N-CSR 1 d834151dncsr.htm COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC. Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares, Inc.

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:    811-08059                                 

Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares, Inc.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Dana A. DeVivo

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:    (212) 832-3232                                

Date of fiscal year end:    December 31                                

Date of reporting period:    December 31, 2019                                

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

 

 


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

To Our Shareholders:

We would like to share with you our report for the year ended December 31, 2019. The total returns for Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares, Inc. (the Fund) and its comparative benchmarks were:

 

     Six Months Ended
December 31, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 

Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares:

    

Class A

     7.34     24.38

Class C

     6.99     23.59

Class I

     7.51     24.78

Class R

     7.27     24.21

Class Z

     7.53     24.82

FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Index—neta

     6.46     21.91

S&P 500 Indexa

     10.92     31.49

The performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, if redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current total returns of the Fund can be obtained by visiting our website at cohenandsteers.com. All share class returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value (NAV). Fund performance figures reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, where applicable, without which the performance would have been lower. Performance quoted does not reflect the deduction of the maximum 4.50% initial sales charge on Class A shares or the 1.00% maximum contingent deferred sales charge on Class C shares. The 1.00% maximum contingent deferred sales charge on Class C shares applies if redemption occurs on or before the one year anniversary date of their purchase. If such charges were included, returns would have been lower. Index performance does not reflect the deduction of any fees, taxes or expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year are not annualized.

Please note that distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders are subject to recharacterization for tax purposes and are taxable up to the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income and net realized gains. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s investment company taxable income and net realized gains are a return of capital distributed from the Fund’s assets.

 

 

a 

The FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Index—net is an unmanaged market-capitalization-weighted total return index, which consists of publicly traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and listed property companies from developed markets and is net of dividend witholding taxes. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 large-capitalization stocks that is frequently used as a general measure of U.S. stock market performance.

 

1


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

Market Review

Global real estate securities generated substantial returns in 2019, supported by generally healthy property fundamentals and declining interest rates. Prospects of slowing global growth prompted many central banks to respond forcefully with rate cuts and other easing measures, driving meaningful gains across equity markets. Real estate also benefited from strong demand, in both the listed and private markets, from investors seeking relatively defensive assets offering attractive yields and stable cash flows.

The growing influence of e-commerce remained a key driver of real estate performance globally. Industrial landlords were the top-performing sector across geographies. Supply struggled to keep pace with the demand for well-located distribution centers, as Amazon and other online retailers expanded supply-chain logistics capabilities. At the other end, retail property owners continued to underperform, as many tenants closed stores and sought rent reductions in order to contend with rising e-commerce penetration.

Fund Performance

The Fund had a positive total return in the period and outperformed its benchmark.

U.S. real estate stocks had a strong performance, with nearly all property types posting large gains outside of regional malls, which declined as a bleaker backdrop for store closings weighed on investor sentiment. The single-family homes sector had an especially strong performance, driven by rising rents and occupancy due to high housing ownership prices. Data centers also had sizable gains, helped by continued capital spending on technology outsourcing. Stock selection in the U.S. aided the Fund’s relative performance. Leading contributors included our underweight in Simon Property Group, a mall company that declined in the period along with other retail landlords globally, and our overweight in Invitation Homes, a single-family home landlord that benefited from improving fundamentals in the sector.

Australia advanced but trailed the broader real estate market, reflecting its relatively large retail landlord component. Absolute performance was helped by a supportive monetary policy backdrop; the country’s central bank reduced interest rates for the first time in three years, to a record low of 1.0%. Stock selection in the market was beneficial for performance, led by our out-of-benchmark allocation to diversified real estate owner Charter Hall Group, which outperformed as its funds management business continued to grow strongly against a supportive backdrop in the country.

The U.K. outperformed, led by strength in non-traditional sectors. Our focus in the country was on property types supported by secular growth trends, such as health care and self storage landlords, that we believe are less vulnerable to Brexit concerns. These sectors generally outperformed office and retail companies, aiding the Fund’s relative returns. Our underweight in the Netherlands, which had only a modest gain on weakness in retail landlords, further helped performance.

Germany advanced but underperformed, as certain residential stocks fell amid news that Berlin’s Senate was considering a five-year rent freeze starting in 2020. Stock selection in Germany detracted from performance. We were overweight Deutsche Wohnen and ADO Properties, which had significant declines. While we remained overweight German apartments as a group, we turned more cautious toward Berlin landlords. Our overweight and stock selection in Hong Kong, which was pressured by

 

2


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

ongoing political turmoil, also hindered relative performance. Our non-investment in Switzerland detracted as well; the country was one of the top performers during the year, as it tends to be a safe haven during periods of political uncertainty. From our perspective, the Swiss property market was not attractively valued.

Impact of Foreign Currency on Fund Performance

The currency impact of the Fund’s investments in foreign securities contributed to absolute performance during the period. Although the Fund reports its NAV and pays dividends in U.S. dollars, the Fund’s investments denominated in foreign currencies are subject to foreign currency risk. Overall, other currencies modestly appreciated against the U.S. dollar. Consequently, changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar were a net tailwind for absolute returns.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

  

LOGO

JON CHEIGH    WILLIAM LEUNG
Portfolio Manager    Portfolio Manager

 

LOGO

  

LOGO

ROGIER QUIRIJNS    LAUREL DURKAY
Portfolio Manager    Portfolio Manager

The views and opinions in the preceding commentary are subject to change without notice and are as of the date of the report. There is no guarantee that any market forecast set forth in the commentary will be realized. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time, should not be relied upon as investment advice and is not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment.

 

Visit Cohen & Steers online at cohenandsteers.com

For more information about the Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds, visit cohenandsteers.com. Here you will find fund net asset values, fund fact sheets and portfolio highlights, as well as educational resources and timely market updates.

Our website also provides comprehensive information about Cohen & Steers, including our most recent press releases, profiles of our senior investment professionals and their investment approach to each asset class. The Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds specializes in liquid real assets, including real estate securities, listed infrastructure and natural resource equities, as well as preferred securities and other income solutions.

 

3


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

Performance Review (Unaudited)

 

Class A—Growth of a $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

  

Class C—Growth of a $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

 

Class I—Growth of a $100,000 Investment

 

LOGO

  

Class R—Growth of a $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

 

4


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

Performance Review (Unaudited)—(Continued)

 

Class Z—Growth of a $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

Average Annual Total Returns—For Periods Ended December 31, 2019.

 

      Class A
Shares
     Class C
Shares
     Class I
Shares
     Class R
Shares
     Class Z
Shares
 

1 Year (with sales charge)

     18.78 %a       22.59 %c                      

1 Year (without sales charge)

     24.38      23.59      24.78      24.21      24.82

5 Years (with sales charge)

     6.23 %a       6.53                     

5 Years (without sales charge)

     7.22      6.53      7.58      7.10      7.60

10 Years (with sales charge)

     7.81 %a       7.61                     

10 Years (without sales charge)

     8.31      7.61      8.68              

Since Inceptiond (with sales charge)

     5.86 %a       5.49                     

Since Inceptiond (without sales charge)

     6.18      5.49      8.63      8.26      8.77

The performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, if redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance information current to the most recent month end can be obtained by visiting our website at cohenandsteers.com. All share class returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at NAV. The performance graphs and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. During certain periods presented above, the investment advisor waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses. Without this arrangement, performance would have been lower.

 

5


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

Performance Review (Unaudited)—(Continued)

 

The annualized gross and net expense ratios, respectively, for each class of shares as disclosed in the May 1, 2019 prospectus as supplemented on December 20, 2019, were as follows: Class A—1.23% and 1.23%; Class C—1.88% and 1.88%; Class I—0.94% and 0.90%; Class R—1.38% and 1.38%; and Class Z—0.88% and 0.88%. Through June 30, 2021, the investment advisor contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses incurred so that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25% for Class A shares, 1.90% for Class C shares, 0.90% for Class I shares, 1.40% for Class R shares and 0.90% for Class Z shares. This contractual agreement can only be amended or terminated by agreement of the Fund’s Board of Directors and the investment advisor and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the investment advisory agreement between the investment advisor and the Fund.

 

a 

Reflects a 4.50% front-end sales charge.

b 

The comparative indexes are not adjusted to reflect expenses or other fees that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. Index performance does not reflect the deduction of any fees, taxes or expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index. The Fund’s performance assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at NAV. For more information, including charges and expenses, please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

c 

Reflects a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00%.

d 

Inception dates: September 30, 2004 for Class A and C shares, May 8, 1997 for Class I shares and October 1, 2014 for Class R and Z shares.

