N-CSRS 1 d41419dncsrs.htm N-CSRS N-CSRS
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LOGO

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSRS

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-09253

 

 

Wells Fargo Funds Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Catherine Kennedy

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 800-222-8222

Date of fiscal year end: May 31

 

 

Registrant is making a filing for 17 of its series:

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund, Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund, Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund, Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Index Fund, Wells Fargo International Value Fund, Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund, Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund, Wells Fargo Real Return Fund, Wells Fargo Spectrum Income Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo Spectrum Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund, and Wells Fargo Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund.

Date of reporting period: November 30, 2020

 

 

 


Table of Contents
ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS


Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

Preparing for LIBOR Transition

The global financial industry is preparing to transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a key benchmark interest rate, to new alternative rates. LIBOR underpins more than $350 trillion of financial contracts. It is the benchmark rate for a wide spectrum of products ranging from residential mortgages to corporate bonds to derivatives. Regulators have called for a market-wide transition away from LIBOR to successor reference rates by the end of 2021, which requires proactive steps be taken by issuers, counterparties, and asset managers to identify impacted products and adopt new reference rates.

The Fund holds at least one security that uses LIBOR as a floating reference rate and has a maturity date after 12-31-2021.

Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of successor reference rates, and any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on investment instruments that use it as a benchmark rate. The transition process may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR and could negatively impact the value of certain instruments held by the Fund.

Wells Fargo Asset Management is monitoring LIBOR exposure closely and has put resources and controls in place to manage this transition effectively. The Fund’s portfolio management team is evaluating LIBOR holdings to understand what happens to those securities when LIBOR ceases to exist, including examining security documentation to identify the presence or absence of fallback language identifying a replacement rate to LIBOR.

While the pace of transition away from LIBOR will differ by asset class and investment strategy, the portfolio management team will monitor market conditions for those holdings to identify and mitigate deterioration or volatility in pricing and liquidity and ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.

Further information regarding the potential risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR can be found in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capitals Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Petros N. Bocray, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios(%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (EAAFX)   7-29-1996     5.23       5.73       5.17       11.67       6.99       5.80       1.30       1.13  
                   
Class C (EACFX)   10-3-2002     11.32       6.47       5.14       12.32       6.47       5.14       2.05       1.88  
                   
Class R (EAXFX)   10-10-2003                       12.00       6.84       5.59       1.55       1.38  
                   
Administrator Class (EAIFX)   10-3-2002                       12.83       7.35       6.08       1.22       0.95  
                   
Institutional Class (EAAIX)3   11-30-2012                       12.13       7.39       6.17       0.97       0.80  
                   
Asset Allocation Blended Index4                         13.74       9.16       7.82              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index5                         7.28       4.34       3.71              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)6                         9.52       7.38       5.16              
                   
Russell 3000® Index7                         19.02       13.95       14.04              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Foreign investments are especially volatile and can rise or fall dramatically due to differences in the political and economic conditions of the host country. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to high-yield securities risk, mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk, geographic risk, and smaller-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20208       
   

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

     21.35  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined U.S. Core Fund Class R6

     11.81  
   

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

     10.16  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

     9.43  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

     8.82  
   

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

     6.54  
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

     5.98  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

     3.34  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

     3.28  
   

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

     3.05  
Allocations (%) as of November 30, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation9
 
     

Bonds

     35        34  
     

Stocks

     65        66  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.53% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through August 31, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.13% for Class A, 1.88% for Class C, 1.38% for Class R, 0.95% for Administrator Class and 0.80% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios and funds invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. All other acquired fund fees and expenses from the affiliated master portfolios are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Administrator Class shares. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

4 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The Asset Allocation Blended Index is composed of 45% of the Russell 3000®Index, 35% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 20% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). Prior to June 16, 2018, it was comprised of 65% of the MSCI ACWI Index (Net) and 35% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

Figures represent the percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

9 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash, if any, represents the net offset to such futures positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,151.81      $ 5.66        1.05

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.80      $ 5.32        1.05
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,162.18      $ 9.76        1.80

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,016.04      $ 9.10        1.80
         

Class R

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,155.90      $ 6.97        1.29

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.60      $ 6.53        1.29
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,162.18      $ 4.72        0.87

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.71      $ 4.41        0.87
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,153.56      $ 3.89        0.72

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.46      $ 3.65        0.72

 

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 5.74%                           

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

          148,900      $ 54,098,348  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

          170,772        20,222,820  

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund

          325,466        28,650,772  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $97,605,461)

             102,971,940  
          

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 92.88%

          
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 78.40%                           

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

             54,641,270  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

             107,361,305  

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

             158,160,560  

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

             169,266,542  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

             20,620,718  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

             23,916,906  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

             58,857,994  

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

             117,291,222  

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

             182,266,646  

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

             383,123,784  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

             59,867,970  

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

             20,781,130  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

             50,421,280  
             1,406,577,327  
          

 

 

 
Affiliated Funds: 14.48%                           

Wells Fargo Disciplined U.S. Core Fund Class R6

          10,173,577        211,813,879  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

          760,808        23,957,835  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund Class R6

          2,068,777        24,018,497  
             259,790,211  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $1,401,140,010)

             1,666,367,538          
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $1,498,745,471)     98.62        1,769,339,478  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.38          24,744,703  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 1,794,084,181  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
    

Notional

cost

     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

Japanese Yen Futures

     748        12-14-2020      $ 89,349,501      $ 89,633,775      $ 284,274      $ 0  

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index

     143        12-18-2020        34,354,197        35,112,220        758,023        0  

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     609        12-18-2020        53,024,388        55,422,045        2,397,657        0  

IBEX 35 Index

     780        12-18-2020        73,598,091        75,019,109        1,421,018        0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     298        12-18-2020        17,550,762        17,914,270        363,508        0  

Long Gilt Bonds

     759        3-29-2021        135,555,600        135,781,633        226,033        0  

Short

                 

E-Mini S&P 500 Index

     (295)        12-18-2020        (52,744,740      (53,442,200      0        (697,460

Mini-DAX Futures Index

     (903)        12-18-2020        (71,016,557      (71,802,421      0        (785,864

Euro-Bund Futures

     (529)        3-8-2021        (112,149,694      (112,068,785      80,909        0  
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 5,531,422      $ (1,483,324
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager or adviser. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Values,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
 
Investment Companies                                                      

Affiliated Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Disciplined U.S. Core Fund Class R6

  $ 178,014,521     $ 26,121,814     $ (25,024,593   $ 2,608,665     $ 30,093,472     $ 211,813,879         10,173,577     $ 0  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    22,128,708       31,471       (4,481,799     1,003,712       5,275,743       23,957,835         760,808       0  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund
Class R6

    21,561,691       472,043       (3,255,335     144,749       5,095,349       24,018,497         2,068,777       440,572  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 3,757,126     $ 40,464,564     $ 259,790,211       14.48     $ 440,572  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)  on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    17.52     16.37   $ 1,693,561     $ 9,849,926     $ 0     $ 485,616     $ 683     $ 54,641,270    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    1.57       1.76      
1,784,376
 
    211,038       820,524       0       1,924       107,361,305    

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

    81.81       81.89      
28,298,722
 
    (542,565     1,563       1,570,745       222       158,160,560    

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    70.75       71.03      
11,846,875
 
    20,666,710       0       665,229       2,148       169,266,542    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    2.63       2.40      
2,825,015
 
    3,783,449       0       25,907       3,148       20,620,718    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    11.03       11.87      
86,271
 
   
4,145,112
 
    0      
341,445
 
    453       23,916,906    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    0.00       8.54      
1,512,813
 
    5,114,927       0       487,405       352       58,857,994    

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio*

    59.90       0.00      
353,257
 
   
4,881,968
 
   
2,792,198
 
    0       71       0    

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    20.82       39.75      
(23,842,103

    44,994,453       0       1,742,289       15,788       117,291,222    

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    76.13       76.06      
30,601,299
 
    2,197,247       127       1,760,403       904       182,266,646    

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

    82.04       82.49      
1,845,545
 
    7,028,161       5,777,812       0       5,664       383,123,784    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    35.61       27.49      
(57,085

    2,610,199       641,663       94,915       348       59,867,970    

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    1.38       1.43      
2,481,290
 
    2,654,554       0       58,343       616       20,781,130    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    11.31       10.95      
47,453
 
    11,563,003       0       490,656       3,149       50,421,280    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 59,477,289     $ 119,158,182     $ 10,033,887     $ 7,722,953     $ 35,470     $ 1,406,577,327       78.40
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (cost $1,186,830,643)

  $ 1,406,577,327  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $214,309,367)

    259,790,211  

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $97,605,461)

    102,971,940  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    28,634,102  

Cash

    600,000  

Receivable for investments sold

    126,473  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    525,269  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    23,442  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,799,248,764  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    1,689,946  

Payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    2,117,238  

Overdraft due to custodian bank

    126,367  

Management fee payable

    321,531  

Administration fees payable

    285,968  

Distribution fees payable

    40,837  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    310,988  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    271,708  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    5,164,583  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,794,084,181  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,472,151,707  

Total distributable earnings

    321,932,474  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,794,084,181  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 1,457,289,149  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    93,182,781  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $15.64  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $16.59  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 60,280,776  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    4,025,341  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $14.98  

Net assets – Class R

  $ 3,291,378  

Shares outstanding – Class R1

    211,705  

Net asset value per share – Class R

    $15.55  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 23,037,454  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    1,441,580  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $15.98  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 250,185,424  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    15,934,840  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $15.70  

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

  $ 10,033,887  

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $468,527)

    7,722,953  

Dividend from affiliated Underlying Funds

    440,572  

Dividends

    101,587  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    35,470  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (3,819,858

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    357,997  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    14,872,608  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    2,401,811  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    1,435,488  

Class C

    101,870  

Class R

    4,339  

Administrator Class

    14,607  

Institutional Class

    156,709  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    1,706,050  

Class C

    120,665  

Class R

    5,009  

Administrator Class

    27,756  

Distribution fees

 

Class C

    361,284  

Class R

    4,961  

Custody and accounting fees

    39,845  

Professional fees

    30,861  

Registration fees

    64,131  

Shareholder report expenses

    42,692  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,776  

Other fees and expenses

    47,214  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    6,575,068  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (968,348

Class A

    (1,351

Class C

    (53

Administrator Class

    (11,603
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    5,593,713  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    9,278,895  
 

 

 

 

Payment from affiliate

    712,806  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    59,477,289  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    3,757,126  

Unaffiliated securities

    89,464  

Futures contracts

    13,810,651  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    77,134,530  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    119,158,182  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    40,464,564  

Unaffiliated securities

    5,366,479  

Futures contracts

    (6,725,220
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    158,264,005  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    235,398,535  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 245,390,236  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 20201
    Year ended
April 30, 2020
 

Operations

           

Net investment income

    $ 9,278,895       $ 1,669,038       $ 28,719,641  

Payment from affiliate

      712,806         0         0  

Net realized gains on investments

      77,134,530         1,279,058         2,140,519  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      158,264,005         53,264,308         (50,067,897
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      245,390,236         56,212,404         (19,207,737
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

           

Class A

      0         0         (21,696,851

Class C

      0         0         (1,880,323

Class R

      0         0         (65,870

Administrator Class

      0         0         (445,651

Institutional Class

      0         0         (5,062,752
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         0         (29,151,447
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

           

Class A

    4,760,516       70,092,760       370,617       4,834,007       6,471,393       88,539,900  

Class C

    123,128       1,736,281       21,252       268,156       352,682       4,601,983  

Class R

    13,414       192,913       5,366       70,207       76,686       1,045,391  

Administrator Class

    35,813       529,908       2,868       37,874       82,695       1,128,405  

Institutional Class

    711,062       10,399,769       117,750       1,544,789       2,340,394       31,989,185  
 

 

 

 
      82,951,631         6,755,033         127,304,864  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

           

Class A

    0       0       0       0       1,392,639       19,726,126  

Class C

    0       0       0       0       109,235       1,477,961  

Class R

    0       0       0       0       3,939       55,022  

Administrator Class

    0       0       0       0       27,855       400,275  

Institutional Class

    0       0       0       0       271,898       3,868,327  
 

 

 

 
      0         0         25,527,711  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

           

Class A

    (6,450,532     (94,032,355     (1,082,884     (14,222,900     (21,422,317     (290,340,362

Class C

    (5,173,574     (73,203,427     (487,279     (6,097,311     (9,169,334     (119,930,791

Class R

    (122,309     (1,764,566     (152     (1,986     (335,021     (4,480,311

Administrator Class

    (166,725     (2,476,751     (34,639     (464,546     (820,004     (11,202,765

Institutional Class

    (1,803,170     (26,316,483     (404,103     (5,323,366     (8,379,750     (112,607,902
 

 

 

 
      (197,793,582       (26,110,109       (538,562,131
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (114,841,951       (19,355,076       (385,729,556
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      130,548,285         36,857,328         (434,088,740
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      1,663,535,896         1,626,678,568         2,060,767,308  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 1,794,084,181       $ 1,663,535,896       $ 1,626,678,568  
 

 

 

 

 

1 

For the one month ended May 31, 2020. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from April 30 to May 31, effective May 31, 2020.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 20201
    Year ended April 30  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.57       $13.12       $13.49       $14.33       $13.62       $12.71       $14.10  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.08 2      0.02       0.21 2      0.15 2      (0.12     (0.09     (0.11

Payment from affiliate

    0.00 3      0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.99       0.43       (0.36     0.04       1.08       1.20       (0.72
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.07       0.45       (0.15     0.19       0.96       1.11       (0.83

Distributions to shareholders from

             

Net investment income

    0.00       0.00       (0.06     (0.06     (0.25     (0.20     (0.37

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.16     (0.97     0.00       0.00       (0.19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       0.00       (0.22     (1.03     (0.25     (0.20     (0.56

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.64       $13.57       $13.12       $13.49       $14.33       $13.62       $12.71  

Total return4

    15.18 %5      3.43     (1.26 )%      1.96     7.01     8.86     (5.78 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

             

Gross expenses

    1.16 %6      1.21 %6      1.22 %6      1.18 %6,7      0.82 %7      0.80 %7      0.82 %7 

Net expenses

    1.05 %6      1.05 %6      1.05 %6      1.04 %6,7      0.82 %7      0.80 %7      0.82 %7 

Net investment income (loss)

    1.06 %6      1.22 %6      1.54 %6      1.08 %6,7      (0.82 )%7      (0.80 )%7      (0.82 )%7 

Supplemental data

             

Portfolio turnover rate

    68 %8      13 %8      109 %8      189 %8      0 %9      0 %9      1 %9 

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,457,289       $1,287,856       $1,253,699       $1,472,484       $1,348,107       $1,413,776       $1,578,517  

 

1 

For the one month ended May 31, 2020. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from April 30 to May 31, effective May 31, 2020.

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

4 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

5 

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund received a payment from an affiliate that had an impact of less than 0.005% on total return. See Note 4 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

 

6 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 20201

    0.45

Year ended April 30, 2020

    0.45

Year ended April 30, 2019

    0.40

 

7 

Ratios did not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust or its investments in underlying funds. Asset Allocation Trust did not have any net expenses.

 

8 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

9 

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund’s investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 20201
    Year ended April 30  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.01       $12.58       $12.99       $13.87       $13.17       $12.28       $13.61  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.02 2      0.01 2      0.11 2      0.03 2      (0.22 )2      (0.19 )2      (0.20 )2 

Payment from affiliate

    0.13       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.82       0.42       (0.36     0.06       1.03       1.18       (0.69
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.97       0.43       (0.25     0.09       0.81       0.99       (0.89

Distributions to shareholders from

             

Net investment income

    0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       (0.11     (0.10     (0.25

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.16     (0.97     0.00       0.00       (0.19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       0.00       (0.16     (0.97     (0.11     (0.10     (0.44

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.98       $13.01       $12.58       $12.99       $13.87       $13.17       $12.28  

Total return3

    15.14 %4      3.42     (2.02 )%      1.21     6.16     8.08     (6.48 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

 

           

Gross expenses

    1.91 %5      1.96 %5      1.97 %5      1.92 %5,6      1.57 %6      1.55 %6      1.57 %6 

Net expenses

    1.80 %5      1.79 %5      1.80 %5      1.78 %5,6      1.57 %6      1.55 %6      1.57 %6 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.34 %5      0.47 %5      0.82 %5      0.23 %5,6      (1.57 )%6      (1.55 )%6      (1.57 )%6 

Supplemental data

             

Portfolio turnover rate

    68 %7      13 %7      109 %7      189 %7      0 %8      0 %8      1 %8 

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $60,281       $118,081       $120,029       $237,096       $905,336       $1,232,098       $1,561,695  

 

1 

For the one month ended May 31, 2020. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from April 30 to May 31, effective May 31, 2020.

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund received a payment from an affiliate which had a 1.01% impact on the total return. See Note 4 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

 

5 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 20201

    0.44

Year ended April 30, 2020

    0.45

Year ended April 30, 2019

    0.38

 

6 

Ratios do not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust. Asset Allocation Trust does not have any net expenses.

 

7 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

8 

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund’s investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 20201
    Year ended April 30  
CLASS R   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.47       $13.02       $13.37       $14.20       $13.49       $12.58       $13.95  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.06 2      0.01 2      0.18 2      0.11 2      (0.15 )2      (0.13 )2      (0.14 )2 

Payment from affiliate

    0.06       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.96       0.44       (0.37     0.05       1.05       1.21       (0.71
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.08       0.45       0.19       0.16       0.90       1.08       (0.85

Distributions to shareholders from

             

Net investment income

    0.00       0.00       0.00       (0.02     (0.19     (0.17     (0.33

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.16     (0.97     0.00       0.00       (0.19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       0.00       (0.16     (0.99     (0.19     (0.17     (0.52

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.55       $13.47       $13.02       $13.37       $14.20       $13.49       $12.58  

Total return3

    15.59 %4      3.46     (1.51 )%      1.73     6.70     8.64     (6.02 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

             

Gross expenses

    1.40 %5      1.44 %5      1.47 %5      1.42 %5,6      1.06 %6      1.05 %6      1.06 %6 

Net expenses

    1.29 %5      1.27 %5      1.30 %5      1.29 %5,6      1.06 %6      1.05 %6      1.06 %6 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.84 %5      0.99 %5      1.32 %5      0.77 %5,6      (1.06 )%6      (1.05 )%6      (1.06 )%6 

Supplemental data

             

Portfolio turnover rate

    68 %7      13 %7      109 %7      189 %7      0 %8      0 %8      1 %8 

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $3,291       $4,318       $4,106       $7,619       $15,658       $20,244       $24,122  

 

1 

For the one month ended May 31, 2020. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from April 30 to May 31, effective May 31, 2020.

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund received a payment from an affiliate which had a 0.47% impact on the total return. See Note 4 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

 

5 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 20201

    0.45

Year ended April 30, 2020

    0.45

Year ended April 30, 2019

    0.39

 

6 

Ratios do not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust. Asset Allocation Trust does not have any net expenses.

 

7 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

8 

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund’s investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 20201
    Year ended April 30  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.75       $13.29       $13.66       $14.49       $13.78       $12.84       $14.23  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.09 2      0.02 2      0.24 2      0.16 2      (0.09 )2      (0.08 )2      (0.09 )2 

Payment from affiliate

    0.12       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.02       0.44       (0.37     0.06       1.07       1.24       (0.73
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.23       0.46       (0.13     0.22       0.98       1.16       (0.82

Distributions to shareholders from

             

Net investment income

    0.00       0.00       (0.08     (0.08     (0.27     (0.22     (0.38

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.16     (0.97     0.00       0.00       (0.19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       0.00       (0.24     (1.05     (0.27     (0.22     (0.57

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.98       $13.75       $13.29       $13.66       $14.49       $13.78       $12.84  

Total return3

    16.22 %4      3.46     (1.08 )%      2.18     7.10     9.14     (5.69 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

             

Gross expenses

    1.08 %5      1.13 %5      1.14 %5      1.08 %5,6      0.73 %6      0.72 %6      0.71 %6 

Net expenses

    0.87 %5      0.86 %5      0.86 %5      0.86 %5,6      0.64 %6      0.64 %6      0.64 %6 

Net investment income (loss)

    1.25 %5      1.40 %5      1.74 %5      1.17 %5,6      (0.64 )%6      (0.64 )%6      (0.64 )%6 

Supplemental data

             

Portfolio turnover rate

    68 %7      13 %7      109 %7      189 %7      0 %8      0 %8      1 %8 

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $23,037       $21,628       $21,316       $31,610       $69,607       $92,600       $157,303  

 

1 

For the one month ended May 31, 2020. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from April 30 to May 31, effective May 31, 2020.

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund received a payment from an affiliate which had a 0.87% impact on the total return. See Note 4 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

 

5 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 20201

    0.45

Year ended April 30, 2020

    0.44

Year ended April 30, 2019

    0.38

 

6 

Ratios did not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust or its investments in underlying funds. Asset Allocation Trust did not have any net expenses.

 

7 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

8 

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund’s investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 20201
    Year ended April 30  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.61       $13.14       $13.52       $14.36       $13.66       $12.74       $14.15  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.11       0.02       0.26 2      0.19 2      (0.06 )2      (0.06 )2      (0.06 )2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.98       0.45       (0.38     0.05       1.06       1.23       (0.72
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.09       0.47       (0.12     0.24       1.00       1.17       (0.78

Distributions to shareholders from

             

Net investment income

    0.00       0.00       (0.10     (0.11     (0.30     (0.25     (0.44

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.16     (0.97     0.00       0.00       (0.19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       0.00       (0.26     (1.08     (0.30     (0.25     (0.63

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.70       $13.61       $13.14       $13.52       $14.36       $13.66       $12.74  

Total return3

    15.36     3.58     (1.01 )%      2.39     7.33     9.34     (5.44 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

 

           

Gross expenses

    0.83 %4      0.88 %4      0.89 %4      0.84 %4,5      0.49 %5      0.47 %5      0.47 %5 

Net expenses

    0.72 %4      0.72 %4      0.72 %4      0.69 %4,5      0.44 %5      0.44 %5      0.44 %5 

Net investment income (loss)

    1.39 %4      1.55 %4      1.88 %4      1.34 %4,5      (0.44 )%5      (0.44 )%5      (0.44 )%5 

Supplemental data

             

Portfolio turnover rate

    68 %6      13 %6      109 %6      189 %6      0 %7      0 %7      1 %7 

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $250,185       $231,652       $227,529       $311,958       $572,803       $672,544       $787,484  

 

1 

For the one month ended May 31, 2020. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from April 30 to May 31, effective May 30, 2020.

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 20201

    0.45

Year ended April 30, 2020

    0.45

Year ended April 30, 2019

    0.38

 

5 

Ratios did not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust or its investments in underlying funds. Asset Allocation Trust did not have any net expenses.

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

7 

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund’s investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Fund Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a fund-of-funds that invests in various affiliated mutual funds (“Underlying Funds”) employing a multi-asset, multi-style investment approach designed to reduce the price and return volatility of the Fund and to provide more consistent returns. The Fund may also invest directly in securities. The Underlying Funds incur separate expenses in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds may also include investments in one or more separate diversified portfolios (collectively, the “affiliated Master Portfolios”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. Each affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios as partnership investments and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are presented in separate financial statements and may be obtained free of charge by contacting Investor Services or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are filed with the SEC under Wells Fargo Master Trust. The financial statements for all other affiliated Underlying Funds are also publicly available on the SEC website at sec.gov.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily.

Investments in underlying mutual funds are valued at net asset per share as reported by the Underlying Funds as of the close of the regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates, security values and foreign exchange rates and is subject

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

to interest rate risk, equity price risk, and foreign currency risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Fund is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Fund fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Fund’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses, and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Income dividends and capital gain distributions from investment companies are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions from investment companies are treated as realized gains.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,498,746,627 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 276,124,273  

Gross unrealized losses

     (1,483,324

Net unrealized gains

   $ 274,640,949  

Capital loss carryforwards available to offset future net realized capital gains were as follows:

 

      Short-term      Long-term  

For the period from May 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020

   $ (24,218,326    $ (8,518,149

Year ended April 30, 2020

     (29,338,312      0  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 102,971,940      $ 0      $ 0      $ 102,971,940  

Investment companies

     259,790,211        0        0        259,790,211  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                1,406,577,327  
     362,762,151        0        0        1,769,339,478  

Futures contracts

     5,531,422        0        0        5,531,422  

Total assets

   $ 368,293,573      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,774,870,900  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 1,483,324      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,483,324  

Total liabilities

   $ 1,483,324      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,483,324  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investment in affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $1,406,577,327. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The investment objective of each affiliated Master Portfolio is as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

   Seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

   Seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

   Seeks consistent fixed-income returns

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

   Seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.30

Next $500 million

     0.28  

Next $2 billion

     0.26  

Next $2 billion

     0.24  

Next $5 billion

     0.23  

Over $10 billion

     0.22  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.28% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.10% and declining to 0.05% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

     Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C, Class R

     0.21

Administrator Class , Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through August 31, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.13% for Class A shares, 1.88% for Class C shares, 1.38% for Class R shares, 0.95% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.80% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fees

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C and Class R shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Distribution fees are charged to Class C and Class R shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $8,883 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, Class R, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

Other transactions

On August 14, 2020, Class A, Class C, Class R, and Administration Class of the Fund were reimbursed by Funds Management in the amount of $2,100, $525,311, $13,410 and $171,985, respectively. The reimbursements were made in connection with resolving certain fee reimbursements.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in multiple affiliated Master Portfolios. Purchases and sales related to these investments have been calculated by aggregating the results of multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities in which the Fund invests are actual purchases and sale of those investments. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds

U.S.

government

    

Non-U.S.

government

    

U.S.

government

    

Non-U.S.

government

$276,464,135      $866,840,700      $235,775,829      $1,065,494,942

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

6. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the six months ended November 30, 2020 the Fund entered into futures contracts to gain market exposure to certain asset classes consistent with its asset allocation strategy. The Fund had an average notional amount of $124,821,545 in long futures contracts and $116,703,062 in short futures contracts during the six months ended November 30, 2020.

A summary of the location of derivative instruments on the financial statements by primary risk exposure is outlined in the following tables.

The fair value of derivative instruments as of November 30, 2020 by risk type was as follows for the Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity contracts

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 4,940,206    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 1,483,324

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      284,274    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0

Interest risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      306,942    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0
     $ 5,531,422           $ 1,483,324  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of November 30, 2020 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020 was as follows for the Fund:

 

        Amount of realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 17,229,060        $ (8,055,139

Foreign currency risk

       (4,256,183        1,022,977  

Interest risk

       837,774          306,942  
         13,810,651          (6,725,220

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
  Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
 

Trustee, since 1996;

Chair, since 2018

  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson
(Born 1959)
  Trustee,
since 2018
  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock
(Born 1959)
  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen
(Born 1960)
  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.
Michelle Rhee
(Born 1966)
  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy
(Born 1969)
  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker
(Born 1967)
  Chief Compliance Officer,
since 2016
  Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

 

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 77 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Fund Investment Performance and Expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was lower than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was lower than the average investment performance of the Universe for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020, but higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one-year period ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Asset Allocation Blended Index, for all periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Asset Allocation Blended Index, for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods identified above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance during these periods, including with respect to investment decisions and market factors that affected the Fund’s investment performance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than, equal to or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for each share class.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment Management and Sub-Advisory Fee Rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rates with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were higher than the sum of these average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes. However, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than, equal to or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for all share classes. The Board also noted that the Fund’s expense caps for all share classes were lowered in 2018.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and

 

 

32  |  Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund


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Other information (unaudited)

 

other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other Benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

Wells Fargo Asset Allocation Fund  |  33


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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00725 01-20

SA224/SAR224 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

Preparing for LIBOR Transition

The global financial industry is preparing to transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a key benchmark interest rate, to new alternative rates. LIBOR underpins more than $350 trillion of financial contracts. It is the benchmark rate for a wide spectrum of products ranging from residential mortgages to corporate bonds to derivatives. Regulators have called for a market-wide transition away from LIBOR to successor reference rates by the end of 2021, which requires proactive steps be taken by issuers, counterparties, and asset managers to identify impacted products and adopt new reference rates.

The Fund holds at least one security that uses LIBOR as a floating reference rate and has a maturity date after 12-31-2021.

Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of successor reference rates, and any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on investment instruments that use it as a benchmark rate. The transition process may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR and could negatively impact the value of certain instruments held by the Fund.

Wells Fargo Asset Management is monitoring LIBOR exposure closely and has put resources and controls in place to manage this transition effectively. The Fund’s portfolio management team is evaluating LIBOR holdings to understand what happens to those securities when LIBOR ceases to exist, including examining security documentation to identify the presence or absence of fallback language identifying a replacement rate to LIBOR.

While the pace of transition away from LIBOR will differ by asset class and investment strategy, the portfolio management team will monitor market conditions for those holdings to identify and mitigate deterioration or volatility in pricing and liquidity and ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.

