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: 811-08203
| T. Rowe Price Diversified Small-Cap Growth Fund, Inc. |
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| (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
| 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
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| (Address of principal executive offices) |
| David Oestreicher |
| 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
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| (Name and address of agent for service) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area
code: (410) 345-2000
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: June 30,
2015
Item 1. Report to Shareholders
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Diversified Small-Cap Growth Fund |
June 30,
2015 |
The views and opinions in this report were current as of June 30, 2015. They are not guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety of factors, and the managers reserve the right to change their views about individual stocks, sectors, and the markets at any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied upon as a forecast of the fund’s future investment intent. The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires mutual funds and other public companies to affirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the information in their financial reports is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects.
REPORTS ON THE WEB
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Manager’s Letter
Fellow Shareholders
Small-cap growth stocks produced strong returns and outperformed other investment styles in the first half of 2015, supported by corporate mergers and acquisitions, better-than-expected first-quarter earnings, and continued low interest rates. Health care, especially biotechnology, and information technology were two of the strongest sectors in absolute terms, whereas more cyclical energy and materials companies were laggards. Large-cap stocks trailed small-caps significantly.
Your fund returned 9.30% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2015. As shown in the Performance Comparison table, the fund outperformed its MSCI benchmark and Lipper peer group index by a solid margin. The fund’s relative performance versus the MSCI index was driven by favorable stock selection in the health care sector—especially biotechnology stocks—and, to a lesser extent, in the financials and consumer discretionary segments. Information technology, consumer staples, and energy stock selection detracted from our performance advantage. The fund’s sector allocations—which are fairly similar to those of the MSCI benchmark, as shown in the Sector Diversification table on page 6—had a marginal positive impact on relative performance.
We are honored to report that the fund’s longer-term record versus its peers is excellent. Lipper ranked the Diversified Small-Cap Growth Fund in the top decile of the small-cap growth funds universe for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods ended June 30, 2015, and in the top quartile for the one-year period. Based on cumulative total return, Lipper ranked the fund 129 of 544, 37 of 477, 22 of 416, and 23 of 300 small-cap growth funds for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods ended June 30, 2015, respectively. (Results may vary for other periods. Past performance cannot guarantee future results.)
MARKET ENVIRONMENT
The U.S. economic recovery progressed at a moderate pace during the second quarter. Following unexpected softness in the first quarter due to transitory factors, second-quarter gross domestic product is likely to have expanded at an annualized rate of about 2.75%. Nonfarm employment has been growing, on average, by 221,000 jobs per month in the last few months, and the unemployment rate has steadily declined to 5.3% in June. At the same time, inflation remains subdued, with core consumer price index inflation increasing at a year-over-year rate of 1.8% in June. Against this backdrop, the Federal Reserve has been preparing to start a monetary tightening cycle, with the first increase in short-term interest rates expected sometime later this year. With interest rates very low, we do not expect a significant impact from small increases in rates.
With the notable exception of Greece, the majority of European countries have been experiencing gradual improvement in their economic conditions and employment, supported by the continuing stimulative monetary policies of the European Central Bank and an improving bank lending cycle. Greece remains a wild card, with the political and economic situation there remaining fluid as the government—which initially resisted new austerity measures but eventually agreed to implement them following a tense standoff with its creditors in late June and early July—begins to negotiate a new bailout deal. It would be the country’s third bailout since 2008. Many people believe, however, that the systemic importance of Greece has diminished significantly over time, so the Greek debt situation should pose limited danger to other European economies, even if it eventually results in the country leaving the eurozone down the road. On the other side of the world, China’s economic activity appears to be slowing even further. The recent sharp stock market correction could contribute to this trend.
Small-cap stocks outperformed large-cap shares in the last six months. The small-cap Russell 2000 Index returned 4.75% versus 1.23% for the S&P 500 Index. As measured by various Russell indexes, growth stocks outperformed value stocks across all market capitalizations, especially among small-caps.
Most sectors in the MSCI US Small Cap Growth Index produced positive returns in the first half of the year. Leading the advance was health care, with returns that far outpaced those of other sectors. Information technology shares also posted solid gains. Consumer discretionary and consumer staples stocks rose but generally lagged the index. Materials and financials fell slightly; most other sectors were fairly flat.
PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS
The market’s sharp sell-off at the end of our reporting period, which stemmed from events in Greece and China, underscores the value of having a diversified portfolio. We are pleased with the fund’s absolute and relative performance in the last six months—a period of flat returns for many asset classes—but our time horizon for investing is much longer, so it usually takes some time before our investments bear fruit. As the bull market ages and the economic expansion matures, brisk early-cycle gains become harder to replicate. We believe it is more important than ever to remain committed to the strategy and investment process that has served our investors well over time. We believe these will help us navigate through periods of moderating performance and continue rewarding patient investors with long-term capital growth:
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We favor companies that have a high return on capital and use cash flows wisely in a manner that benefits shareholders, such as investing in projects with an expected high return or reducing their share count through stock buybacks. We prefer companies that generate substantial free cash flow. They have the potential to be self-financing and can invest in periods when borrowing capital is not easy. In addition, they have the ability to buy back their stock—even in down markets—if management determines that is the best use of capital. |
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We seek companies with good earnings quality, sustainable growth characteristics, and attractive valuations relative to other firms in the same industry and relative to the small-cap growth universe as a whole. We like companies with reasonable valuations relative to their earnings and sales growth rates. |
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While stock selection is based on a quantitative model, we do take into consideration the fundamental research done by T. Rowe Price’s equity analysts. Given the unusual economic environment, we are also taking macroeconomic conditions into account. |
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The risk/return trade-off determines the position size of our holdings. We tend to have larger positions in companies that are proven or stable, such as consumer staples companies. In contrast, we tend to have smaller positions in higher-risk companies. |
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We try to let our winners run—as long as their valuations are reasonable and their market capitalizations are not too large. Unfortunately, investors often sell their winners too early and hold their losers too long. |
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The fund’s sector allocations are usually very similar to those of the MSCI US Small Cap Growth Index, as shown in the Sector Diversification table on page 6, but the portfolio may occasionally have small overweights or underweights. |
Our strategy is to try to outperform our benchmark by owning a large number of good stocks instead of making large investments in a small number of stocks. The portfolio currently holds almost 300 names, and very few of our largest positions represent 1.0% or more of the fund’s net assets at any given time. This level of diversification should help manage the risk of investing in small-cap growth stocks. Our goal is to provide steady outperformance over time with lower risk than that of the small-cap market. We believe mitigating downside risk in rising markets and preventing losses in down markets can help our relative performance over time.
Cash reserves are a drag on long-term performance in a rising market, so we try to keep our cash position low and deploy cash flows quickly to stay fully invested. Trading is another cost that reduces returns, so we trade electronically and in low-cost venues when possible. The fund tends to have a fairly low annual turnover rate because our time horizon is longer than that of other small-cap growth portfolios.
Our portfolio turnover rate in the 12 months ended June 30, 2015, was 14.4%, which is well below the 2014 average of 83.56% for small-cap growth funds, according to data from Morningstar Direct. (Morningstar only calculates portfolio turnover for its averages at year-end, using the most recent year-end portfolio turnover figures provided to Morningstar by each of the underlying funds in the average. The Morningstar data were quoted as of July 13, 2015.) This implies that our holding period for a typical stock is almost seven years, whereas our average competitor holds a given stock for slightly more than one year.
PORTFOLIO REVIEW
Our holdings in the health care sector contributed the most to fund performance in the last six months. Biotechnology shares far outpaced other health care industries, lifted by strong sales of various new drugs and promising FDA trial data or approvals for prospective medicines. Merger activity has also been a big factor; we cashed in on acquisitions of Pharmacyclics, Synageva BioPharma, and NPS Pharmaceuticals during the last six months. Many of our holdings in other health care industries produced positive but generally milder gains. However, there were a few outstanding performers, such as Centene, a provider of managed care programs and services to government-sponsored health care programs; Salix Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International; Dexcom, which makes continuous glucose monitors for diabetes patients; and life sciences company Cambrex, a new holding. (Please refer to the fund’s portfolio of investments for a complete list of holdings and the amount each represents in the portfolio.)
Our information technology stocks generally produced good returns. Most of our gains were concentrated in the software and IT services segments. Other tech industries lagged in part because of poor performance from select holdings. In the Internet software and services segment, Envestnet was disappointing. The company, which provides an open architecture wealth management platform to fee-based financial advisors, reduced its revenue growth guidance because some revenues have to be deferred until certain client conversions are complete, probably early next year. We anticipate a stronger 2016 for the company and are maintaining our position. Another laggard was Anixter International, a global distributor of communications and security products, as well as electrical and electronic wires and cables. Shares suffered as the company’s earnings fell below expectations due to unfavorable currency exchange rates and lower copper prices. We are maintaining our position as we believe the company will benefit over the long term from demand for connectivity and security, as well as infrastructure spending.