 

6


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

Expense Example (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments; and (2) ongoing costs including investment advisory fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period July 1, 2019—December 31, 2019.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following table provides information about actual account values and 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 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 of the following table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

7


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

Expense Example (Unaudited)—(Continued)

 

     Beginning
Account Value
July 1, 2019
       Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2019
       Expenses Paid
During Perioda
July 1,  2019—
December 31, 2019
 

Class A

            

Actual (7.34% return)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,073.40        $ 6.27  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,019.16        $ 6.11  

Class C

            

Actual (6.99% return)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,069.90        $ 9.65  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,015.88        $ 9.40  

Class I

            

Actual (7.51% return)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,075.10        $ 4.71  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,020.67        $ 4.58  

Class R

            

Actual (7.27% return)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,072.70        $ 7.05  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,018.40        $ 6.87  

Class Z

            

Actual (7.53% return)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,075.30        $ 4.45  

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00        $ 1,020.92        $ 4.33  

 

 

a 

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class A, Class C, Class I, Class R and Class Z annualized net expense ratios of 1.20%, 1.85%, 0.90%, 1.35% and 0.85%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

8


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

December 31, 2019

Top Ten Holdingsa

(Unaudited)

 

Security

   Value        % of
Net
Assets
 

Prologis, Inc.

   $ 72,028,151          4.6  

Welltower, Inc.

     60,473,121          3.9  

UDR, Inc.

     56,921,182          3.6  

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

     42,710,405          2.7  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

     40,132,222          2.5  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

     39,529,664          2.5  

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

     37,562,070          2.4  

Invitation Homes, Inc.

     34,586,369          2.2  

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

     32,001,045          2.0  

Kimco Realty Corp.

     30,565,081          1.9  

 

a 

Top ten holdings (excluding short-term investments) are determined on the basis of the value of individual securities held.

Country Breakdown

(Based on Net Assets)

(Unaudited)

 

LOGO

 

9


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2019

 

            Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCK

     97.9%        

AUSTRALIA

     2.9%        

REAL ESTATE

        

DIVERSIFIED

     2.4%        

BGP Holdings PLC (EUR)a,b

 

     11,893,063      $ 0  

Charter Hall Group

 

     1,366,808        10,627,465  

Mirvac Group

 

     12,142,600        27,096,999  
        

 

 

 
           37,724,464  
        

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS

     0.5%        

Goodman Group

 

     781,245        7,329,951  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL AUSTRALIA

 

        45,054,415  
        

 

 

 

AUSTRIA

     0.6%        

REAL ESTATE—DIVERSIFIED

        

CA Immobilien Anlagen AG

 

     235,840        9,907,087  
        

 

 

 

BELGIUM

     1.2%        

REAL ESTATE

        

INDUSTRIALS

     0.6%        

Warehouses De Pauw SCA

 

     52,674        9,583,493  
        

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL

     0.6%        

Aedifica SA

 

     75,590        9,598,149  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL BELGIUM

 

        19,181,642  
        

 

 

 

CANADA

     2.9%        

REAL ESTATE

        

OFFICE

     1.4%        

Allied Properties REIT

 

     571,381        22,911,562  
        

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL

     1.5%        

Boardwalk REIT

 

     667,483        23,609,021  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL CANADA

 

        46,520,583  
        

 

 

 

CHINA

     2.6%        

REAL ESTATE

        

DATA CENTERS

     0.7%        

GDS Holdings Ltd., ADR (USD)b

 

     221,287        11,413,984  
        

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED

     1.3%        

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. (H shares)

 

     2,844,000        11,077,012  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

            Shares      Value  

Shimao Property Holdings Ltd. (H shares)

 

     2,249,500      $ 8,718,209  
        

 

 

 
           19,795,221  
        

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS

     0.6%        

ESR Cayman Ltd., 144A (H shares)b,c

 

     4,241,400        9,579,795  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL CHINA

 

        40,789,000  
        

 

 

 

FRANCE

     2.7%        

REAL ESTATE

        

DIVERSIFIED

     0.3%        

Covivio

 

     41,472        4,707,737  
        

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS

     0.5%        

ARGAN SA

 

     93,019        8,096,738  
        

 

 

 

OFFICE

     0.6%        

Gecina SA

 

     52,899        9,470,154  
        

 

 

 

RETAIL

     1.3%        

Klepierre SA

 

     428,169        16,257,382  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

 

     24,784        3,910,100  
        

 

 

 
           20,167,482  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL FRANCE

 

        42,442,111  
        

 

 

 

GERMANY

     4.7%        

REAL ESTATE

        

OFFICE

     0.5%        

Alstria Office REIT AG

 

     454,696        8,543,044  
        

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL

     4.2%        

Deutsche Wohnen SE

 

     507,956        20,751,177  

Instone Real Estate Group AG, 144Ab,c

 

     221,584        5,480,544  

LEG Immobilien AG

 

     204,271        24,184,753  

Vonovia SE

 

     295,181        15,893,017  
        

 

 

 
           66,309,491  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL GERMANY

 

        74,852,535  
        

 

 

 

HONG KONG

     4.5%        

REAL ESTATE

        

DIVERSIFIED

     3.1%        

New World Development Co., Ltd.

 

     13,814,000        18,933,244  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

            Shares      Value  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

 

     1,937,500      $ 29,663,097  
        

 

 

 
           48,596,341  
        

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL

     0.5%        

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd.

 

     1,311,462        8,002,775  
        

 

 

 

RETAIL

     0.9%        

Link REIT

 

     1,307,944        13,847,693  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL HONG KONG

 

        70,446,809  
        

 

 

 

JAPAN

     11.6%        

REAL ESTATE

        

DIVERSIFIED

     8.4%        

Activia Properties, Inc.

 

     4,110        20,577,424  

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

 

     830,514        15,971,276  

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

 

     1,301,300        32,001,045  

Mitsui Fudosan Logistics Park, Inc.

 

     1,780        7,904,376  

NIPPON REIT Investment Corp.

 

     2,421        10,650,573  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc.

 

     8,272        14,129,890  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

 

     599,257        21,024,046  

Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corp.

 

     1,350,633        9,385,007  
        

 

 

 
           131,643,637  
        

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS

     1.2%        

GLP J-REIT

 

     14,873        18,465,489  
        

 

 

 

OFFICE

     1.2%        

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.

 

     2,529        18,504,026  
        

 

 

 

RETAIL

     0.8%        

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

 

     6,230        13,376,826  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL JAPAN

 

        181,989,978  
        

 

 

 

NETHERLANDS

     1.8%        

REAL ESTATE—DATA CENTERS

        

InterXion Holding NV (USD)b

 

     330,883        27,731,304  
        

 

 

 

NORWAY

     0.8%        

REAL ESTATE—OFFICE

        

Entra ASA, 144Ac

 

     814,364        13,450,136  
        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

            Shares      Value  

SINGAPORE

     2.9%        

REAL ESTATE

        

DIVERSIFIED

     1.8%        

CapitaLand Ltd.

 

     1,969,100      $ 5,490,260  

City Developments Ltd.

 

     1,557,600        12,681,304  

Keppel DC REIT

 

     6,670,600        10,316,256  
        

 

 

 
           28,487,820  
        

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE

     0.7%        

Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     4,052,900        10,004,556  
        

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS

     0.4%        

Mapletree Industrial Trust

 

     3,522,500        6,809,547  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL SINGAPORE

 

        45,301,923  
        

 

 

 

SPAIN

     1.0%        

REAL ESTATE

        

DIVERSIFIED

     0.6%        

Merlin Properties Socimi SA

 

     678,726        9,737,372  
        

 

 

 

OFFICE

     0.4%        

Inmobiliaria Colonial Socimi SA

 

     446,089        5,684,294  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL SPAIN

 

        15,421,666  
        

 

 

 

SWEDEN

     1.9%        

REAL ESTATE

        

DIVERSIFIED

     1.4%        

Castellum AB

 

     481,824        11,317,245  

Fastighets AB Balder, Class Bb

 

     227,757        10,533,915  
        

 

 

 
           21,851,160  
        

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS

     0.5%        

Catena AB

 

     168,378        7,433,451  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL SWEDEN

 

        29,284,611  
        

 

 

 

UNITED KINGDOM

     5.3%        

REAL ESTATE

 

     

DIVERSIFIED

     1.2%        

Land Securities Group PLC

 

     1,459,544        19,139,786  
        

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE

     0.6%        

Assura PLC

 

     9,157,620        9,437,281  
        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

13


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

            Shares      Value  

INDUSTRIALS

     1.7%        

LondonMetric Property PLC

 

     2,722,347      $ 8,531,844  

Segro PLC

 

     1,525,649        18,131,285  
        

 

 

 
           26,663,129  
        

 

 

 

OFFICE

     0.9%        

Derwent London PLC

 

     269,362        14,307,554  
        

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL

     0.5%        

UNITE Group PLC

 

     494,995        8,261,445  
        

 

 

 

SELF STORAGE

     0.4%        

Safestore Holdings PLC

 

     574,974        6,138,580  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM

 

        83,947,775  
        

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

     50.5%        

CONSUMER, CYCLICAL—HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE

     1.3%        

Boyd Gaming Corp.

 

     678,527        20,315,099  
        

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE

     49.2%        

DATA CENTERS

     2.2%        

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

 

     110,952        13,285,392  

Equinix, Inc.

 

     35,314        20,612,782  
        

 

 

 
           33,898,174  
        

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED

     1.0%        

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

 

     93,990        16,362,719  
        

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE

     6.7%        

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A

 

     531,775        16,102,147  

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

 

     221,252        7,626,556  

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

 

     986,078        20,816,107  

Welltower, Inc.