Further information regarding the potential risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR can be found in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Petros N. Bocray, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WFGBX)   10-14-1998     5.21       6.75       8.31       11.63       8.02       8.96       1.41       1.13  
                   
Class C (WFGWX)   10-1-1998     9.95       7.24       8.16       10.95       7.24       8.16       2.16       1.88  
                   
Administrator Class (NVGBX)   11-11-1994                       11.91       8.27       9.22       1.33       0.95  
                   
Growth Balanced Blended Index3                         13.74       9.53       9.53              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4                         7.28       4.34       3.71              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)5                         9.52       7.38       5.16              
                   
Russell 3000® Index6                         19.02       13.95       14.04              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Administrator Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk, mortgage and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20207      
   

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

    20.84  
   

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    10.16  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    9.40  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

    8.81  
   

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    6.54  
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    6.47  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    3.33  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    3.28  
   

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    3.05  
   

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    2.82  
Allocations (%) as of November 30, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation8
 
     

Stocks

     65        67  
     

Bonds

     35        33  
 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.54% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.13% for Class A, 1.88% for Class C, and 0.95% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios and funds invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. All other acquired fund fees and expenses from the affiliated master portfolios are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The Growth Balanced Blended Index is composed of 45% of the Russell 3000® Index, 35% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and 20% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). Prior to November 30, 2017, the Growth Balanced Blended Index was composed 35% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 16.25% in the Russell 1000® Growth Index, 16.25% of the Russell 1000® Value Index, 16.25% of the S&P 500 Index, 9.75% of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), and 6.50% of the Russell 2000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

Figures represent the percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

8 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash, if any, represents the net offset to such futures positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,151.09      $ 5.66        1.05

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.80      $ 5.32        1.05
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,148.46      $ 9.69        1.80

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,016.04      $ 9.10        1.80
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,152.83      $ 4.64        0.86

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.76      $ 4.36        0.86

 

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).    

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 5.74%  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

          18,140      $ 6,590,625  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

          20,757        2,458,044  

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund

          39,815        3,504,918  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $11,870,348)

             12,553,587  
          

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 92.81%

          
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 78.35%                           

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

             6,676,323  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

             14,161,772  

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

             19,271,535  

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

             20,558,198  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

             2,509,346  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

             2,911,307  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

             7,172,811  

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

             14,313,156  

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

             22,226,733  

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

             45,589,025  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

             7,292,961  

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

             2,531,973  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

             6,172,378  
             171,387,518  
          

 

 

 
Affiliated Funds: 14.46%  

Wells Fargo Disciplined U.S. Core Fund Class R6

          1,238,731        25,790,387  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

          92,769        2,921,311  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund Class R6

          252,424        2,930,643  
             31,642,341  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $158,179,319)

             203,029,859        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $170,049,667)     98.55        215,583,446  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.45          3,173,411  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 218,756,857  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

Japanese Yen Futures

     91        12-14-2020      $ 10,870,061      $ 10,904,644      $ 34,583      $ 0  

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index

     17        12-18-2020        4,084,065        4,174,180        90,115        0  

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     74        12-18-2020        6,443,029        6,734,370        291,341        0  

IBEX 35 Index

     95        12-18-2020        8,963,692        9,136,943        173,251        0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     36        12-18-2020        2,120,226        2,164,140        43,914        0  

Long Gilt Bonds

     92        3-29-2021        16,430,982        16,458,380        27,398        0  

Short

                 

Euro-Bund Futures

     (64)        12-8-2020        (13,568,205      (13,558,416      9,789        0  

E-Mini S&P 500 Index

     (36)        12-18-2020        (6,436,646      (6,521,760      0        (85,114

Mini-DAX Futures Index

     (110)        12-18-2020        (8,650,901      (8,746,696      0        (95,795
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 670,391      $ (180,909
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
   

Net
realized
gains
(losses)

on affiliated
Underlying
Funds

   

Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)

on affiliated
Underlying
Funds

    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
the period
    Dividend
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
 
Investment Companies                                                      

Affiliated Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Disciplined U.S. Core Fund Class R6

  $ 22,208,533     $ 3,439,215     $ (3,892,265   $ 203,049     $ 3,831,855     $ 25,790,387         1,238,731     $ 0  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    2,760,102       15,755       (634,235     137,195       642,494       2,921,311         92,769       0  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund Class R6

    2,689,475       69,998       (476,761     18,292       629,639       2,930,643         252,424       73,364  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 358,536     $ 5,103,988     $ 31,642,341       14.46     $ 73,364  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliates
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    2.20     2.00   $ 204,448     $ 1,214,708     $ 0     $ 59,063     $ 75     $ 6,676,323    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    0.23       0.23       245,947       50,245       113,370       0       252       14,161,772    

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

    10.20       9.98       3,539,101       (109,340     0       190,002       2       19,271,535    

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    8.84       8.63       1,431,238       2,562,757       0       78,643       227       20,558,198    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.33       0.29       343,843       464,829       0       2,868       372       2,509,346    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    1.38       1.44       (26,871     581,661       0       42,185       17       2,911,307    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    0.00       1.04       130,410       635,361       0       58,942       33       7,172,811    

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio *

    7.51       0.00       43,029       554,637       350,669       0       57       0    

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    2.59       4.85       (2,998,603     5,621,623       6,421       212,656       1,896       14,313,156    

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    9.50       9.28       3,613,379       263,376       16       206,703       145       22,226,733    

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

    9.86       9.82       214,687       851,435       686,685       0       618       45,589,025    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    4.38       3.35       (8,299     322,425       78,069       10,817       32       7,292,961    

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    0.17       0.17       301,679       326,298       0       6,785       71       2,531,973    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    1.43       1.34       7,275       1,421,832       0       59,874       372       6,172,378    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 7,041,263     $ 14,761,847     $ 1,235,230     $ 928,538     $ 4,169     $ 171,387,518       78.35
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (cost $132,268,352)

  $ 171,387,518  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $25,910,967)

    31,642,341  

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $11,870,348)

    12,553,587  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    3,472,894  

Cash

    112,000  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    77,180  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    8,553  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    219,254,073  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    257,221  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    50,042  

Management fee payable

    8,103  

Administration fees payable

    28,408  

Distribution fee payable

    5,780  

Shareholder report expenses payable

    66,352  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    44,023  

Professional fees payable

    18,845  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,052  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    17,390  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    497,216  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 218,756,857  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 164,478,585  

Total distributable earnings

    54,278,272  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 218,756,857  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 76,106,893  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    1,426,567  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $53.35  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $56.60  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 9,381,249  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    205,421  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $45.67  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 133,268,715  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    2,831,879  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $47.06  

 

 

1

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $133)

  $ 1,235,230  

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $57,708)

    928,538  

Dividends from affiliated Underlying Funds

    73,364  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    4,169  

Dividends

    19,121  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (469,529

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    43,704  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,834,597  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    320,193  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    75,954  

Class C

    10,326  

Administrator Class

    85,339  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    90,328  

Class C

    12,271  

Administrator Class

    163,511  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    36,813  

Custody and accounting fees

    5,280  

Professional fees

    17,001  

Registration fees

    38,606  

Shareholder report expenses

    34,377  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    12,344  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    913,372  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (227,912

Class A

    (1,045

Administrator Class

    (72,737
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    611,678  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,222,919  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    7,041,263  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    358,536  

Unaffiliated securities

    39,409  

Futures contracts

    1,894,017  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    9,333,225  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    14,761,847  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    5,103,988  

Unaffiliated securities

    683,239  

Futures contracts

    (817,389
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    19,731,685  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    29,064,910  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 30,287,829  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 1,222,919       $ 3,165,071  

Net realized gains on investments

      9,333,225         2,965,059  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      19,731,685         5,591,889  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      30,287,829         11,722,019  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

 

     

Class A

      0         (1,899,671

Class C

      0         (252,329

Administrator Class

      0         (4,326,341
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (6,478,341
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    52,441       2,609,960       130,896       6,205,787  

Class C

    4,798       201,659       38,064       1,521,837  

Administrator Class

    64,805       2,820,369       252,894       10,053,081  
 

 

 

 
      5,631,988         17,780,705  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       38,579       1,874,625  

Class C

    0       0       5,569       231,803  

Administrator Class

    0       0       100,724       4,319,406  
 

 

 

 
      0         6,425,834  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (106,092     (5,264,671     (213,827     (9,907,481

Class C

    (53,272     (2,271,840     (83,327     (3,328,464

Administrator Class

    (405,385     (17,846,280     (656,994     (27,048,981
 

 

 

 
      (25,382,791       (40,284,926
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (19,750,803       (16,078,387
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      10,537,026         (10,834,709
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      208,219,831         219,054,540  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 218,756,857       $ 208,219,831  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $46.33       $45.15       $47.12       $43.91       $39.99       $40.80  

Net investment income

    0.25       0.65 1      0.72 1      0.53       0.41       0.46  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.77       1.80       (0.60     3.13       3.93       (0.94
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    7.02       2.45       0.12       3.66       4.34       (0.48

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.47     (1.26     (0.45     (0.42     (0.33

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.80     (0.83     0.00       0.00       0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (1.27     (2.09     (0.45     (0.42     (0.33

Net asset value, end of period

    $53.35       $46.33       $45.15       $47.12       $43.91       $39.99  

Total return2

    15.11     5.31     0.53     8.34     10.93     (1.14 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.27     1.32     1.33     1.35     1.34     1.35

Net expenses3

    1.05     1.04     1.07     1.17     1.20     1.20

Net investment income3

    1.06     1.40     1.55     1.27     1.10     1.10

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    69     116     149     114     114     79

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $76,107       $68,581       $68,832       $62,473       $65,514       $65,866  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.45

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.47

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.51

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $39.81       $38.95       $40.86       $38.14       $34.82       $35.63  

Net investment income

    0.07 1      0.26 1      0.37 1      0.14       0.13 1      0.12  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.79       1.54       (0.56     2.74       3.38       (0.79
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.86       1.80       (0.19     2.88       3.51       (0.67

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.14     (0.89     (0.16     (0.19     (0.14

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.80     (0.83     0.00       0.00       0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (0.94     (1.72     (0.16     (0.19     (0.14

Net asset value, end of period

    $45.67       $39.81       $38.95       $40.86       $38.14       $34.82  

Total return2

    14.85     4.52     (0.23 )%      7.55     10.10     (1.88 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    2.02     2.07     2.08     2.10     2.09     2.10

Net expenses3

    1.80     1.79     1.82     1.92     1.95     1.95

Net investment income3

    0.31     0.64     0.93     0.52     0.35     0.36

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    69     116     149     114     114     79

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $9,381       $10,108       $11,434       $16,649       $16,463       $16,225  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.45

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.48

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.50

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30,  2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $40.83       $39.93       $42.04       $39.22       $35.78       $36.54  

Net investment income

    0.41       0.84       1.05       0.75       0.50 1      0.49  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.82       1.41       (0.90     2.63       3.47       (0.82
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.23       2.25       0.15       3.38       3.97       (0.33

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.55     (1.43     (0.56     (0.53     (0.43

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.80     (0.83     0.00       0.00       0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (1.35     (2.26     (0.56     (0.53     (0.43

Net asset value, end of period

    $47.06       $40.83       $39.93       $42.04       $39.22       $35.78  

Total return2

    15.28     5.51     0.70     8.63     11.19     (0.86 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.19     1.24     1.25     1.27     1.26     1.27

Net expenses3

    0.86     0.86     0.89     0.92     0.95     0.95

Net investment income3

    1.25     1.57     1.72     1.51     1.34     1.35

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    69     116     149     114     114     79

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $133,269       $129,531       $138,788       $157,889       $162,693       $175,715  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.45

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.47

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.50

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a fund-of-funds that invests in various affiliated mutual funds (“Underlying Funds”) employing a multi-asset, multi-style investment approach designed to reduce the price and return volatility of the Fund and to provide more consistent returns. The Fund may also invest directly in securities. The Underlying Funds incur separate expenses in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds may also include investments in one or more separate diversified portfolios (collectively, the “affiliated Master Portfolios”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. Each affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios as partnership investments and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are presented in separate financial statements and may be obtained free of charge by contacting Investor Services or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are filed with the SEC under Wells Fargo Master Trust. The financial statements for all other affiliated Underlying Funds are also publicly available on the SEC website at sec.gov.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent 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.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily.

Investments in underlying mutual funds are valued at net asset per share as reported by the Underlying Funds as of the close of the regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates, security values, and foreign exchange rates and is

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

subject to interest rate risk, equity price risk, and foreign currency risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Fund is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Fund fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Fund’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Income dividends and capital gain distributions from investment companies are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions from investment companies are treated as realized gains.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $173,434,563 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 42,638,365  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 42,638,365  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 12,553,587      $ 0      $ 0      $ 12,553,587  

Investment companies

     31,642,341        0        0        31,642,341  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                171,387,518  
     44,195,928        0        0        215,583,446  

Futures contracts

     670,391        0        0        670,391  

Total assets

   $ 44,866,319      $ 0      $ 0      $ 216,253,837  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 180,909      $ 0      $ 0      $ 180,909  

Total liabilities

   $ 180,909      $ 0      $ 0      $ 180,909  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investment in affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $171,387,518. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The investment objective of each affiliated Master Portfolio is as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

  

Seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and

capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

   Seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Portfolio

  

Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

   Seeks consistent fixed-income returns

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

   Seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.30

Next $500 million

     0.28  

Next $2 billion

     0.26  

Next $2 billion

     0.24  

Next $5 billion

     0.23  

Over $10 billion

     0.22  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to each affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from each affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.10% and declining to 0.05% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Administrator Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.13% for Class A shares, 1.88% for Class C shares, and 0.95% for Administrator Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $2,809 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in multiple affiliated Master Portfolios. Purchases and sales related to these investments have been calculated by aggregating the results of multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities in which the Fund invests are actual purchases and sale of those securities. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds

U.S.

government

    

Non-U.S.

government

    

U.S.

government

    

Non-U.S.

government

$35,711,148      $92,717,246      $30,738,910      $133,642,990

6. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund entered into futures contracts to gain market exposure to certain asset classes consistent with its asset allocation strategy. The Fund had an average notional amount of $15,300,247 in long futures contracts and $14,358,161 in short futures contracts during the six months ended November 30, 2020.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

A summary of the location of derivative instruments on the financial statements by primary risk exposure is outlined in the following tables.

The fair value of derivative instruments as of November 30, 2020 by risk type was as follows for the Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 598,621    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ (180,909 )* 

Interest rate risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      37,187    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      34,583    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0
     $ 670,391           $ (180,909

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of November 30, 2019 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020 was as follows for the Fund:

 

       Amount of realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 2,318,902        $ (981,101

Interest rate risk

       102,850          37,187  

Foreign currency risk

       (527,735        126,525  
       $ 1,894,017        $ (817,389

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee,
since 2015
  Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee,
since 2015;
Chair Liaison,
since 2018
  Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee,
since 2009;
Audit Committee Chair, since 2019
  Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee,
since 2008
  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee,
since 2009
  James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee,
since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018
  International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee,
since 1996; Chair,
since 2018
  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee,
since 2018
  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund  |  27


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President,
since 2017
  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer,
since 2012
  Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary,
since 2019
  Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer,
since 2016
  Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

 

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 77 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00726 01-20

SA278/SAR278 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

Preparing for LIBOR Transition

The global financial industry is preparing to transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a key benchmark interest rate, to new alternative rates. LIBOR underpins more than $350 trillion of financial contracts. It is the benchmark rate for a wide spectrum of products ranging from residential mortgages to corporate bonds to derivatives. Regulators have called for a market-wide transition away from LIBOR to successor reference rates by the end of 2021, which requires proactive steps be taken by issuers, counterparties, and asset managers to identify impacted products and adopt new reference rates.

The Fund holds at least one security that uses LIBOR as a floating reference rate and has a maturity date after 12-31-2021.

Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of successor reference rates, and any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on investment instruments that use it as a benchmark rate. The transition process may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR and could negatively impact the value of certain instruments held by the Fund.

Wells Fargo Asset Management is monitoring LIBOR exposure closely and has put resources and controls in place to manage this transition effectively. The Fund’s portfolio management team is evaluating LIBOR holdings to understand what happens to those securities when LIBOR ceases to exist, including examining security documentation to identify the presence or absence of fallback language identifying a replacement rate to LIBOR.

While the pace of transition away from LIBOR will differ by asset class and investment strategy, the portfolio management team will monitor market conditions for those holdings to identify and mitigate deterioration or volatility in pricing and liquidity and ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.

Further information regarding the potential risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR can be found in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

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This page is intentionally left blank.


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks total return, consisting of current income and capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Petros N. Bocray, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WFMAX)   1-30-2004     3.48       5.26       6.31       9.79       6.51       6.95       1.36       1.15  
                   
Class C (WFBCX)   1-30-2004     8.14       5.74       6.16       9.14       5.74       6.16       2.11       1.90  
                   
Administrator Class (NVMBX)   11-11-1994                       10.26       6.81       7.22       1.28       0.90  
                   
Institutional Class (WFMYX)3   7-31-2018                       10.20       6.83       7.23       1.03       0.80  
                   
Moderate Balanced Blended Index4                         10.65       7.44       7.05              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index5                         7.28       4.34       3.71              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Short Treasury 9-12 Months Index6                         1.86       1.59       0.93              
                   
MSCI EAFE Index (Net)7                         6.37       6.19       5.85              
                   
Russell 1000® Growth Index8                         36.40       19.56       17.31              
                   
Russell 1000® Value Index9                         1.72       8.44       10.93              
                   
Russell 2000® Index10                         13.59       10.25       11.13              
                   
S&P 500 Index11                         17.46       13.99       14.19              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Administrator Class and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 202012  
   

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

     28.56  
   

Wells Fargo Conservative Income Fund Institutional Class

     14.75  
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

     8.33  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

     7.39  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

     6.92  
   

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

     6.78  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

     4.40  
   

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

     3.42  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

     3.03  
   

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

     2.57  
Allocations (%) as of November 30, 2020  
    

Neutral

allocation

     Effective
allocation13
 
     

Bonds

     60        59  
     

Stocks

     40        41  
 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.43% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.15% for Class A, 1.90% for Class C, 0.90% for Administrator Class and 0.80% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios and funds invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. All other acquired fund fees and expenses from the affiliated master portfolios are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, and is not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class share expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

4 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The Moderate Balanced Blended Index is composed 45% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 15% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Short Treasury 9-12 Months Index, 10% of the Russell 1000® Growth Index, 10% of the Russell 1000® Value Index, 10% of the S&P 500 Index, 6% of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), and 4% of the Russell 2000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Short Treasury 9–12 Months Index is an unmanaged index that includes aged U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds with a remaining maturity from 9 up to (but not including) 12 months. It excludes zero-coupon STRIPS. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. Source: MSCI. 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 indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

10 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

11 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

Figures represent the percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

13 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash, if any, represents the net offset to such futures positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

    

Beginning

account value

6-1-2020

    

Ending

account value
11-30-2020

     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,103.50      $ 5.75        1.09

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.60      $ 5.52        1.09
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,100.99      $ 9.69        1.84

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.84      $ 9.30        1.84
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,106.64      $ 4.44        0.84

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.86      $ 4.26        0.84
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,105.49      $ 3.91        0.74

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.36      $ 3.75        0.74%

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 5.22%                           

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

          8,847      $ 3,214,292  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

          9,453        1,119,424  

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund

          25,090        2,208,673  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $6,153,061)

             6,542,389  
          

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 93.29%

          
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 76.86%                           

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

             4,287,626  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

             10,433,512  

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

             3,796,923  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

             9,253,517  

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

             8,665,884  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

             1,286,673  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

             1,049,641  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

             1,267,598  

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

             2,544,358  

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

             8,489,037  

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

             35,763,284  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

             5,521,880  

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

             1,289,734  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

             2,605,564  
             96,255,231  
          

 

 

 
Affiliated Funds: 16.43%                           

Wells Fargo Conservative Income Fund Institutional Class

          1,839,349        18,467,064  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

          33,386        1,051,321  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund Class R6

          90,454        1,050,169  
             20,568,554  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $97,164,818)

             116,823,785        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $103,317,879)     98.51        123,366,174  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.49          1,865,611  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 125,231,785  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description   

Number of

contracts

    

Expiration

date

     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

Japanese Yen Futures

     52        12-14-2020      $ 6,211,381      $ 6,231,225      $ 19,844      $ 0  

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index

     10        12-18-2020        2,402,391        2,455,400        53,009        0  

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     42        12-18-2020        3,656,854        3,822,210        165,356        0  

IBEX 35 Index

     54        12-18-2020        5,095,396        5,193,631        98,235        0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     21        12-18-2020        1,236,799        1,262,415        25,616        0  

Long Gilt Bonds

     56        3-29-2021        10,001,467        10,018,144        16,677        0  

Short

                 

Euro Bund Futures

     (39)        12-8-2020        (8,268,125      (8,262,160      5,965        0  

E-Mini S&P 500 Index

     (21)        12-18-2020        (3,754,710      (3,804,360      0        (49,650

Mini-DAX Futures

     (63)        12-18-2020        (4,954,660      (5,009,471      0        (54,811
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 384,702      $ (104,461
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Value,

beginning of

period

    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
 
Investment Companies                                                      

Affiliated Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Conservative Income Fund Institutional Class

  $ 18,653,995     $ 965,045     $ (1,188,309   $ 172     $ 36,161     $ 18,467,064         1,839,349     $ 92,462  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    1,069,244       0       (319,395     76,159       225,313       1,051,321         33,386       0  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund Class R6

    1,035,794       21,237       (253,437     11,769       234,806       1,050,169         90,454       21,237  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 88,100     $ 496,280     $ 20,568,554       16.43     $ 113,699  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

   

% of

ownership,

beginning

of period

   

% of

ownership,

end of

period

   

Net realized

gains

(losses) on

securities

transactions

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolios

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses) on

securities

transactions

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolios

   

Interest

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolios

   

Dividends

allocated

from

affiliated

Master

Portfolios

   

Affiliated

income

allocated

from

affiliates

Master

Portfolios

   

Value,

end

of period

    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    1.53     1.28   $ 142,745     $ 813,763     $ 0     $ 41,674     $ 57     $ 4,287,626    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    0.18       0.17       196,011       11,103       89,571       0       211       10,433,512    

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

    2.18       1.97       758,616       (44,076     0       41,462       2       3,796,923    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    3.21       2.95       75,934       1,454,002       8       76,236       395       9,253,517    

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    4.03       3.64       652,315       1,165,071       0       36,897       116       8,665,884    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.19       0.15       196,557       261,133       0       1,699       207       1,286,673    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    0.53       0.52       3,892       225,992       3       16,623       7       1,049,641    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    0.00       0.18       34,818       113,989       0       11,421       7       1,267,598    

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio *

    4.64       0.00       26,294       339,793       219,496       0       36       0    

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    0.50       0.86       (575,479     1,057,581       0       41,463       373       2,544,358    

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    3.93       3.54       1,550,997       69,674       6       89,005       71       8,489,037    

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

    8.11       7.70       180,894       625,265       571,567       0       546       35,763,284    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    3.48       2.54       (6,445     248,277       62,905       9,435       31       5,521,880    

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    0.10       0.09       168,142       176,235       0       3,861       40       1,289,734    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    0.65       0.57       795       732,517       0       27,645       176       2,605,564    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 3,406,086     $ 7,250,319     $ 943,556     $ 397,421     $ 2,275     $ 96,255,231       76.86
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (cost $77,166,932)

  $ 96,255,231  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $19,997,886)

    20,568,554  

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $6,153,061)

    6,542,389  

Cash

    49,000  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    2,004,937  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    108,027  

Receivable for dividends

    11,625  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    230  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    125,539,993  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    12,450  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    43,872  

Payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    146,198  

Management fee payable

    1,908  

Administration fees payable

    16,123  

Distribution fee payable

    4,716  

Shareholder report expenses payable

    44,535  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    23,205  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,156  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    14,045  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    308,208  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 125,231,785  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 98,321,171  

Total distributable earnings

    26,910,614  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 125,231,785  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 36,015,526  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    1,562,585  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $23.05  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $24.46  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 7,570,345  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    338,946  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $22.33  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 69,648,883  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    2,984,911  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $23.33  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 11,997,031  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    512,902  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $23.39  

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $85)

  $ 943,556  

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $14,272)

    397,421  

Dividends from affiliated Underlying Funds

    113,699  

Dividends

    10,908  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    2,275  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (253,045

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    22,717  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,237,531  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    196,838  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    35,163  

Class C

    8,285  

Administrator Class

    51,039  

Institutional Class

    7,361  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    41,836  

Class C

    9,849  

Administrator Class

    98,107  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    29,546  

Custody and accounting fees

    4,317  

Professional fees

    15,681  

Registration fees

    38,606  

Shareholder report expenses

    30,442  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    10,668  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    588,767  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (121,413

Class A

    (296

Administrator Class

    (69,391

Institutional Class

    (1,315
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    396,352  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    841,179  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    3,406,086  

Unaffiliated securities

    4,169  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    88,100  

Futures contracts

    1,105,154  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    4,603,509  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    7,250,319  

Unaffiliated securities

    389,328  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    496,280  

Futures contracts

    (577,190
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7,558,737  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    12,162,246  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 13,003,425  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 841,179       $ 2,007,092  

Net realized gains on investments

      4,603,509         1,483,956  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      7,558,737         3,601,837  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      13,003,425         7,092,885  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (949,542

Class C

      0         (193,050

Administrator Class

      0         (2,564,416

Institutional Class

      0         (332,334
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (4,039,342
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    161,106       3,569,320       314,459       6,582,803  

Class C

    15,314       327,869       80,214       1,612,864  

Administrator Class

    90,192       2,002,620       270,029       5,728,452  

Institutional Class

    48,343       1,077,589       112,688       2,401,546  
 

 

 

 
      6,977,398         16,325,665  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       42,968       914,528  

Class C

    0       0       9,165       189,731  

Administrator Class

    0       0       118,939       2,558,445  

Institutional Class

    0       0       15,389       331,571  
 

 

 

 
      0         3,994,275  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (99,855     (2,194,041     (336,995     (6,989,591

Class C

    (67,257     (1,443,923     (128,163     (2,596,917

Administrator Class

    (827,171     (18,702,263     (470,413     (9,914,992

Institutional Class

    (32,276     (719,610     (61,855     (1,282,623
 

 

 

 
      (23,059,837       (20,784,123
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (16,082,439       (464,183
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (3,079,014       2,589,360  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      128,310,799         125,721,439  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 125,231,785       $ 128,310,799  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.87       $20.35       $22.73       $23.47       $22.51       $23.57  

Net investment income

    0.14       0.30       0.36 1       0.29       0.28       0.28 1  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.04       0.86       0.11       0.97       1.34       (0.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.18       1.16       0.47       1.26       1.62       0.05  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.35     (0.42     (0.32     (0.29     (0.26

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.29     (2.43     (1.68     (0.37     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (0.64     (2.85     (2.00     (0.66     (1.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $23.05       $20.87       $20.35       $22.73       $23.47       $22.51  

Total return2

    10.35     5.65     2.68     5.38     7.33     0.34

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.28     1.30     1.31     1.33     1.32     1.32

Net expenses3

    1.09     1.08     1.12     1.13     1.15     1.15

Net investment income3

    1.14     1.43     1.65     1.42     1.25     1.26

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    59     119     191     113     114     87

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $36,016       $31,334       $30,132       $31,980       $36,679       $35,993  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.37

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.46

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.47

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.30       $19.80       $22.20       $22.97       $22.05       $23.18  

Net investment income

    0.04 1       0.09       0.12       0.10       0.11 1       0.11 1  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.99       0.88       0.18       0.95       1.32       (0.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.03       0.97       0.30       1.05       1.43       (0.12

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.18     (0.27     (0.14     (0.14     (0.16

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.29     (2.43     (1.68     (0.37     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (0.47     (2.70     (1.82     (0.51     (1.01

Net asset value, end of period

    $22.33       $20.30       $19.80       $22.20       $22.97       $22.05  

Total return2

    10.10     4.89     1.90     4.56     6.56     (0.44 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    2.03     2.05     2.06     2.08     2.07     2.07

Net expenses3

    1.84     1.84     1.87     1.88     1.90     1.90

Net investment income3

    0.39     0.69     0.89     0.66     0.50     0.51

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    59     119     191     113     114     87

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $7,570       $7,935       $8,509       $10,260       $12,180       $12,501  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.37

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.40

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.46

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.47

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.10       $20.56       $22.94       $23.68       $22.70       $23.75  

Net investment income

    0.16       0.35 1       0.41 1       0.38       0.35 1       0.32  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.07       0.88       0.12       0.94       1.35       (0.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.23       1.23       0.53       1.32       1.70       0.11  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.40     (0.48     (0.38     (0.35     (0.31

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.29     (2.43     (1.68     (0.37     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (0.69     (2.91     (2.06     (0.72     (1.16

Net asset value, end of period

    $23.33       $21.10       $20.56       $22.94       $23.68       $22.70  

Total return2

    10.66     5.94     2.95     5.59     7.62     0.59

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.20     1.22     1.23     1.25     1.24     1.23

Net expenses3

    0.84     0.83     0.87     0.88     0.90     0.90

Net investment income3

    1.40     1.69     1.88     1.67     1.49     1.48

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    59     119     191     113     114     87

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $69,649       $78,538       $78,209       $112,302       $112,835       $156,915  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.37

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.46

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.47

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
   

  Year ended May 31  

 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     20191  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.14       $20.60       $23.24  

Net investment income

    0.18       0.37 2       0.37 2  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.07       0.88       (0.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.25       1.25       0.25  

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.42     (0.46

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.29     (2.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (0.71     (2.89

Net asset value, end of period

    $23.39       $21.14       $20.60  

Total return3

    10.55     6.02     1.72

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses4

    0.95     0.97     0.98

Net expenses4

    0.74     0.74     0.75

Net investment income4

    1.49     1.78     2.15

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate5

    59     119     191

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $11,997       $10,504       $8,871  

 

 

1 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include only the net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios and do not include expenses from any other affiliated Underlying Funds. Net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios included in the ratios were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.37

Year ended May 31, 20191

    0.38

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in the affiliated Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a fund-of-funds that invests in various affiliated mutual funds (“Underlying Funds”) employing a multi-asset, multi-style investment approach designed to reduce the price and return volatility of the Fund and to provide more consistent returns. The Fund may also invest directly in securities. The Underlying Funds incur separate expenses in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds may also include investments in one or more separate diversified portfolios (collectively, the “affiliated Master Portfolios”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. Each affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios as partnership investments and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are presented in separate financial statements and may be obtained free of charge by contacting Investor Services or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are filed with the SEC under Wells Fargo Master Trust. The financial statements for all other affiliated Underlying Funds are also publicly available on the SEC website at sec.gov.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily.