Consumer discretionary shares added value, with the most significant gains among shares of hotels, restaurants, and leisure companies. Top performers in this industry included Domino’s Pizza, ski resort operator Vail Resorts, and timeshare resorts operator Marriott Vacations Worldwide. One of the largest absolute contributors to fund performance was Helen of Troy Limited, a maker of consumer and over-the-counter health care products with recognized brand names. The company’s sales and earnings have increased due to greater demand for its cold and flu-related products as well as some product innovations. Cable TV channel operator Starz and apparel maker Hanesbrands were other significant contributors, but a few holdings were disappointing, such as footwear and accessory maker Deckers Outdoor. Shares fell sharply early in the year due to worse-than-expected revenues and earnings stemming from weak sales late last year and unfavorable currency exchange rates.
The financials sector is a fairly small part of the small-cap growth universe, but many of our holdings produced positive returns, helped in part by expectations for rising short-term interest rates. Two of our bank investments, SVB Financial Group and Signature Bank, did rather well. SVB is a well-managed bank that also offers brokerage, advisory, and asset management services and has a leadership position in the venture capital segment. Shares were propelled by better-than-expected earnings stemming from solid loan growth and greater venture capital activity. Signature Bank is a deposit-oriented New York-area commercial bank whose earnings also exceeded expectations amid record loan growth, primarily in commercial real estate and multifamily loans. Other winners included discount broker E*TRADE Financial, electronic bond trading platform MarketAxess Holdings, and index provider MSCI. Real estate investment trusts were laggards, but we do not own many because they generally do not meet our small-cap growth criteria.
Industrials and business services stocks in aggregate made a mild positive contribution. Gains were concentrated in select holdings that performed very well, such as pest control company Rollins, which has a strong business model and high recurring revenues; cooking and restaurant equipment maker Middleby; Wabtec, a manufacturer of freight and rail cars and locomotive parts; aerospace and defense companies Hexcel and Transdigm Group; and Acuity Brands, which makes light fixtures. On the downside, several holdings in the sector were among the portfolio’s largest detractors, including freight transportation company Old Dominion Freight Line, which was hurt by first-quarter economic softness, and low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines.
We own very few consumer staples companies. In aggregate, these had little impact on the fund as losses in Boston Beer stemming in part from increased competition offset gains in retail pharmacy Rite Aid, Casey’s General Stores, and Spectrum Brands Holdings. Rite Aid is continuing a long-term turnaround. Casey’s, a new holding, owns convenience stores in small towns in the Midwest. Spectrum Brands, which tends to have high cash flow, recently acquired a maker of auto care products, adding to its roster of widely known consumer brands.
Many of our energy stocks declined in the last six months, despite a sharp bounce in oil prices from their first-quarter lows. Two energy holdings that bucked the negative trend, however, were SemGroup and Diamondback Energy. Some smaller companies, especially those dependent on high oil prices to remain profitable, will struggle if oil prices stay low for an extended period. On the other hand, lower-cost oil producers are more likely to survive a period of low prices. Given that many companies are continuing to drill for oil and gas and that the Chinese economy, a major consumer of commodities, is slowing, it is reasonable to expect prices to remain under pressure for the foreseeable future.
OUTLOOK
During the first half of the year, small-caps outperformed large-caps in every sector. This could be due to increased takeover activity and steady economic growth. Because large companies tend to generate more of their revenues overseas than small companies, U.S. dollar strength versus most other currencies—which reduces the value of earnings from foreign operations in dollar terms—probably also hindered the performance of U.S. large-caps. With small-cap valuations still elevated versus large-caps, and given the likelihood that the dollar’s recent rally has largely run its course, it would not be surprising to see large-cap shares have better relative performance in the near term.
The investment landscape is constantly changing, and volatility levels often wax and wane without warning, but our investment strategy remains the same. While we take macroeconomic events into account in the course of monitoring portfolio risks, having neutral sector weights versus our benchmark helps us avoid risks due to large moves in any one sector. We continue to favor high-quality stocks of companies that generate good cash flows and are judicious in deploying capital. We believe that such companies will distinguish themselves over time with superior performance relative to lower-quality businesses. We are grateful for the confidence that our shareholders have in our investment management abilities.
