,912,910      $ 3,953,910      $     $ 7,866,820  

Preferred Stocks

     13,957        77,500              91,457  

Short Term Investments

     118,596                     118,596  

Total Investments

       $ 4,045,463      $ 4,031,410      $     $ 8,076,873  

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Portfolio   

Unadjusted Quoted Prices

in Active Markets for

Identical Assets (Level 1)

    

Other Significant

Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

    

Significant

Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

    Total  

International Equity Research

          

Common Stocks

       $        1,599,422      $ 10,064,006      $     $        11,663,428  

Preferred Stocks

     52,882        135,622              188,504  

Short Term Investments

     287,115                     287,115  

Total Investments

       $ 1,939,419      $        10,199,628      $     $ 12,139,047  

Emerging Markets Research

          

Common Stocks

       $ 1,448,292      $ 5,429,733      $     $ 6,878,025  

Preferred Stocks

     44,159        123,035              167,194  

Short Term Investments

     78,718                     78,718  

Total Investments

       $ 1,571,169      $ 5,552,768      $     $ 7,123,937  

Chinese Equity

          

Common Stocks

       $      $ 3,597,177      $     $ 3,597,177  

Short Term Investments

     68,046                     68,046  

Total Investments

       $ 68,046      $ 3,597,177      $     $ 3,665,223  

 

Investments categorized as Level 3 securities that are effectively valued at zero.

As of April 30, 2022, there were investments related to four companies held within the Portfolios all of which were effectively valued at zero due to the inability of the Portfolios to transact in these investments, the lack of visibility on when the Portfolios may do so, and the lack of readily available market prices for such investments. All of these factors are related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and responses to that event. The value of these securities compared to the Portfolio’s net assets is not material and therefore, the reconciliation of Level 3 securities and related valuation techniques are not disclosed.

Securities

For financial reporting purposes, all securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis, as of the last business day in the reporting period. Throughout the reporting period, securities transactions are typically accounted for on a trade date – plus one business day basis. Interest income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends that may be recorded as soon as the Portfolio is informed of such dividends). The Portfolios use the specific identification method for determining realized gains or losses from sales of securities.

Dividends to Shareholders

It is the policy of the Portfolios to declare dividends from net investment income annually. Net short-term and long-term capital gains distributions for the Portfolios, if any, are also normally distributed on an annual basis.

Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains from investment transactions have been determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from net investment income and realized gains recorded by the Portfolios for financial reporting purposes. Differences result primarily from foreign currency transactions and timing differences related to recognition of income, and gains and losses from investment transactions. In general, to the extent that any differences, which are permanent in nature, result in over distributions to shareholders, the amount of the over distribution is reclassified within the capital accounts based on its federal tax basis treatment and may be reported as return of capital. Temporary differences do not require reclassification.

Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under forward foreign currency exchange contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and asked prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of the Portfolios’ securities are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated at

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

exchange rates prevailing when accrued. The Portfolios do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the “Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions” and “Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments” on the Statements of Operations.

Net realized gains and losses from foreign currency-related transactions arise from sales of foreign currency, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolios’ books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at the period end, resulting from changes in the exchange rates.

Expenses

Most expenses of the Fund can be directly attributed to a particular Portfolio. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Portfolios based upon relative net assets or other appropriate measures. If an expense is incurred at the Portfolio level, it is generally apportioned among the classes of that Portfolio based upon relative net assets of each respective class. Certain expenses are incurred at the class level and charged only to that particular class. These expenses may be class specific (i.e., distribution fees charged only to a particular class) or they may be identifiable to a particular class (i.e., the costs related to mailing shareholder reports to shareholders of a particular class).

Organization and Offering Fees

Costs incurred by the Chinese Equity Portfolio in connection with its organization were expensed as they were incurred. Costs related to the offering of shares were deferred and amortized on a straight line basis over the twelve-month period from the date of commencement of operations of the Portfolios.

Indemnifications

Under the Fund’s organizational document, its officers and Board are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Portfolios. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations or that provide indemnification for certain liabilities. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

3.

Transactions with Affiliates and Significant Agreements

The Board has approved investment advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser. Advisory fees are computed daily and paid monthly based on the average daily net assets of each Portfolio. The Investment Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fee and/or reimburse the Portfolios for other operating expenses to the extent that aggregate expenses, excluding certain non-operating expenses, exceed certain annual rates of the average daily net assets of each class.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

3.

Transactions with Affiliates and Significant Agreements (continued)

 

The following annualized advisory fees and contractual expense limits were in effect for the period ended April 30, 2022. The advisory fees are charged at the Portfolio level as a whole and expense limitations are at the class specific level.