Investments in underlying mutual funds are valued at net asset per share as reported by the Underlying Funds as of the close of the regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates, security values, and foreign exchange rates and is

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

subject to interest rate risk, equity price risk, and foreign currency risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Fund is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Fund fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Fund’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Income dividends and capital gain distributions from investment companies are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions from investment companies are treated as realized gains.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $104,060,794 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 19,585,621  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 19,585,621  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

     

Quoted prices

(Level 1)

    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 6,542,389      $ 0      $ 0      $ 6,542,389  

Investments in investment companies

     20,568,554      $ 0      $ 0        20,568,554  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                96,255,231  
     27,110,943        0        0        123,336,174  

Futures contracts

     384,702        0        0        384,702  

Total assets

   $ 27,495,645      $ 0      $ 0      $ 123,750,876  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 104,461      $ 0      $ 0      $ 104,461  

Total liabilities

   $ 104,461      $ 0      $ 0      $ 104,461  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investment in affiliated Master Portfolios are valued at $96,255,231. Each affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The investment objective of each affiliated Master Portfolio is as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

   Seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

   Seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Managed Fixed Income Portfolio

   Seeks consistent fixed-income returns

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

   Seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.30

Next $500 million

     0.28  

Next $2 billion

     0.26  

Next $2 billion

     0.24  

Next $5 billion

     0.23  

Over $10 billion

     0.22  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to each affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated , an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.10% and declining to 0.05% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolios are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.15% for Class A shares, 1.90% for Class C shares, 0.90% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.80% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $3,533 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in multiple affiliated Master Portfolios. Purchases and sales related to these investments have been calculated by aggregating the results of multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities in which the Fund invests are actual purchases and sale of those securities. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$26,624,705      $43,773,434      $22,803,957      $46,830,967

6. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Fund entered into futures contracts to gain market exposure to certain asset classes consistent with its asset allocation strategy. The Fund had an average notional amount of $9,390,854 in long futures contracts and $8,893,171 in short futures contracts during the six months ended November 30, 2020.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  23


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

A summary of the location of derivative instruments on the financial statements by primary risk exposure is outlined in the following tables.

The fair value of derivative instruments as of November 30, 2020 by risk type was as follows for the Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
     Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statement of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 342,216    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 104,461

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      19,844    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0

Interest rate risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      22,642    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0
          $ 384,702           $ 104,461  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of November 30, 2020 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020 was as follows for the Fund:

 

      

Amount of realized

gains (losses) on
derivatives

      

Change in unrealized

gains (losses) on
derivatives

 

Equity risk

     $ 1,365,315        $ (677,195

Foreign currency risk

       (331,319        77,363  

Interest rate risk

       71,158          22,642  
       $ 1,105,154        $ (577,190

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  25


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS    

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees    

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

 

Trustee,

since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019

  Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund  |  27


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chair, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Moderate Balanced Fund


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers    

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 77 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


 

© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00730 01-20

SA279/SAR279 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for
electronic delivery
of prospectuses
and shareholder
reports at
wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Cooke & Bieler, L.P.

Portfolio managers

Andrew B. Armstrong, CFA®

Wesley Lim, CFA®

Steve Lyons, CFA®

Michael M. Meyer, CFA®

Edward W. O’Connor, CFA®

R. James O’Neil, CFA®

Mehul Trivedi, CFA®

William Weber, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (CBEAX)   7-26-2004     -4.07       8.12       9.96       1.81       9.40       10.61       1.28       1.08  
                   
Class C (CBECX)   7-26-2004     -0.01       8.58       9.77       0.99       8.58       9.77       2.03       1.83  
                   
Class R6 (CBEJX)4   10-31-2016                       2.27       9.85       11.01       0.85       0.65  
                   
Administrator Class (CBLLX)   7-26-2004                       1.85       9.52       10.77       1.20       1.00  
                   
Institutional Class (CBLSX)   7-26-2004                       2.17       9.78       11.04       0.95       0.75  
                   
Russell 1000® Value Index5                         1.72       8.44       10.93              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20206  
   

Arrow Electronics Incorporated

     3.52  
   

Brookfield Asset Management Incorporated Class A

     3.15  
   

The Charles Schwab Corporation

     3.14  
   

Chubb Limited

     3.08  
   

State Street Corporation

     3.06  
   

Synchrony Financial

     3.01  
   

Gildan Activewear Incorporated

     2.87  
   

Johnson & Johnson

     2.78  
   

Leidos Holdings Incorporated

     2.58  
   

AerCap Holdings NV

     2.53  
Sector allocation as of November 30, 20207
LOGO
 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.01% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.08% for Class A, 1.83% for Class C, 0.65% for Class R6, 1.00% for Administrator Class, and 0.75% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to the Class R6 shares. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

Each holding represents the Fund’s allocable portion of the affiliated master portfolio security. Figures represent each holding as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets.

 

7 

Figures represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio as a percentage of the long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,244.56      $ 6.02        1.07

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.70      $ 5.42        1.07
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,240.32      $ 10.28        1.83

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.89      $ 9.25        1.83
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,248.05      $ 3.66        0.65

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.81      $ 3.29        0.65
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,245.00      $ 5.57        0.99

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.10      $ 5.01        0.99
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,247.18      $ 4.23        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.31      $ 3.80        0.75

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.19%           
Affiliated Master Portfolio: 100.19%                           

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

           $ 254,949,135  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $188,819,000)

             254,949,135  
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $188,819,000)     100.19        254,949,135  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.19        (492,956
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 254,456,179  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    75     76   $ 7,553,557     $ 43,394,844     $ 2,179,203     $ 3,058     $ 254,949,135       100.19

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $188,819,000)

  $ 254,949,135  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    95,295  

Receivable from manager

    1,224  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    506  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    255,046,160  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    479,795  

Administration fees payable

    28,521  

Distribution fee payable

    2,225  

Shareholder report expenses payable

    31,320  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    18,545  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,055  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    28,520  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    589,981  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 254,456,179  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 176,282,140  

Total distributable earnings

    78,174,039  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 254,456,179  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 82,658,348  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    5,780,349  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $14.30  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $15.17  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 3,631,763  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    257,721  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $14.09  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 41,040,603  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    2,852,355  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $14.39  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 6,701,945  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    467,627  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $14.33  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 120,423,520  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    8,375,029  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $14.38  

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $56,458)

  $ 2,179,203  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    3,058  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (798,606

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    51,115  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,434,770  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    58,448  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    78,866  

Class C

    3,827  

Class R6

    5,745  

Administrator Class

    4,023  

Institutional Class

    71,856  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    93,754  

Class C

    4,545  

Administrator Class

    7,720  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    13,635  

Custody and accounting fees

    6,850  

Professional fees

    17,546  

Registration fees

    83,477  

Shareholder report expenses

    37,350  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    9,330  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    508,001  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (246,563

Class A

    (4,094

Administrator Class

    (341
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    257,003  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,177,767  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    7,553,557  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    43,394,844  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    50,948,401  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 52,126,168  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 1,177,767       $ 3,041,679  

Net realized gains on investments

      7,553,557         14,162,746  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      43,394,844         (23,968,868
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      52,126,168         (6,764,443
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (7,751,447

Class C

      0         (388,806

Class R6

      0         (5,218,989

Administrator Class

      0         (711,108

Institutional Class

      0         (11,583,308
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (25,653,658
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    279,739       3,592,305       738,336       9,862,221  

Class C

    23,039       282,833       84,359       1,159,805  

Class R6

    103,146       1,292,676       862,015       10,181,197  

Administrator Class

    9,616       120,970       86,612       1,194,613  

Institutional Class

    2,031,232       24,616,651       3,591,723       48,556,144  
 

 

 

 
      29,905,435         70,953,980  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       529,924       7,655,000  

Class C

    0       0       26,971       383,791  

Class R6

    0       0       47,617       691,796  

Administrator Class

    0       0       34,562       500,228  

Institutional Class

    0       0       792,083       11,497,247  
 

 

 

 
      0         20,728,062  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (652,676     (8,206,957     (1,199,143     (15,487,514

Class C

    (80,021     (999,223     (192,765     (2,559,135

Class R6

    (533,506     (6,698,867     (2,860,401     (39,194,686

Administrator Class

    (77,880     (975,211     (297,032     (3,913,331

Institutional Class

    (2,054,060     (25,814,527     (4,306,577     (53,511,682
 

 

 

 
      (42,694,785       (114,666,348
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (12,789,350       (22,984,306
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      39,336,818         (55,402,407
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      215,119,361         270,521,768  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 254,456,179       $ 215,119,361  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.49       $13.01       $13.91       $14.54       $12.55       $13.07  

Net investment income

    0.05       0.12       0.11       0.09 1      0.08       0.11 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.76       (0.33     0.02       0.87       2.23       (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.81       (0.21     0.13       0.96       2.31       (0.03

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.13     (0.12     (0.06     (0.08     (0.10

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24     (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (1.31     (1.03     (1.59     (0.32     (0.49

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.30       $11.49       $13.01       $13.91       $14.54       $12.55  

Total return2

    24.46     (3.61 )%      1.33     6.29     18.62     (0.08 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.29     1.27     1.23     1.21     1.24     1.25

Net expenses3

    1.07     1.07     1.08     1.10     1.15     1.15

Net investment income3

    0.80     0.92     0.83     0.58     0.62     0.89

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    13     33     47     42     89     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $82,658       $70,680       $79,172       $85,707       $83,016       $88,387  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.66

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.68

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.68

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.36       $12.87       $13.75       $14.44       $12.48       $13.01  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.00 1,2      0.02 2      0.01 2      (0.02 )2      (0.02     0.01  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.73       (0.35     0.03       0.86       2.22       (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.73       (0.33     0.04       0.84       2.20       (0.13

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       0.00       (0.01     0.00       0.00       (0.01

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24     (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (1.18     (0.92     (1.53     (0.24     (0.40

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.09       $11.36       $12.87       $13.75       $14.44       $12.48  

Total return3

    24.03     (4.41 )%      0.61     5.46     17.73     (0.82 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses4

    2.04     2.02     1.97     1.96     1.99     2.00

Net expenses4

    1.83     1.83     1.83     1.85     1.90     1.90

Net investment income (loss)4

    0.03     0.16     0.07     (0.16 )%      (0.13 )%      0.11

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate5

    13     33     47     42     89     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $3,632       $3,576       $5,098       $11,031       $8,043       $7,282  

 

 

 

1 

Amount is less than $0.005

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.66

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.68

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.68

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     20171  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.53       $13.06       $13.97       $14.59       $12.73  

Net investment income

    0.08 2      0.18 2      0.18 2      0.18 2      0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.78       (0.33     0.00 3      0.85       2.06  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.86       (0.15     0.18       1.03       2.22  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.20     (0.18     (0.12     (0.12

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (1.38     (1.09     (1.65     (0.36

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.39       $11.53       $13.06       $13.97       $14.59  

Total return4

    24.80     (3.25 )%      1.74     6.76     17.65

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses5

    0.86     0.84     0.79     0.77     0.81

Net expenses5

    0.65     0.65     0.65     0.65     0.70

Net investment income5

    1.21     1.33     1.27     1.28     1.04

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate6

    13     33     47     42     89

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $41,041       $37,859       $68,366       $110,665       $3,532  

 

 

 

1 

For the period from October 31, 2016 (commencement of class operations) to March 31, 2017

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

4 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

5 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 20171

    0.68

 

6 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.51       $13.03       $13.92       $14.56       $12.54       $13.07  

Net investment income

    0.05 1      0.13 1      0.12 1      0.10 1      0.10 1      0.13 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.77       (0.33     0.02       0.87       2.24       (0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.82       (0.20     0.14       0.97       2.34       (0.02

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.14     (0.12     (0.08     (0.08     (0.12

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24     (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (1.32     (1.03     (1.61     (0.32     (0.51

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.33       $11.51       $13.03       $13.92       $14.56       $12.54  

Total return2

    24.50     (3.56 )%      1.44     6.36     18.82     0.11

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.21     1.19     1.15     1.13     1.16     1.16

Net expenses3

    0.99     0.99     1.00     1.00     1.00     0.98

Net investment income3

    0.87     1.00     0.90     0.69     0.77     1.03

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    13     33     47     42     89     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $6,702       $6,167       $9,274       $12,742       $11,467       $23,210  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.66

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.68

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.68

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.53       $13.05       $13.96       $14.58       $12.58       $13.11  

Net investment income

    0.07       0.16       0.14       0.13 1      0.14       0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.78       (0.33     0.02       0.89       2.22       (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.85       (0.17     0.16       1.02       2.36       0.02  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.17     (0.16     (0.11     (0.12     (0.16

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.18     (0.91     (1.53     (0.24     (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (1.35     (1.07     (1.64     (0.36     (0.55

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.38       $11.53       $13.05       $13.96       $14.58       $12.58  

Total return2

    24.72     (3.33 )%      1.64     6.68     19.05     0.33

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    0.96     0.94     0.90     0.88     0.91     0.92

Net expenses3

    0.75     0.75     0.75     0.77     0.80     0.77

Net investment income3

    1.20     1.25     1.17     0.87     0.96     1.25

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    13     33     47     42     89     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $120,424       $96,838       $108,613       $135,082       $220,257       $133,632  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.64

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.65

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.66

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.68

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.68

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio, a separate diversified portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund owned 76% of Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the six months ended November 30, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $190,892,050 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 64,057,085  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 64,057,085  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At November 30, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective      Value of affiliated
Master Portfolio
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

   Seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal        $254,949,135  

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.08% for Class A shares, 1.83% for Class C shares, 0.65% for Class R6 shares, 1.00% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.75% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $1,110 from the sale of Class C shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $29,536,821 and $51,408,062, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

7. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risk results from exposure to a limited number of sectors. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any sector, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that sector than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector. As of the end of the period, the Fund invested a concentration of its portfolio in the financials sector.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 95.01%

 

Communication Services: 6.39%

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 2.40%  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

          132,400      $ 7,998,284  
          

 

 

 
Entertainment: 2.09%  

Activision Blizzard Incorporated

          87,900        6,986,292  
          

 

 

 
Media: 1.90%  

Omnicom Group Incorporated

          100,900        6,356,700  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 6.57%

 

Household Durables: 2.13%  

Whirlpool Corporation

          36,600        7,122,726  
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 4.44%  

Gildan Activewear Incorporated

          366,400        9,574,032  

HanesBrands Incorporated

          369,600        5,248,320  
             14,822,352  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 1.46%

 

Tobacco: 1.46%  

Philip Morris International Incorporated

          64,400        4,878,300  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 2.46%

 

Energy Equipment & Services: 1.41%  

Schlumberger Limited

          225,900        4,696,461  
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.05%  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

          91,800        3,500,334  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 34.28%

 

Banks: 7.56%  

JPMorgan Chase & Company

          71,300        8,404,844  

PNC Financial Services Group Incorporated

          61,100        8,436,077  

US Bancorp

          194,300        8,395,703  
             25,236,624  
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 10.95%  

Brookfield Asset Management Incorporated Class A

          259,300        10,499,057  

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          51,100        5,391,561  

State Street Corporation

          144,700        10,198,456  

The Charles Schwab Corporation

          214,500        10,463,310  
             36,552,384  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 3.01%  

Synchrony Financial

          329,300        10,033,771  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 2.25%  

Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated Class B †

          32,800        7,508,248  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 10.51%  

Alleghany Corporation

          12,000        6,902,400  

Arch Capital Group Limited †

          246,900        7,948,946  

Chubb Limited

          69,600        10,288,968  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Insurance (continued)  

Fidelity National Financial Incorporated

          71,400      $ 2,569,686  

The Allstate Corporation

          33,200        3,398,020  

The Progressive Corporation

          45,500        3,963,505  
             35,071,525  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 12.71%

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 3.89%  

Becton Dickinson & Company

          23,700        5,565,708  

Medtronic plc

          65,300        7,424,610  
             12,990,318  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 6.04%  

HCA Healthcare Incorporated

          50,400        7,565,544  

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings †

          34,400        6,874,496  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          17,000        5,717,780  
             20,157,820  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 2.78%  

Johnson & Johnson

          64,100        9,273,988  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 16.42%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 0.75%  

Hexcel Corporation

          50,700        2,510,664  
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 1.51%  

United Parcel Service Incorporated Class B

          29,400        5,029,458  
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 1.41%  

Johnson Controls International plc

          102,300        4,709,892  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 3.31%  

AMETEK Incorporated

          44,600        5,286,438  

Eaton Corporation plc

          47,400        5,740,614  
             11,027,052  
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 1.94%                           

3M Company

          37,500        6,477,375  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 4.97%  

Colfax Corporation †

          204,930        7,393,874  

Snap-on Incorporated

          31,300        5,504,105  

Woodward Governor Company

          33,100        3,701,573  
             16,599,552  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 2.53%  

AerCap Holdings NV †

          229,700        8,443,772  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 10.14%

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 5.21%  

Arrow Electronics Incorporated †

          128,300        11,758,695  

TE Connectivity Limited

          49,500        5,641,515  
             17,400,210  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
IT Services: 4.93%  

Amdocs Limited

         118,900      $ 7,824,809  

Leidos Holdings Incorporated

 

       85,500        8,609,850  
            16,434,659  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 2.93%

 

Chemicals: 1.48%  

Axalta Coating Systems Limited †

 

       172,100        4,923,781  
         

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 1.45%  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company

 

       41,100        4,841,580  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 1.65%

 

Real Estate Management & Development: 1.65%  

CBRE Group Incorporated Class A †

 

       90,000        5,502,600  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $228,416,580)

 

     317,086,722  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 5.04%  
Investment Companies: 5.04%  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02        16,813,758        16,813,758  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $16,813,758)

 

     16,813,758        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $245,230,338)     100.05        333,900,480  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.05        (169,325
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 333,731,155  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

  $ 6,370,055     $ 53,586,849     $ (43,143,146   $ 0     $ 0     $ 16,813,758       5.04     16,813,758     $ 4,039  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $228,416,580)

  $ 317,086,722  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $16,813,758)

    16,813,758  

Receivable for dividends

    465,320  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    35,663  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    334,402,463  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    508,557  

Advisory fee payable

    161,751  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    670,308  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 333,731,155  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $74,501)

  $ 2,877,573  

Income from affiliated securities

    4,039  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,881,612  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    1,003,142  

Custody and accounting fees

    10,285  

Professional fees

    21,887  

Shareholder report expenses

    3,411  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,589  

Other fees and expenses

    6,939  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,055,253  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (67,544
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    987,709  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,893,903  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on investments

    9,977,236  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    57,523,789  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    67,501,025  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 69,394,928  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
       Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

      

Net investment income

  $ 1,893,903        $ 4,668,688  

Net realized gains on investments

    9,977,236          14,608,307  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    57,523,789          (25,082,549
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    69,394,928          (5,805,554
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

      

Contributions

    20,316,432          41,745,884  

Withdrawals

    (42,892,559        (99,923,052
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (22,576,127        (58,177,168
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    46,818,801          (63,982,722
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    286,912,354          350,895,076  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 333,731,155        $ 286,912,354  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return1

    24.92     (3.40 )%      1.80     6.65     19.17     0.35

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.68     0.68     0.67     0.67     0.68     0.68

Net expenses

    0.34     0.64     0.65     0.66     0.68     0.68

Net investment income

    1.23     1.36     1.27     1.02     1.09     1.33

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    13     33     47     42     89     29

 

 

1

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $249,814,430 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 97,507,798  

Gross unrealized losses

     (13,421,748

Net unrealized gains

   $ 84,086,050  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 21,341,276      $ 0      $ 0      $ 21,341,276  

Consumer discretionary

     21,945,078        0        0        21,945,078  

Consumer staples

     4,878,300        0        0        4,878,300  

Energy

     8,196,795        0        0        8,196,795  

Financials

     114,402,552        0        0        114,402,552  

Health care

     42,422,126        0        0        42,422,126  

Industrials

     54,797,765        0        0        54,797,765  

Information technology

     33,834,869        0        0        33,834,869  

Materials

     9,765,361        0        0        9,765,361  

Real estate

     5,502,600        0        0        5,502,600  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     16,813,758        0        0        16,813,758  

Total assets

   $ 333,900,480      $ 0      $ 0      $ 333,900,480  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.650

Next $500 million

     0.625  

Next $1 billion

     0.600  

Next $2 billion

     0.575  

Next $4 billion

     0.550  

Next $4 billion

     0.525  

Next $4 billion

     0.500  

Over $16 billion

     0.475  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.65% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Cooke & Bieler, L.P., which is not an affiliate of Funds Management, is also a subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.38% and declining to 0.30% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Funds Management has voluntarily waived and/or reimbursed advisory fees to reduce the net operating expense ratio of the Portfolio.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $38,664,016 and $67,293,705, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of November 30, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risk results from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Portfolio concentrated its portfolio in investments related to the financials sector. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
 

Trustee,

since 2015

  Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)
 

Trustee,

since 2015; Chair Liaison,

since 2018

  Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
 

Trustee,

since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019

  Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
 

Trustee,

since 2008

  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
 

Trustee,

since 2009

  James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
 

Trustee,

since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018

  International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
 

Trustee,

since 1996; Chair, since 2018

  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson
(Born 1959)
 

Trustee,

since 2018

  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock
(Born 1959)
  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen
(Born 1960)
 

President,

since 2017

  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Nancy Wiser1
(Born 1967)
 

Treasurer,

since 2012

  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.
Michelle Rhee
(Born 1966)
 

Chief Legal Officer,

since 2019

  Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy
(Born 1969)
 

Secretary,

since 2019

  Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker
(Born 1967)
 

Chief Compliance Officer,

since 2016

  Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
 

Assistant Treasurer,

since 2009

  Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 77 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

36  |  Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Fund


Table of Contents

LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00739 01-20

SA280/SAR280 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


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This page is intentionally left blank.


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term total capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Portfolio manager

Aldo Ceccarelli, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (NVDAX)   5-2-1996     7.13       9.36       10.44       13.67       10.67       11.10       1.40       1.25  
                   
Class C (WFDEX)   10-1-1998     11.82       9.85       10.27       12.82       9.85       10.27       2.15       2.00  
                   
Administrator Class (NVDEX)   11-11-1994                       13.94       10.94       11.37       1.32       1.00  
                   
Diversified Equity Blended Index3                         15.80       12.49       12.65              
                   
MSCI EAFE Index (Net)4                         6.37       6.19       5.85              
                   
Russell 1000® Growth Index5                         36.40       19.56       17.31              
                   
Russell 1000® Value Index6                         1.72       8.44       10.93              
                   
Russell 2000® Index7                         13.59       10.25       11.13              
                   
S&P 500 Index8                         17.46       13.99       14.19              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Administrator Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk and smaller-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Fund holdings (%) as of November 30, 20209      
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    25.11  
   

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

    25.06  
   

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    16.79  
   

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    8.30  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

    7.50  
   

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    4.98  
   

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    4.83  
   

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    2.55  
   

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    2.52  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    2.50  
Allocations (%) as of November 30, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation10
 
     

U.S. Large Cap Stock Funds

     75        75  
     

International Stock Funds

     15        15  
     

U.S. Small Cap Stock Funds

     10        10  
 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.51% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.25% for Class A, 2.00% for Class C, and 1.00% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios and funds invest and from any money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. All other acquired fund fees and expenses from the affiliated master portfolios are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The Diversified Equity Blended Index is composed of 25% of the S&P 500 Index, 25% of the Russell 1000® Growth Index, 25% of the Russell 1000® Value Index, 15% of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), and 10% of the Russell 2000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. Source: MSCI. 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 indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

Figures represent the percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

10 

Figures represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio as a percentage of the long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,215.69      $ 6.94        1.25

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.80      $ 6.33        1.25
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,210.95      $ 11.09        2.00

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.04      $ 10.10        2.00
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,216.76      $ 5.56        1.00

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.05      $ 5.06        1.00

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.14%  
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 100.14%  

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

           $ 13,175,576  

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

             11,898,542  

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

             39,816,369  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

             4,045,587  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

             3,968,742  

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

             39,762,811  

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

             7,665,473  

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

             26,644,425  

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

             3,996,524  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

             7,903,201        

Total Investment Companies (Cost $128,639,736)

 

     158,877,250  
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $128,639,736)     100.14        158,877,250  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.14        (219,123
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 158,658,127  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)  on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

    3.77     3.95   $ 391,893     $ 2,244,029     $ 111,264     $ 143     $ 13,175,576    

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

    5.81       6.16       2,052,797       (15,281     114,541       6       11,898,542    

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

    16.37       16.71       2,705,970       4,672,764       152,292       457       39,816,369    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.54       0.47       556,287       743,542       5,146       611       4,045,587    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    0.00       0.58       99,525       337,952       32,036       20       3,968,742    

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

    3.39       3.34       1,355,798       5,220,506       313,677       312       39,762,811    

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    1.23       2.60       (1,451,892     2,741,398       107,257       971       7,665,473    

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

    10.44       11.12       4,305,469       347,033       248,466       181       26,644,425    

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    0.26       0.28       470,409       505,613       11,211       115       3,996,524    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    1.51       1.72       9,544       1,668,561       69,982       446       7,903,201    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 10,495,800     $ 18,466,117     $ 1,165,872     $ 3,262     $ 158,877,250       100.14
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (cost $128,639,736)

  $ 158,877,250  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    31,020  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    253  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    158,908,523  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    145,912  

Management fee payable

    15,471  

Administration fees payable

    20,805  

Distribution fee payable

    955  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    31,887  

Professional fees payable

    13,472  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,125  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    20,769  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    250,396  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 158,658,127  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 121,771,166  

Total distributable earnings

    36,886,961  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 158,658,127  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 64,266,039  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    2,591,126  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $24.80  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $26.31  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 1,596,063  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    75,963  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $21.01  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 92,796,025  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    3,714,645  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $24.98  

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios (net of foreign withholding taxes of $31,640)

  $ 1,165,872  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    3,262  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (371,908

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    29,979  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    827,205  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    223,852  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    63,040  

Class C

    1,512  

Administrator Class

    57,041  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    74,975  

Class C

    1,798  

Administrator Class

    109,616  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    5,376  

Custody and accounting fees

    4,425  

Professional fees

    16,726  

Registration fees

    37,601  

Shareholder report expenses

    15,507  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    9,271  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    631,769  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (87,100

Class A

    (207

Class C

    (1

Administrator Class

    (58,035
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    486,426  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    340,779  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    10,495,800  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    18,466,117  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    28,961,917  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 29,302,696  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

 

 

Net investment income

    $ 340,779       $ 985,336  

Net realized gains on investments

      10,495,800         7,327,284  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      18,466,117         (2,050
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      29,302,696         8,310,570  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (6,060,114

Class C

      0         (154,837

Administrator Class

      0         (8,943,655
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (15,158,606
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

 

Class A

    26,121       596,537       34,574       724,712  

Class C

    5,297       104,200       1,492       27,271  

Administrator Class

    99,746       2,237,146       793,124       13,930,309  
 

 

 

 
      2,937,883         14,682,292  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       271,522       6,024,365  

Class C

    0       0       8,155       153,322  

Administrator Class

    0       0       396,996       8,870,564  
 

 

 

 
      0         15,048,251  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

 

Class A

    (198,579     (4,467,509     (430,823     (9,283,399

Class C

    (5,240     (102,205     (10,993     (204,548

Administrator Class

    (416,669     (9,468,689     (1,241,352     (23,720,814
 

 

 

 
      (14,038,403       (33,208,761
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (11,100,520       (3,478,218
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      18,202,176         (10,326,254
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      140,455,951         150,782,205  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 158,658,127       $ 140,455,951  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.40       $21.36       $26.48       $29.37       $27.30       $32.37  

Net investment income

    0.04 1      0.11 1      0.18 1      0.16 1      0.13       0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    4.36       1.18       (0.55     3.93       3.94       (1.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    4.40       1.29       (0.37     4.09       4.07       (1.39

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.17     (0.13     (0.17     (0.22     (0.08

Net realized gains

    0.00       (2.08     (4.62     (6.81     (1.78     (3.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (2.25     (4.75     (6.98     (2.00     (3.68

Net asset value, end of period

    $24.80       $20.40       $21.36       $26.48       $29.37       $27.30  

Total return2

    21.57     5.27     (0.57 )%      14.68     15.59     (4.24 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.34     1.39     1.37     1.38     1.40     1.41

Net expenses3

    1.25     1.25     1.25     1.25     1.25     1.25

Net investment income3

    0.32     0.52     0.75     0.55     0.63     0.60

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    58     81     91     70     90     39

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $64,266       $56,387       $61,692       $69,766       $68,678       $67,597  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.46

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.53

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.57

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.59

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.35       $18.45       $23.58       $26.86       $25.12       $30.22  

Net investment loss

    (0.04     (0.04 )1      (0.01 )1      (0.05 )1      (0.03 )1      (0.05 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    3.70       1.03       (0.50     3.58       3.57       (1.45
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    3.66       0.99       (0.51     3.53       3.54       (1.50

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.01     0.00       (0.00 )2      (0.02     0.00  

Net realized gains

    0.00       (2.08     (4.62     (6.81     (1.78     (3.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (2.09     (4.62     (6.81     (1.80     (3.60

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.01       $17.35       $18.45       $23.58       $26.86       $25.12  

Total return3

    21.10     4.53     (1.34 )%      13.89     14.71     (4.96 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses4

    2.09     2.14     2.11     2.13     2.15     2.16

Net expenses4

    2.00     2.00     2.00     2.00     2.00     2.00

Net investment loss4

    (0.43 )%      (0.23 )%      (0.04 )%      (0.21 )%      (0.13 )%      (0.17 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate5

    58     81     91     70     90     39

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,596       $1,317       $1,425       $2,245       $2,355       $2,846  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.46

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.53

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.57

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.59

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.53       $21.47       $26.60       $29.46       $27.38       $32.45  

Net investment income

    0.06 1      0.17       0.24 1      0.23 1      0.24 1      0.24  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    4.39       1.20       (0.57     3.95       3.91       (1.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    4.45       1.37       (0.33     4.18       4.15       (1.31

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.23     (0.18     (0.23     (0.29     (0.16

Net realized gains

    0.00       (2.08     (4.62     (6.81     (1.78     (3.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (2.31     (4.80     (7.04     (2.07     (3.76

Net asset value, end of period

    $24.98       $20.53       $21.47       $26.60       $29.46       $27.38  

Total return2

    21.68     5.59     (0.35 )%      14.99     15.86     (3.98 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.26     1.31     1.29     1.30     1.32     1.33

Net expenses3

    1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00

Net investment income3

    0.57     0.77     1.00     0.79     0.87     0.85

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    58     81     91     70     90     39

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $92,796       $82,752       $87,665       $98,668       $119,893       $140,963  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.46

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.51

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.50

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.53

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.57

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.59

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a fund-of-funds which seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in various affiliated mutual funds employing a multi-style equity investment approach designed to reduce the price and return volatility of the Fund and to provide more consistent returns. The Fund may also invest directly in securities. The Fund invests in multiple diversified portfolios (collectively, the “affiliated Master Portfolios”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. Each affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolios as partnership investments and records on a daily basis its share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are presented in separate financial statements and may be obtained free of charge by contacting Investor Services or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are filed with the SEC under Wells Fargo Master Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolios are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses, and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $137,526,871 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 21,350,379  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 21,350,379  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At November 30, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolios were measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The aggregate value of the affiliated Master Portfolios was $158,877,250. The investment objective of each affiliated Master Portfolio is as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective

Wells Fargo C&B Large Cap Value Portfolio

   Seeks maximum long-term total return (current income and capital appreciation), consistent with minimizing risk to principal

Wells Fargo Disciplined International Developed Markets Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Diversified Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

   Seeks to replicate the total return of the S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Large Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

The affiliated Master Portfolios do not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and do not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets      Management fee  

First $500 million

       0.30

Next $500 million

       0.28  

Next $2 billion

       0.26  

Next $2 billion

       0.24  

Next $5 billion

       0.23  

Over $10 billion

       0.22  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to each affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from each affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Administrator Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.25% for Class A shares, 2.00% for Class C shares, and 1.00% for Administrator Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. 