 

     739,461        60,473,121  
        

 

 

 
           105,017,931  
        

 

 

 

HOTEL

     3.0%        

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

 

     144,893        16,070,083  

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

 

     950,369        24,586,046  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

 

     229,903        6,163,699  
        

 

 

 
           46,819,828  
        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

14


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

            Shares      Value  

INDUSTRIALS

     5.6%        

Americold Realty Trust

 

     435,647      $ 15,273,784  

Prologis, Inc.

 

     808,034        72,028,151  
        

 

 

 
           87,301,935  
        

 

 

 

NET LEASE

     4.9%        

Agree Realty Corp.

 

     148,399        10,413,158  

Realty Income Corp.

 

     213,809        15,742,756  

VEREIT, Inc.

 

     2,882,146        26,631,029  

VICI Properties, Inc.

 

     948,458        24,233,102  
        

 

 

 
           77,020,045  
        

 

 

 

OFFICE

     4.0%        

Columbia Property Trust, Inc.

 

     505,032        10,560,219  

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

 

     890,405        12,430,054  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

 

     478,334        40,132,222  
        

 

 

 
           63,122,495  
        

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL

     11.3%        

APARTMENT

     7.9%        

Equity Residential

 

     373,343        30,210,916  

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

 

     124,849        37,562,070  

UDR, Inc.

 

     1,218,869        56,921,182  
        

 

 

 
           124,694,168  
        

 

 

 

MANUFACTURED HOME

     1.2%        

Sun Communities, Inc.

 

     124,638        18,708,164  
        

 

 

 

SINGLE FAMILY

     2.2%        

Invitation Homes, Inc.

 

     1,154,033        34,586,369  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL RESIDENTIAL

 

        177,988,701  
        

 

 

 

SELF STORAGE

     3.4%        

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

 

     404,378        42,710,405  

Public Storage

 

     52,642        11,210,640  
        

 

 

 
           53,921,045  
        

 

 

 

SHOPPING CENTERS

     7.1%        

COMMUNITY CENTER

     4.2%        

Kimco Realty Corp.

 

     1,475,861        30,565,081  

Regency Centers Corp.

 

     470,195        29,664,603  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

15


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

            Shares      Value  

SITE Centers Corp.

 

     476,705      $ 6,683,404  
        

 

 

 
           66,913,088  
        

 

 

 

REGIONAL MALL

     2.9%        

Simon Property Group, Inc.

 

     265,371        39,529,664  

Taubman Centers, Inc.

 

     175,390        5,452,875  
        

 

 

 
           44,982,539  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL SHOPPING CENTERS

 

        111,895,627  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL REAL ESTATE

 

        773,348,500  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL UNITED STATES

 

        793,663,599  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Identified cost—$1,310,753,390)

 

        1,539,985,174  
        

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

     2.0%        

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

        

State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 1.52%d

 

     31,186,335        31,186,335  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Identified cost—$31,186,335)

 

        31,186,335  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES
(Identified cost—$1,341,939,725)

     99.9%           1,571,171,509  

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

     0.1              1,298,924  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0%         $ 1,572,470,433  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Glossary of Portfolio Abbreviations

 

 

ADR

  American Depositary Receipt

EUR

  Euro Currency

REIT

  Real Estate Investment Trust

USD

  United States Dollar

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

16


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

 

Note: Percentages indicated are based on the net assets of the Fund.

a 

Security value is determined based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

b 

Non-income producing security.

c 

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers. Aggregate holdings amounted to $28,510,475 which represents 1.8% of the net assets of the Fund, of which 0.0% are illiquid.

d 

Rate quoted represents the annualized seven-day yield.

 

Sector Summary

   % of Net
Assets
 

Diversified

     22.1  

Residential

     18.6  

Industrials

     11.6  

Office

     9.8  

Health Care

     8.0  

Shopping Centers

     7.1  

Net Lease

     4.9  

Data Centers

     4.7  

Self Storage

     3.8  

Retail

     3.0  

Hotel

     3.0  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     1.3  

Other

     2.1  
  

 

 

 
     100.0  
  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

17


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2019

 

ASSETS:

 

Investments in securities, at value (Identified cost—$1,341,939,725)

   $ 1,571,171,509  

Cash

     87,677  

Foreign currency, at value (Identified cost—$757,235)

     758,415  

Receivable for:

  

Dividends

     5,228,634  

Fund shares sold

     3,966,286  

Investment securities sold

     874,290  

Other assets

     11,510  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     1,582,098,321  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

Payable for:

  

Fund shares redeemed

     6,237,712  

Investment securities purchased

     1,862,845  

Investment advisory fees

     940,594  

Shareholder servicing fees

     236,406  

Administration fees

     52,565  

Distribution fees

     2,239  

Directors’ fees

     233  

Other liabilities

     295,294  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     9,627,888  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 1,572,470,433  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

   $ 1,357,986,826  

Total distributable earnings/(accumulated loss)

     214,483,607  
  

 

 

 
   $ 1,572,470,433  
  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

18


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES—(Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

CLASS A SHARES:

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 90,460,502  

Shares issued and outstanding ($0.001 par value common stock outstanding)

     1,590,811  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share

   $ 56.86  
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share ($56.86 ÷ 0.955)a

   $ 59.54  
  

 

 

 

CLASS C SHARES:

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 24,545,792  

Shares issued and outstanding ($0.001 par value common stock outstanding)

     433,984  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and offering price per shareb

   $ 56.56  
  

 

 

 

CLASS I SHARES:

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 1,403,301,325  

Shares issued and outstanding ($0.001 par value common stock outstanding)

     24,551,837  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 57.16  
  

 

 

 

CLASS R SHARES:

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 464,684  

Shares issued and outstanding ($0.001 par value common stock outstanding)

     8,108  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 57.31  
  

 

 

 

CLASS Z SHARES:

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 53,698,130  

Shares issued and outstanding ($0.001 par value common stock outstanding)

     939,312  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 57.17  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a 

On investments of $100,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

b 

Redemption price per share is equal to the net asset value per share less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% on shares held for less than one year.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

19


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

Investment Income:

 

Dividend income (net of $1,566,579 of foreign withholding tax)

   $ 39,977,635  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

     10,913,227  

Shareholder servicing fees—Class A

     86,784  

Shareholder servicing fees—Class C

     80,709  

Shareholder servicing fees—Class I

     877,459  

Distribution fees—Class A

     216,961  

Distribution fees—Class C

     242,127  

Distribution fees—Class R

     2,623  

Administration fees

     738,254  

Transfer agent fees and expenses

     245,450  

Registration and filing fees

     136,566  

Custodian fees and expenses

     135,588  

Professional fees

     102,826  

Shareholder reporting expenses

     84,236  

Directors’ fees and expenses

     66,958  

Miscellaneous

     66,882  
  

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     13,996,650  

Reduction of Expenses (See Note 2)

     (332,924
  

 

 

 

Net Expenses

     13,663,726  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     26,313,909  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments in securities

     103,246,153  

Foreign currency transactions

     (46,349
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

     103,199,804  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments in securities

     176,724,487  

Foreign currency translations

     (5,710
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     176,718,777  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

     279,918,581  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 306,232,490  
  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

20


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
       For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Change in Net Assets:

 

From Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 26,313,909        $ 21,420,848  

Net realized gain (loss)

     103,199,804          16,509,465  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     176,718,777          (60,892,142
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     306,232,490          (22,961,829
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class A

     (7,249,084        (2,494,069

Class C

     (1,999,220        (1,265,515

Class I

     (113,731,328        (32,252,825

Class R

     (40,561        (12,511

Class Z

     (3,562,802        (328,034

Tax Return of Capital to Shareholders:

 

Class A

              (37,573

Class C

              (24,013

Class I

              (485,602

Class R

              (194

Class Z

              (3,861
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (126,582,995        (36,904,197
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Stock Transactions:

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     179,219,718          663,405,143 a 
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     358,869,213          603,539,117  

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of year

     1,213,601,220          610,062,103  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 1,572,470,433        $ 1,213,601,220  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

a 

See Note 6.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

21


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following tables include selected data for a share outstanding throughout each year and other performance information derived from the financial statements. They should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto.