 

Portfolio  

First $1 billion of

assets

 

Next $1 billion of

assets

 

Next $1 billion of

assets

 

Over $3 billion of

assets

 

Over $4 billion of

assets

 

Over $5 billion of

assets

 

Contractual

Expense Limit(a)

         

Global Equity–Institutional Class

  0.75%   0.73%   0.71%   0.69%   0.69%   0.69%   0.90%

Global Equity–Institutional Class Z

  0.75%   0.73%   0.71%   0.69%   0.69%   0.69%   0.80%

Global Equity–Advisor Class

  0.75%   0.73%   0.71%   0.69%   0.69%   0.69%   1.20%

International Equity–Institutional Class

  0.75%   0.73%   0.71%   0.69%   0.67%   0.65%   1.00%

International Equity–Institutional Class Z

  0.75%   0.73%   0.71%   0.69%   0.67%   0.65%   0.80%

International Equity–Investor Class

  0.75%   0.73%   0.71%   0.69%   0.67%   0.65%   1.25%

International Small Companies–Institutional Class

  0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   1.15%

International Small Companies–Investor Class

  0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   1.40%(b)

Institutional Emerging Markets–Institutional Class

  1.00%   0.98%   0.96%   0.94%   0.94%   0.94%   1.10%

Institutional Emerging Markets–Institutional Class Z

  1.00%   0.98%   0.96%   0.94%   0.94%   0.94%   1.00%

Emerging Markets–Advisor Class

  1.00%   0.98%   0.96%   0.94%   0.94%   0.94%   1.30%

Frontier Emerging Markets–Institutional Class I

  1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.75%

Frontier Emerging Markets–Institutional Class II

  1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%

Frontier Emerging Markets–Investor Class

  1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%   2.00%

Global Equity Research–Institutional Class

  0.70%   0.70%   0.70%   0.70%   0.70%   0.70%   0.80%

International Equity Research–Institutional Class

  0.70%   0.70%   0.70%   0.70%   0.70%   0.70%   0.75%

Emerging Markets Research–Institutional Class

  1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.15%

Chinese Equity–Institutional Class

  0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   1.15%

 

(a)

Effective through February 28, 2023.

 

(b)

Effective July 1, 2022, the Investment Adviser has contractually agreed to lower the expense cap for the International Small Companies Portfolio Investor Class to 1.30%.

For the period ended April 30, 2022, the Investment Adviser waived and/or reimbursed the following amounts pursuant to the contractual expense limits described above:

 

Portfolio   Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the  Investment Adviser
   

International Small Companies-Investor Class

  $    4,335                                     

Institutional Emerging Markets-Institutional Class

  103,356                                     

Institutional Emerging Markets-Institutional Class Z

  71,643                                     

Frontier Emerging Markets-Institutional Class II

  104,438                                     

Frontier Emerging Markets-Investor Class

  5,065                                     

Global Equity Research-Institutional Class

  39,393                                     

International Equity Research-Institutional Class

  42,649                                     

Emerging Markets Research-Institutional Class

  45,287                                     

Chinese Equity-Institutional Class

  57,684                                     

The Fund has an administration agreement with The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”), which provides certain accounting, clerical and bookkeeping services, Blue Sky, corporate secretarial services and assistance in the preparation and filing of tax returns and reports to shareholders and the SEC.

Northern Trust also serves as custodian of each Portfolio’s securities and cash, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar plans provided to the shareholders of the Portfolios.

Foreside Management Services, LLC provides compliance support to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. Fees paid pursuant to these services are shown as “Compliance officers’ fees and expenses” on the Statements of Operations.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

3.

Transactions with Affiliates and Significant Agreements (continued)

 

The Fund has adopted an Amended Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“Distribution Plan”). Under the Distribution Plan, the Investor Class of each of the International Equity, International Small Companies and Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolios may pay underwriters, distributors, dealers or brokers a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio’s Investor Class shares for services or expenses arising in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Investor Class shares of the Portfolios or for Shareholder Services (defined below) consistent with those described under the Shareholder Servicing Plan.

The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, has agreements with various financial intermediaries and “mutual fund supermarkets”, under which customers of these intermediaries may purchase and hold Portfolio shares. These intermediaries assess fees in consideration for providing certain account maintenance, recordkeeping and transactional and other shareholder services (collectively, “Shareholder Services”). With the exception of Institutional Class Z, each Portfolio or class is authorized, pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, to pay to each intermediary an annual rate of up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets attributable to that intermediary (subject to the contractual expense limits described above) for such Shareholder Services. Because of the contractual expense limits on certain Portfolios’ fees and expenses, the Investment Adviser paid a portion of the Portfolios’ share of these fees during the period ended April 30, 2022. Such payments, if any, are included in the table above under the caption “Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Investment Adviser”.