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $1,074 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in multiple affiliated Master Portfolios. Purchases and sales related to these investments have been calculated by aggregating the results of multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $86,146,481 and $114,031,823, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

8. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

9. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  19


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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

Wells Fargo Diversified Equity Fund  |  21


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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chair, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Nancy Wiser1

(Born 1967)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 77 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


 

© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00740 01-20

SA281/SAR281 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

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Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Joseph M. Eberhardy, CFA®, CPA

Robert Gruendyke, CFA®*

David Nazaret, CFA®*

Thomas C. Ognar, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (WEMAX)   3-31-2008     38.55       17.63       14.93       47.00       19.03       15.61       1.35       1.28  
                   
Class C (WEMCX)   3-31-2008     44.99       18.14       14.76       45.99       18.14       14.76       2.10       2.03  
                   
Class R6 (WEGRX)4   7-31-2018                       47.56       19.59       16.16       0.92       0.85  
                   
Administrator Class (WFGDX)   1-31-2007                       47.05       19.14       15.77       1.27       1.20  
                   
Institutional Class (WEMIX)   3-31-2008                       47.51       19.51       16.12       1.02       0.90  
                   
Russell 2000® Growth Index5                         25.95       13.19       13.30              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions. You should not expect that such favorable returns can be consistently achieved. A fund’s performance, especially for short time periods, should not be the sole factor in making your investment decision.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Smaller-company stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20206  
   

Q2 Holdings Incorporated

     3.10  
   

Kinsale Capital Group Incorporated

     2.94  
   

Casella Waste Systems Incorporated Class A

     2.78  
   

Rapid7 Incorporated

     2.70  
   

ASGN Incorporated

     2.64  
   

iRhythm Technologies Incorporated

     2.51  
   

SPS Commerce Incorporated

     2.47  
   

Rexnord Corporation

     2.42  
   

Shockwave Medical Incorporated

     2.11  
   

Novanta Incorporated

     2.07  
Sector allocation as of November 30, 20207
LOGO
 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

*

Mr. Gruendyke and Mr. Nazaret became portfolio managers of the Fund on July 28, 2020.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.28% for Class A, 2.03% for Class C, 0.85% for Class R6, 1.20% for Administrator Class, and 0.90% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

Each holding represents the Fund’s allocable portion of the affiliated master portfolio security. Figures represent each holding as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7 

Figures represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio as a percentage of the long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on

purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including

management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the

entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

The “Actual” line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use

the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the

period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then

multiply the result by the number in the “Actual” line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” for your

applicable class of shares to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical

expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which

is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual

ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs

of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical

examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any

transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
    

Expenses

paid during

the period1,2

     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,382.73      $ 7.59        1.27

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.70      $ 6.43        1.27
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,378.23      $ 12.10        2.03

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,014.89      $ 10.25        2.03
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,384.94      $ 5.08        0.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.81      $ 4.31        0.85
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,382.76      $ 7.17        1.20

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.05      $ 6.07        1.20
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,384.28      $ 5.38        0.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.56      $ 4.56        0.90

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2 

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.36%

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio: 100.36%  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

           $ 819,507,074  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $458,351,848)

 

     819,507,074        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $458,351,848)     100.36        819,507,074  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.36        (2,946,306
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 816,560,768  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

   

% of

ownership,
beginning

of period

    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Net

change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)  on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio

    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Securities
lending
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Value,
end

of period

    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    92     96   $ 103,174,672     $ 138,740,188     $ 997,824     $ 115,885     $ 2,004     $ 819,507,074       100.36

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $458,351,848)

  $ 819,507,074  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,441,729  

Receivable from manager

    36,934  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    23,504  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    821,009,241  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    4,195,692  

Administration fees payable

    94,100  

Distribution fee payable

    1,166  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,031  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    156,484  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,448,473  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 816,560,768  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 293,125,475  

Total distributable earnings

    523,435,293  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 816,560,768  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 199,318,877  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    9,802,127  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $20.33  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $21.57  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 1,976,306  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    115,615  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $17.09  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 23,046,817  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    1,018,623  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $22.63  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 26,225,575  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    1,239,080  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $21.17  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 565,993,193  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    25,096,258  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $22.55  

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

  $ 997,824  

Securities lending income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    115,885  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    2,004  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (2,978,107
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    (1,862,394
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    183,640  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    180,205  

Class C

    1,904  

Class R6

    3,311  

Administrator Class

    15,235  

Institutional Class

    335,148  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    214,134  

Class C

    2,263  

Administrator Class

    29,200  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    6,788  

Custody and accounting fees

    14,053  

Professional fees

    15,831  

Registration fees

    37,070  

Shareholder report expenses

    43,549  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    7,957  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,101,317  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (279,449

Class A

    (10,701

Administrator Class

    (4

Institutional Class

    (128,551
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    682,612  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (2,545,006
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    103,174,672  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    138,740,188  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    241,914,860  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 239,369,854  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment loss

    $ (2,545,006     $ (5,696,248

Net realized gains on investments

      103,174,672         87,082,930  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      138,740,188         4,916,772  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      239,369,854         86,303,454  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (7,796,239

Class C

      0         (97,557

Class R6

      0         (245,756

Administrator Class

      0         (1,143,908

Institutional Class

      0         (28,466,003
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (37,749,463
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    164,800       2,821,041       270,025       3,503,910  

Class C

    8,691       133,350       14,056       158,468  

Class R6

    91,894       1,866,543       1,351,041       21,252,448  

Administrator Class

    102,737       1,876,789       185,559       2,546,018  

Institutional Class

    3,991,970       74,436,514       7,701,460       113,827,845  
 

 

 

 
      81,134,237         141,288,689  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       556,631       7,609,147  

Class C

    0       0       8,439       97,557  

Class R6

    0       0       16,154       244,735  

Administrator Class

    0       0       80,016       1,137,821  

Institutional Class

    0       0       1,832,144       27,683,692  
 

 

 

 
      0         36,772,952  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (481,467     (8,260,572     (1,506,830     (19,951,780

Class C

    (22,037     (344,401     (45,564     (513,234

Class R6

    (264,384     (5,497,178     (177,590     (2,654,701

Administrator Class

    (251,828     (4,519,328     (557,050     (7,634,612

Institutional Class

    (7,845,230     (148,006,505     (19,569,429     (282,480,504
 

 

 

 
      (166,627,984       (313,234,831
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (85,493,747       (135,173,190
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      153,876,107         (86,619,199
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      662,684,661         749,303,860  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 816,560,768       $ 662,684,661  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.71       $13.51       $17.04       $14.57       $12.55       $16.70  

Net investment loss

    (0.10     (0.17     (0.16 )1      (0.15     (0.10 )1      (0.13 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.72       2.13       (0.19     4.57       2.96       (2.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.62       1.96       (0.35     4.42       2.86       (2.41

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.76     (3.18     (1.95     (0.84     (1.74

Net asset value, end of period

    $20.33       $14.71       $13.51       $17.04       $14.57       $12.55  

Total return2

    38.27     14.97     (0.84 )%      32.91     23.39     (14.94 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.36     1.36     1.35     1.36     1.36     1.35

Net expenses3

    1.27     1.27     1.29     1.35     1.35     1.35

Net investment loss3

    (0.96 )%      (1.08 )%      (1.06 )%      (1.01 )%      (0.72 )%      (0.92 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    25     55     71     47     115     68

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $199,319       $148,866       $145,898       $153,526       $129,724       $127,154  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.40       $11.58       $15.19       $13.28       $11.58       $15.67  

Net investment loss

    (0.13 )1      (0.21 )1      (0.25 )1      (0.25 )1      (0.19 )1      (0.21

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    4.82       1.79       (0.18     4.11       2.73       (2.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    4.69       1.58       (0.43     3.86       2.54       (2.35

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.76     (3.18     (1.95     (0.84     (1.74

Net asset value, end of period

    $17.09       $12.40       $11.58       $15.19       $13.28       $11.58  

Total return2

    37.82     14.16     (1.55 )%      31.82     22.56     (15.59 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    2.11     2.11     2.10     2.11     2.11     2.10

Net expenses3

    2.03     2.03     2.04     2.10     2.10     2.10

Net investment loss3

    (1.73 )%      (1.84 )%      (1.78 )%      (1.76 )%      (1.46 )%      (1.70 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    25     55     71     47     115     68

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,976       $1,599       $1,761       $4,190       $3,328       $3,815  

 

1

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     20191  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.34       $14.86       $18.70  

Net investment loss

    (0.05 )2      (0.10 )2      (0.07 )2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.34       2.34       (0.59
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.29       2.24       (0.66

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.76     (3.18

Net asset value, end of period

    $22.63       $16.34       $14.86  

Total return3

    38.49     15.51     (2.35 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses4

    0.93     0.93     0.92

Net expenses4

    0.85     0.85     0.85

Net investment loss4

    (0.27 )%      (0.67 )%      (0.51 )% 

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate5

    25     55     71

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $23,047       $19,458       $22  

 

1 

For the period from July, 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 20191

    0.81

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.31       $14.02       $17.54       $14.93       $12.82       $17.00  

Net investment loss

    (0.08 )1      (0.14 )1      (0.15 )1      (0.14 )1      (0.07 )1      (0.12 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.94       2.19       (0.19     4.70       3.02       (2.32
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.86       2.05       (0.34     4.56       2.95       (2.44

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.76     (3.18     (1.95     (0.84     (1.74

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.17       $15.31       $14.02       $17.54       $14.93       $12.82  

Total return2

    38.28     15.07     (0.75 )%      33.06     23.60     (14.80 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.28     1.28     1.27     1.28     1.26     1.23

Net expenses3

    1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20

Net investment loss3

    (0.45 )%      (1.01 )%      (0.94 )%      (0.86 )%      (0.48 )%      (0.80 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    25     55     71     47     115     68

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $26,226       $21,250       $23,549       $52,335       $50,865       $99,792  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.29       $14.83       $18.30       $15.46       $13.20       $17.40  

Net investment loss

    (0.06 )1      (0.11 )1      (0.13     (0.09     (0.04 )1      (0.07

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.32       2.33       (0.16     4.88       3.14       (2.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.26       2.22       (0.29     4.79       3.10       (2.46

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.76     (3.18     (1.95     (0.84     (1.74

Net asset value, end of period

    $22.55       $16.29       $14.83       $18.30       $15.46       $13.20  

Total return2

    38.43     15.40     (0.42 )%      33.44     24.08     (14.62 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.03     1.03     1.02     1.03     1.03     1.01

Net expenses3

    0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90

Net investment loss3

    (0.30 )%      (0.71 )%      (0.67 )%      (0.56 )%      (0.24 )%      (0.50 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    25     55     71     47     115     68

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $565,993       $471,512       $578,073       $606,729       $534,846       $583,843  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  17


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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio, a separate diversified portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund owned 96% of Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the six months ended November 30, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent 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.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $461,061,497 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 358,445,577  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 358,445,577  

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had a qualified late-year ordinary loss of $2,330,946 which was recognized on the first day of the current fiscal year.

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At November 30, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective    Value of affiliated
Master Portfolio
 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation    $ 819,507,074  

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  19


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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense cap. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap each Fund’s expenses at 1.28% for Class A shares, 2.03% for Class C shares, 0.85% for Class R6 shares, 1.20% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.90% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $674 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $183,831,940 and $297,634,813, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

7. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any sector, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that sector than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector. As of the end of the period, the Master Portfolio concentrated its portfolio in investments related to the health care and information technology sectors.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. REDEMPTION IN-KIND

After the close of business on March 31, 2020, the Fund redeemed assets through an in-kind redemption. In the redemption transaction, the Fund transferred securities with a value of $32,967,178 and cash in the amount o $95,186. The Fund recognized losses in the amount of $7,498,217. The redemption in-kind by a shareholder of the Institutional Class represented 5.89% of the Fund and is reflected on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 98.56%           

Communication Services: 1.58%

          
Interactive Media & Services: 0.28%                           

EverQuote Incorporated Class A †

          64,826      $ 2,441,347  
          

 

 

 
Media: 1.30%                           

Cardlytics Incorporated †

          93,585        11,106,668  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 14.33%

          
Auto Components: 1.04%                           

Fox Factory Holding Corporation †

          102,788        8,970,309  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.64%                           

GAN Limited Ǡ

          62,341        1,013,041  

Papa John’s International Incorporated

          114,600        9,209,256  

Wingstop Incorporated

          97,808        12,451,936  
             22,674,233  
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 1.46%                           

Purple Innovation Incorporated †

          419,947        12,522,820  
          

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 2.44%                           

Carparts.com Incorporated Ǡ

          361,350        5,445,545  

Fiverr International Limited †

          77,241        15,473,690  
             20,919,235  
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 1.48%                           

YETI Holdings Incorporated †

          200,880        12,689,590  
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 3.00%                           

Boot Barn Holdings Incorporated †

          335,275        13,833,447  

Leslie’s Incorporated †

          92,219        1,908,011  

Lithia Motors Incorporated Class A

          34,472        9,972,750  
             25,714,208  
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 2.27%                           

Crocs Incorporated †

          220,400        12,979,356  

Deckers Outdoor Corporation †

          25,523        6,497,901  
             19,477,257  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 4.23%

          
Beverages: 0.66%                           

Celsius Holdings Incorporated †

          174,800        5,637,300  
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 0.79%                           

Grocery Outlet Holding Corporation †

          76,215        2,943,423  

The Chef’s Warehouse Incorporated †

          164,945        3,801,158  
             6,744,581  
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 2.78%                           

Freshpet Incorporated †

          118,448        16,213,162  

Vital Farms Incorporated Ǡ

          258,661        7,666,712  
             23,879,874  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  

Financials: 6.32%

          
Capital Markets: 1.59%                           

Assetmark Financial Holdings †

          193,934      $ 4,611,751  

Stifel Financial Corporation

          131,154        9,088,972  
             13,700,723  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.95%                           

LendingTree Incorporated †

          31,797        8,126,677  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 3.78%                           

Goosehead Insurance Incorporated Class A

          47,921        5,899,554  

Kinsale Capital Group Incorporated

          104,677        25,139,228  

Lemonade Incorporated Ǡ

          20,211        1,400,016  
             32,438,798  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 31.37%

          
Biotechnology: 11.18%                           

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Incorporated †

          297,451        8,066,871  

Arena Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          83,102        5,473,929  

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Limited †

          41,266        3,670,611  

CareDx Incorporated †

          105,553        6,034,465  

Castle Biosciences Incorporated †

          257,871        12,264,345  

Chemocentryx Incorporated †

          42,650        2,352,148  

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          13,500        834,300  

Emergent BioSolutions Incorporated †

          41,598        3,408,124  

Fate Therapeutics Incorporated †

          55,312        3,233,816  

Halozyme Therapeutics Incorporated †

          315,730        12,345,043  

Invitae Corporation †

          177,394        8,807,612  

Natera Incorporated †

          180,858        15,964,336  

Vericel Corporation †

          526,793        13,454,293  
             95,909,893  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 10.74%                           

Acutus Medical Incorporated Ǡ

          174,325        4,954,317  

iRhythm Technologies Incorporated †

          87,833        21,476,047  

Mesa Laboratories Incorporated

          14,459        3,929,378  

Orthopediatrics Corporation †

          185,996        8,511,177  

Outset Medical Incorporated †

          75,026        4,801,664  

Pulmonx Corporation †

          103,099        5,587,966  

Shockwave Medical Incorporated †

          184,620        18,061,375  

SI-BONE Incorporated †

          354,753        8,216,079  

Silk Road Medical Incorporated †

          70,144        4,019,251  

Tactile Systems Technology Class I †

          7,954        342,897  

Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated †

          59,145        5,552,533  

Vapotherm Incorporated †

          265,307        6,675,124  
             92,127,808  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 1.54%                           

Addus Homecare Corporation †

          133,281        13,228,139  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 2.59%                           

Inspire Medical Systems Incorporated †

          63,769        11,844,454  

Phreesia Incorporated †

          234,893        10,372,875  
             22,217,329  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 3.84%                           

Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation †

          68,417      $ 3,299,068  

Codexis Incorporated †

          816,932        15,129,581  

Neogenomics Incorporated †

          305,204        14,521,606  
             32,950,255  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 1.48%                           

Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          162,280        9,832,545  

Revance Therapeutics Incorporated †

          116,980        2,823,897  
             12,656,442  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 13.27%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 2.48%                           

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Incorporated †

          419,110        8,872,559  

Mercury Systems Incorporated †

          174,108        12,399,972  
             21,272,531  
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 0.12%                           

The AZEK Company Incorporated †

          28,277        1,010,054  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 2.77%                           

Casella Waste Systems Incorporated Class A †

          395,031        23,772,966  
          

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.05%                           

Construction Partners Incorporated Class A †

          17,461        459,224  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 0.47%                           

Bloom Energy Corporation Class A †

          164,005        4,021,403  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 2.41%                           

Rexnord Corporation

          551,914        20,702,294  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 2.63%                           

ASGN Incorporated †

          288,961        22,590,971  
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.26%                           

Marten Transport Limited

          118,097        2,082,050  

Saia Incorporated †

          49,761        8,685,285  
             10,767,335  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 1.08%                           

SiteOne Landscape Supply Incorporated †

          67,147        9,273,001  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 25.51%

          
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 2.06%                           

Novanta Incorporated †

          147,587        17,707,488  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 2.54%                           

Endava plc Sponsored ADR †

          138,684        8,707,968  

EVO Payments Incorporated Class A †

          447,912        11,260,508  

LiveRamp Holdings Incorporated †

          31,687        1,854,006  
             21,822,482  
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 3.82%                           

Allegro Microsystems Incorporated †

          224,047        5,365,926  

Diodes Incorporated †

          156,311        10,622,896  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)                          

Semtech Corporation †

         198,331      $ 13,381,393  

Silicon Laboratories Incorporated †

         28,599        3,352,089  
            32,722,304  
         

 

 

 
Software: 17.09%                          

Envestnet Incorporated †

         193,597        15,538,095  

Everbridge Incorporated †

         57,211        7,262,364  

Jamf Holding Corporation †

         131,168        4,158,026  

Mimecast Limited †

         158,711        7,138,821  

Q2 Holdings Incorporated †

         233,685        26,492,868  

Rapid7 Incorporated †

         308,255        23,100,630  

Sprout Social Incorporated Class A †

         297,551        15,288,170  

SPS Commerce Incorporated †

         204,531        21,081,010  

Sumo Logic Incorporated Ǡ

         173,978        4,558,224  

Talend SA ADR †

         382,443        14,353,086  

Vertex Incorporated Class A †

         129,531        3,269,362  

Workiva Incorporated †

         57,600        4,319,424  
            146,560,080  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 1.45%

         
Equity REITs: 1.45%                          

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated

         136,080        6,145,373  

QTS Realty Trust Incorporated Class A

         106,100        6,303,401  
            12,448,774  
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 0.50%

         
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers: 0.50%                          

Sunnova Energy International †

         105,305        4,265,901  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $439,330,421)

            845,530,294  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 3.20%          
Investment Companies: 3.20%                          

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.12        13,007,270        13,007,270  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02          14,413,892        14,413,892  

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $27,421,162)

            27,421,162        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $466,751,583)     101.76        872,951,456  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (1.76        (15,080,145
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 857,871,311  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

«

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(r)

The investment is a non-registered investment company purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Value,

beginning of

period

    Purchases    

Shares

proceeds

   

Net

realized

gains

(losses)

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses)

   

Value,

end of
period

   

% of

net

assets

   

Shares,

end of
period

    Income
from
affiliated
securities
 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC

  $ 0     $ 99,850,892     $ (86,843,622   $ 0     $ 0     $ 13,007,270         13,007,270     $ 8,048 # 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    10,065,569       140,673,038       (136,324,715     0       0       14,413,892         14,413,892       2,174  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 0     $ 0     $ 27,421,162       3.20     $ 10,222  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, (including $12,699,325 of securities loaned), at value (cost $439,330,421)

  $ 845,530,294  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $27,421,162)

    27,421,162  

Receivable for investments sold

    517,748  

Receivable for dividends

    581,168  

Receivable for securities lending income, net

    44,102  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    15,948  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    874,110,422  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    13,007,270  

Payable for investments purchased

    2,657,628  

Advisory fee payable

    532,781  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    41,432  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    16,239,111  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 857,871,311  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends

  $ 1,059,268  

Securities lending income from affiliates, net

    124,400  

Income from affiliated securities

    2,174  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,185,842  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    3,141,475  

Custody and accounting fees

    26,681  

Professional fees

    23,943  

Shareholder report expenses

    3,427  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,585  

Other fees and expenses

    16,521  
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    3,221,632  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (2,035,790
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on investments

    111,813,045  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    147,601,505  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    259,414,550  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 257,378,760  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
       Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

 

Net investment loss

  $ (2,035,790      $ (4,861,375

Net realized gains on investments

    111,813,045          95,687,152  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    147,601,505          7,683,217  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    257,378,760          98,508,994  
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

 

Contributions

    40,187,039          65,548,053  

Withdrawals

    (163,115,183        (260,126,766
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (122,928,144        (194,578,713
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    134,450,616          (96,069,719
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    723,420,695          819,490,414  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 857,871,311        $ 723,420,695  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return1

    38.55     15.49     (0.28 )%      33.60     23.97     (14.47 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.81     0.81     0.81     0.81     0.81     0.80

Net expenses

    0.81     0.81     0.81     0.81     0.81     0.80

Net investment loss

    (0.51 )%      (0.62 )%      (0.57 )%      (0.47 )%      (0.15 )%      (0.40 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    25     55     71     47     115     66

 

 

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund, if any, is included in securities lending income from affiliates (net of fees and rebates) on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $460,907,255 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 413,194,476  

Gross unrealized losses

     (1,150,275

Net unrealized gains

   $ 412,044,201  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 13,548,015      $ 0      $ 0      $ 13,548,015  

Consumer discretionary

     122,967,652        0        0        122,967,652  

Consumer staples

     36,261,755        0        0        36,261,755  

Financials

     54,266,198        0        0        54,266,198  

Health care

     269,089,866        0        0        269,089,866  

Industrials

     113,869,779        0        0        113,869,779  

Information technology

     218,812,354        0        0        218,812,354  

Real estate

     12,448,774        0        0        12,448,774  

Utilities

     4,265,901        0        0        4,265,901  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     27,421,162        0        0        27,421,162  

Total assets

   $ 872,951,456      $ 0      $ 0      $ 872,951,456  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.800

Next $500 million

     0.775  

Next $1 billion

     0.750  

Next $1 billion

     0.725  

Next $1 billion

     0.700  

Over $4 billion

     0.680  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.79% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.55% and declining to 0.40% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $192,437,811 and $311,568,229, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of November 30, 2020, the Portfolio had securities lending transactions with the following counterparties which are subject to offset:

 

Counterparty     

Value of

securities on

loan

       Collateral
received1
       Net amount  

Bank of America Securities Inc.

     $ 1,172,371        $ (1,172,371      $ 0  

Barclays Capital Inc.