Thank you for investing with T. Rowe Price.
Respectfully submitted,
Sudhir
Nanda
Chairman of the fund’s Investment
Advisory Committee
July 28, 2015
The committee chairman has day-to-day responsibility for managing the portfolio and works with committee members in developing and executing the fund’s investment program.
RISKS OF INVESTING
As with all stock mutual funds, the fund’s share price can fall because of weakness in the stock market, a particular industry, or specific holdings. Stock markets can decline for many reasons, including adverse political or economic developments, changes in investor psychology, or heavy institutional selling. The prospects for an industry or company may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing earnings or changes in the competitive environment. In addition, the investment manager’s assessment of companies held in a fund may prove incorrect, resulting in losses or poor performance even in rising markets.
Growth stocks can be volatile for several reasons. Since these companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their businesses, they may lack the dividends of value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Also, earnings disappointments often lead to sharply falling prices because investors buy growth stocks in anticipation of superior earnings growth.
Investing in small companies involves greater risk than is customarily associated with larger companies. Stocks of smaller companies are subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger-company stocks. Small companies often have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, and their managements may lack depth and experience. Such companies seldom pay significant dividends that could cushion returns in a falling market.
GLOSSARY
Earnings growth rate–current fiscal year: Measures the annualized percent change in earnings per share from the prior fiscal year to the current fiscal year.
Gross domestic product: The total market value of all goods and services produced in a country in a given year.
Lipper indexes: Fund benchmarks that consist of a small number (10 to 30) of the largest mutual funds in a particular category as tracked by Lipper Inc.
MSCI US Small Cap Growth Index: Tracks the performance of domestic small-cap growth stocks as defined by MSCI.
Price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio–12 months forward: A valuation measure calculated by dividing the price of a stock by the analysts’ forecast of the next 12 months’ expected earnings. The ratio is a measure of how much investors are willing to pay for a company’s future earnings. The higher the P/E, the more investors are paying for a company’s earnings growth in the next 12 months.
Projected earnings growth rate (IBES): A company’s expected earnings per share growth rate for a given time period based on the forecast from the Institutional Brokers’ Estimate System, which is commonly referred to as IBES.
Real estate investment trusts: Publicly traded companies that own, develop, and operate apartment complexes, hotels, office buildings, and other commercial properties.
Return on equity (ROE)–current fiscal year: A valuation measure calculated by dividing the company’s current fiscal year net income by shareholders’ equity (i.e., the company’s book value). ROE measures how much a company earns on each dollar that common stock investors have put into the company. It indicates how effectively and efficiently a company and its management are using stockholder investments.
Russell 1000 Index: An index that tracks the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index.
Russell 2000 Growth Index: An index that tracks the performance of small-cap stocks with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecast growth values.
Russell 2000 Index: An unmanaged index that tracks the stocks of 2,000 small U.S. companies.
Russell 2000 Value Index: An index that tracks the performance of small-cap stocks with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecast growth values.
S&P 500 Index: An unmanaged index that tracks the stocks of 500 primarily large U.S. companies.
Note: MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI.
Note: Russell Investment Group is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Russell Investment Group.
Performance and Expenses
| Growth of $10,000 |
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the fund over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-year records). The result is compared with benchmarks, which may include a broad-based market index and a peer group average or index. Market indexes do not include expenses, which are deducted from fund returns as well as mutual fund averages and indexes.
| Fund Expense Example |
As a mutual fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other fund expenses. The following 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 most recent six-month period and held for the entire period.
Actual Expenses
The first line of the following table (Actual) provides
information about actual account values and expenses based on the fund’s actual
returns. You may use the information on this line, together with your account
balance, 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 on the first line under
the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on
your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison
Purposes
The information on the second
line of the table (Hypothetical) is based on hypothetical account values and
expenses derived from the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year
rate of return before expenses (not the fund’s actual return). You may compare
the ongoing costs of investing in the fund with other funds by contrasting this
5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the
shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and
expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or
expenses you paid for the period.