A Portfolio may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is due solely to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common Directors. For the period ended April 30, 2022, no Portfolios engaged in purchases and/or sales of securities from an affiliated portfolio in compliance with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act.

 

4.

Class Specific Expenses

The class level expenses for the period ended April 30, 2022, were as follows for each Portfolio:

 

Portfolio   

Distribution

Fees

     State Registration
Filing Fees
     Printing and
Postage Fees
     Transfer Agent
Fees and Expenses
     Shareholder    
Servicing Fees    

Global Equity–Institutional Class

       $      $ 16,977      $ 12,108      $ 2,412      $              303,195

Global Equity–Institutional Class Z

            9,031        2,630        668     

Global Equity–Advisor Class

            8,165        790        1,619      50,496

International Equity–Institutional Class

            52,233        332,605        137,475      6,869,241

International Equity–Institutional Class Z

            16,725        48,326        7,915     

International Equity–Investor Class

     453,288        11,853        17,657        8,866      219,337

International Small Companies–Institutional Class

            13,172        9,194             188,113

International Small Companies–Investor Class

     54,913        8,880        1,294        1,184      22,578

Institutional Emerging Markets–Institutional Class

            19,104        121,101        7,053      2,085,264

Institutional Emerging Markets–Institutional Class Z

            11,019        8,196        3,462     

Emerging Markets–Advisor Class

            31,631        146,528             2,242,601

Frontier Emerging Markets–Institutional Class I

            7,751        2,341        545      27,367

Frontier Emerging Markets–Institutional Class II

            7,325        781        123     

Frontier Emerging Markets–Investor Class

     10,832        7,475        615        474      6,229

Global Equity Research–Institutional Class

            10,653        132        236     

International Equity Research–Institutional Class

            11,021        201        271      461

Emerging Markets Research–Institutional Class

            10,697        122        255      54

Chinese Equity–Institutional Class

            8,311        230        385      111

 

5.

Investment Transactions

Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments, for the period ended April 30, 2022, were as follows for each Portfolio:

 

Portfolio    Purchase Cost of
Investment Securities
         Proceeds from Sales of
Investment Securities
       

Global Equity

     $ 376,428,776         $ 486,742,080     

International Equity

     1,653,853,864           1,867,748,288     

International Small Companies

     115,572,938           75,633,306     

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

5.

Investment Transactions (continued)

 

Portfolio    Purchase Cost of
Investment Securities
         Proceeds from Sales of
Investment Securities
       

Institutional Emerging Markets

     $   487,443,670         $ 1,093,696,385     

Emerging Markets

     404,738,866           531,847,444     

Frontier Emerging Markets

     10,756,341           15,132,366     

Global Equity Research

     1,908,873           1,998,472     

International Equity Research

     2,992,291           3,302,791     

Emerging Markets Research

     2,271,216           2,429,366     

Chinese Equity

     2,194,086           917,191     

 

6.

In-Kind Redemptions

During the period ended April 30, 2022, the International Equity Portfolio delivered portfolio securities rather than cash in exchange for the redemption of shares for certain investors (in-kind redemptions). These investors received readily marketable securities that were valued on the redemption date using the same method employed in calculating the Portfolio’s NAV per share. The International Equity Portfolio had in-kind redemptions of approximately $73,824,231. The redemption amounts are included in “Net increase (decrease) in net assets from portfolio share transactions” on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. Net gain of approximately $41,683,876 on the securities resulting from such in-kind redemptions are included in “Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions” in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. For financial reporting purposes, these transactions are treated as sales of securities and the resulting gains and losses are recognized based on the market value of the securities on the date of the redemption. For tax purposes, no gains or losses are recognized.

 

7.

Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in capital shares for the period ended April 30, 2022, were as follows for each Portfolio:

 

     

Shares

Sold

    

Proceeds

From

Shares Sold

     Shares From
Reinvested
Dividends
    

Reinvestment

of

Dividends

     Shares
Redeemed
   

Payments

for Shares
Redeemed

   

Net

Increase
(Decrease)

in Shares

   

Net

Increase
(Decrease)

in Net Assets

 

Global Equity

                    

Institutional Class

     2,057,045      $ 87,037,261        3,943,186      $ 176,536,474        (3,756,897   $ (158,170,887     2,243,334     $ 105,402,848  

Institutional Class Z

     108,217        4,467,080        1,048,461        46,971,052        (314,046     (16,169,229     842,632       35,268,903  

Advisor Class

     50,217        2,190,058        159,875        7,138,414        (133,956     (5,586,293     76,136       3,742,179  

International Equity

                    

Institutional Class

       65,990,702        1,854,808,832        11,513,852        335,974,199          (84,537,358     (2,341,607,841     (7,032,804     (150,824,810

Institutional Class Z

     20,968,844        583,967,396        2,485,478        72,476,537        (8,953,622     (252,690,243     14,500,700       403,753,690  

Investor Class

     1,677,978        47,286,233        279,397        8,155,604        (2,607,044     (74,600,349     (649,669     (19,158,512

International Small Companies

 

                 

Institutional Class

     5,962,172        116,701,374        710,008        14,860,474        (3,981,529     (76,821,114     2,690,651       54,740,734  

Investor Class

     252,488        4,804,423        62,997        1,304,027        (321,880     (6,307,928     (6,395     (199,478

Institutional Emerging Markets

 

                 

Institutional Class

     26,242,874        594,288,512        1,366,081        32,977,191        (60,071,110     (1,291,251,784     (32,462,155     (663,986,081

Institutional Class Z

     3,637,653        86,227,336        178,360        4,316,319        (5,189,281     (112,003,335     (1,373,268     (21,459,680

Emerging Markets

                    

Advisor Class

     10,665,703        580,370,556        4,567,689        267,209,765        (13,371,552     (732,052,690     1,861,840       115,527,631  

Frontier Emerging Markets

 

                 

Institutional Class I

     753,802        6,182,142        80,150        682,875        (1,242,750     (10,418,098     (408,798     (3,553,081

Institutional Class II

                   119,815        1,026,818                    119,815       1,026,818  

Investor Class

     44,941        372,565        4,964        42,195        (87,909     (731,925     (38,004     (317,165

Global Equity Research

                    

Institutional Class

     1        10        73,565        1,055,667        (6,956     (102,815     66,610       952,862  

International Equity Research

 

                 

Institutional Class

     14,469        171,234        136,234        1,698,835        (40,662     (519,855     110,041       1,350,214  

 

77


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Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

7.

Capital Share Transactions (continued)

 

     

Shares

Sold

    

Proceeds

From

Shares Sold

     Shares From
Reinvested
Dividends
    

Reinvestment

of

Dividends

     Shares
Redeemed
   

Payments

for Shares
Redeemed

   

Net

Increase
(Decrease)

in Shares

   

Net

Increase
(Decrease)

in Net Assets

 

Emerging Markets Research

 

                 

Institutional Class

     5,509      $ 63,131               71,408      $        819,048                 (24,283   $           (278,215     52,634     $ 603,964  

Chinese Equity

                    

Institutional Class

            175,693               1,506,990        1,233        11,045        (37,760     (326,407           139,166             1,191,628   

Transactions in capital shares for the year ended October 31, 2021, were as follows for each Portfolio:

 

     

Shares

Sold

    

Proceeds

From

Shares Sold

    

Shares From

Reinvested

Dividends

    

Reinvestment

of

Dividends

    

Shares

Redeemed

   

Payments

for Shares

Redeemed

   

Net

Increase

(Decrease)

in Shares

   

Net

Increase

(Decrease)

in Net Assets

 

Global Equity

                    

Institutional Class

     2,755,173      $ 134,959,470          1,350,884      $   61,262,574        (3,594,707   $ (177,912,826     511,350     $ 18,309,218  

Institutional Class Z

     1,253,152        60,994,104        296,046        13,419,766        (1,334,691     (67,042,458     214,507       7,371,412  

Advisor Class

     260,555        12,723,575        72,150        3,270,573        (591,279     (29,240,671     (258,574     (13,246,523

International Equity

                    

Institutional Class

     135,837,628        3,960,640,326        3,415,990        94,725,399        (116,226,503     (3,408,764,560     23,027,115       646,601,165  

Institutional Class Z

     40,762,511        1,210,064,860        756,652        20,966,814        (27,234,972     (808,810,658     14,284,191       422,221,016  

Investor Class

     3,429,544        101,106,880        59,184        1,641,770        (4,364,393     (124,448,384     (875,665     (21,699,734

International Small Companies

 

                 

Institutional Class

     7,747,074        162,134,735        29,893        569,448        (3,321,648     (69,970,353     4,455,319       92,733,830  

Investor Class

     178,402        3,648,929        661        12,455        (310,774     (6,371,973     (131,711     (2,710,589

Institutional Emerging Markets

 