       2,887,796          (2,887,796        0  

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

       229,554          (229,554        0  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

       5,090,417          (5,090,417        0  

National Financial Services LLC

       2,678,487          (2,678,487        0  

UBS Securities LLC

       640,700          (640,700        0  

 

1 

Collateral received within this table is limited to the collateral for the net transaction with the counterparty.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the portfolio concentrated its portfolio in investments related to the health care and information technology sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. The value of the Portfolio and the securities in which the Portfolio invests have generally been adversely affected by impacts caused by COVID-19.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  35


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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996; Chair, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Fund  |  37


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Nancy Wiser1 (Born 1967)   Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 77 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00728 01-20

SA282/SAR282 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and
shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Index Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Index Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo Index Fund


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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks to replicate the total return of S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

John R. Campbell, CFA®

David Neal, CFA®

Robert M. Wicentowski, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (WFILX)   11-4-1998     9.92       12.08       12.93       16.62       13.42       13.60       0.67       0.45  
                   
Class C (WFINX)   4-30-1999     14.88       12.60       12.77       15.88       12.60       12.77       1.42       1.20  
                   
Administrator Class (WFIOX)   2-14-1985                       16.84       13.64       13.89       0.44       0.25  
                   
S&P 500 Index4                         17.46       13.99       14.19              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Administrator Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20205  
   

Apple Incorporated

     6.41  
   

Microsoft Corporation

     5.43  
   

Amazon.com Incorporated

     4.52  
   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     2.23  
   

Alphabet Incorporated Class A

     1.77  
   

Alphabet Incorporated Class C

     1.73  
   

Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated Class B

     1.52  
   

Johnson & Johnson

     1.28  
   

JPMorgan Chase & Company

     1.20  
   

Visa Incorporated Class A

     1.19  
Sector allocation as of November 30, 20206
 

LOGO

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.45% for Class A, 1.20% for Class C, and 0.25% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

Each holding represents the Fund’s allocable portion of the affiliated master portfolio security. Figures represent each holding as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

6 

Figures represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio as a percentage of the long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,197.24      $ 2.42        0.44

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.86      $ 2.23        0.44
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,194.27      $ 6.60        1.20

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.05      $ 6.07        1.20
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,198.34      $ 1.38        0.25

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.82      $ 1.27        0.25

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                             Value  

Investment Companies: 99.99%

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio: 99.99%  

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

           $ 1,151,991,172  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $119,440,327)

             1,151,991,172          
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $119,440,327)     99.99        1,151,991,172  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.01          99,883  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 1,152,091,055  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

    97     97   $ 38,936,485     $ 149,843,674     $ 8,993,254     $ 40,012     $ 1,151,991,172       99.99

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $119,440,327)

  $ 1,151,991,172  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,208,775  

Receivable from manager

    85,300  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    15,541  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,153,300,788  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    703,995  

Administration fees payable

    170,044  

Distribution fee payable

    8,747  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    185,448  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,066  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    140,433  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,209,733  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,152,091,055  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ (28,615,077

Total distributable earnings

    1,180,706,132  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,152,091,055  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 751,580,999  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    15,212,061  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $49.41  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $52.42  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 13,793,123  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    275,643  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $50.04  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 386,716,933  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    7,656,720  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $50.51  

 

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $44,595)

  $ 8,993,254  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    40,012  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (621,379
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    8,411,877  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    272,084  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    743,778  

Class C

    16,116  

Administrator Class

    237,008  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    885,449  

Class C

    19,140  

Administrator Class

    168,231  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    57,322  

Custody and accounting fees

    37,413  

Professional fees

    16,543  

Registration fees

    50,137  

Shareholder report expenses

    36,613  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    91,072  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,641,935  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (976,860

Class A

    (176,606

Class C

    (4,761

Administrator Class

    (1,051
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,482,654  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    6,929,232  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    38,936,485  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    149,843,674  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    188,780,159  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 195,709,391  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 6,929,232       $ 17,076,939  

Net realized gains on investments

      38,936,485         181,564,933  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      149,843,674         (64,676,797
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      195,709,391         133,965,075  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (189,301,116

Class C

      0         (4,981,676

Administrator Class

      0         (116,506,789
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (310,789,581
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

 

Class A

    250,003       11,360,686       732,292       32,317,931  

Class C

    3,811       171,832       57,399       2,669,398  

Administrator Class

    482,053       22,482,960       1,814,601       90,665,958  
 

 

 

 
      34,015,478         125,653,287  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       4,215,720       183,009,568  

Class C

    0       0       89,742       3,933,010  

Administrator Class

    0       0       2,338,163       103,711,408  
 

 

 

 
      0         290,653,986  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,033,770     (46,963,534     (2,625,376     (122,456,063

Class C

    (112,451     (5,195,943     (145,585     (6,654,277

Administrator Class

    (978,295     (45,286,703     (5,173,988     (247,150,828
 

 

 

 
      (97,446,180       (376,261,168
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (63,430,702       40,046,105  
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      132,278,689         (136,778,401
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      1,019,812,366         1,156,590,767  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $  1,152,091,055       $  1,019,812,366  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30,  2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $41.27       $49.48       $63.35       $66.85       $62.85       $67.32  

Net investment income

    0.27       0.65       0.82       0.99 1      1.05       0.81  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7.87       5.82       0.54       7.99       9.09       (0.17
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    8.14       6.47       1.36       8.98       10.14       0.64  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.67     (0.90     (1.02     (1.16     (1.08

Net realized gains

    0.00       (14.01     (14.33     (11.46     (4.98     (4.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (14.68     (15.23     (12.48     (6.14     (5.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $49.41       $41.27       $49.48       $63.35       $66.85       $62.85  

Total return2

    19.72     12.02     3.32     13.87     16.94     1.24

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    0.67     0.67     0.65     0.63     0.62     0.63

Net expenses3

    0.44     0.44     0.45     0.45     0.45     0.48

Net investment income3

    1.22     1.47     1.51     1.49     1.68     1.78

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    2     3     4     3     9     4

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $751,581       $660,101       $676,511       $702,866       $684,004       $639,496  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.11

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.12

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.11

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.10

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $41.90       $50.02       $63.67       $67.11       $63.12       $67.55  

Net investment income

    0.10 1      0.30       0.46 1      0.50 1      0.66       0.62 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    8.04       5.84       0.52       8.00       9.02       (0.45
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    8.14       6.14       0.98       8.50       9.68       0.17  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.25     (0.30     (0.48     (0.71     (0.57

Net realized gains

    0.00       (14.01     (14.33     (11.46     (4.98     (4.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (14.26     (14.63     (11.94     (5.69     (4.60

Net asset value, end of period

    $50.04       $41.90       $50.02       $63.67       $67.11       $63.12  

Total return2

    19.43     11.17     2.54     13.02     16.07     0.48

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.41     1.42     1.39     1.38     1.37     1.38

Net expenses3

    1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20     1.24

Net investment income3

    0.45     0.72     0.77     0.72     0.93     0.99

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    2     3     4     3     9     4

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $13,793       $16,103       $19,146       $66,117       $67,691       $79,858  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.11

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.12

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.11

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.10

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $42.15       $50.24       $64.04       $67.43       $63.33       $67.80  

Net investment income

    0.40       0.81       1.02 1      1.26       1.41       1.31  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7.96       5.85       0.48       7.94       8.94       (0.51
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    8.36       6.66       1.50       9.20       10.35       0.80  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.74     (0.97     (1.13     (1.27     (1.24

Net realized gains

    0.00       (14.01     (14.33     (11.46     (4.98     (4.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (14.75     (15.30     (12.59     (6.25     (5.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $50.51       $42.15       $50.24       $64.04       $67.43       $63.33  

Total return2

    19.83     12.25     3.52     14.10     17.18     1.49

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    0.43     0.44     0.41     0.40     0.39     0.40

Net expenses3

    0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25

Net investment income3

    1.41     1.67     1.72     1.70     1.88     1.97

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    2     3     4     3     9     4

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $386,717       $343,609       $460,934       $829,004       $1,151,522       $1,502,276  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.11

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.12

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.11

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.10

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.10

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Index Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Index Portfolio, a separate diversified portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund owned 97% of Wells Fargo Index Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the six months ended November 30, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $124,152,783 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 1,027,838,389  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 1,027,838,389  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At November 30, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective    Value of affiliated
Master Portfolio

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio

   Seeks to replicate the total return of the S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses    $1,151,991,172

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee

First $5 billion

   0.05%

Next $5 billion

   0.04

Over $10 billion

   0.03

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee

Class A, Class C

   0.21%

Administrator Class

   0.13

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.45% for Class A shares, 1.20% for Class C shares, and 0.25% for Administrator Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $1,353 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A and Class C of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. Administrator Class is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of its average daily net assets. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $13,212,871 and $60,074,117, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

7. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risk results from exposure to a limited number of sectors. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any sector, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that sector than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector. As of the end of the period, the Master Portfolio concentrated its portfolio in investments related to the information technology sector.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

11. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 97.31%           

Communication Services: 10.73%

          
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.51%                           

AT&T Incorporated

          275,041      $ 7,907,429  

CenturyLink Incorporated

          38,131        398,469  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

          159,738        9,649,773  
     17,955,671  
          

 

 

 
Entertainment: 1.98%                           

Activision Blizzard Incorporated

          29,796        2,368,186  

Electronic Arts Incorporated

          11,148        1,424,157  

Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated †

          5,486        360,156  

Netflix Incorporated †

          17,024        8,353,677  

Take-Two Interactive Software Incorporated †

          4,414        796,771  

The Walt Disney Company

          69,757        10,324,734  
     23,627,681  
          

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services: 5.66%                           

Alphabet Incorporated Class A †

          11,599        20,349,286  

Alphabet Incorporated Class C †

          11,333        19,954,466  

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          92,811        25,705,863  

Twitter Incorporated †

          30,532        1,420,043  
     67,429,658  
          

 

 

 
Media: 1.33%                           

Charter Communications Incorporated Class A †

          5,774        3,764,590  

Comcast Corporation Class A

          175,975        8,840,984  

Discovery Incorporated Class A †

          6,184        166,411  

Discovery Incorporated Class C †

          11,950        287,039  

DISH Network Corporation Class A †

          9,524        341,626  

Fox Corporation Class A

          13,267        382,620  

Fox Corporation Class B

          6,047        171,614  

Interpublic Group of Companies Incorporated

          15,052        335,359  

News Corporation Class A

          15,016        265,032  

News Corporation Class B

          4,701        83,725  

Omnicom Group Incorporated

          8,294        522,522  

ViacomCBS Incorporated Class B

          21,763        767,799  
     15,929,321  
          

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.25%                           

T-Mobile US Incorporated †

          22,458        2,985,567  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 11.03%

          
Auto Components: 0.14%                           

Aptiv plc

          10,424        1,237,329  

BorgWarner Incorporated

          9,436        366,589  
     1,603,918  
          

 

 

 
Automobiles: 0.29%                           

Ford Motor Company

          150,840        1,369,627  

General Motors Company

          48,614        2,131,238  
     3,500,865  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Distributors: 0.12%  

Genuine Parts Company

          5,569      $ 547,823  

LKQ Corporation †

          10,807        380,623  

Pool Corporation

          1,547        535,432  
     1,463,878  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 1.64%                           

Carnival Corporation

          19,992        399,440  

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated †

          1,080        1,392,584  

Darden Restaurants Incorporated

          5,021        542,168  

Domino’s Pizza Incorporated

          1,519        596,314  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Incorporated

          10,705        1,109,359  

Las Vegas Sands Corporation

          12,678        706,291  

Marriott International Incorporated Class A

          10,266        1,302,447  

McDonald’s Corporation

          28,724        6,245,747  

MGM Resorts International

          15,805        446,491  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited †

          12,184        278,648  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited

          6,878        542,055  

Starbucks Corporation

          45,126        4,423,251  

Wynn Resorts Limited

          3,747        376,574  

Yum! Brands Incorporated

          11,635        1,230,983  
     19,592,352  
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 0.40%                           

D.R. Horton Incorporated

          12,776        951,812  

Garmin Limited

          5,758        672,304  

Leggett & Platt Incorporated

          5,111        220,284  

Lennar Corporation Class A

          10,601        804,192  

Mohawk Industries Incorporated †

          2,309        290,541  

Newell Brands Incorporated

          14,577        309,907  

NVR Incorporated †

          134        535,622  

PulteGroup Incorporated

          10,352        451,658  

Whirlpool Corporation

          2,405        468,037  
     4,704,357  
          

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 4.86%                           

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          16,435        52,066,737  

Booking Holdings Incorporated †

          1,581        3,206,979  

eBay Incorporated

          25,666        1,294,336  

Etsy Incorporated †

          4,606        740,184  

Expedia Group Incorporated

          5,238        652,079  
     57,960,315  
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 0.04%                           

Hasbro Incorporated

          4,919        457,615  
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 0.55%                           

Dollar General Corporation

          9,613        2,101,210  

Dollar Tree Incorporated †

          9,161        1,000,748  

Target Corporation

          19,325        3,469,417  
     6,571,375  
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 2.27%                           

Advance Auto Parts Incorporated

          2,669        394,211  

AutoZone Incorporated †

          902        1,026,160  

Best Buy Company Incorporated

          8,892        967,450  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Specialty Retail (continued)                           

CarMax Incorporated †

          6,295      $ 588,457  

L Brands Incorporated

          9,011        349,717  

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

          29,173        4,545,737  

O’Reilly Automotive Incorporated †

          2,859        1,264,936  

Ross Stores Incorporated

          13,739        1,477,217  

The Gap Incorporated

          7,932        166,255  

The Home Depot Incorporated

          41,554        11,527,495  

The TJX Companies Incorporated

          46,286        2,939,624  

Tiffany & Company

          4,170        548,272  

Tractor Supply Company

          4,487        631,814  

Ulta Beauty Incorporated †

          2,174        598,720  
     27,026,065  
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.72%                           

HanesBrands Incorporated

          13,440        190,848  

Nike Incorporated Class B

          48,055        6,473,009  

PVH Corporation

          2,738        217,644  

Ralph Lauren Corporation

          1,859        159,409  

Tapestry Incorporated

          10,664        302,004  

Under Armour Incorporated Class A †

          7,278        120,596  

Under Armour Incorporated Class C †

          7,507        109,227  

VF Corporation

          12,334        1,028,656  
     8,601,393  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Staples: 6.60%                           
Beverages: 1.58%                           

Brown-Forman Corporation Class B

          7,046        568,330  

Constellation Brands Incorporated Class A

          6,486        1,335,078  

Molson Coors Brewing Company Class B

          7,259        333,914  

Monster Beverage Corporation †

          14,251        1,208,200  

PepsiCo Incorporated

          53,450        7,709,094  

The Coca-Cola Company

          149,232        7,700,371  
     18,854,987  
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 1.54%                           

Costco Wholesale Corporation

          17,044        6,677,328  

Sysco Corporation

          19,631        1,399,494  

The Kroger Company

          30,030        990,990  

Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated

          27,764        1,055,310  

Walmart Incorporated

          53,601        8,189,697  
     18,312,819  
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 1.02%                           

Archer Daniels Midland Company

          21,449        1,067,517  

Campbell Soup Company

          7,815        390,906  

ConAgra Brands Incorporated

          18,856        689,375  

General Mills Incorporated

          23,583        1,434,318  

Hormel Foods Corporation

          10,832        511,054  

Kellogg Company

          9,796        626,062  

Lamb Weston Holdings Incorporated

          5,609        405,979  

McCormick & Company Incorporated

          4,785        894,699  

Mondelez International Incorporated Class A

          55,137        3,167,621  

The Hershey Company

          5,690        841,494  

The J.M. Smucker Company

          4,404        516,149  

The Kraft Heinz Company

          25,013        823,928  

Tyson Foods Incorporated Class A

          11,359        740,607  
     12,109,709  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  

Household Products: 1.66%

          

Church & Dwight Company Incorporated

          9,547      $ 837,940  

Colgate-Palmolive Company

          33,098        2,834,513  

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

          13,165        1,834,016  

The Clorox Company

          4,872        988,821  

The Procter & Gamble Company

          96,105        13,346,101  
     19,841,391  
          

 

 

 
Personal Products: 0.18%                           

The Estee Lauder Companies Incorporated Class A

          8,707        2,136,001  
          

 

 

 
Tobacco: 0.62%                           

Altria Group Incorporated

          71,738        2,857,325  

Philip Morris International Incorporated

          60,115        4,553,711  
     7,411,036  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 2.24%

          
Energy Equipment & Services: 0.21%                           

Baker Hughes Company

          25,336        474,290  

Halliburton Company

          33,911        562,583  

National Oilwell Varco Incorporated

          14,989        183,765  

Schlumberger Limited

          53,584        1,114,011  

TechnipFMC plc

          16,305        135,495  
     2,470,144  
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 2.03%                           

Apache Corporation

          14,571        187,820  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation

          15,386        269,563  

Chevron Corporation

          74,311        6,478,433  

Concho Resources Incorporated

          7,593        436,446  

ConocoPhillips

          41,403        1,637,903  

Devon Energy Corporation

          14,777        206,730  

Diamondback Energy Incorporated

          6,092        243,436  

EOG Resources Incorporated

          22,476        1,053,675  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

          163,219        6,223,540  

Hess Corporation

          10,552        497,843  

HollyFrontier Corporation

          5,754        134,586  

Kinder Morgan Incorporated

          75,145        1,080,585  

Marathon Oil Corporation

          30,474        180,406  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

          25,118        976,588  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

          32,315        509,284  

ONEOK Incorporated

          17,147        615,063  

Phillips 66

          16,858        1,021,258  

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

          6,341        637,778  

The Williams Companies Incorporated

          46,846        982,829  

Valero Energy Corporation

          15,740        846,340  
     24,220,106  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 10.13%

          
Banks: 3.66%                           

Bank of America Corporation

          294,320        8,288,051  

Citigroup Incorporated

          80,365        4,425,701  

Citizens Financial Group Incorporated

          16,477        538,139  

Comerica Incorporated

          5,367        264,056  

Fifth Third Bancorp

          27,494        696,698  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Banks (continued)                           

First Republic Bank

          6,644      $ 860,797  

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

          39,270        474,382  

JPMorgan Chase & Company

          117,645        13,867,993  

KeyCorp

          37,676        582,471  

M&T Bank Corporation

          4,952        576,858  

People’s United Financial Incorporated

          16,397        203,323  

PNC Financial Services Group Incorporated

          16,387        2,262,553  

Regions Financial Corporation

          37,065        565,983  

SVB Financial Group †

          1,998        689,030  

Truist Financial Corporation

          52,021        2,414,815  

US Bancorp

          52,916        2,286,500  

Wells Fargo & Company (l)

          159,043        4,349,826  

Zions Bancorporation

          6,330        244,275  
     43,591,451  
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 2.67%                           

Ameriprise Financial Incorporated

          4,643        860,069  

Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

          31,461        1,230,754  

BlackRock Incorporated

          5,474        3,822,768  

Cboe Global Markets Incorporated

          4,198        383,361  

CME Group Incorporated

          13,844        2,423,115  

Franklin Resources Incorporated

          10,326        227,069  

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          21,665        2,285,874  

Invesco Limited

          14,534        235,887  

MarketAxess Holdings Incorporated

          1,466        790,438  

Moody’s Corporation

          6,231        1,759,261  

Morgan Stanley

          55,118        3,407,946  

MSCI Incorporated

          3,229        1,322,017  

Northern Trust Corporation

          8,033        748,033  

Raymond James Financial Incorporated

          4,712        428,556  

S&P Global Incorporated

          9,303        3,272,609  

State Street Corporation

          13,603        958,739  

T. Rowe Price Group Incorporated

          8,762        1,256,558  

The Charles Schwab Corporation

          57,175        2,788,997  

The Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

          13,282        3,062,564  

The NASDAQ Incorporated

          4,439        568,148  
     31,832,763  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.51%                           

American Express Company

          25,176        2,985,622  

Capital One Financial Corporation

          17,627        1,509,576  

Discover Financial Services

          11,829        901,015  

Synchrony Financial

          20,957        638,560  
     6,034,773  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 1.47%                           

Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated Class B †

          76,518        17,515,735  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 1.82%                           

AFLAC Incorporated

          25,594        1,124,344  

American International Group Incorporated

          33,253        1,278,245  

Aon plc Class A

          8,942        1,832,126  

Arthur J. Gallagher & Company

          7,392        853,111  

Assurant Incorporated

          2,303        297,363  

Chubb Limited

          17,424        2,575,790  

Cincinnati Financial Corporation

          5,775        440,921  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Insurance (continued)                           

Everest Reinsurance Group Limited

          1,543      $ 350,770  

Globe Life Incorporated

          3,783        352,197  

Lincoln National Corporation

          7,012        331,107  

Loews Corporation

          9,202        385,656  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Incorporated

          19,553        2,241,556  

MetLife Incorporated

          29,782        1,375,035  

Principal Financial Group Incorporated

          9,855        490,680  

Prudential Financial Incorporated

          15,248        1,153,054  

The Allstate Corporation

          12,056        1,233,932  

The Hartford Financial Services Group Incorporated

          13,827        611,153  

The Progressive Corporation

          22,598        1,968,512  

The Travelers Companies Incorporated

          9,774        1,267,199  

Unum Group

          7,858        174,683  

W.R. Berkley Corporation

          5,428        353,526  

Willis Towers Watson plc

          4,974        1,035,537  
     21,726,497  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 13.32%

          
Biotechnology: 1.89%                           

AbbVie Incorporated

          68,127        7,124,722  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          8,461        1,033,173  

Amgen Incorporated

          22,609        5,020,102  

Biogen Incorporated †

          6,111        1,467,679  

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          48,397        2,936,246  

Incyte Corporation †

          7,176        606,659  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          4,036        2,082,697  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          10,055        2,290,026  
     22,561,304  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 3.72%                           

Abbott Laboratories

          68,347        7,396,512  

ABIOMED Incorporated †

          1,739        476,660  

Align Technology Incorporated †

          2,768        1,332,211  

Baxter International Incorporated

          19,542        1,486,560  

Becton Dickinson & Company

          11,190        2,627,860  

Boston Scientific Corporation †

          55,227        1,830,775  

Danaher Corporation

          24,372        5,474,682  

Dentsply Sirona Incorporated

          8,434        429,206  

DexCom Incorporated †

          3,696        1,181,537  

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation †

          24,001        2,013,444  

Hologic Incorporated †

          9,997        691,093  

IDEXX Laboratories Incorporated †

          3,283        1,513,397  

Intuitive Surgical Incorporated †

          4,517        3,279,568  

Medtronic plc

          51,890        5,899,893  

ResMed Incorporated

          5,594        1,172,502  

STERIS plc

          3,283        636,278  

Stryker Corporation

          12,614        2,944,108  

Teleflex Incorporated

          1,796        687,419  

The Cooper Companies Incorporated

          1,897        635,912  

Varian Medical Systems Incorporated †

          3,518        612,062  

West Pharmaceutical Services Incorporated

          2,850        784,206  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Incorporated

          7,993        1,191,916  
     44,297,801  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.64%                           

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

          5,674      $ 585,046  

Anthem Incorporated

          9,709        3,024,548  

Cardinal Health Incorporated

          11,289        616,267  

Centene Corporation †

          22,369        1,379,049  

Cigna Corporation

          14,175        2,964,560  

CVS Health Corporation

          50,519        3,424,683  

DaVita Incorporated †

          2,905        319,114  

HCA Healthcare Incorporated

          10,178        1,527,820  

Henry Schein Incorporated †

          5,511        354,412  

Humana Incorporated

          5,107        2,045,456  

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings †

          3,760        751,398  

McKesson Corporation

          6,261        1,126,417  

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

          5,184        642,712  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          36,685        12,338,633  

Universal Health Services Incorporated Class B

          2,999        391,609  
     31,491,724  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 0.08%                           

Cerner Corporation

          11,788        882,214  
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 1.19%                           

Agilent Technologies Incorporated

          11,901        1,391,227  

Bio-Rad Laboratories Incorporated Class A †

          826        444,801  

Illumina Incorporated †

          5,636        1,815,299  

IQVIA Holdings Incorporated †

          7,383        1,247,653  

Mettler-Toledo International Incorporated †

          925        1,063,787  

PerkinElmer Incorporated

          4,316        574,028  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated

          15,271        7,100,710  

Waters Corporation †

          2,390        554,504  
     14,192,009  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 3.80%                           

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

          87,007        5,429,237  

Catalent Incorporated †

          6,336        609,143  

Eli Lilly & Company

          30,645        4,463,444  

Johnson & Johnson

          101,633        14,704,262  

Merck & Company Incorporated

          97,634        7,848,797  

Perrigo Company plc

          5,268        254,023  

Pfizer Incorporated

          214,508        8,217,801  

Viatris Incorporated †

          46,570        783,307  

Zoetis Incorporated

          18,342        2,941,690  
     45,251,704  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 8.51%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 1.64%                           

General Dynamics Corporation

          8,972        1,339,968  

Howmet Aerospace Incorporated

          15,152        355,466  

Huntington Ingalls Industries Incorporated

          1,563        250,377  

L3Harris Technologies Incorporated

          8,346        1,602,349  

Lockheed Martin Corporation

          9,496        3,466,040  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

          5,985        1,809,026  

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

          58,971        4,229,400  

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated †

          1,423        537,809  

Textron Incorporated

          8,803        397,015  

The Boeing Company

          20,482        4,315,762  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Index Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Aerospace & Defense (continued)                           

TransDigm Group Incorporated

          2,092      $ 1,211,665  
     19,514,877  
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 0.70%                           

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Incorporated

          5,204        489,020  

Expeditors International of Washington Incorporated

          6,472        578,403  

FedEx Corporation

          9,305        2,666,627  

United Parcel Service Incorporated Class B

          27,295        4,669,356  
     8,403,406  
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 0.26%                           

Alaska Air Group Incorporated

          4,773        243,280  

American Airlines Group Incorporated «

          21,118        298,397  

Delta Air Lines Incorporated

          24,623        991,076  

Southwest Airlines Company

          22,770        1,055,162  

United Airlines Holdings Incorporated †

          11,233        506,047  
     3,093,962  
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 0.47%                           

A.O. Smith Corporation

          5,226        294,276  

Allegion plc

          3,560        405,982  

Carrier Global Corporation

          31,430        1,196,540  

Fortune Brands Home & Security Incorporated

          5,333        445,306  

Johnson Controls International plc

          28,722        1,322,361  

Masco Corporation

          10,096        541,852  

Trane Technologies plc

          9,240        1,351,258  
     5,557,575  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.42%                           

Cintas Corporation

          3,356        1,192,387  

Copart Incorporated †

          7,975        920,714  

Republic Services Incorporated

          8,114        784,786  

Rollins Incorporated

          5,694        325,583  

Waste Management Incorporated

          15,003        1,787,307  
     5,010,777  
          

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.08%                           

Jacobs Engineering Group Incorporated

          5,026        542,004  

Quanta Services Incorporated

          5,328        364,116  
     906,120  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 0.49%                           

AMETEK Incorporated

          8,864        1,050,650  

Eaton Corporation plc

          15,445        1,870,544  

Emerson Electric Company

          23,068        1,772,084  

Rockwell Automation Incorporated

          4,477        1,144,142  
     5,837,420  
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 1.22%                           

3M Company

          22,236        3,840,824  

General Electric Company

          337,897        3,439,791  

Honeywell International Incorporated

          27,090        5,524,193  

Roper Technologies Incorporated

          4,042        1,725,934  
     14,530,742  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Machinery: 1.67%                           

Caterpillar Incorporated

          20,903      $ 3,628,552  

Cummins Incorporated

          5,701        1,317,900  

Deere & Company

          12,097        3,164,817  

Dover Corporation

          5,558        678,243  

Flowserve Corporation

          5,024        171,218  

Fortive Corporation

          13,012        912,532  

IDEX Corporation

          2,915        563,032  

Illinois Tool Works Incorporated

          11,106        2,344,366  

Ingersoll Rand Incorporated †

          14,328        634,301  

Otis Worldwide Corporation

          15,715        1,051,962  

PACCAR Incorporated

          13,362        1,163,296  

Parker-Hannifin Corporation

          4,963        1,326,411  

Pentair plc

          6,404        331,855  

Snap-on Incorporated

          2,103        369,813  

Stanley Black & Decker Incorporated

          6,164        1,136,087  

Wabtec Corporation

          6,905        506,137  

Xylem Incorporated

          6,947        666,704  
     19,967,226  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 0.33%                           

Equifax Incorporated

          4,689        782,594  

IHS Markit Limited

          14,399        1,432,125  

Nielsen Holdings plc

          13,772        222,693  

Robert Half International Incorporated

          4,425        283,997  

Verisk Analytics Incorporated

          6,268        1,243,007  
     3,964,416  
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.02%                           

CSX Corporation

          29,533        2,659,447  

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Incorporated

          3,218        435,331  

Kansas City Southern

          3,642        678,031  

Norfolk Southern Corporation

          9,848        2,334,173  

Old Dominion Freight Line Incorporated

          3,714        755,279  

Union Pacific Corporation

          26,205        5,347,916  
     12,210,177  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 0.21%                           

Fastenal Company

          22,143        1,094,971  

United Rentals Incorporated †

          2,782        631,458  

W.W. Grainger Incorporated

          1,737        726,587  
     2,453,016  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 26.83%

          
Communications Equipment: 0.79%                           

Arista Networks Incorporated †

          2,113        571,989  

Cisco Systems Incorporated

          163,420        7,030,328  

F5 Networks Incorporated †

          2,361        384,394  

Juniper Networks Incorporated

          12,806        278,787  

Motorola Solutions Incorporated

          6,554        1,124,208  
     9,389,706  
          

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.59%                           

Amphenol Corporation Class A

          11,518        1,506,670  

CDW Corporation of Delaware

          5,507        718,608  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Index Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued)                           

Corning Incorporated

          29,374      $ 1,099,175  

FLIR Systems Incorporated

          5,062        193,571  

IPG Photonics Corporation †

          1,377        285,053  

Keysight Technologies Incorporated †

          7,224        867,169  

TE Connectivity Limited

          12,740        1,451,978  

Vontier Corporation †

          5,205        172,650  

Zebra Technologies Corporation Class A †

          2,059        779,167  
     7,074,041  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 5.39%                           

Accenture plc Class A

          24,559        6,117,401  

Akamai Technologies Incorporated †

          6,281        650,146  

Automatic Data Processing Incorporated

          16,598        2,886,060  

Broadridge Financial Solutions Incorporated

          4,446        653,028  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Class A

          20,932        1,635,417  

DXC Technology Company

          9,813        215,003  

Fidelity National Information Services Incorporated

          23,918        3,549,670  

Fiserv Incorporated †

          21,456        2,471,302  

FleetCor Technologies Incorporated †

          3,245        860,606  

Gartner Incorporated †

          3,445        523,640  

Global Payments Incorporated

          11,551        2,254,640  

International Business Machines Corporation

          34,378        4,246,371  

Jack Henry & Associates Incorporated

          2,959        475,985  

Leidos Holdings Incorporated

          5,160        519,612  

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

          34,100        11,474,991  

Paychex Incorporated

          12,367        1,151,986  

PayPal Holdings Incorporated †

          45,292        9,697,923  

VeriSign Incorporated †

          3,902        783,209  

Visa Incorporated Class A

          65,084        13,690,419  

Western Union Company

          15,866        357,937  
     64,215,346  
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 5.10%                           