Note: T. Rowe Price charges an annual account service fee of $20, generally for accounts with less than $10,000. The fee is waived for any investor whose T. Rowe Price mutual fund accounts total $50,000 or more; accounts electing to receive electronic delivery of account statements, transaction confirmations, prospectuses, and shareholder reports; or accounts of an investor who is a T. Rowe Price Preferred Services, Personal Services, or Enhanced Personal Services client (enrollment in these programs generally requires T. Rowe Price assets of at least $100,000). This fee is not included in the accompanying table. If you are subject to the fee, keep it in mind when you are estimating the ongoing expenses of investing in the fund and when comparing the expenses of this fund with other funds.
You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales 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. To the extent a fund charges transaction costs, however, the total cost of owning that fund is higher.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
| Notes to Financial Statements |
T. Rowe Price Diversified Small-Cap Growth Fund, Inc. (the fund), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The fund commenced operations on June 30, 1997. The fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in common stocks of small growth companies.
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 (ASC 946). The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), including but not limited to ASC 946. GAAP requires the use of estimates made by management. Management believes that estimates and valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the valuations reflected in the accompanying financial statements may differ from the value ultimately realized upon sale or maturity.
Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends received from mutual fund investments are reflected as dividend income; capital gain distributions are reflected as realized gain/loss. Dividend income and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income tax-related interest and penalties, if incurred, would be recorded as income tax expense. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses are reported on the identified cost basis. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions from REITs are initially recorded as dividend income and, to the extent such represent a return of capital or capital gain for tax purposes, are reclassified when such information becomes available. Income distributions are declared and paid annually. Capital gain distributions, if any, are generally declared and paid by the fund annually.
Currency Translation Assets, including investments, and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate, using the mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as quoted by a major bank. Purchases and sales of securities, income, and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on realized and unrealized security gains and losses is reflected as a component of security gains and losses.
Rebates Subject to best execution, the fund may direct certain security trades to brokers who have agreed to rebate a portion of the related brokerage commission to the fund in cash. Commission rebates are reflected as realized gain on securities in the accompanying financial statements and totaled $4,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2015.
Redemption Fees A 1% fee is assessed on redemptions of fund shares held for 90 days or less to deter short-term trading and to protect the interests of long-term shareholders. Redemption fees are withheld from proceeds that shareholders receive from the sale or exchange of fund shares. The fees are paid to the fund and are recorded as an increase to paid-in capital. The fees may cause the redemption price per share to differ from the net asset value per share.
New Accounting Guidance In June 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. The ASU changes the accounting for certain repurchase agreements and expands disclosure requirements related to repurchase agreements, securities lending, repurchase-to-maturity and similar transactions. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Adoption will have no effect on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.
In May 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). The ASU removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient and amends certain disclosure requirements for such investments. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Adoption will have no effect on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.
NOTE 2 - VALUATION
The fund’s financial instruments are valued and its net asset value (NAV) per share is computed at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4 p.m. ET, each day the NYSE is open for business.
Fair Value The fund’s financial instruments are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The T. Rowe Price Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee) has been established by the fund’s Board of Directors (the Board) to ensure that financial instruments are appropriately priced at fair value in accordance with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee develops and oversees pricing-related policies and procedures and approves all fair value determinations. Specifically, the Valuation Committee establishes procedures to value securities; determines pricing techniques, sources, and persons eligible to effect fair value pricing actions; oversees the selection, services, and performance of pricing vendors; oversees valuation-related business continuity practices; and provides guidance on internal controls and valuation-related matters. The Valuation Committee reports to the Board; is chaired by the fund’s treasurer; and has representation from legal, portfolio management and trading, operations, and risk management.
Various valuation techniques and inputs are used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the fund can access at the reporting date
Level 2 – inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads)
Level 3 – unobservable inputs
Observable inputs are developed using market data, such as publicly available information about actual events or transactions, and reflect the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. Unobservable inputs are those for which market data are not available and are developed using the best information available about the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. GAAP requires valuation techniques to maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. When multiple inputs are used to derive fair value, the financial instrument is assigned to the level within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value of the financial instrument. Input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level but rather the degree of judgment used in determining those values.
Valuation Techniques Equity securities listed or regularly traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) market are valued at the last quoted sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price at the time the valuations are made. OTC Bulletin Board securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the quotation on the exchange determined to be the primary market for such security. Listed securities not traded on a particular day are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for domestic securities and the last quoted sale or closing price for international securities.