                 

Institutional Class

     39,751,528        1,033,720,059        773,359        19,248,905        (43,255,578     (1,125,114,886     (2,730,691     (72,145,922

Institutional Class Z

     6,828,128        178,141,359        126,142        3,145,987        (8,363,042     (220,163,091     (1,408,772     (38,875,745

Emerging Markets

                    

Advisor Class

     11,237,277        764,954,443        203,160        13,223,728        (21,865,322     (1,501,100,934     (10,424,885     (722,922,763

Frontier Emerging Markets

 

                 

Institutional Class I

     3,693,948        29,496,185        132,190        1,028,440        (3,620,253     (29,434,849     205,885       1,089,776  

Institutional Class II

                   291,739        2,278,483        (4,064,425     (33,725,470     (3,772,686     (31,446,987

Investor Class

     152,653        1,225,142        17,809        138,196        (600,304     (4,763,885     (429,842     (3,400,547

Global Equity Research

 

                 

Institutional Class

     34        501        15,309        217,846                    15,343       218,347  

International Equity Research

 

                 

Institutional Class

     14,627        208,669        36,323        489,632        (51,422     (733,085     (472     (34,784

Emerging Markets Research

 

                 

Institutional Class

     22,627        302,608        10,514        134,267        (653     (8,647     32,488       428,228  

Chinese Equity

                    

Institutional Class*

     421,003        4,280,500                                  421,003       4,280,500  

 

*

For the period from December 16, 2020 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2021.

 

8.

Income Tax

The cost of investments for federal income tax purposes and the components of net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments at April 30, 2022, for each of the Portfolios were as follows:

 

Portfolio   

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

   

Net Unrealized

Appreciation /

(Depreciation)

     Cost  

Global Equity

   $ 287,347,653      $ (92,258,906   $ 195,088,747      $ 1,082,191,932  

International Equity

     4,985,645,889        (1,218,444,099     3,767,201,790        14,002,801,561  

 

78


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Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

8.

Income Tax (continued)

 

Portfolio   

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

   

Net Unrealized

Appreciation /

(Depreciation)

    Cost  

International Small Companies

   $ 100,270,544      $ (50,547,083   $ 49,723,461     $ 454,402,231  

Institutional Emerging Markets

     1,152,849,949          (739,752,317     413,097,632       3,660,487,795  

Emerging Markets

     841,916,196        (401,396,733        440,519,463         2,213,468,542  

Frontier Emerging Markets

     49,190,008        (16,923,681     32,266,327       158,091,996  

Global Equity Research

     1,627,868        (924,041     703,827       7,373,046  

International Equity Research

     1,821,206        (1,595,945     225,261       11,913,786  

Emerging Markets Research

     947,225        (1,483,654     (536,429     7,660,366  

Chinese Equity

     5,972        (1,346,170     (1,340,198     5,005,421  

It is the policy of each Portfolio of the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes; therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

The Portfolios may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which they invest. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are recorded. Taxes accrued on unrealized gains are reflected as a liability on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities under the caption “Deferred capital gains tax” and as a reduction in “Distributable earnings”. When assets subject to capital gains tax are sold, accrued taxes are relieved, and the actual amount of the taxes paid is reflected on the Statements of Operations as a reduction in “Net realized gain (loss) on Investment Transactions”. The Portfolios seek to recover a portion of foreign withholding taxes applied to income earned in jurisdictions where favorable treaty rates for US investors are available. The portion of such taxes believed to be recoverable is reflected as an asset on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities under the caption “Tax reclaims receivable”.

Management has performed an analysis of each Portfolio’s tax positions for the open tax years as of April 30, 2022, and has concluded that no provisions for income tax are required. The Portfolios’ federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years (open tax years: October 31, 2019; October 31, 2020; October 31, 2021) remain subject to examination by the Portfolios’ major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States, the State of New Jersey and the State of Maryland. Management is not aware of any events that are reasonably possible to occur in the next twelve months that would result in the amounts of any unrecognized tax benefits significantly increasing or decreasing for the Portfolios. However, management’s conclusions regarding tax positions taken may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws and accounting regulations and interpretations thereof.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

 

     Distributions From  
         
Portfolio   

Ordinary

Income

2021

    

Long-Term

Capital Gains

2021

    

Ordinary

Income

2020

     Long-Term
Capital Gains
2020
 

Global Equity

     10,667,822      $ 75,826,990      $ 6,200,271      $  

International Equity

     147,195,007               269,536,396         

International Small Companies

     622,621               2,122,682         

Institutional Emerging Markets

     26,645,680               85,287,487         

Emerging Markets

     14,604,731               63,406,861         

Frontier Emerging Markets

     3,730,104               5,825,150         

Global Equity Research

     190,800        27,046        83,862        296,019  

International Equity Research

     489,632               232,264        142,336  

Emerging Markets Research

     66,856        67,411        145,125        154,592  

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

8.