 

                                                                     
     Class A  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Per Share Operating Data:

   2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Net asset value, beginning of year

     $49.64        $53.63        $48.89        $50.37        $50.46  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)a

     0.88        0.80        0.73        0.76        0.49  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     11.09        (2.99 )b       5.34        0.96        0.58  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     11.97        (2.19      6.07        1.72        1.07  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

     (2.23      (1.33      (0.98      (1.73      (1.16

Net realized gain

     (2.52      (0.44      (0.35      (1.47       

Tax return of capital

            (0.03                     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (4.75      (1.80      (1.33      (3.20      (1.16
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value

     7.22        (3.99      4.74        (1.48      (0.09
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

     $56.86        $49.64        $53.63        $48.89        $50.37  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                                              

Total returnc,d

     24.38      -4.20 %b       12.53      3.40      2.18
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                                              

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

22


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—(Continued)

 

 

                                                                     
     Class A  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

   2019      2018     2017      2016      2015  

Net assets, end of year (in millions)

     $90.5        $68.7       $64.6        $51.3        $54.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to average daily net assets:

 

Expenses (before expense reduction)

     1.21      1.26 %b,e      1.31 %e       1.40      1.42
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses (net of expense reduction)

     1.21      1.26 %b,e      1.31 %e       1.39      1.41
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (before expense reduction)

     1.55      1.54     1.42      1.47      0.95
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (net of expense reduction)

     1.55      1.54     1.42      1.48      0.96
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

     78      76     75      104      82
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

a 

Calculation based on average shares outstanding.

b 

During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $(3.01). Additionally, the expense ratios include extraordinary expenses related to the direct action. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to the average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 1.25%. Excluding the proceeds from and expenses relating to the settlements, the total return would have been -4.22%.

c 

Return assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value.

d 

Does not reflect sales charges, which would reduce return.

e 

Includes extraordinary expenses, approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement, related to the reorganization discussed further in Note 6. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 1.24% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 1.30% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

23


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—(Continued)

 

 

                                                                     
     Class C  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Per Share Operating Data:

   2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Net asset value, beginning of year

     $49.33        $53.31        $48.56        $50.04        $50.13  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)a

     0.44        0.42        0.34        0.40        0.18  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     11.09        (2.95 )b       5.36        0.96        0.58  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     11.53        (2.53      5.70        1.36        0.76  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

     (1.78      (0.98      (0.60      (1.37      (0.85

Net realized gain

     (2.52      (0.44      (0.35      (1.47       

Tax return of capital

            (0.03                     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (4.30      (1.45      (0.95      (2.84      (0.85
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value

     7.23        (3.98      4.75        (1.48      (0.09
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

     $56.56        $49.33        $53.31        $48.56        $50.04  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   

Total returnc,d

     23.59      -4.84 %b       11.83      2.71      1.54
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

24


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—(Continued)

 

 

                                                                     
     Class C  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

   2019      2018     2017      2016      2015  

Net assets, end of year (in millions)

     $24.5        $40.9       $51.6        $60.5        $78.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to average daily net assets:

 

Expenses (before expense reduction)

     1.86      1.91 %b,e      1.96 %e       2.05      2.07
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses (net of expense reduction)

     1.86      1.91 %b,e      1.96 %e       2.04      2.06
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (before expense reduction)

     0.79      0.81     0.66      0.77      0.34
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (net of expense reduction)

     0.79      0.81     0.66      0.78      0.35
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

     78      76     75      104      82
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a 

Calculation based on average shares outstanding.

b 

During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $(2.97). Additionally, the expense ratios include extraordinary expenses related to the direct action. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to the average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 1.90%. Excluding the proceeds from and expenses relating to the settlements, the total return would have been -4.86%.

c 

Return assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value.

d 

Does not reflect sales charges, which would reduce return.

e 

Includes extraordinary expenses, approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement, related to the reorganization discussed further in Note 6. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 1.89% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 1.95% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

25


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—(Continued)

 

 

                                                                     
     Class I  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Per Share Operating Data:

   2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Net asset value, beginning of year

     $49.87        $53.87        $49.08        $50.56        $50.66  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)a

     1.06        1.08        0.91        0.98        0.70  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     11.15        (3.11 )b       5.38        0.92        0.55  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     12.21        (2.03      6.29        1.90        1.25  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

     (2.40      (1.50      (1.15      (1.91      (1.35

Net realized gain

     (2.52      (0.44      (0.35      (1.47       

Tax return of capital

            (0.03                     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (4.92      (1.97      (1.50      (3.38      (1.35
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value

     7.29        (4.00      4.79        (1.48      (0.10
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

     $57.16        $49.87        $53.87        $49.08        $50.56  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   

Total returnc

     24.78      -3.89 %b       12.95      3.75      2.54
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

26


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—(Continued)

 

 

                                                                     
     Class I  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

   2019      2018     2017      2016      2015  

Net assets, end of year (in millions)

     $1,403.3        $1,087.2       $492.8        $326.7        $295.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to average daily net assets:

 

Expenses (before expense reduction)

     0.93      0.96 %b,d      1.02 %d       1.11      1.12
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses (net of expense reduction)

     0.90      0.93 %b,d      0.96 %d       1.04      1.06
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (before expense reduction)

     1.82      2.03     1.69      1.83      1.31
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (net of expense reduction)

     1.85      2.06     1.75      1.90      1.37
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

     78      76     75      104      82
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a 

Calculation based on average shares outstanding.

b 

During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $(3.13). Additionally, the expense ratios include extraordinary expenses related to the direct action. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to the average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 0.95% and 0.92%, respectively. Excluding the proceeds from and expenses relating to the settlements, the total return would have been -3.91%.

c 

Return assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value.

d 

Includes extraordinary expenses, approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement, related to the reorganization discussed further in Note 6. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 0.94% and 0.91%, respectively, for year ended December 31, 2018 and 1.01% and 0.95%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

27


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—(Continued)

 

 

                                                                     
     Class R  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Per Share Operating Data:

   2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Net asset value, beginning of year

     $50.00        $54.01        $49.27        $50.76        $50.66  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)a

     0.85        0.73        0.78        0.82        0.55  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     11.13        (3.01 )b       5.26        0.83        0.55  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     11.98        (2.28      6.04        1.65        1.10  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

     (2.15      (1.26      (0.95      (1.67      (1.00

Net realized gain

     (2.52      (0.44      (0.35      (1.47       

Tax return of capital

            (0.03                     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (4.67      (1.73      (1.30      (3.14      (1.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value

     7.31        (4.01      4.74        (1.49      0.10  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

     $57.31        $50.00        $54.01        $49.27        $50.76  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                                              

Total returnc

     24.21      -4.34 %b       12.37      3.25      2.23
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

28


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—(Continued)

 

 

                                                                     
     Class R  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

   2019      2018     2017      2016      2015  

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

     $464.7        $375.4       $374.2        $108.7        $22.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to average daily net assets:

 

Expenses (before expense reduction)

     1.36      1.41 %b,d      1.46 %d       1.55      1.54
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses (net of expense reduction)

     1.36      1.41 %b,d      1.46 %d       1.54      1.54
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (before expense reduction)

     1.49      1.38     1.50      1.55      1.07
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (net of expense reduction)

     1.49      1.38     1.50      1.56      1.07
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

     78      76     75      104      82
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

a 

Calculation based on average shares outstanding.

b 

During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $(3.02). Additionally, the expense ratios include extraordinary expenses related to the direct action. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to the average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 1.40%. Excluding the proceeds from and expenses relating to the settlements, the total return would have been -4.36%.

c 

Return assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value.

d 

Includes extraordinary expenses, approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement, related to the reorganization discussed further in Note 6. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 1.39% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 1.45% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

29


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—(Continued)

 

 

                                                                     
     Class Z  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Per Share Operating Data:

   2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Net asset value, beginning of year

     $49.88        $53.88        $49.09        $50.57        $50.66  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

              

Net investment income (loss)a

     1.13        1.13        0.95        1.03        0.70  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     11.11        (3.14 )b       5.34        0.87        0.56  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     12.24        (2.01      6.29        1.90        1.26  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

              

Net investment income

     (2.43      (1.52      (1.15      (1.91      (1.35

Net realized gain

     (2.52      (0.44      (0.35      (1.47       

Tax return of capital

            (0.03                     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (4.95      (1.99      (1.50      (3.38      (1.35
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value

     7.29        (4.00      4.79        (1.48      (0.09
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

     $57.17        $49.88        $53.88        $49.09        $50.57  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   

Total returnc

     24.82      -3.86 %b       12.96      3.75      2.56
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

30


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS—(Continued)

 

 

                                                                     
     Class Z  
     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

   2019      2018     2017      2016      2015  

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

     $53,698.1        $16,449.8       $607.3        $258.3        $10.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to average daily net assets:

             

Expenses (before expense reduction)

     0.86      0.90 %b,d      0.96 %d       1.05      1.07
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses (net of expense reduction)

     0.86      0.90 %b,d      0.96 %d       1.04      1.06
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (before expense reduction)

     1.98      2.17     1.83      1.94      1.36
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (net of expense reduction)

     1.98      2.17     1.83      1.95      1.37
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

     78      76     75      104      82
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

a 

Calculation based on average shares outstanding.

b 

During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $(3.15). Additionally, the expense ratios include extraordinary expenses related to the direct action. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to the average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 0.89%. Excluding the proceeds from and expenses relating to the settlements, the total return would have been -3.88%.

c 

Return assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value.

d 

Includes extraordinary expenses, approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement, related to the reorganization discussed further in Note 6. Without these expenses, the ratio of expenses to average daily net assets (before expense reduction and net of expense reduction) would have been 0.88% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 0.95% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

31


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares, Inc. (the Fund) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 14, 1997 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is total return through investment in global real estate equity securities. The authorized shares of the Fund are divided into six classes designated Class A, C, F, I, R and Z shares. Each of the Fund’s shares has equal dividend, liquidation and voting rights (except for matters relating to distribution and shareholder servicing of such shares). Class F shares are currently not available for purchase.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The Fund is an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946—Investment Companies. The accounting policies of the Fund are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Portfolio Valuation: Investments in securities that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected at the close of the NYSE on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and ask prices on such day or, if no ask price is available, at the bid price.