For valuation purposes, the last quoted prices of non-U.S. equity securities may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of such securities at the close of the NYSE. If the fund determines that developments between the close of a foreign market and the close of the NYSE will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of its portfolio securities, the fund will adjust the previous quoted prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the NYSE. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust quoted prices to reflect fair value, the fund reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. The fund may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the fund is open. The fund uses outside pricing services to provide it with quoted prices and information to evaluate or adjust those prices. The fund cannot predict how often it will use quoted prices and how often it will determine it necessary to adjust those prices to reflect fair value. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the fund routinely compares quoted prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices.
Actively traded domestic equity securities generally are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Non-U.S. equity securities generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy despite the availability of quoted prices because, as described above, the fund evaluates and determines whether those quoted prices reflect fair value at the close of the NYSE or require adjustment. OTC Bulletin Board securities, certain preferred securities, and equity securities traded in inactive markets generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investments in mutual funds are valued at the mutual fund’s closing NAV per share on the day of valuation and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities other than financial instruments, including short-term receivables and payables, are carried at cost, or estimated realizable value, if less, which approximates fair value.
Thinly traded financial instruments and those for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee. The objective of any fair value pricing determination is to arrive at a price that could reasonably be expected from a current sale. Financial instruments fair valued by the Valuation Committee are primarily private placements, restricted securities, warrants, rights, and other securities that are not publicly traded.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee regularly makes good faith judgments to establish and adjust the fair valuations of certain securities as events occur and circumstances warrant. For instance, in determining the fair value of an equity investment with limited market activity, such as a private placement or a thinly traded public company stock, the Valuation Committee considers a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, the issuer’s business prospects, its financial standing and performance, recent investment transactions in the issuer, new rounds of financing, negotiated transactions of significant size between other investors in the company, relevant market valuations of peer companies, strategic events affecting the company, market liquidity for the issuer, and general economic conditions and events. In consultation with the investment and pricing teams, the Valuation Committee will determine an appropriate valuation technique based on available information, which may include both observable and unobservable inputs. The Valuation Committee typically will afford greatest weight to actual prices in arm’s length transactions, to the extent they represent orderly transactions between market participants; transaction information can be reliably obtained; and prices are deemed representative of fair value. However, the Valuation Committee may also consider other valuation methods such as market-based valuation multiples; a discount or premium from market value of a similar, freely traded security of the same issuer; or some combination. Fair value determinations are reviewed on a regular basis and updated as information becomes available, including actual purchase and sale transactions of the issue. Because any fair value determination involves a significant amount of judgment, there is a degree of subjectivity inherent in such pricing decisions, and fair value prices determined by the Valuation Committee could differ from those of other market participants. Depending on the relative significance of unobservable inputs, including the valuation technique(s) used, fair valued securities may be categorized in Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Valuation Inputs The following table summarizes the fund’s financial instruments, based on the inputs used to determine their fair values on June 30, 2015:
There were no material transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
NOTE 3 - OTHER INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Consistent with its investment objective, the fund engages in the following practices to manage exposure to certain risks and/or to enhance performance. The investment objective, policies, program, and risk factors of the fund are described more fully in the fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Securities Lending The fund may lend its securities to approved brokers to earn additional income. Its securities lending activities are administered by a lending agent in accordance with a securities lending agreement. Security loans generally do not have stated maturity dates and the fund may recall a security at any time. The fund receives collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities, valued at 102% to 105% of the value of the securities on loan. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than the value of loaned securities; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the fund the next business day. Cash collateral is invested by the lending agent(s) in accordance with investment guidelines approved by fund management. Additionally, the lending agent indemnifies the fund against losses resulting from borrower default. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral and indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and a possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return the securities, collateral investments decline in value and the lending agent fails to perform. Securities lending revenue consists of earnings on invested collateral and borrowing fees, net of any rebates to the borrower, compensation to the lending agent, and other administrative costs. In accordance with GAAP, investments made with cash collateral are reflected in the accompanying financial statements, but collateral received in the form of securities is not. At June 30, 2015, the value of loaned securities was $32,120,000; the value of cash collateral and related investments was $32,510,000.
Other Purchases and sales of portfolio securities other than short-term and U.S. government securities aggregated $569,316,000 and $81,875,000, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2015.
NOTE 4 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
No provision for federal income taxes is required since the fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and distribute to shareholders all of its taxable income and gains. Distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains for financial reporting purposes. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character but are not adjusted for temporary differences. The amount and character of tax-basis distributions and composition of net assets are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax-basis balances have not been determined as of the date of this report.