Advanced Micro Devices Incorporated †

          45,321        4,199,444  

Analog Devices Incorporated

          14,266        1,984,115  

Applied Materials Incorporated

          35,255        2,907,832  

Broadcom Incorporated

          15,525        6,234,530  

Intel Corporation

          164,176        7,937,910  

KLA Corporation

          6,001        1,512,072  

Lam Research Corporation

          5,621        2,544,402  

Maxim Integrated Products Incorporated

          10,306        855,810  

Microchip Technology Incorporated

          9,745        1,309,631  

Micron Technology Incorporated †

          42,887        2,748,628  

NVIDIA Corporation

          23,818        12,767,877  

Qorvo Incorporated †

          4,410        690,959  

QUALCOMM Incorporated

          43,554        6,409,842  

Skyworks Solutions Incorporated

          6,448        910,264  

Teradyne Incorporated

          6,409        707,169  

Texas Instruments Incorporated

          35,358        5,701,478  

Xilinx Incorporated

          9,431        1,372,682  
     60,794,645  
          

 

 

 
Software: 8.48%                           

Adobe Incorporated †

          18,516        8,859,351  

ANSYS Incorporated †

          3,312        1,119,655  

Autodesk Incorporated †

          8,465        2,372,147  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Software (continued)                           

Cadence Design Systems Incorporated †

          10,762      $ 1,251,621  

Citrix Systems Incorporated

          4,769        590,974  

Fortinet Incorporated †

          5,185        638,948  

Intuit Incorporated

          10,106        3,557,514  

Microsoft Corporation

          292,129        62,536,055  

NortonLifeLock Incorporated

          22,814        415,899  

Oracle Corporation

          74,629        4,307,586  

Paycom Software Incorporated †

          1,890        788,281  

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

          35,128        8,634,462  

ServiceNow Incorporated †

          7,404        3,957,808  

Synopsys Incorporated †

          5,858        1,332,695  

Tyler Technologies Incorporated †

          1,553        664,063  
     101,027,059  
          

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 6.48%                           

Apple Incorporated

          620,585        73,880,644  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company

          49,657        548,213  

HP Incorporated

          53,020        1,162,729  

NetApp Incorporated

          8,570        456,867  

Seagate Technology plc

          8,616        506,707  

Western Digital Corporation

          11,678        524,109  

Xerox Holdings Corporation

          6,907        151,194  
     77,230,463  
          

 

 

 

Materials: 2.64%

          
Chemicals: 1.85%                           

Air Products & Chemicals Incorporated

          8,527        2,388,754  

Albemarle Corporation

          4,106        558,293  

Celanese Corporation Series A

          4,566        590,521  

CF Industries Holdings Incorporated

          8,256        307,949  

Corteva Incorporated

          28,896        1,107,295  

Dow Incorporated

          28,609        1,516,563  

DuPont de Nemours Incorporated

          28,327        1,797,065  

Eastman Chemical Company

          5,225        508,915  

Ecolab Incorporated

          9,584        2,129,086  

FMC Corporation

          5,002        580,282  

International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated «

          4,128        462,749  

Linde plc

          20,280        5,200,198  

LyondellBasell Industries NV Class A

          9,923        844,447  

PPG Industries Incorporated

          9,109        1,336,928  

The Mosaic Company

          13,317        292,441  

The Sherwin-Williams Company

          3,163        2,364,754  
     21,986,240  
          

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 0.11%                           

Martin Marietta Materials Incorporated

          2,404        638,575  

Vulcan Materials Company

          5,113        714,030  
     1,352,605  
          

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.36%                           

Amcor plc

          60,547        685,998  

Avery Dennison Corporation

          3,222        481,173  

Ball Corporation

          12,606        1,210,302  

International Paper Company

          15,174        750,810  

Packaging Corporation of America

          3,661        475,930  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo Index Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Containers & Packaging (continued)                           

Sealed Air Corporation

          6,009      $ 270,766  

WestRock Company

          10,023        423,071  
     4,298,050  
          

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 0.32%                           

Freeport-McMoRan Incorporated

          56,059        1,311,220  

Newmont Corporation

          31,000        1,823,420  

Nucor Corporation

          11,654        625,820  
     3,760,460  
          

 

 

 

Real Estate: 2.46%

          
Equity REITs: 2.40%                           

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Incorporated

          4,528        741,369  

American Tower Corporation

          17,123        3,958,838  

Apartment Investment & Management Company Class A

          7,077        214,787  

AvalonBay Communities Incorporated

          5,433        905,083  

Boston Properties Incorporated

          5,467        536,641  

Crown Castle International Corporation

          16,200        2,714,634  

Digital Realty Trust Incorporated

          10,384        1,399,244  

Duke Realty Corporation

          14,305        544,448  

Equinix Incorporated

          3,419        2,385,744  

Equity Residential Company Limited

          13,219        765,644  

Essex Property Trust Incorporated

          2,517        618,880  

Extra Space Storage Incorporated

          4,982        561,621  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

          2,657        231,744  

Healthpeak Properties Incorporated

          20,780        599,711  

Host Hotels & Resorts Incorporated

          27,225        381,967  

Iron Mountain Incorporated

          11,123        305,883  

Kimco Realty Corporation

          16,696        241,090  

Mid-America Apartment Communities Incorporated

          4,415        556,996  

Prologis Incorporated

          28,518        2,853,226  

Public Storage Incorporated

          5,871        1,317,805  

Realty Income Corporation

          13,319        798,740  

Regency Centers Corporation

          6,090        277,582  

SBA Communications Corporation

          4,321        1,240,905  

Simon Property Group Incorporated

          12,555        1,036,666  

SL Green Realty Corporation

          2,828        163,741  

UDR Incorporated

          11,390        438,173  

Ventas Incorporated

          14,402        690,000  

Vornado Realty Trust

          6,051        235,444  

Welltower Incorporated

          16,109        1,014,545  

Weyerhaeuser Company

          28,808        836,584  
     28,567,735  
          

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development: 0.06%                           

CBRE Group Incorporated Class A †

          12,942        791,274  
          

 

 

 

Utilities: 2.82%

          
Electric Utilities: 1.77%                           

Alliant Energy Corporation

          9,637        506,906  

American Electric Power Company Incorporated

          19,153        1,625,898  

Duke Energy Corporation

          28,389        2,630,525  

Edison International

          14,600        895,856  

Entergy Corporation

          7,729        841,302  

Evergy Incorporated

          8,756        485,170  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
Electric Utilities (continued)                          

Eversource Energy

         13,228      $ 1,157,582  

Exelon Corporation

         37,618        1,544,971  

FirstEnergy Corporation

         20,927        555,821  

NextEra Energy Incorporated

         75,606        5,563,846  

NRG Energy Incorporated

         9,424        308,636  

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

         4,345        355,638  

PPL Corporation

         29,677        843,420  

The Southern Company

         40,769        2,440,025  

Xcel Energy Incorporated

         20,279        1,365,993  
     21,121,589  
         

 

 

 
Gas Utilities: 0.04%                          

Atmos Energy Corporation

         4,762        456,628  
         

 

 

 
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers: 0.04%                          

AES Corporation

         25,676        524,817  
         

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities: 0.88%

         

Ameren Corporation

         9,538        741,866  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

         21,031        487,709  

CMS Energy Corporation

         11,051        680,079  

Consolidated Edison Incorporated

         12,912        984,540  

Dominion Energy Incorporated

         32,431        2,545,509  

DTE Energy Company

         7,437        935,649  

NiSource Incorporated

         14,786        357,821  

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated

         19,523        1,137,800  

Sempra Energy

         11,166        1,423,442  

WEC Energy Group Incorporated

         12,177        1,156,206  
     10,450,621  
         

 

 

 
Water Utilities: 0.09%                          

American Water Works Company Incorporated

         6,995        1,072,888  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $292,003,222)

 

     1,159,708,080  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 2.29%  
Investment Companies: 2.29%                          

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.12        759,475        759,475  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02                               26,524,325        26,524,325  

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $27,283,800)

 

     27,283,800  
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $319,287,022)     99.60         1,186,991,880  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.40          4,762,103  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 1,191,753,983  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

«

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(r)

The investment is a non-registered investment company purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

E-Mini S&P 500 Index

     176        12-18-2020      $ 29,704,327      $ 31,884,160      $ 2,179,833      $ 0  

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same investment adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
 
Common Stocks                                                      

Financials

                 

Banks

                 

Wells Fargo & Company

  $ 4,100,362     $ 374,346     $ (266,767   $ (12,701   $ 154,586     $ 4,349,826       0.36     159,043     $ 31,013  
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC

    0       4,270,675       (3,511,200     0       0       759,475         759,475       269 # 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    30,205,942       66,530,491       (70,212,108     0       0       26,524,325         26,524,325       8,479  
              27,283,800       2.29      
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ (12,701   $ 154,586     $ 31,633,626       2.65     $ 39,761  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities (including $739,793 of securities loaned), at value (cost $288,412,508)

  $ 1,155,358,254  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $30,874,514)

    31,633,626  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    3,867,009  

Receivable for dividends

    1,804,218  

Receivable for securities lending income, net

    884  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    156,087  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,192,820,078  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    759,475  

Payable for investments purchased

    41,210  

Payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    120,688  

Advisory fee payable

    92,565  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    52,157  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,066,095  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,191,753,983  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $46,145)

  $ 9,304,900  

Income from affiliated securities

    41,288  

Interest

    1,009  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    9,347,197  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    547,788  

Custody and accounting fees

    37,198  

Professional fees

    28,258  

Shareholder report expenses

    3,500  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,556  

Other fees and expenses

    16,680  
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    642,980  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    8,704,217  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    36,035,120  

Affiiliated securities

    (12,701

Futures contracts

    4,245,394  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    40,267,813  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    153,393,045  

Affiiliated securities

    154,586  

Futures contracts

    1,514,162  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    155,061,793  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    195,329,606  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 204,033,823  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
       Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

      

Net investment income

  $ 8,704,217        $ 20,718,704  

Net realized gains on investments

    40,267,813          187,218,582  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    155,061,793          (66,539,266
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    204,033,823          141,398,020  
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

      

Contributions

    4,037,341          47,457,547  

Withdrawals

    (71,822,449        (328,736,831
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (67,785,108        (281,279,284
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    136,248,715          (139,881,264
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    1,055,505,268          1,195,386,532  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 1,191,753,983        $ 1,055,505,268  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return1

    19.92     12.74     3.67     14.27     17.36     1.62

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.11     0.12     0.11     0.10     0.10     0.11

Net expenses

    0.11     0.12     0.11     0.10     0.10     0.10

Net investment income

    1.55     1.80     1.86     1.84     2.03     2.12

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    2     3     4     3     9     4

 

1

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Index Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Portfolio and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. The Portfolio may buy and sell futures contracts in

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in security values and is subject to equity price risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Portfolio and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Portfolio since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Portfolio is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Portfolio fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Portfolio’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All interest, dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether interest, dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $319,330,636 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 878,928,396  

Gross unrealized losses

     (9,087,319

Net unrealized gains

   $ 869,841,077  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
       Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
       Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
       Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

  $ 127,927,898        $ 0        $ 0        $ 127,927,898  

Consumer discretionary

    131,482,133          0          0          131,482,133  

Consumer staples

    78,665,943          0          0          78,665,943  

Energy

    26,690,250          0          0          26,690,250  

Financials

    120,701,219          0          0          120,701,219  

Health care

    158,676,756          0          0          158,676,756  

Industrials

    101,449,714          0          0          101,449,714  

Information technology

    319,731,260          0          0          319,731,260  

Materials

    31,397,355          0          0          31,397,355  

Real estate

    29,359,009          0          0          29,359,009  

Utilities

    33,626,543          0          0          33,626,543  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

    27,283,800          0          0          27,283,800  
    1,186,991,880          0          0          1,186,991,880  

Futures contracts

    2,179,833          0          0          2,179,833  

Total assets

  $ 1,189,171,713        $ 0        $ 0        $ 1,189,171,713  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

Futures contracts reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the six months ended November, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.100

Next $500 million

     0.100  

Next $2 billion

     0.075  

Next $2 billion

     0.075  

Over $5 billion

     0.050  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.10% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.02% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $13,668,935 and $62,147,671, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund had securities lending transactions with the following counterparties which are subject to offset:

 

Counterparty      Value of
securities
on loan
       Collateral
received1
       Net amount  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

     $ 440,193        $ (440,193      $ 0  

National Financial Services LLC

       299,600          (299,600        0  

 

1 

Collateral received within this table is limited to the collateral for the net transaction with the counterparty.

7. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio entered into futures contracts to gain market exposure. The Portfolio had an average notional amount of $30,694,638 in long futures contracts during the six months ended November 30, 2020.

The fair value, realized gains or losses and change in unrealized gains or losses, if any, on derivative instruments are reflected in the corresponding financial statement captions.

8. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to portfolio shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

9. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risk results from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Portfolio concentrated its portfolio in investments related to the information technology sector. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

10. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

11. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund   |  43


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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
  Trustee,
since 2015
  Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)
  Trustee,
since 2015;
Chair Liaison,
since 2018
  Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
  Trustee,
since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019
  Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
  Trustee,
since 2008
  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee,
since 2009
  James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee,
since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018
  International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
  Trustee,
since 1996; Chair, since 2018
  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson
(Born 1959)
  Trustee,
since 2018
  Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock
(Born 1959)
  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund   |  45


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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen
(Born 1960)
  President,
since 2017
  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Nancy Wiser1
(Born 1967)
  Treasurer,
since 2012
  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.
Michelle Rhee
(Born 1966)
  Chief Legal Officer,
since 2019
  Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary,
since 2019
  Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker
(Born 1967)
  Chief Compliance Officer,
since 2016
  Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
  Assistant Treasurer,
since 2009
  Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 77 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00729 01-20

SA283/SAR283 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and
shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo International Value Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

LSV Asset Management

Portfolio managers

Josef Lakonishok, Ph.D.

Puneet Mansharamani, CFA®

Menno Vermeulen, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (WFFAX)   10-31-2003     -8.85       1.79       2.94       -3.29       3.00       3.55       1.37       1.24  
                   
Class C (WFVCX)   4-8-2005     -5.03       2.23       2.77       -4.03       2.23       2.77       2.12       1.99  
                   
Class R6 (WFRVX)4   7-31-2018                       -2.92       3.40       3.97       0.94       0.84  
                   
Administrator Class (WFVDX)   4-8-2005                       -3.19       3.10       3.69       1.29       1.14  
                   
Institutional Class (WFVIX)   8-31-2006                       -2.85       3.37       3.96       10.4       0.89  
                   
MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net)5                         -3.35       2.90       3.75              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Foreign investments are especially volatile and can rise or fall dramatically due to differences in the political and economic conditions of the host country. These risks are generally intensified in emerging markets. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to smaller-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20206  
   

Roche Holding AG

     2.59  
   

Sanofi SA

     2.03  
   

Novartis AG

     1.86  
   

KDDI Corporation

     1.52  
   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation

     1.48  
   

GlaxoSmithKline plc

     1.40  
   

Volvo AB Class B

     1.24  
   

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC

     1.16  
   

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

     1.14  
   

Bayer AG

     1.08  
Sector allocation as of November 30, 20207
LOGO
 

 

Geographic allocation as of November 30, 20207
LOGO
 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.24% for Class A, 1.99% for Class C, 0.84% for Class R6, 1.14% for Administrator Class, and 0.89% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Value Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of value securities within developed equity markets, excluding the United States and Canada. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

Each holding represents the Fund’s allocable portion of the affiliated master portfolio security. Figures represent each holding as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7 

Figures represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio as a percentage of the long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,175.63      $ 6.76        1.24

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.85      $ 6.28        1.24
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,172.27      $ 10.78        1.98

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.14      $ 10.00        1.98
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,178.72      $ 4.59        0.84

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.86      $ 4.26        0.84
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,176.67      $ 6.22        1.14

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.35      $ 5.77        1.14
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,178.57      $ 4.86        0.89

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.61      $ 4.51        0.89

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 99.80%

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio: 99.80%  

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

           $ 153,230,473  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $161,761,570)

             153,230,473  
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $161,761,570)     99.80        153,230,473  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.20          301,262  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 153,531,735  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:    

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

    75     52   $ (58,553,038   $ 104,192,457     $ 2,510,396     $ 20,482     $ 153,230,473       99.80

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $161,761,570)

  $ 153,230,473  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    377,540  

Receivable from manager

    48,354  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    147,024  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    153,803,391  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    138,635  

Administration fees payable

    18,551  

Distribution fee payable

    245  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,097  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    113,128  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    271,656  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 153,531,735  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 231,189,091  

Total distributable loss

    (77,657,356
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 153,531,735  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 52,370,609  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    3,743,561  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $13.99  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $14.84  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 398,773  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    29,308  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $13.61  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 10,292,892  

Shares outstanding – Class R6

    743,230  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $13.85  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 2,125,741  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    150,558  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $14.12  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 88,343,720  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    6,375,295  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $13.86  

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $302,189)

  $ 2,510,396  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    20,482  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (826,557

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    76,053  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,780,374  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    43,666  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    58,471  

Class C

    435  

Class R6

    780  

Administrator Class

    1,493  

Institutional Class

    72,191  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    69,535  

Class C

    512  

Administrator Class

    2,858  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    1,535  

Custody and accounting fees

    13,000  

Professional fees

    19,711  

Registration fees

    92,225  

Shareholder report expenses

    101,578  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    12,735  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    501,754  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (359,745

Class A

    (11,913

Class C

    (70

Class R6

    (519

Administrator Class

    (675
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    128,832  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,651,542  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized losses on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (58,553,038

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    104,192,457  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    45,639,419  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 47,290,961  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

     

Net investment income

    $ 1,651,542       $ 17,494,448  

Net realized losses on investments

      (58,553,038       (11,553,693

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      104,192,457         (47,127,244
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      47,290,961         (41,186,489
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from Net investment income

     

Class A

      0         (1,987,586

Class C

      0         (10,928

Class R6

      0         (20,220

Administrator Class

      0         (93,039

Institutional Class

      0         (29,054,083
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (31,165,856
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    307,280       3,941,400       2,695,644       34,135,676  

Class C

    939       11,588       7,349       103,617  

Class R6

    541,971       6,826,572       245,451       3,473,318  

Administrator Class

    8,425       109,023       12,438       168,373  

Institutional Class

    1,808,210       22,476,530       14,319,614       186,253,039  
 

 

 

 
      33,365,113         224,134,023  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       131,792       1,986,109  

Class C

    0       0       741       10,928  

Class R6

    0       0       1,307       19,422  

Administrator Class

    0       0       6,052       91,935  

Institutional Class

    0       0       1,945,419       28,908,926  
 

 

 

 
      0         31,017,320  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,978,359     (24,918,884     (1,650,931     (23,070,567

Class C

    (7,277     (92,056     (23,596     (307,728

Class R6

    (40,631     (516,704     (29,425     (350,322

Administrator Class

    (47,104     (613,727     (76,336     (1,034,358

Institutional Class

    (38,834,505     (481,133,315     (31,599,337     (426,275,889
 

 

 

 
      (507,274,686       (451,038,864
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (473,909,573       (195,887,521
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (426,618,612       (268,239,866
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      580,150,347         848,390,213  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 153,531,735       $ 580,150,347  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.90       $13.55       $15.68       $14.88       $12.83       $14.85  

Net investment income

    0.10 1       0.27 1       0.47 1       0.72 1       0.09 1       0.26  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.99       (1.49     (2.27     0.35       2.26       (2.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.09       (1.22     (1.80     1.07       2.35       (1.82

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.43     (0.33     (0.27     (0.30     (0.20

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.99       $11.90       $13.55       $15.68       $14.88       $12.83  

Total return2

    17.56     (9.66 )%      (11.42 )%      7.12     18.65     (12.31 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.69     1.37     1.34     1.34     1.39     1.46

Net expenses3

    1.24     1.25     1.33     1.34     1.35     1.39

Net investment income3

    1.58     1.99     3.22     4.48     0.69     1.98

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    2     20     13     15     41     14

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $52,371       $64,414       $57,427       $38,677       $2,571       $4,981  

 

 

 

1

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.87

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.80

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.80

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.81

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.85

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.91

 

4

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.61       $13.20       $15.24       $14.60       $12.56       $14.54  

Net investment income

    0.05 1       0.15 1       0.36       0.21       0.23       0.17  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.95       (1.46     (2.21     0.73       1.97       (2.05
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.00       (1.31     (1.85     0.94       2.20       (1.88

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.28     (0.19     (0.30     (0.16     (0.10

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.61       $11.61       $13.20       $15.24       $14.60       $12.56  

Total return2

    17.23     (10.38 )%      (12.10 )%      6.36     17.69     (12.95 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    2.43     2.12     2.08     2.10     2.16     2.21

Net expenses3

    1.98     2.00     2.08     2.10     2.10     2.14

Net investment income3

    0.83     1.13     1.92     1.40     1.57     1.25

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    2     20     13     15     41     14

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $399       $414       $675       $1,135       $832       $783  

 

 

 

1

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.86

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.80

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.82

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.87

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.91

 

4

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     20191  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.75       $13.39       $15.44  

Net investment income

    0.19       0.37 2       0.51  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.91       (1.52     (2.19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.10       (1.15     (1.68

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.49     (0.37

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.85       $11.75       $13.39  

Total return3

    17.87     (9.27 )%      (10.85 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses4

    1.26     0.97     0.92

Net expenses4

    0.84     0.84     0.89

Net investment income4

    1.96     3.01     7.19

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate5

    2     20     13

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $10,293       $2,843       $329  

 

 

1

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

2

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.85

Year ended May 31, 2020

   
0.81

Year ended May 31, 20191

    0.79

 

5

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.00       $13.66       $15.76       $15.04       $12.91       $14.73  

Net investment income

    0.11 1       0.27 1       0.43 1       0.37 1       0.33 1       0.14 1  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.01       (1.49     (2.23     0.73       2.05       (1.96
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.12       (1.22     (1.80     1.10       2.38       (1.82

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.44     (0.30     (0.38     (0.25     0.00  

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.12       $12.00       $13.66       $15.76       $15.04       $12.91  

Total return2

    17.67     (9.60 )%      (11.33 )%      7.25     18.66     (12.36 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.61     1.29     1.25     1.27     1.33     1.36

Net expenses3

    1.14     1.15     1.24     1.25     1.25     1.25

Net investment income3

    1.72     1.99     2.92     2.30     2.46     0.99

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    2     20     13     15     41     14

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,126       $2,271       $3,375       $5,961       $5,407       $11,873  

 

1

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.86

Year ended May 31, 2020

   
0.80

Year ended May 31, 2019

   
0.79

Year ended May 31, 2018

   
0.82

Year ended May 31, 2017

   
0.87

Year ended May 31, 2016

   
0.91

 

4

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.76       $13.39       $15.48       $14.80       $12.73       $14.75  

Net investment income

    0.13 1       0.29 1       0.48 1       0.41       0.39       0.36  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.97       (1.44     (2.22     0.71       1.99       (2.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.10       (1.15     (1.74     1.12       2.38       (1.76

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.48     (0.35     (0.44     (0.31     (0.26

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.86       $11.76       $13.39       $15.48       $14.80       $12.73  

Total return2

    17.86     (9.32 )%      (11.13 )%      7.51     19.04     (11.98 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.30     1.04     1.01     1.02     1.07     1.13

Net expenses3

    0.89     0.90     0.99     1.00     1.00     1.00

Net investment income3

    2.05     2.13     3.35     2.43     2.95     2.81

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    2     20     13     15     41     14

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $88,344       $510,209       $786,584       $825,247       $713,180       $456,239  

 

1

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.86

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.80

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.82

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.86

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.91

 

4

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo International Value Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a separate diversified portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund owned 52% of Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the six months ended November 30, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $166,393,416 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 0  

Gross unrealized losses

     (13,162,943

Net unrealized losses

   $ (13,162,943

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards which consisted of $13,306,325 in long-term capital losses.

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At November 30, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective   

Fair value of affiliated

Master Portfolio

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio

   Seek long-term capital appreciation    $153,230,473

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee

First $5 billion

   0.05%

Next $5 billion

   0.04

Over $10 billion

   0.03

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee

Class A, Class C

   0.21%

Class R6

   0.03

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

   0.13

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.24% for Class A shares, 1.99% for Class C shares, 0.84% for Class R6 shares, 1.14% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.89% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. 

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $24 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $4,559,914 and $291,780,550, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

7. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of geographic regions. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any geographic region, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that geographic region than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any geographic region. As of the end of the period, the Master Portfolio concentrated its portfolio in investments in Europe.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 97.48%

 

Australia: 5.55%  

AGL Energy Limited (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          132,100      $ 1,309,068  

Beach Petroleum Limited (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          906,700        1,171,391  

BlueScope Steel Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          126,700        1,590,371  

Fortescue Metals Group Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          188,500        2,522,456  

Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Multiline Retail)

          534,000        1,807,040  

Lendlease Corporation Limited (Real Estate, Real Estate Management & Development)

          104,900        1,090,346  

Metcash Limited (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          498,500        1,079,476  

Mirvac Group (Real Estate, Equity REITs)

          439,900        833,104  

Qantas Airways Limited (Industrials, Airlines) †

          366,700        1,448,168  

Rio Tinto Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          15,900        1,183,479  

St. Barbara Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          559,600        1,006,397  

Super Cheap Auto Group Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Specialty Retail)

          183,200        1,328,642  
             16,369,938  
          

 

 

 
Austria: 0.74%  

OMV AG (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          34,400        1,165,367  

Raiffeisen Bank International AG (Financials, Banks) †

          52,900        1,013,415  
             2,178,782  
          

 

 

 
Belgium: 0.78%  

Bpost SA (Industrials, Air Freight & Logistics)

          105,700        1,278,495  

UCB SA (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          9,600        1,025,584  
             2,304,079  
          

 

 

 
Brazil: 0.76%  

Banco do Brasil SA (Financials, Banks)

          121,700        769,172  

Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais SA (Utilities, Water Utilities)

          225,900        626,586  

JBS SA (Consumer Staples, Food Products)

          197,500        853,422  
             2,249,180  
          

 

 

 
Canada: 0.97%  

Loblaw Companies Limited (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          22,400        1,107,323  

Magna International Incorporated (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          28,500        1,747,702  
             2,855,025  
          

 

 

 
China: 2.28%  

Agile Property Holdings Limited (Real Estate, Real Estate Management & Development)

          632,000        913,218  

China Communications Services Corporation Limited Class H (Industrials, Construction & Engineering)

          1,302,000        695,426  

China Railway Construction Corporation Limited Class H (Industrials, Construction & Engineering)

          957,000        632,152  

China Resources Cement Holdings Limited (Materials, Construction Materials)

          1,076,000        1,338,224  

China Telecom Corporation Limited Class H (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          2,794,000        843,493  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Company Limited Class H (Health Care, Health Care Providers & Services)

          458,900        776,768  

Shenzhen International Holdings Limited Class H (Industrials, Transportation Infrastructure)

          502,000        825,111  

YiChang HEC ChangJiang Pharmaceutical Company Limited H Shares (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals) 144A

          541,000        704,950  
             6,729,342  
          

 

 

 
Denmark: 1.37%  

Danske Bank AS (Financials, Banks) †

          63,800        1,051,542  

DFDS AS (Industrials, Marine) †

          23,600        1,021,121  

Pandora AS (Consumer Discretionary, Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods)

          9,100        911,429  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Denmark (continued)  

Sydbank AS (Financials, Banks) †

          51,500      $ 1,067,931  
             4,052,023  
          

 

 

 
Finland: 0.33%  

Nordea Bank AB (Financials, Banks) †

 

     115,100        983,266  
          

 

 

 
France: 9.90%  

Arkema SA (Materials, Chemicals)

          20,400        2,377,933  

AXA SA (Financials, Insurance)

          84,900        1,996,294  

BNP Paribas SA (Financials, Banks) †

          44,100        2,260,161  

Bouygues SA (Industrials, Construction & Engineering)

          38,600        1,536,950  

Capgemini SE (Information Technology, IT Services)

          13,300        1,845,089  

Carrefour SA (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          71,300        1,167,740  

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA (Industrials, Building Products) †

          52,900        2,512,713  

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          16,600        2,068,248  

Credit Agricole SA (Financials, Banks) †

          124,500        1,436,685  

Engie SA (Utilities, Multi-Utilities) †

          62,200        917,796  

Neopost SA (Information Technology, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals)

          55,600        991,521  

Orange SA (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services) «

          77,000        972,686  

Sanofi SA (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          59,200        5,981,945  

Societe Bic SA (Industrials, Commercial Services & Supplies)

          19,900        1,181,189  

Total SA (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          45,900        1,961,485  
             29,208,435  
          

 

 

 
Germany: 8.39%  

Allianz AG (Financials, Insurance)

          13,300        3,135,859  

Aurubis AG (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          21,200        1,614,919  

Bayer AG (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          55,500        3,195,629  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          15,100        1,315,600  

Daimler AG (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          23,600        1,589,139  

Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Industrials, Airlines) †

          96,600        1,111,502  

Deutsche Post AG (Industrials, Air Freight & Logistics)

          52,300        2,526,636  

Fresenius SE & Company KGaA (Health Care, Health Care Providers & Services)