Income Tax (continued)

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), each Portfolio is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses.

At October 31, 2021, capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under provisions of the Act were as follows:

 

Portfolio   

Short-Term

Capital Loss

Carryforward

   

        

    

Long-Term

Capital Loss

Carryforward

 

Institutional Emerging Markets

   $ (82,711,940      $ (9,373,518

Frontier Emerging Markets

     (19,505,546        (84,308,092

Chinese Equity *

     (169,512         

 

*

For the period from December 16, 2020 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2021.

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, the International Equity, International Small Companies, Institutional Emerging Markets, Emerging Markets and Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolios utilized $556,130,928, $4,712,316, $113,764,086, $36,752,112 and $19,167,471, respectively, in capital loss carryforwards.

 

9.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

The Portfolios do not generally hedge foreign currency exposure, however, the Portfolios may enter into forward foreign exchange contracts in order to hedge their exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on their foreign portfolio holdings. Each Portfolio will conduct its currency transactions either on a spot (cash) basis at the rate prevailing in the currency exchange market, or by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell currency. Foreign currency transactions entered into on the spot markets serve to pay for foreign investment purchases or to convert to dollars, the proceeds from foreign investment sales or dividend and interest receipts. The Portfolios will disclose open forward currency contracts, if any, on the Portfolios of Investments. The Portfolios do not separately disclose open spot market transactions on the Portfolios of Investments. Such realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on spot market transactions is included in “Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions” and “Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies”, respectively, on the Portfolios’ Statements of Operations. The Portfolios held no open forward currency contracts as of or during the period ended April 30, 2022.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has implemented currency controls that significantly limit the ability to convert Nigerian Naira (NGN) to U.S. dollars. As of April 30, 2022, the Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio had 7.5% of Nigeria exposure (comprised of 1.3% NGN and 6.2% Nigerian equities) and the Emerging Markets Research Portfolio had 0.9% of Nigeria exposure (comprised of 0.9% NGN). The NGN has been valued based on an established foreign currency benchmark rate and the Nigerian equity securities have been valued at their closing price on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. These valuation methodologies are in accordance with the Procedures and GAAP. However, the conversion rate from NGN to U.S. dollars does not reflect the impact of the aforementioned currency controls. As a result, the value of NGN currently held, any proceeds from the sale of Nigerian equities received by the Frontier Emerging Markets and Emerging Markets Research Portfolios, or dividends received by the Portfolios in connection with their investment in such Nigerian equities, may differ materially once converted from NGN to U.S. dollars.

 

10.

Concentration of Ownership

At April 30, 2022, the percentage of total shares outstanding held by record shareholders each owning 10% or greater of the aggregate shares outstanding of each Portfolio were as follows:

 

     

No. of

Shareholders

         

%

Ownership

      

Global Equity

     2          43.46 %*   

International Equity

     2          26.06 %*   

International Small Companies

     4          58.81 %*   

Institutional Emerging Markets

     2          54.86 %*   

Emerging Markets

     3          71.93 %*   

Frontier Emerging Markets

     3          44.87 %*   

Global Equity Research

     2          84.22  

 

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Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

10.

Concentration of Ownership (continued)

 

     

No. of

Shareholders

         

%

Ownership

      

International Equity Research

     3          73.54 %*   

Emerging Markets Research

     2          73.97  

Chinese Equity

     1          47.62  

 

*

Includes omnibus positions of broker-dealers representing numerous shareholder accounts.

Investment activities of these shareholders may have a material effect on the Portfolios.

 

11.

Concentration of Risk

Investing in securities of foreign issuers and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investments in U.S. issuers. These risks include revaluation of currencies, adverse fluctuations in foreign currency values and possible adverse political, social and economic developments, including those particular to a specific industry, country or region, which could cause the securities and their markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies and U.S. government securities. These risks are greater with respect to securities of issuers located in emerging market countries in which the Portfolios are authorized to invest.

The Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio is permitted to invest up to 35% of its total assets in companies in the same industry, if, at the time of investment, that industry represents 20% or more of the Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio’s benchmark index. During periods when the Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio has invested more than 25% of its total assets in companies in the same industry, it will operate as a concentrated portfolio and be subject to additional risks and greater volatility. Such additional risks include increased competition within the industry, or changes in legislation, or government regulations affecting the industry. The value of the Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio’s shares may be particularly vulnerable to factors affecting the banking industry, such as the availability and cost of capital funds, changes in interest rates, the rate of corporate and consumer debt defaults, extensive government regulation, and price competition. Such risks may be magnified with respect to securities of issuers in Frontier Emerging Markets. At April 30, 2022, the Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio’s investment in the Banking industry amounted to 31.75% of its total assets.

As a non-diversified fund, the Chinese Equity Portfolio has the ability to invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, poor performance by a single issuer could adversely affect the Chinese Equity Portfolio’s performance more than if the Chinese Equity Portfolio were invested in a larger number of issuers.

Investing in securities issued by companies located in Russia involves significant risks, including legal, regulatory, currency and economic risks that are specific to Russia. In addition, investing in securities issued by companies located in Russia involves risks associated with the settlement of portfolio transactions and loss of a Portfolio’s ownership rights in its portfolio securities as a result of the system of share registration and custody in Russia. Governments in the U.S. and many other countries have imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals and Russian corporate and banking entities. A number of jurisdictions may also institute broader sanctions on Russia, including banning Russia from global payments systems that facilitate cross-border payments. Additionally, Russia is alleged to have participated in state-sponsored cyberattacks against foreign companies and foreign governments. Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions, including declines in its stock markets and the value of the ruble against the U.S. dollar, are impossible to predict, but could be significant. Any such disruptions caused by Russian military action or other actions (including cyberattacks and espionage) or resulting actual and threatened responses to such activity, including purchasing and financing restrictions, boycotts or changes in consumer or purchaser preferences, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Russian government, Russian companies, or Russian individuals, including politicians, may impact Russia’s economy and Russian issuers of securities in which a Portfolio invests. Actual and threatened responses to such military action may also impact the markets for certain Russian commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors of the Russian economy, and may likely have collateral impacts on such sectors globally. Such responses could also result in the immediate freeze of Russian securities and/or funds invested in prohibited assets, impairing the ability of a Portfolio to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities and/or assets.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

April 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

 

12.

Pandemic Risk

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and subsequent global pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy, individual companies, and financial markets in general and throughout the world has created significant uncertainty. The duration and extent of COVID-19 over the long-term cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The ultimate impact of COVID-19 and the extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Fund’s normal course of business, results of operations, investments, and cash flows will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and difficult to predict.

 

13.

Line of Credit

The Fund has a $150 million line of credit agreement with Northern Trust. Borrowings are made solely to facilitate the handling of redemptions or unusual or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Because several Portfolios participate and collateral requirements apply, there is no assurance that an individual Portfolio will have access to the entire $150 million at any particular time. Interest is charged to each Portfolio based on its borrowings at an amount above the Federal Funds rate, subject to a minimum rate. In addition, a facility fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the line of credit and is allocated among the Portfolios.

For the period ended April 30, 2022, Emerging Markets had an outstanding balance for two days with a maximum balance of $50,000,000 at an average weighted interest rate of 1.75%. Chinese Equity had an outstanding balance for two days with a maximum balance of $200,000 at an average weighted interest rate of 1.33%.

 

14.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent events occurring after the date of this report have been evaluated for potential impact, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, through the date the report was issued.

As of May 13, 2022, Northern Trust and the Fund have agreed to amend the line of credit agrement to increase its size to $300 million. The facility fee under the agreement increased from 0.15% to 0.25%.

As of July 1, 2022, the Investment Adviser has agreed to lower the expense cap for International Small Companies Portfolio Fund Investor Class. Please refer to the Investment Advisory Fee table in Note 3 for more detail.

 

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Liquidity Risk Management Program

(unaudited)

 

Liquidity Risk Management Program

Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Liquidity Rule”), Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”) has adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) whose principal objectives include assessing, managing and periodically reviewing the liquidity risk of each series of the Fund (each, a “Portfolio” and together, the “Portfolios”), based on factors specific to the circumstances of each Portfolio.

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Fund approved the Program and designated Harding Loevner LP as the administrator of the Program, acting through its Brokerage and Trading Advisory Committee (the “Administrator”). The Liquidity Rule and the Program require the Administrator to assess and review, at least annually, the liquidity risk of each Portfolio, and to consider whether any new or additional steps need to be taken or recommended to manage liquidity risk.

Pursuant to the Liquidity Rule, at the December 17, 2021 Board meeting, the Administrator provided the Board with an annual report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed the adequacy and effectiveness of its implementation and any material changes to the Program (the “Liquidity Report”).