The fund intends to retain realized gains to the extent of available capital loss carryforwards. Net realized capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future realized capital gains. As of December 31, 2014, the fund had $306,000 of available capital loss carryforwards.
At June 30, 2015, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,282,622,000. Net unrealized gain aggregated $338,575,000 at period-end, of which $370,798,000 related to appreciated investments and $32,223,000 related to depreciated investments.
NOTE 5 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates), a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Price Group). The investment management agreement between the fund and Price Associates provides for an annual investment management fee, which is computed daily and paid monthly. The fee consists of an individual fund fee, equal to 0.35% of the fund’s average daily net assets, and a group fee. The group fee rate is calculated based on the combined net assets of certain mutual funds sponsored by Price Associates (the group) applied to a graduated fee schedule, with rates ranging from 0.48% for the first $1 billion of assets to 0.275% for assets in excess of $400 billion. The fund’s group fee is determined by applying the group fee rate to the fund’s average daily net assets. At June 30, 2015, the effective annual group fee rate was 0.29%.
In addition, the fund has entered into service agreements with Price Associates and two wholly owned subsidiaries of Price Associates (collectively, Price). Price Associates computes the daily share price and provides certain other administrative services to the fund. T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., provides shareholder and administrative services in its capacity as the fund’s transfer and dividend-disbursing agent. T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., provides subaccounting and recordkeeping services for certain retirement accounts invested in the fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, expenses incurred pursuant to these service agreements were $47,000 for Price Associates; $292,000 for T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.; and $28,000 for T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc. The total amount payable at period-end pursuant to these service agreements is reflected as Due to Affiliates in the accompanying financial statements.
The fund may invest in the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Fund, the T. Rowe Price Government Reserve Investment Fund, or the T. Rowe Price Short-Term Reserve Fund (collectively, the Price Reserve Investment Funds), open-end management investment companies managed by Price Associates and considered affiliates of the fund. The Price Reserve Investment Funds are offered as short-term investment options to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Price Associates or its affiliates and are not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The Price Reserve Investment Funds pay no investment management fees.
| Information on Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures, and Records |
A description of the policies and procedures used by T. Rowe Price funds and portfolios to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in each fund’s Statement of Additional Information. You may request this document by calling 1-800-225-5132 or by accessing the SEC’s website, sec.gov.
The description of our proxy voting policies and procedures is also available on our website, troweprice.com. To access it, click on the words “Social Responsibility” at the top of our corporate homepage. Next, click on the words “Conducting Business Responsibly” on the left side of the page that appears. Finally, click on the words “Proxy Voting Policies” on the left side of the page that appears.
Each fund’s most recent annual proxy voting record is available on our website and through the SEC’s website. To access it through our website, follow the above directions to reach the “Conducting Business Responsibly” page. Click on the words “Proxy Voting Records” on the left side of that page, and then click on the “View Proxy Voting Records” link at the bottom of the page that appears.
| How to Obtain Quarterly Portfolio Holdings |
The fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Form N-Q is available electronically on the SEC’s website (sec.gov); hard copies may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F St. N.E., Washington, DC 20549. For more information on the Public Reference Room, call 1-800-SEC-0330.
| Approval of Investment Management Agreement |
On March 13, 2015, the fund’s Board of Directors (Board), including a majority of the fund’s independent directors, approved the continuation of the investment management agreement (Advisory Contract) between the fund and its investment advisor, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Advisor). In connection with its deliberations, the Board requested, and the Advisor provided, such information as the Board (with advice from independent legal counsel) deemed reasonably necessary. The Board considered a variety of factors in connection with its review of the Advisory Contract, also taking into account information provided by the Advisor during the course of the year, as discussed below:
Services Provided by the
Advisor
The Board considered the nature,
quality, and extent of the services provided to the fund by the Advisor. These
services included, but were not limited to, directing the fund’s investments in
accordance with its investment program and the overall management of the fund’s
portfolio, as well as a variety of related activities such as financial,
investment operations, and administrative services; compliance; maintaining the
fund’s records and registrations; and shareholder communications. The Board also
reviewed the background and experience of the Advisor’s senior management team
and investment personnel involved in the management of the fund, as well as the
Advisor’s compliance record. The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the
nature, quality, and extent of the services provided by the Advisor.