          32,100        1,435,894  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs Gesellschaft AG (Financials, Insurance)

          4,000        1,114,600  

Rheinmetall AG (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          16,400        1,458,599  

Siltronic AG (Information Technology, Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

          11,900        1,734,619  

United Internet AG (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          57,800        2,304,890  

Volkswagen AG (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          11,900        2,207,310  
             24,745,196  
          

 

 

 
Hong Kong: 2.98%  

China Water Affairs Group Limited (Utilities, Water Utilities)

          1,110,000        872,127  

CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          145,500        1,055,905  

Kingboard Laminates Holdings Limited (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          572,500        926,216  

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited (Materials, Paper & Forest Products)

          1,526,000        1,240,322  

Sinotruk Hong Kong Limited (Industrials, Machinery)

          280,000        695,028  

WH Group Limited (Consumer Staples, Food Products) 144A

          1,938,000        1,582,694  

Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited (Industrials, Building Products)

          584,000        1,310,997  

Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods)

          542,500        1,115,649  
             8,798,938  
          

 

 

 
India: 0.64%  

REC Limited (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

          513,100        836,766  

Tech Mahindra Limited (Information Technology, IT Services)

          89,200        1,048,525  
             1,885,291  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Ireland: 1.02%  

C&C Group plc (Consumer Staples, Beverages) †

          240,000      $ 703,903  

Grafton Group plc (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors) †

          83,000        942,197  

Smurfit Kappa Group plc (Materials, Containers & Packaging)

          32,100        1,364,673  
             3,010,773  
          

 

 

 
Israel: 0.27%  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals) †

          83,500        807,763  
          

 

 

 
Italy: 2.26%  

A2A SpA (Utilities, Multi-Utilities)

          674,100        1,027,640  

Enel SpA (Utilities, Electric Utilities)

          252,700        2,522,997  

Leonardo SpA (Industrials, Aerospace & Defense)

          147,900        1,069,827  

Mediobanca SpA (Financials, Banks)

          110,500        985,148  

UnipolSai Assicurazioni SpA (Financials, Insurance)

          399,200        1,060,942  
             6,666,554  
          

 

 

 
Japan: 22.09%  

Adeka Corporation (Materials, Chemicals)

          96,000        1,524,598  

AGC Incorporated (Industrials, Building Products)

          30,600        1,018,534  

Alfresa Holdings Corporation (Health Care, Health Care Providers & Services)

          48,100        962,921  

Astellas Pharma Incorporated (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          84,100        1,195,042  

Brother Industries Limited (Information Technology, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals)

          108,800        2,084,291  

Credit Saison Company Limited (Financials, Consumer Finance)

          90,700        1,038,185  

Daiwa House Industry Company Limited (Real Estate, Real Estate Management & Development)

          32,200        986,973  

Denka Company Limited (Materials, Chemicals)

          53,200        1,645,939  

DIC Incorporated (Materials, Chemicals)

          50,900        1,251,535  

Fuji Machine Manufacturing Company Limited (Industrials, Machinery)

          44,200        1,070,707  

Geo Holdings Corporation (Consumer Discretionary, Specialty Retail)

          64,300        781,578  

Hitachi Capital Corporation (Financials, Consumer Finance)

          44,100        1,011,259  

Hitachi Limited (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          39,900        1,515,741  

Honda Motor Company Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          97,100        2,670,715  

Isuzu Motors Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Automobiles)

          148,300        1,446,067  

Itochu Corporation (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors)

          45,100        1,191,651  

Japan Airlines Company Limited (Industrials, Airlines) †

          53,800        1,018,799  

JXTG Holdings Incorporated (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          270,800        929,902  

Kaken Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          16,900        616,753  

KDDI Corporation (Communication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          157,000        4,485,177  

Marubeni Corporation (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors)

          301,500        1,757,306  

Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Company Limited (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          27,200        1,272,720  

MediPal Holdings Corporation (Health Care, Health Care Providers & Services)

          42,400        797,234  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Incorporated (Materials, Chemicals)

          87,500        1,855,603  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          247,700        1,064,114  

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Company Limited (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

          208,200        955,247  

Mitsui Chemicals Incorporated (Materials, Chemicals)

          60,400        1,696,870  

Mizuho Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          79,980        1,016,987  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          184,800        4,363,333  

Nomura Holdings Incorporated (Financials, Capital Markets)

          217,500        1,091,667  

ORIX Corporation (Financials, Diversified Financial Services)

          112,600        1,674,979  

Resona Holdings Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          378,000        1,324,086  

Sawai Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          16,200        731,638  

Sojitz Corporation (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors)

          678,500        1,488,281  

Sompo Holdings Incorporated (Financials, Insurance)

          22,700        871,906  

Sumitomo Corporation (Industrials, Trading Companies & Distributors)

          84,500        1,041,276  

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Limited (Industrials, Machinery)

          75,500        1,629,325  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          44,900        1,303,992  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Japan (continued)  

T&D Holdings Incorporated (Financials, Insurance)

          76,800      $ 896,736  

Teijin Limited (Materials, Chemicals)

          79,300        1,355,088  

The Keiyo Bank Limited (Financials, Banks)

          203,300        889,924  

The Yokohama Rubber Company Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          85,500        1,247,284  

Toho Holdings Company Limited (Health Care, Health Care Providers & Services)

          50,700        924,158  

Tokuyama Corporation (Materials, Chemicals)

          55,500        1,178,578  

Toyo Ink SC Holding Company Limited (Materials, Chemicals)

          67,300        1,264,131  

Toyota Boshoku Corporation (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          61,100        801,791  

UBE Industries Limited (Materials, Chemicals)

          75,600        1,285,345  

ULVAC Incorporated (Information Technology, Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

          23,300        941,820  
             65,167,786  
          

 

 

 
Netherlands: 3.76%  

ABN AMRO Group NV (Financials, Banks) †144A

          91,500        944,111  

Aegon NV (Financials, Insurance)

          240,800        900,780  

ASR Nederland NV (Financials, Insurance)

          31,200        1,164,146  

ING Groep NV (Financials, Banks) †

          112,300        1,095,099  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

          117,200        3,353,852  

RHI Magnesita NV (Materials, Construction Materials)

          25,200        1,094,779  

Signify NV (Industrials, Electrical Equipment) †144A

          60,000        2,540,772  
             11,093,539  
          

 

 

 
Norway: 0.88%  

Den Norske Bank ASA (Financials, Banks) †

          86,700        1,570,578  

Leroy Seafood Group ASA (Consumer Staples, Food Products)

          162,000        1,012,511  
             2,583,089  
          

 

 

 
Poland: 0.29%  

Asseco Poland SA (Information Technology, Software)

          48,400        854,937  
          

 

 

 
Russia: 0.63%  

Gazprom Neft ADR (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          53,914        1,105,237  

Gazprom Neft ADR (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          886        18,234  

Lukoil PJSC ADR (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          11,300        745,800  
             1,869,271  
          

 

 

 
Singapore: 0.71%  

DBS Group Holdings Limited (Financials, Banks)

          53,900        1,012,773  

United Overseas Bank Limited (Financials, Banks)

          65,000        1,090,967  
             2,103,740  
          

 

 

 
South Africa: 0.31%  

Absa Group Limited (Financials, Banks)

          126,700        901,596  
          

 

 

 
South Korea: 1.95%  

Industrial Bank of Korea (Financials, Banks)

          112,500        945,506  

KB Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          27,700        1,135,236  

KT&G Corporation (Consumer Staples, Tobacco)

          12,200        909,584  

LG Uplus Corporation (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          81,400        879,066  

SK Telecom Company Limited (Communication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          4,800        1,030,229  

Woori Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          94,600        840,376  
             5,739,997  
          

 

 

 
Spain: 1.50%  

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA (Financials, Banks) †

          311,800        899,143  

Cia de Distribucion Integral Logista Holdings SA (Industrials, Air Freight & Logistics)

          20,000        366,921  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Spain (continued)  

Enagás SA (Utilities, Gas Utilities)

          49,700      $ 1,210,593  

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (Industrials, Airlines)

          367,100        754,654  

Repsol SA (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

          124,200        1,193,809  
             4,425,120  
          

 

 

 
Sweden: 2.42%  

Boliden AB (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          68,100        2,346,250  

Securitas AB Class B (Industrials, Commercial Services & Supplies) †

          68,700        1,129,394  

Volvo AB Class B (Industrials, Machinery) †

          161,400        3,665,744  
             7,141,388  
          

 

 

 
Switzerland: 8.35%  

Baloise Holding AG (Financials, Insurance)

          7,100        1,224,286  

Credit Suisse Group AG (Financials, Capital Markets)

          184,800        2,334,530  

Helvetia Holding AG (Financials, Insurance)

          8,900        874,085  

Novartis AG (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          60,700        5,495,229  

Roche Holding AG (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          23,200        7,634,623  

Swiss Life Holding AG (Financials, Insurance)

          4,400        1,964,809  

UBS Group AG (Financials, Capital Markets)

          214,200        3,038,281  

Valiant Holding AG (Financials, Banks)

          10,500        980,963  

Zurich Insurance Group AG (Financials, Insurance)

          2,700        1,096,044  
             24,642,850  
          

 

 

 
Taiwan: 1.45%  

Catcher Technology Company Limited (Information Technology, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals)

          119,000        784,914  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Company Limited (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          333,000        961,526  

Powertech Technology Incorporated (Information Technology, Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

          257,000        829,541  

Tripod Technology Corporation (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          212,000        911,148  

Wistron Corporation (Information Technology, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals)

          769,000        805,356  
             4,292,485  
          

 

 

 
Thailand: 0.86%  

Krung Thai Bank PCL ADR (Financials, Banks)

          2,365,200        836,616  

Quality House PCL (Real Estate, Real Estate Management & Development)

          12,240,900        938,806  

Thanachart Capital PCL (Financials, Banks)

          676,600        760,476  
             2,535,898  
          

 

 

 
Turkey: 0.30%  

Coca-Cola Icecek Uretim AS (Consumer Staples, Beverages)

          121,861        873,441  
          

 

 

 
United Kingdom: 13.74%  

3i Group plc (Financials, Capital Markets)

          80,400        1,147,418  

Anglo American plc (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          82,100        2,422,712  

Aviva plc (Financials, Insurance)

          241,200        1,032,837  

Babcock International Group plc (Industrials, Commercial Services & Supplies)

          241,900        1,089,690  

BAE Systems plc (Industrials, Aerospace & Defense)

          438,200        2,944,300  

Barclays plc (Financials, Banks) †

          449,400        806,173  

Barratt Developments plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables) †

          109,200        902,596  

Bellway plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          25,100        947,311  

Bovis Homes Group plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables) †

          91,111        1,005,727  

British American Tobacco plc (Consumer Staples, Tobacco)

          58,900        2,072,603  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
United Kingdom (continued)  

BT Group plc (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

         700,200      $ 1,090,295  

Centrica plc (Utilities, Multi-Utilities) †

         1,625,800        956,273  

Crest Nicholson Holdings plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables) †

         254,500        996,824  

GlaxoSmithKline plc (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

         226,200        4,131,353  

Highland Gold Mining Limited (Materials, Metals & Mining) «(a)

         637,800        2,550,850  

Imperial Brands plc (Consumer Staples, Tobacco)

         46,400        841,890  

Inchcape plc (Consumer Discretionary, Distributors) †

         128,000        1,021,300  

J Sainsbury plc (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

         532,300        1,498,041  

Kingfisher plc (Consumer Discretionary, Specialty Retail) †

         399,800        1,458,270  

Legal & General Group plc (Financials, Insurance)

         288,300        971,245  

Lloyds Banking Group plc (Financials, Banks) †

         1,986,600        943,373  

Marks & Spencer Group plc (Consumer Discretionary, Multiline Retail)

         580,700        973,507  

Marston’s plc (Consumer Discretionary, Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure)

         660,700        535,974  

Mitchells & Butlers plc (Consumer Discretionary, Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure) †

         235,200        661,605  

Paragon Group of Companies plc (Financials, Thrifts & Mortgage Finance)

         121,500        653,742  

Petrofac Limited (Energy, Energy Equipment & Services) †

         242,000        494,419  

Premier Foods plc (Consumer Staples, Food Products) †

         73,926        87,122  

QinetiQ Group plc (Industrials, Aerospace & Defense)

         238,400        932,493  

Redrow plc (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables) †

         143,800        995,918  

Royal Dutch Shell plc Class B (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels)

         90,200        1,484,127  

Tate & Lyle plc (Consumer Staples, Food Products)

         119,000        1,011,837  

Tesco plc (Consumer Staples, Food & Staples Retailing)

         620,500        1,877,789  
            40,539,614  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $275,221,250)

 

     287,609,336  
  

 

 

 
         
    Dividend
yield
                                        
Preferred Stocks: 0.24%  
Brazil: 0.24%  

Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul SA Class B (Financials, Banks)

    1.49        286,600        706,149  
         

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $1,078,867)

 

     706,149  
  

 

 

 
         
          Expiration
date
               
Rights: 0.02%  
Spain: 0.02%  

Banco Santander SA †

      11-30-2020        311,800        38,941  
         

 

 

 

Total Rights (Cost $61,803)

 

     38,941  
  

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 1.16%  
Investment Companies: 1.16%  

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.12          3,430,730        3,430,730  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $3,430,730)

 

     3,430,730          
  

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $279,792,650)     98.90        291,785,156  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.10          3,259,526  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 295,044,682  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

 

Non-income-earning security

«

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

144A

The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

(a)

The security is fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(r)

The investment is a non-registered investment company purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Value,
end of
priod
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC

  $ 0     $ 18,400,601     $ (14,969,871   $ 0     $ 0     $ 3,430,730         3,430,730     $ 920 #  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class*

    3,130,999       58,018,344       (61,149,343     0       0       0         0       1,174  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 0     $ 0     $ 3,430,730       1.16     $ 2,094  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities (including $3,228,044 of securities loaned), at value (cost $276,361,920)

  $ 288,354,426  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $3,430,730)

    3,430,730  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $3,527,045)

    3,546,417  

Receivable for dividends

    3,771,735  

Receivable for securities lending income, net

    5,784  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    133,812  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    299,242,904  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    3,430,730  

Payable for investments purchased

    195,824  

Overdraft due to custodian bank

    408,536  

Advisory fee payable

    163,132  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,198,222  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 295,044,682  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $574,404)

  $ 4,614,385  

Income from affiliated securities

    39,537  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,653,922  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    1,328,794  

Custody and accounting fees

    127,554  

Professional fees

    25,159  

Shareholder report expenses

    6,579  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,582  

Interest expense

    3,991  

Other fees and expenses

    33,606  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,535,265  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (149,688
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,385,577  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3,268,345  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized losses on investments

    (87,439,262

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    158,611,991  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    71,172,729  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 74,441,074  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

    

Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)

       Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

      

Net investment income

  $ 3,268,345        $ 23,667,773  

Net realized losses on investments

    (87,439,262        (20,032,340

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    158,611,991          (56,686,314
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    74,441,074          (53,050,881
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

      

Contributions

    147,712,104          111,076,835  

Withdrawals

    (717,301,675        (336,573,528
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (569,589,571        (225,496,693
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

    (495,148,497        (278,547,574
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    790,193,179          1,068,740,753  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 295,044,682        $ 790,193,179  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  31


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return1

    18.31     (8.99 )%      (10.98 )%      7.74     19.16     (11.85 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.92     0.80     0.80     0.82     0.87     0.91

Net expenses

    0.83     0.80     0.80     0.82     0.87     0.91

Net investment income

    1.96     2.28     3.53     2.65     3.03     2.50

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    2     20     13     15     41     14

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

32  |  Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

The values of securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore may not fully reflect trading or events that occur after the close of the principal exchange in which the foreign securities are traded, but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such trading or events are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, then fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio are applied. These procedures take into account multiple factors including movements in U.S. securities markets after foreign exchanges close. Foreign securities that are fair valued under these procedures are categorized as Level 2 and the application of these procedures may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Depending on market activity, such fair valuations may be frequent. Such fair value pricing may result in net asset values that are higher or lower than net asset values based on the last reported sales price or latest quoted bid price. On November 30, 2020, such fair value pricing was used in pricing certain foreign securities.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at. The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Portfolio are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities resulting from changes in exchange rates. The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates of securities and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  33


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the custodian verifies the ex-dividend date. Dividend income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $280,764,694 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 51,851,249  

Gross unrealized losses

     (40,830,787

Net unrealized gains

   $ 11,020,460  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

        

Investments in:

        

Common stocks

        

Australia

   $ 16,369,938      $ 0      $ 0      $ 16,369,938  

Austria

     2,178,782        0        0        2,178,782  

Belgium

     2,304,079        0        0        2,304,079  

Brazil

     2,249,180        0        0        2,249,180  

Canada

     2,855,025        0        0        2,855,025  

China

     6,729,342        0        0        6,729,342  

Denmark

     4,052,023        0        0        4,052,023  

Finland

     983,266        0        0        983,266  

France

     29,208,435        0        0        29,208,435  

Germany

     24,745,196        0        0        24,745,196  

Hong Kong

     8,798,938        0        0        8,798,938  

India

     0        1,885,291        0        1,885,291  

Ireland

     3,010,773        0        0        3,010,773  

Israel

     807,763        0        0        807,763  

Italy

     6,666,554        0        0        6,666,554  

Japan

     65,167,786        0        0        65,167,786  

Netherlands

     11,093,539        0        0        11,093,539  

Norway

     2,583,089        0        0        2,583,089  

Poland

     854,937        0        0        854,937  

Russia

     1,869,271        0        0        1,869,271  

Singapore

     2,103,740        0        0        2,103,740  

South Africa

     901,596        0        0        901,596  

South Korea

     5,739,997        0        0        5,739,997  

Spain

     4,425,120        0        0        4,425,120  

Sweden

     7,141,388        0        0        7,141,388  

Switzerland

     24,642,850        0        0        24,642,850  

Taiwan

     4,292,485        0        0        4,292,485  

Thailand

     2,535,898        0        0        2,535,898  

Turkey

     873,441        0        0        873,441  

United Kingdom

     37,988,764        2,550,850        0        40,539,614  

Preferred stocks

        

Brazil

     706,149        0        0        706,149  

Right

        

Spain

     0        38,941        0        38,941  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     3,430,730        0        0        3,430,730  

Total assets

   $ 287,310,074      $ 4,475,082      $ 0      $ 291,785,156  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  35


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.800

Next $500 million

     0.750  

Next $1 billion

     0.700  

Next $2 billion

     0.675  

Over $4 billion

     0.650  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.80% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. LSV Asset Management, which is not an affiliate of the Funds Management, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.35% and declining to 0.30% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Funds Management has voluntarily waived and/or reimbursed advisory fees to reduce the net operating expense ratio of the Portfolio.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $8,780,097 and $561,822,318, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of November 30, 2020, the Portfolio had securities lending transactions with the following counterparties which are subject to offset:

 

Counterparty      Value of
securities on
loan
       Collateral
received1
       Net amount  

Bank of America Securities Inc.

     $ 799,634        $ (799,634      $ 0  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

       934,340          (934,340        0  

UBS Securities LLC

       1,494,070          (1,494,070        0  

 

1 

Collateral received within this table is limited to the collateral for the net transaction with the counterparty.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio had average borrowings outstanding of $293,456 (on an annualized basis) at an average rate of 1.36% and paid interest in the amount of $3,991.

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of geographic regions. As of the end of the period, the Portfolio concentrated its portfolio in investments in Europe. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any geographic region may be more affected by changes in that geographic region than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any geographic region.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Portfolio  |  37


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

TAX INFORMATION

Pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code, the following amounts have been designated as foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. These amounts may be less than the actual foreign taxes paid for financial statement purposes. Foreign taxes paid or withheld should be included in taxable income with an offsetting deduction from gross income or as a credit for taxes paid to foreign governments. None of the income was derived from ineligible foreign sources as defined under Section 901(j) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Creditable

foreign taxes

paid

  

Per share

amount

  

Foreign

income as % of

ordinary income

distributions

$2,008,417    $0.040753    100%

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

38  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)
 

Trustee, since 2015;

Chair Liaison, since 2018

  Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
 

Trustee, since 2009;

Audit Committee Chair, since 2019

  Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
  Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

Wells Fargo International Value Fund  |  39


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
 

Trustee, since 1996;

Chair, since 2018

  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson
(Born 1959)
  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock
(Born 1959)
  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

40  |  Wells Fargo International Value Fund


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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

 

President,

since 2017

  Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
 

Treasurer,

since 2012

  Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

 

Chief Legal Officer,

since 2019

  Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy
(Born 1969)
 

Secretary,

since 2019

  Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker
(Born 1967)
 

Chief Compliance Officer,

since 2016

  Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

 

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 77 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00731 01-20

SA284/SAR284 11-20

 

 



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LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo

Small Company Growth Fund

 

 

 


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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Peregrine Capital Management, LLC

Portfolio managers

William A. Grierson, CFA®

Daniel J. Hagen, CFA®

Paul E. von Kuster, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (WFSAX)   1-30-2004     12.42       10.37       12.23       19.28       11.69       12.90       1.33       1.29  
                   
Class C (WSMCX)   1-30-2004     17.49       10.88       12.07       18.49       10.88       12.07       2.08       2.04  
                   
Class R6 (WSCRX)4   10-31-2014                       19.77       12.18       13.41       0.90       0.86  
                   
Administrator Class (NVSCX)   11-11-1994                       19.39       11.83       13.10       1.25       1.19  
                   
Institutional Class (WSCGX)   3-31-2008                       19.70       12.10       13.37       1.00       0.94  
                   
Russell 2000® Growth Index5                         25.95       13.19       13.30              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions. You should not expect that such favorable returns can be consistently achieved. A fund’s performance, especially for short time periods, should not be the sole factor in making your investment decision.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Smaller-company stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20206  
   

PTC Incorporated

     1.71  
   

Syneos Health Incorporated

     1.60  
   

SS&C Technologies Holdings Incorporated

     1.54  
   

Nuance Communications Incorporated

     1.51  
   

RealPage Incorporated

     1.45  
   

Black Knight Incorporated

     1.43  
   

ASGN Incorporated

     1.38  
   

Ciena Corporation

     1.32  
   

Goosehead Insurance Incorporated Class A

     1.31  
   

ICON plc ADR

     1.29  

 

Sector allocation as of November 30, 20207
LOGO
 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.01% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.29% for Class A, 2.04% for Class C, 0.86% for Class R6, 1.19% for Administrator Class, and 0.94% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

Each holding represents the Fund’s allocable portion of the affiliated master portfolio security. Figures represent each holding as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7 

Figures represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio as a percentage of the long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,285.07      $ 7.39        1.29

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.60      $ 6.53        1.29
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,281.38      $ 11.67        2.04

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,014.84      $ 10.30        2.04
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,287.91      $ 4.93        0.86

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.76      $ 4.36        0.86
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,285.66      $ 6.82        1.19

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.10      $ 6.02        1.19
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,287.30      $ 5.39        0.94

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.36      $ 4.76        0.94

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.05%

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio: 100.05%  

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

 

         $   1,424,192,122  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $956,274,423)

             1,424,192,122          
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $956,274,423)     100.05        1,424,192,122  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.05        (709,670
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $  1,423,482,452  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

    98     98   $ 168,746,288     $ 180,810,304     $ 3,989,948     $ 41,770     $ 1,424,192,122       100.05

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $956,274,423)

  $ 1,424,192,122  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,553,449  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    664  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,425,746,235  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    1,777,296  

Management fee payable

    136,987  

Administration fees payable

    116,447  

Distribution fee payable

    5,676  

Shareholder report expenses payable

    148,467  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,057  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    77,853  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,263,783  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,423,482,452  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 762,227,907  

Total distributable earnings

    661,254,545  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,423,482,452  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 39,810,415  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    664,553  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $59.91  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $63.56  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 9,323,304  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    182,622  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $51.05  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 431,303,903  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    6,613,317  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $65.22  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 58,485,512  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    930,809  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $62.83  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 884,559,318  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    13,615,527  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $64.97  

 

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

  $ 3,989,948  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    41,770  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (5,436,002
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    (1,404,284
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    343,111  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    38,415  

Class C

    9,826  

Class R6

    67,140  

Administrator Class

    37,592  

Institutional Class

    533,693  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    45,485  

Class C

    11,647  

Administrator Class

    71,978  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    34,871  

Custody and accounting fees

    33,191  

Professional fees

    16,543  

Registration fees

    77,596  

Shareholder report expenses

    86,081  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    31,590  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,449,788  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (271,199

Class A

    (1,824

Class C

    (4

Class R6

    (22,319

Administrator Class

    (8,651

Institutional Class

    (122,823
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,022,968  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (2,427,252
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    168,746,288  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    180,810,304  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    349,556,592  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 347,129,340  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

 

 

Net investment loss

    $ (2,427,252     $ (5,409,448

Net realized gains on investments

      168,746,288         107,501,645  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      180,810,304         (28,564,804
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      347,129,340         73,527,393  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (4,577,702

Class C

      0         (1,219,067

Class R6

      0         (43,043,975

Administrator Class

      0         (6,401,809

Institutional Class

      0         (80,415,302
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (135,657,855
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

 

Class A

    88,948       4,770,527       188,284       8,973,220  

Class C

    3,526       159,075       5,111       206,315  

Class R6

    488,912       27,962,896       1,859,972       92,450,593  

Administrator Class

    61,938       3,405,888       170,705       8,517,203  

Institutional Class

    1,158,606       64,880,118       4,127,985       204,967,976  
 

 

 

 
      101,178,504         315,115,307  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

 

Class A

    0       0       79,105       3,985,289  

Class C

    0       0       24,921       1,076,603  

Class R6

    0       0       698,418       38,147,601  

Administrator Class

    0       0       121,124       6,394,121  

Institutional Class

    0       0       1,085,956       59,130,286  
 

 

 

 
      0         108,733,900  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

 

Class A

    (208,087     (10,752,769     (793,982     (38,317,325

Class C

    (55,257     (2,482,933     (122,441     (5,026,553

Class R6

    (2,999,288     (170,803,951     (4,156,884     (211,307,944

Administrator Class

    (275,291     (15,413,669     (866,918     (42,999,639

Institutional Class

    (3,267,512     (182,790,352     (9,445,990     (485,047,988
 

 

 

 
      (382,243,674       (782,699,449
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (281,065,170       (358,850,242
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      66,064,170         (420,980,704
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      1,357,418,282         1,778,398,986  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 1,423,482,452       $ 1,357,418,282  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $46.62       $48.98       $56.66       $44.26       $37.69       $44.23  

Net investment loss

    (0.18 )1      (0.34 )1      (0.36     (0.35 )1      (0.28 )1      (0.22 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    13.47       2.49       (3.22     12.75       6.85       (6.05
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    13.29       2.15       (3.58     12.40       6.57       (6.27

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $59.91       $46.62       $48.98       $56.66       $44.26       $37.69  

Total return2

    28.51     3.70     (6.13 )%      28.02     17.43     (14.20 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.34     1.32     1.31     1.32     1.33     1.34

Net expenses3

    1.29     1.32     1.31     1.32     1.33     1.34

Net investment loss3

    (0.69 )%      (0.69 )%      (0.63 )%      (0.71 )%      (0.68 )%      (0.57 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    22     41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $39,810       $36,534       $64,182       $76,065       $76,087       $128,675  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $39.84       $42.75       $50.38       $39.65       $34.02       $40.25  

Net investment loss

    (0.32 )1      (0.61 )1      (0.66 )1      (0.64 )1      (0.54 )1      (0.46 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    11.53       2.21       (2.87     11.37       6.17       (5.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    11.21       1.60       (3.53     10.73       5.63       (5.96

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $51.05       $39.84       $42.75       $50.38       $39.65       $34.02  

Total return2

    28.14     2.92     (6.82 )%      27.06     16.55     (14.84 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    2.08     2.07     2.06     2.07     2.08     2.09

Net expenses3

    2.04     2.07     2.06     2.07     2.08     2.09

Net investment loss3

    (1.46 )%      (1.44 )%      (1.38 )%      (1.47 )%      (1.43 )%      (1.32 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    22     41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $9,323       $9,336       $13,968       $19,979       $22,410       $26,946  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $50.64       $52.65       $60.31       $46.91       $39.77       $46.45  

Net investment loss

    (0.08     (0.14 )1      (0.12     (0.14     (0.11     (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    14.66       2.64       (3.44     13.54       7.25       (6.38
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    14.58       2.50       (3.56     13.40       7.14       (6.41

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $65.22       $50.64       $52.65       $60.31       $46.91       $39.77  

Total return2

    28.79     4.12     (5.73 )%      28.59     17.95     (13.83 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    0.91     0.90     0.88     0.89     0.90     0.91

Net expenses3

    0.86     0.89     0.88     0.89     0.90     0.90

Net investment loss3

    (0.28 )%      (0.27 )%      (0.20 )%      (0.29 )%      (0.25 )%      (0.09 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    22     41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $431,304       $462,050       $564,516       $618,523       $418,111       $229,391  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $48.87       $51.10       $58.85       $45.91       $39.05       $45.73  

Net investment loss

    (0.16 )1      (0.29 )1      (0.29 )1      (0.30 )1      (0.24 )1      (0.19 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    14.12       2.57       (3.36     13.24       7.10       (6.22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    13.96       2.28       (3.65     12.94       6.86       (6.41