Securities not listed on the NYSE but listed on other domestic or foreign securities exchanges (including NASDAQ) are valued in a similar manner. Securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price reflected at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If after the close of a foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued, market conditions change significantly, certain non-U.S. equity holdings may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board of Directors.

Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market, including listed securities whose primary market is believed by Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (the investment advisor) to be OTC, are valued on the basis of prices provided by a third-party pricing service or third-party broker-dealers when such prices are believed by the investment advisor, pursuant to delegation by the Board of Directors, to reflect the fair value of such securities.

Short-term debt securities with a maturity date of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at net asset value (NAV).

The policies and procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors delegate authority to make fair value determinations to the investment advisor, subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors. The investment advisor has established a valuation committee (Valuation Committee) to administer, implement and oversee the fair valuation process according to the policies and procedures

 

32


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

approved annually by the Board of Directors. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

Securities for which market prices are unavailable, or securities for which the investment advisor determines that the bid and/or ask price or a counterparty valuation does not reflect market value, will be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee, pursuant to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. Circumstances in which market prices may be unavailable include, but are not limited to, when trading in a security is suspended, the exchange on which the security is traded is subject to an unscheduled close or disruption or material events occur after the close of the exchange on which the security is principally traded. In these circumstances, the Fund determines fair value in a manner that fairly reflects the market value of the security on the valuation date based on consideration of any information or factors it deems appropriate. These may include, but are not limited to, recent transactions in comparable securities, information relating to the specific security and developments in the markets.

Foreign equity fair value pricing procedures utilized by the Fund may cause certain non-U.S. equity holdings to be fair valued on the basis of fair value factors provided by a pricing service to reflect any significant market movements between the time the Fund values such securities and the earlier closing of foreign markets.

The Fund’s use of fair value pricing may cause the NAV of Fund shares to differ from the NAV that would be calculated using market quotations. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security.

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would expect to receive upon the sale of an investment or expect to pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. The hierarchy of inputs that are used in determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments may or may not be an indication of the risk associated with those investments. Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

 

33


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value:

 

     Total      Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Investments
(Level 1)
     Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Common Stock:

           

Australia

   $ 45,054,415      $ 45,054,415      $      $                     0 a 

Other Countries

     1,494,930,759        1,494,930,759                

Short-Term Investments

     31,186,335               31,186,335         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securitiesb

   $ 1,571,171,509      $ 1,539,985,174      $ 31,186,335      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

a 

BGP Holdings PLC was acquired via a spinoff and has been fair valued at $0, by the Valuation Committee, pursuant to the Fund’s fair value procedures and classified as a Level 3 security.

b 

Portfolio holdings are disclosed individually on the Schedule of Investments.

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expense Allocations: Security transactions are recorded on trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income, which includes the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends on foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed after the ex-dividend date. Distributions from REITs are recorded as ordinary income, net realized capital gain or return of capital based on information reported by the REITs and management’s estimates of such amounts based on historical information. These estimates are adjusted when the actual source of distributions is disclosed by the REITs and actual amounts may differ from the estimated amounts. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class) and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations 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 and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

Net realized foreign currency transaction gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, (excluding gains and losses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, which are presented separately, if any), currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities

 

34


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates. Pursuant to U.S. federal income tax regulations, certain foreign currency gains/losses included in realized and unrealized gains/losses are included in or are a reduction of ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders: Dividends from net investment income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid semi-annually. Net realized capital gains, unless offset by any available capital loss carryforward, are typically distributed to shareholders at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Fund based on the NAV per share at the close of business on the payable date, unless the shareholder has elected to have them paid in cash.

Dividends from net investment income are subject to recharacterization for tax purposes. Based upon the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019, a portion of the dividends have been reclassified to distributions from net realized gain.

Income Taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company (RIC), if such qualification is in the best interest of the shareholders, by complying with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to RICs, and by distributing substantially all of its taxable earnings to its shareholders. Also, in order to avoid the payment of any federal excise taxes, the Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized gains on a calendar year basis. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary. Dividend and interest income from holdings in non-U.S. securities is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal and applicable state income tax returns as well as its tax positions in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which it trades for all open tax years and has concluded that as of December 31, 2019, no additional provisions for income tax are required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s tax positions for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, state departments of revenue and by foreign tax authorities.

Note 2. Investment Advisory, Administration Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates

Investment Advisory Fees: Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. serves as the Fund’s investment advisor pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the investment advisory agreement). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the investment advisor provides the Fund with day-to-day investment decisions and generally manages the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors.

For the services provided to the Fund, the investment advisor receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

35


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019 and through June 30, 2021, the investment advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse expenses so that the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25% for Class A shares, 1.90% for Class C shares, 0.90% for Class I shares, 1.40% for Class R shares and 0.90% for Class Z shares. This contractual agreement can only be amended or terminated by agreement of the Fund’s Board of Directors and the investment advisor and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the investment advisory agreement between the investment advisor and the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed totaled $332,924.

Under subadvisory agreements between the investment advisor and each of Cohen & Steers Asia Limited and Cohen & Steers UK Limited (collectively, the subadvisors), affiliates of the investment advisor, the subadvisors are responsible for managing the Fund’s investments in certain non-U.S. holdings. For their services provided under the subadvisory agreements, the investment advisor (not the Fund) pays the subadvisors. The investment advisor allocates 50% of the investment advisory fee received from the Fund among itself and each subadvisor based on the portion of the Fund’s average daily net assets managed by the investment advisor and each subadvisor.

Administration Fees: The Fund has entered into an administration agreement with the investment advisor under which the investment advisor performs certain administrative functions for the Fund and receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.04% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund incurred $582,039 in fees under administration agreement. Additionally, the Fund pays State Street Bank and Trust Company as co-administrator under a fund accounting and administration agreement.

Distribution Fees: Shares of the Fund are distributed by Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC (the distributor), an affiliated entity of the investment advisor. The Fund has adopted an amended distribution and service plan (the plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale and distribution of its shares. The plan provides that the Fund will pay the distributor a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares, up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares and up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares. In addition, with respect to Class R shares, such amounts may also be used to pay for services to Fund shareholders or services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts.

There is a maximum initial sales charge of 4.50% for Class A shares. There is a maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1.00% on purchases of $1 million or more of Class A shares, which applies if redemption occurs within one year from purchase. There is a CDSC of 1.00% on Class C shares, which applies if redemption occurs within one year from purchase. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund has been advised that the distributor received $7,534, which represents a portion of the sales commissions paid by shareholders from the sale of Class A shares, and $855 of CDSC relating to redemptions of Class C shares. The distributor has advised the Fund that proceeds from the CDSC on these classes are used by the distributor to defray its expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of these classes, including payments to dealers and other financial intermediaries for selling these classes.

 

36


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The payment of a CDSC may result in the Distributor receiving amounts greater or less than the upfront commission paid by the Distributor to the financial intermediary.

Shareholder Servicing Fees: For shareholder services, the Fund pays the distributor or its affiliates a fee, accrued daily, at an annual rate of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class A and Class I shares and up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class C shares. The distributor is responsible for paying qualified financial institutions for shareholder services.

Directors’ and Officers’ Fees: Certain directors and officers of the Fund are also directors, officers and/or employees of the investment advisor. The Fund does not pay compensation to directors and officers affiliated with the investment advisor except for the Chief Compliance Officer, who received compensation from the investment advisor, which was reimbursed by the Fund, in the amount of $13,901 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Note 3. Purchases and Sales of Securities

Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, for the year ended December 31, 2019, totaled $1,195,499,323 and $1,114,011,394, respectively.

Note 4. Income Tax Information

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid was as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2019        2018  

Ordinary income

   $ 79,543,193        $ 28,171,884  

Long-term capital gain

     47,039,802          8,181,070  

Tax return of capital

              551,243  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

   $ 126,582,995        $ 36,904,197  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2019, the tax-basis components of accumulated earnings, the federal tax cost and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in value of investments held were as follows:

 

Cost of investments in securities for federal income tax purposes

   $ 1,370,751,433  
  

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation on investments

   $ 222,837,511  

Gross unrealized depreciation on investments

     (22,404,331
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

   $ 200,433,180  
  

 

 

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 1,847,027  
  

 

 

 

Undistributed long-term capital gains

   $ 9,657,353  
  

 

 

 

 

37


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily attributable to wash sales on portfolio securities and unrealized gain on passive foreign investment companies and permanent book/tax differences primarily attributable to fund redemptions used on distributions and prior year REIT distribution adjustments. To reflect reclassifications arising from the permanent differences, paid-in capital was credited $3,789,504 and total distributable earnings/(accumulated loss) was charged $3,789,504. Net assets were not affected by this reclassification.