The Liquidity Report described the operation of the Program, including the process for categorizing portfolio securities into one of four liquidity categories, as defined in the Liquidity Rule, noting that the process is supervised by the Administrator. In addition, the Liquidity Report discussed the role of the Fund’s third-party liquidity classification data provider (the “Liquidity Data Provider”) in the classification process, including the techniques used and assumptions applied by the Liquidity Data Provider to analyze portfolio holdings and the quality and timeliness of the liquidity classification data provided to the Administrator by the Liquidity Data Provider.

The Liquidity Report then discussed the annual assessment and review of the Program undertaken by the Administrator. In its assessment and review of each Portfolio’s liquidity risk, the Administrator considered such information as it deemed appropriate, which included, among other factors:

• The Portfolios’ investment strategies and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

The Administrator reviewed the investment strategy and liquidity of each Portfolio during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, including whether each strategy involves a relatively more concentrated portfolio or large position sizes in particular issuers and whether, or to what extent, the investment strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund.

• Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

The Administrator reviewed the short- and long-term cash flow projections of each Portfolio during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

• Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements.

The Administrator reviewed holdings of cash and cash equivalents as well as borrowings, including the credit facility applicable to the Fund, the financial health of the institution providing the facility and the fact that the credit facility is shared among multiple Portfolios.

The Administrator’s consideration of the foregoing information among other factors, as part of its assessment and review of each Portfolio’s liquidity risk, suggested to the Administrator there would be sufficient cash to satisfy redemption requests under both normal conditions, and under reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Finally, the Liquidity Report noted that the Fund had not adopted an highly liquid investment minimum (“HLIM”) because each Portfolio is invested primarily in highly liquid securities, and that the Administrator continues to believe, based on the composition of each Portfolio over the first year of the Program, that an HLIM is not needed.

The Liquidity Report concluded by stating that there were no material changes made to the Program since its inception, and that the Administrator had determined based on its assessment that the Program was effectively implemented and appropriately tailored to the nature and degree of the Fund’s liquidity risk, both under normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

 

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Supplemental Information

(unaudited)

 

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules of Investments

Each Portfolio files its complete portfolio of investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Portfolios’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Additionally, they are available upon request by calling (877) 435-8105.

Proxy Voting Record

The Fund’s proxy voting record relating to the Portfolios’ securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund’s website at www.hardingloevnerfunds.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, on Form N-PX.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures are included in Appendix B to the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 435-8105 or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Additional Information

The Adviser updates Fact Sheets for the Portfolios each calendar quarter that are posted to the Fund’s website at www.hardingloevnerfunds.com. This information, along with the Adviser’s commentaries on its various strategies, is available without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 435-8105.

 

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Directors and Principal Officers

(unaudited)

 

DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE FUNDS

David R. Loevner

Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors

Carolyn N. Ainslie

Director

Jill R. Cuniff

Director

R. Kelly Doherty

Director

Charles W. Freeman III

Director

Jason Lamin

Director

Alexandra K. Lynn

Director

Eric Rakowski

Director

Richard T. Reiter

President

Tracy L. Dotolo

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Brian D. Simon

Chief Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, and Assistant Secretary

Marcia Y. Lucas

Secretary

Aaron J. Bellish

Assistant Treasurer

Ryan Bowles

Assistant Treasurer

Derek A. Jewusiak

Assistant Treasurer

Lisa Togneri

Assistant Treasurer

Lisa R. Price

Assistant Secretary

 

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This report is intended for shareholders of Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. It may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by the current Prospectus,which gives details about charges, expenses, investment objectives, risks and policies of the Portfolios.


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Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

c/o Northern Trust

Attn: Funds Center, Floor 38

333 South Wabash Avenue

Chicago, IL 60604

(877) 435-8105

www.hardingloevnerfunds.com

LOGO

 


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Item 1. Reports to Stockholders (cont.).

 

(b)

Not Applicable.


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Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)

Schedule I is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this report on Form N-CSR.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.


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(a)

The Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, 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”)) were effective as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the evaluation date.

 

(b)

There were no significant changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

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

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)   Not applicable.
(a)(2)   Exhibit 99.CERT: Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are attached.
(a)(3)   Not applicable.
(a)(4)   Not applicable.
(b)   Exhibit 99.906: Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are attached hereto.


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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.

Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.

 

By  

/s/ Richard T. Reiter

  Richard T. Reiter
  (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: June 30, 2022

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

 

By  

/s/ Richard T. Reiter

  Richard T. Reiter
  (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: June 30, 2022

 

By  

/s/ Tracy L. Dotolo

  Tracy L. Dotolo
  (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: June 30, 2022