Investment Performance of the Fund
The Board reviewed the fund’s
three-month, one-year, and year-by-year returns, as well as the fund’s average
annualized total returns over the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods, and compared
these returns with a wide variety of previously agreed-upon comparable
performance measures and market data, including those supplied by Lipper and
Morningstar, which are independent providers of mutual fund data.
On the basis of this evaluation and the Board’s ongoing review of investment results, and factoring in the relative market conditions during certain of the performance periods, the Board concluded that the fund’s performance was satisfactory.
Costs, Benefits, Profits, and Economies
of Scale
The Board reviewed detailed
information regarding the revenues received by the Advisor under the Advisory
Contract and other benefits that the Advisor (and its affiliates) may have
realized from its relationship with the fund, including any research received
under “soft dollar” agreements and commission-sharing arrangements with
broker-dealers. The Board considered that the Advisor may receive some benefit
from soft-dollar arrangements pursuant to which research is received from
broker-dealers that execute the applicable fund’s portfolio transactions. The
Board received information on the estimated costs incurred and profits realized
by the Advisor from managing T. Rowe Price mutual funds. The Board also reviewed
estimates of the profits realized from managing the fund in particular, and the
Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the
services provided to the fund.
The Board also considered whether the fund benefits under the fee levels set forth in the Advisory Contract from any economies of scale realized by the Advisor. Under the Advisory Contract, the fund pays a fee to the Advisor for investment management services composed of two components—a group fee rate based on the combined average net assets of most of the T. Rowe Price mutual funds (including the fund) that declines at certain asset levels and an individual fund fee rate based on the fund’s average daily net assets—and the fund pays its own expenses of operations. At the March 13, 2015, meeting, the Board approved an additional 0.005% breakpoint to the group fee schedule, effective May 1, 2015. With the new breakpoint, the group fee rate will decline to 0.270% when the combined average net assets of the applicable T. Rowe Price funds exceed $500 billion. The Board concluded that the advisory fee structure for the fund continued to provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the fund’s investors.
Fees
The Board was provided with information regarding industry trends in
management fees and expenses, and the Board reviewed the fund’s management fee
rate, operating expenses, and total expense ratio in comparison with fees and
expenses of other comparable funds based on information and data supplied by
Lipper. The information provided to the Board indicated that the fund’s
management fee rate was at or below the median for comparable funds. The
information also indicated that the fund’s total expense ratio was above the
median for certain groups of comparable funds and at or below the median for
comparable funds.
The Board also reviewed the fee schedules for institutional accounts and private accounts with similar mandates that are advised or subadvised by the Advisor and its affiliates. Management provided the Board with information about the Advisor’s responsibilities and services provided to institutional account clients, including information about how the requirements and economics of the institutional business are fundamentally different from those of the mutual fund business. The Board considered information showing that the mutual fund business is generally more complex from a business and compliance perspective than the institutional business and that the Advisor generally performs significant additional services and assumes greater risk in managing the fund and other T. Rowe Price mutual funds than it does for institutional account clients.
On the basis of the information provided and the factors considered, the Board concluded that the fees paid by the fund under the Advisory Contract are reasonable.
Approval of the Advisory Contract
As noted, the Board approved the
continuation of the Advisory Contract. No single factor was considered in
isolation or to be determinative to the decision. Rather, the Board concluded,
in light of a weighting and balancing of all factors considered, that it was in
the best interests of the fund and its shareholders for the Board to approve the
continuation of the Advisory Contract (including the fees to be charged for
services thereunder). The independent directors were advised throughout the
process by independent legal counsel.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
A code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions is filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR. No substantive amendments were approved or waivers were granted to this code of ethics during the registrant’s most recent fiscal half-year.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) Not applicable. The complete schedule of investments is included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely.
(b) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) The registrant’s code of ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed with the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
(2) Separate certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.
(3) Written solicitation to repurchase securities issued by closed-end companies: not applicable.
(b) A certification by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached.
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.
T. Rowe Price Diversified Small-Cap Growth Fund, Inc.
| By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
| Edward C. Bernard | ||
| Principal Executive Officer | ||
| Date August 17, 2015 | ||
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/ Edward C. Bernard | |
| Edward C. Bernard | ||
| Principal Executive Officer | ||
| Date August 17, 2015 | ||
| By | /s/ Catherine D. Mathews | |
| Catherine D. Mathews | ||
| Principal Financial Officer | ||
| Date August 17, 2015 | ||