Note 5. Capital Stock

On March 19, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the deregistration of Class T shares. The Fund is now authorized to issue 400 million shares of capital stock, at a par value of $0.001 per share, classified in six classes as follows: 50 million of Class A capital stock, 50 million of Class C capital stock, 50 million of Class F capital stock, 150 million of Class I capital stock, 50 million of Class R capital stock and 50 million of Class Z capital stock. Class F shares are currently not available for purchase. The Board of Directors of the Fund may increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of common stock that the Fund has authority to issue. With the exception of Class C shares held through certain intermediaries, as noted in the Fund’s prospectus, effective March 15, 2019, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares on a monthly basis approximately ten years after the original date of purchase. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

    For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
    For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Class A:

       

Sold

    707,224     $ 39,966,814       689,497     $ 35,988,625  

Issued as reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    110,916       6,237,918       41,670       2,159,681  

Redeemed

    (611,011     (34,922,819     (552,535     (28,586,002
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

        207,129     $ 11,281,913           178,632     $ 9,562,304  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C:

       

Sold

    49,919     $ 2,810,042       94,509     $ 4,904,465  

Issued as reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    25,967       1,452,956       19,968       1,026,915  

Redeemed

    (470,075     (26,299,088     (254,488     (13,180,111
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (394,189   $ (22,036,090     (140,011   $ (7,248,731
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

38


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

    For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
    For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Class I:

       

Sold

    6,537,156     $ 372,105,526       9,444,723     $ 495,005,757  

Acquisition of IGRS

                9,051,506       454,686,267  

Issued as reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    1,694,075       95,749,503       490,445       25,705,680  

Redeemed

    (5,480,900     (313,437,016     (6,333,828     (331,233,324
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

        2,750,331     $ 154,418,013           12,652,846     $ 644,164,380  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R:

       

Sold

    4,715     $ 259,009       2,324     $ 121,664  

Issued as reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    716       40,561       238       12,431  

Redeemed

    (4,830     (278,635     (1,983     (104,257
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    601     $ 20,935       579     $ 29,838  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class Z:

       

Sold

    674,891     $ 39,616,245       324,881     $ 17,226,656  

Issued as reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    53,223       3,009,098       6,282       330,582  

Redeemed

    (118,600     (7,090,396     (12,637     (659,886
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    609,514     $ 35,534,947       318,526     $ 16,897,352  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note 6. Reorganization

On December 5, 2017, the Boards of Directors of Cohen & Steers Institutional Global Realty Shares, Inc. (IGRS) and the Fund each approved a proposal to reorganize IGRS with and into the Fund (the Reorganization). The investment advisor believes the Reorganization benefited shareholders of the Fund by reducing annual operating gross and net expense ratios, increasing marketability and providing portfolio management and operational efficiencies. The transaction was structured as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code. On March 15, 2018, IGRS’s stockholders approved the Reorganization.

After the close of business on March 23, 2018, the Fund acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of IGRS in exchange for Class I shares of common stock of the Fund, which were distributed to IGRS’s shareholders. The investment portfolio of IGRS, with a fair value of $455,071,697

 

39


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

and identified cost of $414,984,236 as of the date of the reorganization, was the principal asset acquired by the Fund. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 18,144,491 shares of IGRS, valued at $454,686,267 for 9,051,506 shares of the Fund. The net assets of IGRS and the Fund immediately before the acquisition were $454,686,267 (including $40,114,030 of net unrealized appreciation) and $665,647,073, respectively. The combined net assets of the Fund immediately following the acquisition were $1,120,333,340. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however the cost basis of the investments received from IGRS was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Fund’s realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.

Reorganization expenses were incurred by the Fund and IGRS in proportion to their net assets, and were approximately $269,751, of which $62,569 were accrued prior to January 1, 2018; $160,515 of reorganization expenses were borne by the Fund and $109,236 were borne by IGRS.

Note 7. Other Risks

Common Stock Risk: While common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long-term, common stocks have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns, although under certain market conditions, fixed-income investments may have comparable or greater price volatility. The value of common stocks and other equity securities will fluctuate in response to developments concerning the company, political and regulatory circumstances, the stock market, and the economy. In the short term, stock prices can fluctuate dramatically in response to these developments. Different parts of the market and different types of equity securities can react differently to these developments. For example, stocks of large companies can react differently than stocks of smaller companies, and value stocks (stocks of companies that are undervalued by various measures and have potential for long-term capital appreciation), can react differently from growth stocks (stocks of companies with attractive cash flow returns on invested capital and earnings that are expected to grow). These developments can affect a single company, all companies within the same industry, economic sector or geographic region, or the stock market as a whole.

Real Estate Market Risk: Since the Fund concentrates its assets in companies engaged in the real estate industry, an investment in the Fund will be closely linked to the performance of the real estate markets. Risks of investing in real estate securities include falling property values due to increasing vacancies, declining rents resulting from economic, legal, tax, political or technological developments, lack of liquidity, limited diversification, and sensitivity to certain economic factors such as interest-rate changes and market recessions. Real estate company prices also may drop because of the failure of borrowers to pay their loans and poor management, and residential developers, in particular, could be negatively impacted by falling home prices, slower mortgage origination and rising construction costs. The risks of investing in REITs are similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate securities.

REIT Risk: In addition to the risks of securities linked to the real estate industry, REITs are subject to certain other risks related to their structure and focus. REITs are dependent upon management skills

 

40


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

and generally may not be diversified. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, REITs could possibly fail to (i) qualify for pass-through of income under applicable tax law, or (ii) maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments.

Small- and Medium-Sized Companies Risk: Real estate companies in the industry tend to be small- to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole. There may be less trading in a smaller company’s stock, which means that buy and sell transactions in that stock could have a larger impact on the stock’s price than is the case with larger company stocks. Smaller companies also may have fewer lines of business so that changes in any one line of business may have a greater impact on a smaller company’s stock price than is the case for a larger company. Further, smaller company stocks may perform differently in different cycles than larger company stocks. Accordingly, real estate company shares can, and at times will, perform differently than large company stocks.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk: The Fund directly purchases securities of foreign issuers. Risks of investing in foreign securities include currency risks, future political and economic developments and possible imposition of foreign withholding taxes on income or proceeds payable on the securities. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a domestic issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards and requirements as domestic issuers. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers.

Foreign Currency and Currency Hedging Risk: Although the Fund will report its NAV and pay dividends in U.S. dollars, foreign securities often are purchased with and make any dividend and interest payments in foreign currencies. Therefore, the Fund’s investments in foreign securities will be subject to foreign currency risk, which means that the Fund’s NAV could decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal, dividends and interest to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. The Fund may, but is not required to, engage in various instruments that are designed to hedge the Fund’s foreign currency risks.

If the Fund were to utilize derivatives for the purpose of hedging foreign currency risks, it would be subject to risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. Among the risks presented are counterparty risk, financial leverage risk, liquidity risk, OTC trading risk and tracking risk. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the underlying asset, index or rate, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives.

Geopolitical Risk: Occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as war, terrorist attacks, natural or environmental disasters, country instability, infectious disease epidemics,

 

41


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers and other governmental trade or market control programs, the potential exit of a country from its respective union and related geopolitical events, may result in market volatility and may have long-lasting impacts on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Additionally, those events, as well as other changes in foreign and domestic political and economic conditions, could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, secondary trading, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments.

In March 2017, the United Kingdom (UK) formally notified the European Council of its intention to leave the European Union (EU) and on January 31, 2020 withdrew from the EU (referred to as Brexit). Brexit has resulted in volatility in European and global markets and could have negative long-term impacts on financial markets in the UK and throughout Europe. There is considerable uncertainty about the potential consequences of Brexit, how negotiations of trade agreements will proceed, and how the financial markets will react. As this process unfolds, markets may be further disrupted. Given the size and importance of the UK’s economy, uncertainty about its legal, political and economic relationship with the remaining member states of the EU may continue to be a source of instability.

Growing tensions, including trade disputes, between the United States and other nations, or among foreign powers, and possible diplomatic, trade or other sanctions could adversely impact the global economy, financial markets and the Fund. The strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies may, among other things, adversely affect the Fund’s investments denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have, and the duration of those effects.

Regulatory Risk: The U.S. government has proposed and adopted multiple regulations that could have a long-lasting impact on the Fund and on the mutual fund industry in general. SEC’s final rules and amendments that modernize reporting and disclosure and require the implementation of a Liquidity Risk Management Program, along with other potential upcoming regulations, could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in transactions, impact flows into the Fund and/or increase overall expenses of the Fund. In addition, the SEC, Congress, various exchanges and regulatory and self-regulatory authorities, both domestic and foreign, have undertaken reviews of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, which could affect the nature and extent of instruments used by the Fund. While the full extent of all of these regulations is still unclear, these regulations and actions may adversely affect both the Fund and the instruments in which the Fund invests and its ability to execute its investment strategy. Similarly, regulatory developments in other countries may have an unpredictable and adverse impact on the Fund.

This is not a complete list of the risks of investing in the Fund. For additional information concerning the risks of investing in the Fund, please consult the Fund’s prospectus.

 

42


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 8. Other

In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions occurring after December 31, 2019 through the date that the financial statements were issued, and has determined that no additional disclosure in the financial statements is required.

 

43


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares, Inc. (the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2019 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

February 21, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Cohen & Steers family of mutual funds since 1991.

 

44


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

TAX INFORMATION—2019 (Unaudited)

For the calendar year ended December 31, 2019, for individual taxpayers, the Fund designates $10,683,238 as qualified dividend income eligible for reduced tax rates, long-term capital gain distributions of $49,825,270 taxable at the maximum 20% rate, long-term capital gain distributions of $168,929 taxable at 25% maximum rate, short-term capital gain distributions of $18,492,161 and $16,030,497 as qualified business income eligible for the 20% deduction. In addition, for corporate taxpayers, 0.15% of the ordinary dividends paid qualified for the dividends received deduction (DRD).

OTHER INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348, (ii) on our website at cohenandsteers.com or (iii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available by August 31 of each year (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348 or (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Disclosures of the Fund’s complete holdings are required to be made monthly on Form N-PORT, with every third month made available to the public by the SEC 60 days after the end of the Fund’s fiscal quarter. Previously, the Fund filed its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which has now been rescinded. Both the Fund’s Form N-Q and Form N-PORT are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-330-7348 or (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Please note that distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders are subject to recharacterization for tax purposes and are taxable up to the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income and net realized gains. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s net investment company taxable income and realized gains are a return of capital distributed from the Fund’s assets. The final tax treatment of all distributions is reported to shareholders on their 1099-DIV forms, which are mailed after the close of each calendar year.

Expansion of the Availability of Class I Shares

On December 10, 2019, the Fund’s Board of Directors approved expanding the availability of Class I shares to brokerage platforms of firms that have an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Class I shares on a brokerage platform, effective January 1, 2020. In addition, the Fund’s Board of Directors approved expanding the investment minimum waivers on Class I shares to waive the investment minimum for financial intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with the distributor to offer Class I shares on a brokerage platform and allow financial intermediaries to charge commissions on Class I shares, also effective January 1, 2020. Class I shares are already available to advisory platforms that have an agreement with the Fund’s distributor also with the investment minimum waived. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for additional information.

 

45


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approves all significant agreements between the Fund and persons or companies furnishing services to it, including the Fund’s agreements with its investment advisor, administrator, co-administrator, custodian and transfer agent. The management of the Fund’s day-to-day operations is delegated to its officers, the investment advisor, administrator and co-administrator, subject always to the investment objective and policies of the Fund and to the general supervision of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations during at least the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (SAI) includes additional information about fund directors and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 800-330-7348.

 

Name, Address and

Year of Birth1

  

Position(s) Held

With Fund

  

Term of

Office2

  

Principal Occupation

During At Least

The Past 5 Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

  

Number of

Funds Within

Fund

Complex

Overseen by

Director

(Including

the Fund)

    

Length

of Time

Served3

Interested Directors4               

Robert H. Steers

1953

   Director, Chairman    Until Next Election of Directors    Chief Executive Officer of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (CSCM or the Advisor) and its parent, Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS) since 2014. Prior to that, Co- Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Advisor since 2003 and CNS since 2004. Prior to that, Chairman of the Advisor; Vice President of Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC.      20      Since 1991

Joseph M. Harvey

1963

   Director    Until Next Election of Directors    President of the Advisor (since 2003) and President of CNS (since 2004). Chief Investment Officer of CSCM from 2003 to 2019. Prior to that, Senior Vice President and Director of Investment Research of CSCM.      20      Since 2014

(table continued on next page)

 

46


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

(table continued from previous page)

 

Name, Address and

Year of Birth1

  

Position(s) Held

With Fund

  

Term of

Office2

  

Principal Occupation

During At Least

The Past 5 Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

  

Number of

Funds Within

Fund

Complex

Overseen by

Director

(Including

the Fund)

    

Length

of Time

Served3

Disinterested Directors            

Michael G. Clark

1965

   Director    Until Next Election of Directors    CPA and CFA; From 2006 to 2011, President and Chief Executive Officer of DWS Funds and Managing Director of Deutsche Asset Management.      20      Since 2011

George Grossman

1953

   Director    Until Next Election of Directors    Attorney-at-law.      20      Since 1993

Dean A. Junkans

1959

   Director    Until Next Election of Directors    CFA; Advisor to SigFig (a registered investment advisor) since July, 2018; Adjunct Professor and Executive–In–Residence, Bethel University Since 2015; Chief Investment Officer at Wells Fargo Private Bank from 2004 to 2014 and Chief Investment Officer of the Wealth, Brokerage and Retirement group at Wells Fargo & Company from 2011 to 2014; former Member and Chair, Claritas Advisory Committee at the CFA Institute from 2013 to 2015; Board Member and Investment Committee Member, Bethel University Foundation since 2010; formerly Corporate Executive Board Member of the National Chief Investment Officers Circle, 2010 to 2015; formerly, Member of the Board of Governors of the University of Wisconsin Foundation, River Falls, 1996 to 2004; U.S. Army Veteran, Gulf War.      20      Since 2015

(table continued on next page)

 

47


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

(table continued from previous page)

 

Name, Address and

Year of Birth1

  

Position(s) Held

With Fund

  

Term of

Office2

  

Principal Occupation

During At Least

The Past 5 Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

  

Number of

Funds Within

Fund

Complex

Overseen by

Director

(Including

the Fund)

  

Length

of Time

Served3

Gerald J. Maginnis

1955

   Director    Until Next Election of Directors    Philadelphia Office Managing Partner, KPMG LLP from 2006 to 2015; Partner in Charge, KPMG Pennsylvania Audit Practice from 2002 to 2008; President, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) from 2014 to 2015; Member, PICPA Board of Directors from 2012 to 2016; Member, Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) from 2013 to 2017; Member, Board of Trustees of AICPA Foundation since 2015.    20    Since 2015

Jane F. Magpiong

1960

   Director    Until Next Election of Directors    President, Untap Potential since 2013; Senior Managing Director, TIAA-CREF, from 2011 to 2013; National Head of Wealth Management, TIAA- CREF, from 2008 to 2011; and prior to that, President, Bank of America Private Bank from 2005 to 2008.    20    Since 2015

(table continued on next page)

 

48


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

(table continued from previous page)

 

Name, Address and

Year of Birth1

  

Position(s) Held

With Fund

  

Term of

Office2

  

Principal Occupation

During At Least

The Past 5 Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

  

Number of

Funds Within

Fund

Complex

Overseen by

Director

(Including

the Fund)

  

Length

of Time

Served3

Daphne L. Richards

1966

   Director    Until Next Election of Directors    Independent Director of Cartica Management, LLC since 2015; Investment Committee Member of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation since 2015 and Member of the Advisory Board of Northeast Dutchess Fund since 2016; President and CIO of Ledge Harbor Management since 2016; formerly at Bessemer Trust Company from 1999 to 2014; prior thereto, held investment positions at Frank Russell Company from 1996 to 1999, Union Bank of Switzerland from 1993 to 1996; Credit Suisse from 1990 to 1993; and Hambros International Venture Capital Fund from 1988 to 1989.    20    Since 2017

C. Edward Ward, Jr

1946

   Director    Until Next Election of Directors    Member of The Board of Trustees of Manhattan College, Riverdale, New York from 2004 to 2014; formerly, Director of closed-end fund management for the NYSE where he worked from 1979 to 2004.    20    Since 2004

 

 

1 

The address for each director is 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

2 

On March 12, 2008, the Board of Directors adopted a mandatory retirement policy stating a Director must retire from the Board on December 31st of the year in which he or she turns 75 years of age.

3 

The length of time served represents the year in which the Director was first elected or appointed to any fund in the Cohen & Steers fund complex.

4 

“Interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund because of affiliation with CSCM (Interested Directors).

 

49


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

The officers of the Fund (other than Messrs. Steers and Harvey, whose biographies are provided above), their address, their year of birth and their principal occupations for at least the past five years are set forth below.

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth1

  

Position(s) Held
With Fund

  

Principal Occupation During At
Least the  Past 5 Years

 

Length
of Time
Served2

Adam M. Derechin

1964

   President and Chief Executive Officer    Chief Operating Officer of CSCM since 2003 and CNS since 2004.   Since 2005

James Giallanza

1966

   Chief Financial Officer    Executive Vice President of CSCM since 2014. Prior to that, Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2006.   Since 2006

Lisa D. Phelan

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer    Executive Vice President of CSCM since 2015. Prior to that, Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2008. Chief Compliance Officer of CSCM, the Cohen & Steers funds, Cohen & Steers Asia Limited and CSSL since 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.   Since 2006

Dana A. DeVivo

1981

   Secretary and Chief Legal Officer    Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2019. Prior to that, Vice President of CSCM since 2013.   Since 2015

Albert Laskaj

1977

   Treasurer    Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2019. Prior to that, Vice President of CSCM since 2015. Prior to that, Director of Legg Mason & Co. since 2013.   Since 2015

Stephen Murphy

1966

   Vice President    Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2019. Prior to that, Managing Director at Mirae Asset Securities (USA) Inc. since 2017. Prior to that, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Weiss Multi-Strategy Advisers LLC since 2011.   Since 2019

Jon Cheigh

1972

   Vice President    Chief Investment Officer of CSCM since October 2019 and Executive Vice President of CSCM since 2012. Prior to that, Senior Vice President of CSCM since 2007.   Since 2007

 

 

1 

The address of each officer is 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

2 

Officers serve one-year terms. The length of time served represents the year in which the officer was first elected as an officer of any fund in the Cohen & Steers fund complex. All of the officers listed above are officers of one or more of the other funds in the complex.

 

50


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

Cohen & Steers Privacy Policy

 

   
Facts   What Does Cohen & Steers Do With Your Personal Information?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

• Social Security number and account balances

 

• Transaction history and account transactions

 

• Purchase history and wire transfer instructions

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Cohen & Steers chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information    Does Cohen & Steers
share?
     Can you limit this
sharing?

For our everyday business purposes—

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or reports to credit bureaus

   Yes      No

For our marketing purposes—

to offer our products and services to you

   Yes      No
For joint marketing with other financial companies—    No      We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—

information about your transactions and experiences

   No      We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—

information about your creditworthiness

   No      We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you—    No      We don’t share
For non-affiliates to market to you—    No      We don’t share
       
     
Questions?     Call 800.330.7348            

 

51


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

Cohen & Steers Privacy Policy—(Continued)

 

   
Who we are    
Who is providing this notice?   Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Cohen & Steers Asia Limited, Cohen & Steers Japan, LLC, Cohen & Steers UK Limited, Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC, Cohen & Steers Private Funds and Cohen & Steers Open and Closed-End Funds (collectively, Cohen & Steers).
What we do    
How does Cohen & Steers protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We restrict access to your information to those employees who need it to perform their jobs, and also require companies that provide services on our behalf to protect your information.
How does Cohen & Steers collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you:

 

• Open an account or buy securities from us

 

• Provide account information or give us your contact information

 

• Make deposits or withdrawals from your account

 

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only:

 

• sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness

 

• affiliates from using your information to market to you

 

• sharing for non-affiliates to market to you

 

State law and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions    
Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

• Cohen & Steers does not share with affiliates.

Non-affiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

• Cohen & Steers does not share with non-affiliates.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

• Cohen & Steers does not jointly market.

 

52


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

Cohen & Steers Open-End Mutual Funds

 

COHEN & STEERS REALTY SHARES

 

  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in U.S. real estate securities

 

  Symbols: CSJAX, CSJCX, CSJIX, CSRSX, CSJRX, CSJZX

COHEN & STEERS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND

 

  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in U.S. real estate securities

 

  Symbols: CSEIX, CSCIX, CREFX, CSDIX, CIRRX, CSZIX

COHEN & STEERS INSTITUTIONAL REALTY SHARES

 

  Designed for institutional investors seeking total return, investing primarily in U.S. real estate securities

 

  Symbol: CSRIX

COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES

 

  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in global real estate equity securities

 

  Symbols: CSFAX, CSFCX, CSSPX, GRSRX, CSFZX

COHEN & STEERS INTERNATIONAL REALTY FUND

 

  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in international (non-U.S.) real estate securities

 

  Symbols: IRFAX, IRFCX, IRFIX, IRFRX, IRFZX

COHEN & STEERS REAL ASSETS FUND

 

  Designed for investors seeking total return and the maximization of real returns during inflationary environments by investing primarily in real assets

 

  Symbols: RAPAX, RAPCX, RAPIX, RAPRX, RAPZX

COHEN & STEERS PREFERRED SECURITIES

AND INCOME FUND

 

  Designed for investors seeking total return (high current income and capital appreciation), investing primarily in preferred and debt securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies

 

  Symbols: CPXAX, CPXCX, CPXFX, CPXIX, CPRRX, CPXZX

COHEN & STEERS LOW DURATION PREFERRED

AND INCOME FUND

 

  Designed for investors seeking high current income and capital preservation by investing in low-duration preferred and other income securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies

 

  Symbols: LPXAX, LPXCX, LPXIX, LPXRX, LPXZX

COHEN & STEERS MLP & ENERGY OPPORTUNITY FUND

 

  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in midstream energy master limited partnership (MLP) units and related stocks

 

  Symbols: MLOAX, MLOCX, MLOIX, MLORX, MLOZX

COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

 

  Designed for investors seeking total return, investing primarily in global infrastructure securities

 

  Symbols: CSUAX, CSUCX, CSUIX, CSURX, CSUZX

COHEN & STEERS ALTERNATIVE INCOME FUND

(FORMERLY COHEN & STEERS DIVIDEND VALUE FUND)

 

  Designed for investors seeking high current income and capital appreciation, investing in equity, preferred and debt securities, focused on real assets and alternative income strategies

 

  Symbols: DVFAX, DVFCX, DVFIX, DVFRX, DVFZX
 

Distributed by Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC.

 

Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of any Cohen & Steers U.S. registered open-end fund carefully before investing. A summary prospectus and prospectus containing this and other information can be obtained by calling 800-330-7348 or by visiting cohenandsteers.com. Please read the summary prospectus and prospectus carefully before investing.

 

53


COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Robert H. Steers

Director and Chairman

Joseph M. Harvey

Director and Vice President

Michael G. Clark

Director

George Grossman

Director

Dean A. Junkans

Director

Gerald J. Maginnis

Director

Jane F. Magpiong

Director

Daphne L. Richards

Director

C. Edward Ward, Jr.

Director

Adam M. Derechin

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

James Giallanza

Chief Financial Officer

Lisa D. Phelan

Chief Compliance Officer

Dana A. DeVivo

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Albert Laskaj

Treasurer

Stephen Murphy

Vice President

Jon Cheigh

Vice President

KEY INFORMATION

Investment Advisor and Administrator

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(212) 832-3232

Co-administrator and Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

P.O. Box 219953

Kansas City, MO 64121-9953

(800) 437-9912

Legal Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Distributor

Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC

280 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

 

NASDAQ Symbol:   Class A—CSFAX
  Class C—CSFCX
  Class F—GRSFX*
  Class I—CSSPX
  Class R—GRSRX
  Class Z—CSFZX

Website: cohenandsteers.com

This report is authorized for delivery only to shareholders of Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares, Inc. unless accompanied or preceded by the delivery of a currently effective prospectus setting forth details of the Fund. Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and your investment may be worth more or less at the time you sell your shares.

 

*

Class F shares are currently not available for purchase.

 

 

54


eDelivery AVAILABLE

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Cohen & Steers

Global Realty

Shares

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website at www.cohenandsteers.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you have already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, by signing up at www.cohenandsteers.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper, free of charge, at any time. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, you can call (800) 330-7348 to let the Fund know you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all Funds held within the fund complex if you invest directly with the Fund.

CSFAXAR

 

 

 


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

The registrant has adopted an Amended and Restated Code of Ethics that applies to its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. The Code of Ethics was in effect during the reporting period. The registrant has not amended the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the reporting period. The registrant has not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the reporting period. A current copy of the Code of Ethics is available on the registrant’s website at https://www.cohenandsteers.com/assets/content/uploads/Code_of_Ethics_for_Principal_Executive_and_Principal_Financial_Officers_of_the_Funds.pdf. Upon request, a copy of the Code of Ethics can be obtained free of charge by calling 800-330-7348 or writing to the Secretary of the Registrant, 280 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10017.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s board has determined that Gerald J. Maginnis qualifies as an audit committee financial expert based on his years of experience in the public accounting profession. The registrant’s board has determined that Michael G. Clark qualifies as an audit committee financial expert based on his years of experience in the public accounting profession and the investment management and financial services industry. Each of Messrs. Clark and Maginnis are members of the board’s audit committee, and each is independent as such term is defined in Form N-CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) – (d) Aggregate fees billed to the registrant for the last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 for professional services rendered by the registrant’s principal accountant were as follows:

 

     2019    2018

Audit Fees

   $45,580    $44,910

Audit-Related Fees

   $0    $0

Tax Fees

   $5,750    $5,660

All Other Fees

   $0    $0

Tax fees were billed in connection with tax compliance services, including the preparation and review of federal and state tax returns.    

(e)(1) The audit committee is required to pre-approve audit and non-audit services performed for the registrant by the principal accountant. The audit committee also is required to pre-approve non-audit services performed by the registrant’s principal accountant for the registrant’s investment advisor and any sub-advisor (not including any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment advisor) and/or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrant’s investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant, if the engagement for services relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

 

 

 


The audit committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members who are independent members of the board of directors of the registrant. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting. The audit committee may not delegate its responsibility to pre-approve services to be performed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the investment advisor.

(e)(2) No services included in (b) – (d) above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraphs (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant and for non-audit services rendered to the registrant’s investment advisor (not including any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment advisor) and/or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrant’s investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant were:

 

     2019    2018

Registrant

   $5,750    $5,660

Investment Advisor

   $0    $0

(h) The registrant’s audit committee considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment advisor (not including any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment advisor) and/or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrant’s investment advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not required to be pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X was compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

Included in Item 1 above.

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

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End 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.

None.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, based upon such officers’ evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting 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) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(a)(4) Not applicable.

(b) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a- 2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

 

 


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.

COHEN & STEERS GLOBAL REALTY SHARES, INC.

 

  By:   /s/ Adam M. Derechin
   

Name:   Adam M. Derechin

Title:    Principal Executive Officer

         (President and Chief Executive Officer)

  Date:   March 2, 2020

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

 

  By:   /s/ Adam M. Derechin
   

Name:   Adam M. Derechin

Title:    Principal Executive Officer

         (President and Chief Executive Officer)

  By:   /s/ James Giallanza
   

Name:   James Giallanza

Title:    Principal Financial Officer

         (Chief Financial Officer)

  Date: March 2, 2020