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $62.83       $48.87       $51.10       $58.85       $45.91       $39.05  

Total return2

    28.57     3.80     (6.02 )%      28.19     17.57     (14.04 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.26     1.24     1.23     1.24     1.25     1.25

Net expenses3

    1.19     1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20     1.20

Net investment loss3

    (0.60 )%      (0.57 )%      (0.51 )%      (0.60 )%      (0.55 )%      (0.46 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    22     41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $58,486       $55,917       $87,850       $114,429       $130,311       $130,104  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $50.47       $52.51       $60.20       $46.85       $39.75       $46.44  

Net investment loss

    (0.10 )1      (0.17 )1      (0.15     (0.19     (0.15     (0.09

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    14.60       2.64       (3.44     13.54       7.25       (6.33
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    14.50       2.47       (3.59     13.35       7.10       (6.42

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (4.51     (4.10     0.00       0.00       (0.27

Net asset value, end of period

    $64.97       $50.47       $52.51       $60.20       $46.85       $39.75  

Total return2

    28.73     4.07     (5.77 )%      28.50     17.86     (13.85 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.01     1.00     0.98     0.99     1.00     1.01

Net expenses3

    0.94     0.95     0.95     0.95     0.95     0.95

Net investment loss3

    (0.35 )%      (0.32 )%      (0.26 )%      (0.35 )%      (0.31 )%      (0.18 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    22     41     54     37     82     49

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $884,559       $793,581       $1,047,883       $1,169,555       $1,014,847       $678,699  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.79

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.78

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.80

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) which is a separate diversified portfolio of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund owned 98% of Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the six months November 30, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $960,758,123, and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 463,433,999  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 463,433,999  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At November 30, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective    Value of affiliated
Master Portfolio
 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation    $ 1,424,192,122  

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.29% for Class A shares, 2.04% for Class C shares, 0.86% for Class R6 shares, 1.19% for Administrator Class shares and 0.94% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Prior to June 1, 2020, the Fund’s expenses were capped at 1.33% for Class A shares, 2.08% for Class C shares, 0.90% for Class R6 shares, 1.20% for Administrator Class shares and 0.95% for Institutional Class shares.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $462 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $287,398,957 and $554,313,870, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

7. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. Through its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio which may invest a substantial portion of its assets in any sector, the Fund may in turn be more affected by changes in that sector than a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector. As of the end of the period, the Master Portfolio concentrated its portfolio in investments related to the health care and information technology sectors.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 98.43%

 

Communication Services: 1.26%  

Entertainment: 1.26%

          

Lions Gate Entertainment Class B †

          605,355      $ 5,436,088  

Zynga Incorporated Class A †

          1,564,773        12,909,377  
             18,345,465  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 9.39%

 

Auto Components: 0.73%  

Fox Factory Holding Corporation †

          121,981        10,645,282  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.41%  

Strategic Education Incorporated

          63,515        5,963,423  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.02%  

Extended Stay America Incorporated

          691,900        9,485,949  

International Game Technology

          790,800        9,956,172  

Papa John’s International Incorporated

          123,092        9,891,673  
             29,333,794  
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 0.81%  

Skyline Champion Corporation †

          383,389        11,781,544  
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 0.74%  

Callaway Golf Company

          508,995        10,816,144  
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 0.99%  

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Incorporated †

          163,132        14,365,404  
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 3.69%  

American Eagle Outfitters Incorporated

          594,061        10,687,157  

Burlington Stores Incorporated †

          50,134        10,956,284  

Five Below Incorporated †

          59,311        9,276,240  

Monro Muffler Brake Incorporated

          164,488        7,732,581  

Sleep Number Corporation †

          215,204        14,933,006  
             53,585,268  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 1.01%

 

Food & Staples Retailing: 1.01%  

Performance Food Group Company †

          337,534        14,642,225  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 0.42%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.42%                           

GasLog Limited «

          584,730        1,724,954  

Parsley Energy Incorporated Class A

          350,944        4,397,328  
             6,122,282  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 11.05%

 

Banks: 1.69%  

SVB Financial Group †

          40,356        13,917,170  

Triumph Bancorp Incorporated †

          234,137        10,639,185  
             24,556,355  
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 4.24%  

Evercore Partners Incorporated Class A

          165,795        15,075,739  

Focus Financial Partners Incorporated Class A †

          352,981        13,981,577  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Capital Markets (continued)  

Open Lending Corporation Ǡ

          250,451      $ 7,042,682  

Stifel Financial Corporation

          228,564        15,839,485  

VIRTU Financial Incorporated Class A

          427,955        9,753,094  
             61,692,577  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.58%  

FirstCash Financial Services Incorporated

          130,369        8,374,905  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 3.46%  

Argo Group International Holdings Limited

          200,594        7,861,279  

BRP Group Incorporated Class A †

          382,621        11,268,188  

Goosehead Insurance Incorporated Class A

          151,392        18,637,869  

Palomar Holdings Incorporated †

          188,936        12,488,670  
             50,256,006  
          

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 1.08%  

Essent Group Limited

          357,423        15,676,573  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 27.84%

 

Biotechnology: 8.18%  

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          125,479        7,109,640  

Agios Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          109,693        5,080,980  

Amicus Therapeutics Incorporated †

          488,609        11,184,260  

Black Diamond Therapeutics Incorporated †

          127,916        4,264,719  

Blueprint Medicines Corporation †

          125,246        13,536,588  

Chemocentryx Incorporated †

          125,074        6,897,831  

Cytokinetics Incorporated †

          372,806        6,263,141  

Emergent BioSolutions Incorporated †

          117,831        9,653,894  

Flexion Therapeutics Incorporated Ǡ

          347,358        3,720,204  

Global Blood Therapeutics Incorprated †

          138,415        6,354,633  

Immunovant Incorporated †

          120,167        5,911,015  

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          128,801        6,508,315  

Iovance Biotherapeutics Incorporated †

          218,037        8,462,016  

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          743,901        8,569,740  

Turning Point Therapeutics Incorporated †

          80,862        8,611,803  

Zymeworks Incorporated †

          127,412        6,708,242  
             118,837,021  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 5.15%  

Atricure Incorporated †

          273,524        11,892,824  

Axonics Modulation Technologies Incorporated †

          344,429        15,116,989  

Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated †

          270,136        9,308,887  

Cerus Corporation †

          1,148,123        7,635,018  

Novocure Limited †

          61,404        7,715,413  

Silk Road Medical Incorporated †

          233,435        13,375,826  

Tactile Systems Technology Class I †

          226,336        9,757,345  
             74,802,302  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 3.81%  

AMN Healthcare Services Incorporated †

          188,950        12,311,982  

HealthEquity Incorporated †

          186,169        13,346,456  

Oak Street Health Incorporated †

          180,570        8,517,487  

PetIQ Incorporated †

          368,948        10,618,323  

U.S. Physical Therapy Incorporated

          99,248        10,542,123  
             55,336,371  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Technology: 3.90%  

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Incorporated †

          806,118      $ 11,027,694  

Evolent Health Incorporated Class A †

          615,864        8,948,504  

Omnicell Incorporated †

          174,470        18,293,180  

Phreesia Incorporated †

          303,325        13,394,832  

Tabula Rasa Healthcare Incorporated Ǡ

          145,028        4,997,665  
             56,661,875  
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 5.67%  

Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation †

          240,249        11,584,807  

Avantor Incorporated †

          670,097        18,280,246  

ICON plc ADR †

          94,076        18,333,531  

PRA Health Sciences Incorporated †

          102,477        11,497,919  

Syneos Health Incorporated †

          345,029        22,716,709  
             82,413,212  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 1.13%  

Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          161,440        9,781,650  

Theravance Biopharma Incorporated †

          402,597        6,679,084  
             16,460,734  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 17.17%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 0.92%  

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Incorporated †

          629,833        13,333,565  
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 2.84%  

A.O. Smith Corporation

          94,390        5,315,101  

Masonite International Corporation †

          154,627        15,470,431  

PGT Incorporated †

          394,450        7,344,659  

The AZEK Company Incorporated †

          369,641        13,203,577  
             41,333,768  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 1.37%  

IAA Incorporated †

          193,243        11,579,121  

KAR Auction Services Incorporated

          457,336        8,254,915  
             19,834,036  
          

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.56%  

Dycom Industries Incorporated †

          129,175        8,119,941  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 1.58%  

Atkore International Incorporated †

          273,854        10,674,829  

Generac Holdings Incorporated †

          56,790        12,243,924  
             22,918,753  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 4.71%  

Chart Industries Incorporated †

          132,900        13,736,544  

Ingersoll Rand Incorporated †

          386,900        17,128,063  

SPX Corporation †

          344,545        17,651,040  

Wabash National Corporation

          578,825        10,233,626  

Woodward Governor Company

          86,140        9,633,036  
             68,382,309  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 3.82%  

ASGN Incorporated †

          250,932        19,617,864  

Clarivate plc †

          497,751        13,658,287  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Professional Services (continued)  

FTI Consulting Incorporated †

          73,995      $ 7,770,955  

ICF International Incorporated

          199,253        14,431,895  
             55,479,001  
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.37%  

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Incorporated

          246,096        10,161,304  

Schneider National Incorporated Class B

          469,647        9,815,622  
             19,976,926  
          

 

 

 
Information Technology: 25.35%  

Communications Equipment: 2.32%

          

Ciena Corporation †

          419,079        18,774,739  

Lumentum Holdings Incorporated †

          173,769        15,010,166  
             33,784,905  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 5.24%  

Black Knight Incorporated †

          221,911        20,331,486  

EVO Payments Incorporated Class A †

          433,891        10,908,020  

KBR Incorporated

          436,572        12,123,604  

LiveRamp Holdings Incorporated †

          295,209        17,272,679  

Verra Mobility Corporation †

          499,489        6,093,766  

WEX Incorporated †

          54,030        9,360,157  
             76,089,712  
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 3.89%  

CMC Materials Incorporated

          72,048        11,115,565  

FormFactor Incorporated †

          233,570        9,576,370  

Onto Innovation Incorporated †

          267,354        11,819,720  

Silicon Motion Technology Corporation ADR

          222,556        8,831,022  

Teradyne Incorporated

          137,506        15,172,412  
             56,515,089  
          

 

 

 
Software: 13.90%  

Box Incorporated Class A †

          720,380        13,463,902  

Cloudera Incorporated †

          599,769        7,005,302  

Cornerstone OnDemand Incorporated †

          280,529        12,385,355  

CyberArk Software Limited †

          115,389        13,254,734  

Mimecast Limited †

          279,736        12,582,525  

Nuance Communications Incorporated †

          497,230        21,445,530  

Pagerduty Incorporated †

          462,531        15,920,314  

PTC Incorporated †

          226,358        24,412,710  

RealPage Incorporated †

          298,547        20,596,758  

Sprout Social Incorporated Class A †

          228,649        11,747,986  

SS&C Technologies Holdings Incorporated

          318,642        21,951,247  

Talend SA ADR †

          129,039        4,842,834  

Zendesk Incorporated †

          96,357        12,863,660  

Zuora Incorporated †

          829,364        9,446,456  
             201,919,313  
          

 

 

 
Materials: 3.38%  

Chemicals: 1.70%

          

Element Solutions Incorporated

          1,042,966        14,403,360  

Orion Engineered Carbons SA

          663,935        10,330,829  
             24,734,189  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
Metals & Mining: 0.75%  

Steel Dynamics Incorporated

         300,689      $ 10,887,949  
         

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products: 0.93%  

Boise Cascade Company

         310,492        13,428,779  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 1.56%

 

Equity REITs: 1.56%  

QTS Realty Trust Incorporated Class A

         182,537        10,844,523  

Ryman Hospitality Properties Incorporated

         183,057        11,750,429  
            22,594,952  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $904,335,955)

            1,430,001,949  
  

 

 

 
         
          Expiration
date
               
Rights: 0.00%

 

Communication Services: 0.00%

         
Media: 0.00%  

Media General Incorporated †(a)

      12-31-2020        347,897        0  
         

 

 

 

Total Rights (Cost $0)

 

     0  
  

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 2.25%

 

Investment Companies: 2.25%  

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.12        9,406,660        9,406,660  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02          23,334,146        23,334,146  

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $32,740,806)

 

     32,740,806          
  

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $937,076,761)     100.68        1,462,742,755  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.68        (9,951,272
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $   1,452,791,483  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

«

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(a)

The security is fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(r)

The investment is a non-registered investment company purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sale
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares
end
of period
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
 
Short-Term Invesstments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC

  $ 0     $ 76,915,805     $ (67,509,145   $ 0     $ 0     $ 9,406,660         9,406,660     $ 5,736 # 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    39,427,080       304,407,269       (320,500,203     0       0       23,334,146         23,334,146       11,467  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 0     $ 0     $ 32,740,806       2.25     $ 17,203  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities (including $9,176,541 of securities loaned), at value (cost $904,335,955)

  $ 1,430,001,949  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $32,740,806)

    32,740,806  

Receivable for investments sold

    839,706  

Receivable for dividends

    549,470  

Receivable for securities lending income, net

    8,039  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    68,393  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,464,208,363  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    9,406,660  

Payable for investments purchased

    1,084,698  

Advisory fee

    905,794  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    19,728  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    11,416,880  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,452,791,483  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends

  $ 4,070,430  

Income from affiliated securities

    42,619  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,113,049  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    5,437,878  

Custody and accounting fees

    47,698  

Professional fees

    23,119  

Shareholder report expenses

    3,596  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,582  

Other fees and expenses

    23,805  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,545,678  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (1,432,629
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on investments

    172,149,103  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    184,474,903  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    356,624,006  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 355,191,377  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
       Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

 

Net investment loss

  $ (1,432,629      $ (2,562,794

Net realized gains on investments

    172,149,103          108,634,846  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    184,474,903          (27,501,699
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    355,191,377          78,570,353  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

      

Contributions

    6,575,021          51,028,631  

Withdrawals

    (294,355,535        (551,302,982
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

    (287,780,514        (500,274,351
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    67,410,863          (421,703,998
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    1,385,380,620          1,807,084,618  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 1,452,791,483        $ 1,385,380,620  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return1

    28.83     4.08     (5.64 )%      28.74     18.15     (13.86 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.79     0.78     0.78     0.78     0.79     0.80

Net expenses

    0.79     0.78     0.78     0.78     0.79     0.80

Net investment loss

    (0.20 )%      (0.16 )%      (0.09 )%      (0.18 )%      (0.14 )%      (0.03 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    22     41     54     37     82     49

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allows the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $964,179,219 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 561,350,752  

Gross unrealized losses

     (62,787,216

Net unrealized gains

   $ 498,563,536  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 18,345,465      $ 0      $ 0      $ 18,345,465  

Consumer discretionary

     136,490,859              136,490,859  

Consumer staples

     14,642,225        0        0        14,642,225  

Energy

     6,122,282        0        0        6,122,282  

Financials

     160,556,416        0        0        160,556,416  

Health care

     404,511,515        0        0        404,511,515  

Industrials

     249,378,299        0        0        249,378,299  

Information technology

     368,309,019        0        0        368,309,019  

Materials

     49,050,917        0        0        49,050,917  

Real estate

     22,594,952        0        0        22,594,952  

Rights

           

Communication services

     0        0        0        0  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     32,740,806        0        0        32,740,806  

Total assets

   $ 1,462,742,755      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,462,742,755  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management , an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.800

Next $500 million

     0.775  

Next $1 billion

     0.750  

Next $1 billion

     0.725  

Next $1 billion

     0.700  

Over $4 billion

     0.680  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.78% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Peregrine Capital Management, LLC, which is not an affiliate of Funds Management, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate of 0.38% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Prior to June 1, 2020, the subadviser received an annual fee which started at 0.50% and declined to 0.45% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increased.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $293,170,247 and $565,445,109, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of November 30, 2020, the Portfolio had securities lending transactions with the following counterparties which are subject to offset:

 

Counterparty      Value of
securities on
loan
       Collateral
received1
       Net amount  

Bank of America Securities Inc.

     $ 6,959,520        $ (6,959,520      $ 0  

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

       235,876          (235,876        0  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

       417,950          (417,950        0  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

       109,200          (109,200        0  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

       409,055          (409,055        0  

National Financial Services LLC

       71,140          (71,140        0  

UBS Securities LLC

       973,800          (973,800        0  

 

1 

Collateral received within this table is limited to the collateral for the net transaction with the counterparty.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Portfolio concentrated its portfolio in investments related to the health care and information technology sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Portfolio  |  35


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  37


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
  Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
  Trustee, since 1996;
Chair, since 2018
  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson
(Born 1959)
  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock
(Born 1959)
  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund  |  39


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen
(Born 1960)
  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Nancy Wiser1
(Born 1967)
  Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.
Michelle Rhee
(Born 1966)
  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy
(Born 1969)
  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker
(Born 1967)
  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 77 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

40  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Growth Fund


Table of Contents

LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00733 01-20

SA285/SAR285 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

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Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo

Small Company Value Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective    

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.     

Manager    

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC    

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1    

Wells Capital Management Incorporated    

Portfolio managers    

Jeff Goverman    

Garth R. Nisbet, CFA®    

Craig Pieringer, CFA®    

Ryan H. Smith, CFA®*

Samuel D. Smith, CFA®*

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020    

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (SCVAX)   1-31-2002     -7.11       4.42       7.75       -1.44       5.66       8.39       1.33       1.15  
                   
Class C (SCVFX)   8-30-2002     -3.00       4.91       7.60       -2.00       4.91       7.60       2.08       1.90  
                   
Class R6 (SCVJX)4   10-31-2016                       -0.99       6.10       8.75       0.90       0.75  
                   
Administrator Class (SCVIX)   1-31-2002                       -1.34       5.79       8.58       1.25       1.05  
                   
Institutional Class (SCVNX)5   7-30-2010                       -1.12       6.02       8.80       1.00       0.85  
                   
Russell 2000® Value Index6                         0.35       6.83       8.70              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.    

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.    

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.     

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Smaller-company stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20207  
   

Alaska Air Group Incorporated

     1.44  
   

Schnitzer Steel Industries Incorporated Class A

     1.41  
   

Synovus Financial Corporation

     1.39  
   

Dana Incorporated

     1.38  
   

Piper Jaffray Companies Incorporated

     1.38  
   

Walker & Dunlop Incorporated

     1.36  
   

Western Alliance Bancorp

     1.35  
   

Ameris Bancorp

     1.32  
   

Axos Financial Incorporated

     1.26  
   

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation

     1.24  
Sector allocation as of November 30, 20208

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

*

Ryan Smith and Samuel Smith became portfolio managers of the Fund on January 12, 2021.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.15% for Class A, 1.90% for Class C, 0.75% for Class R6, 1.05% for Administrator Class, and 0.85% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolios invest and from money market funds, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Administrator Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

The Russell 2000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

Each holding represents the Fund’s allocable portion of the affiliated master portfolio security. Figures represent each holding as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

8 

Figures represent the sector allocation of the affiliated master portfolio as a percentage of the long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,270.04      $ 6.43        1.13

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.40      $ 5.72        1.13
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,267.71      $ 10.80        1.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.54      $ 9.60        1.90
         

R6 Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,273.95      $ 4.28        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.31      $ 3.80        0.75
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,270.86      $ 5.98        1.05

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.80      $ 5.32        1.05
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,272.90      $ 4.84        0.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.81      $ 4.31        0.85

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.03%           
Affiliated Master Portfolio: 100.03%                           

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

           $ 383,705,483  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $333,955,430)

             383,705,483        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $333,955,430)     100.03        383,705,483  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.03        (134,222
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 383,571,261  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Net

change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio

    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Value,
end

of period

    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    80     83   $ 511,980     $ 81,737,956     $ 3,505,533     $ 22,407     $ 383,705,483       100.03

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $333,955,430)

  $ 383,705,483  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    222,535  

Receivable from manager

    35,374  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    182,334  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    384,145,726  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    459,737  

Administration fees payable

    58,592  

Distribution fee payable

    1,708  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,389  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    53,039  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    574,465  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

    $383,571,261  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 380,541,014  

Total distributable earnings

    3,030,247  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 383,571,261  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 308,601,320  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    11,590,740  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $26.62  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $28.24  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 2,648,020  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    112,950  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $23.44  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 7,422,246  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    269,636  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $27.53  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 21,962,531  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    805,729  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $27.26  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 42,937,144  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    1,568,454  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $27.38  

 

1 

Each Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net foreign withholding taxes of $2,739)

  $ 3,505,533  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    22,407  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (1,405,600

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    149,334  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,271,674  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    84,952  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    290,586  

Class C

    4,064  

Class R6

    861  

Administrator Class

    11,401  

Institutional Class

    23,340  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    344,751  

Class C

    4,795  

Administrator Class

    21,827  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    14,352  

Custody and accounting fees

    3,071  

Professional fees

    16,543  

Registration fees

    65,655  

Shareholder report expenses

    23,715  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    6,750  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    927,692  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (240,679

Class A

    (68,998

Class C

    (386

Administrator Class

    (4,373
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    613,256  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,658,418  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    511,980  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    81,737,956  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    82,249,936  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 83,908,354  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

    

Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)

    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 1,658,418       $ 2,260,170  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

      511,980         (36,100,494

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      81,737,956         (40,806,657
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      83,908,354         (74,646,981
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (1,775,108

Class C

      0         (20,482

Class R6

      0         (57,654

Administrator Class

      0         (132,559

Institutional Class

      0         (389,037
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (2,374,840
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    471,826       10,788,939       660,800       16,227,538  

Class C

    1,572       30,548       9,961       227,898  

Class R6

    134,614       3,129,254       64,570       1,642,037  

Administrator Class

    165,688       3,860,814       106,132       2,470,380  

Institutional Class

    248,570       5,972,054       309,975       7,352,769  
 

 

 

 
      23,781,609         27,920,622  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       61,791       1,738,175  

Class C

    0       0       745       18,543  

Class R6

    0       0       1,984       57,454  

Administrator Class

    0       0       4,358       125,424  

Institutional Class

    0       0       13,253       382,205  
 

 

 

 
      0         2,321,801  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,437,623     (32,661,166     (1,647,283     (40,312,932

Class C

    (129,007     (2,619,937     (150,237     (3,268,340

Class R6

    (165,981     (3,765,249     (949,988     (24,922,236

Administrator Class

    (88,043     (2,105,061     (185,643     (4,423,218

Institutional Class

    (245,849     (5,643,390     (876,293     (21,210,870
 

 

 

 
      (46,794,803       (94,137,596
 

 

 

 

Net asset value of shares issue in acquisition

       

Class A

    0       0       12,989,900       337,017,442  

Class C

    0       0       328,733       7,545,278  

Class R6

    0       0       1,155,117       30,863,882  

Administrator Class

    0       0       242,559       6,444,855  

Institutional Class

    0       0       786,790       20,969,975  
 

 

 

 
      0         402,841,432  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (23,013,194       338,946,259  
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      60,895,160         261,924,438  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      322,676,101         60,751,663  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 383,571,261       $ 322,676,101  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.91       $24.22       $28.60       $24.01       $20.22       $21.42  

Net investment income

    0.11       0.18 1      0.09       0.09       0.05       0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.60       (3.35     (4.31     4.58       3.75       (1.25
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.71       (3.17     (4.22     4.67       3.80       (1.17

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.14     (0.16     (0.08     (0.01     (0.03

Net asset value, end of period

    $26.62       $20.91       $24.22       $28.60       $24.01       $20.22  

Total return2

    27.31     (13.25 )%      (14.72 )%      19.48     18.86     (5.48 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.32     1.32     1.49     1.47     1.47     1.48

Net expenses3

    1.13     1.13     1.15     1.33     1.35     1.37

Net investment income3

    0.94     0.74     0.38     0.46     0.20     0.11

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    43     78     168     144     110     72

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $308,601       $262,574       $11,902       $15,665       $16,280       $23,151  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculation do not include any sale charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.84

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $18.43       $21.48       $25.38       $21.40       $18.15       $19.34  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.02 1      0.01 1      (0.08 )1      (0.07 )1      (0.11 )1      (0.11 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    4.99       (3.00     (3.82     4.05       3.36       (1.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.01       (2.99     (3.90     3.98       3.25       (1.19

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.06     0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00  

Net asset value, end of period

    $23.44       $18.43       $21.48       $25.38       $21.40       $18.15  

Total return2

    27.18     (13.98 )%      (15.37 )%      18.60     17.97     (6.20 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    2.06     2.08     2.22     2.21     2.22     2.23

Net expenses3

    1.90     1.90     1.90     2.08     2.10     2.12

Net investment income (loss)3

    0.17     0.02     (0.35 )%      (0.29 )%      (0.54 )%      (0.62 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    43     78     168     144     110     72

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,648       $4,431       $1,099       $1,980       $1,962       $2,004  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculation do not include any sale charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.84

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     20171  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.56       $24.92       $29.44       $24.69       $21.37  

Net investment income

    0.16 2      0.31       0.21 2      0.29 2      0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.81       (3.50     (4.45     4.65       3.33  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.97       (3.19     (4.24     4.94       3.41  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.17     (0.28     (0.19     (0.09

Net asset value, end of period

    $27.53       $21.56       $24.92       $29.44       $24.69  

Total return3

    27.69     (12.97 )%      (14.38 )%      20.03     15.95

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses4

    0.89     0.90     1.09     1.03     1.02

Net expenses4

    0.75     0.75     0.75     0.88     0.90

Net investment income4

    1.37     1.22     0.77     1.04     0.58

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate5

    43     78     168     144     110

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $7,422       $6,491       $731       $322       $29  

 

1 

For the period from October 31, 2016 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017.

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 20171

    0.83

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.40       $24.80       $29.23       $24.53       $20.66       $21.90  

Net investment income

    0.12 1      0.21 1      0.14 1      0.20       0.08 1      0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.74       (3.43     (4.43     4.63       3.83       (1.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.86       (3.22     (4.29     4.83       3.91       (1.17

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.18     (0.14     (0.13     (0.04     (0.07

Net asset value, end of period

    $27.26       $21.40       $24.80       $29.23       $24.53       $20.66  

Total return2

    27.38     (13.18 )%      (14.65 )%      19.71     19.00     (5.36 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.24     1.32     1.35     1.38     1.39     1.39

Net expenses3

    1.05     1.05     1.05     1.19     1.20     1.20

Net investment income3

    1.00     0.82     0.49     0.59     0.36     0.28

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    43     78     168     144     110     72

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $21,963       $15,581       $13,905       $60,379       $57,591       $64,023  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.84

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.46       $24.86       $29.40       $24.68       $20.77       $22.02  

Net investment income

    0.14       0.25       0.19 1      0.21       0.11       0.08 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.78       (3.43     (4.45     4.69       3.89       (1.22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.92       (3.18     (4.26     4.90       4.00       (1.14

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.22     (0.28     (0.18     (0.09     (0.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $27.38       $21.46       $24.86       $29.40       $24.68       $20.77  

Total return2

    27.59     (13.03 )%      (14.46 )%      19.90     13.70     (5.13 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    0.99     1.07     1.14     1.14     1.14     1.14

Net expenses3

    0.85     0.85     0.85     0.99     1.00     1.00

Net investment income3

    1.23     1.04     0.68     0.78     0.55     0.40

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    43     78     168     144     110     72

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $42,937       $33,600       $33,116       $60,973       $52,072       $31,768  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.74

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.75

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.84

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.84

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio, a separate diversified portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund owned 83% of Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the six months ended November 30, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s dividend income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $336,994,123 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 46,711,360  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gain

   $ 46,711,360  

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards which consisted of $31,483,064 in short-term capital losses and $3,107,998 in long-term capital losses. Losses may be subject to certain limitations under Sections 382-384 of the InternalRevenue Code.

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had a qualified late-year ordinary loss of $161,669 which was recognized on the first day of the current fiscal year.

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At November 30, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio      Investment objective     

Value of affiliated

Master Portfolio

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

     Seeks long-term capital appreciation      $383,705,483

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class, Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.15% for Class A shares, 1.90% for Class C shares, 0.75% for Class R6 shares, 1.05% for Administrator Class shares and 0.85% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $910 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $147,075,891 and $182,725,879, respectively.

6. ACQUISITION

After the close of business on September 20, 2019, the Fund acquired the net assets of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two funds with similar investment objectives and strategies. Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund transferred all of its portfolio securities to Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio (a master portfolio in which it invested all of its assets) in exchange for interests in Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio. Immediately thereafter, Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund transferred all of its equity interests in Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio to

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund in exchange for shares of the Fund. Shareholders holding Class A, Class C, Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund received Class A, Class C, Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares, respectively, of the Fund in the reorganization. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of all of the shares of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund for 15,503,099 shares of the Fund valued at $402,841,432 at an exchange ratio of 0.45, 0.28, 0.49, 0.49, and 0.49 for Class A, Class C, Class R6, Administrator Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The investment portfolio of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund with a fair value of $399,448,746, identified cost of $378,004,130 and unrealized gains of $21,444,616 at September 20, 2019 were the principal assets acquired by the Fund. The aggregate net assets of Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund and the Fund immediately prior to the acquisition were $402,841,432 and $58,675,150, respectively. The aggregate net assets of the Fund immediately after the acquisition were $461,516,582. 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 Wells Fargo Small Cap Value Fund was carried forward to align with ongoing reporting of the Fund’s realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 98.98%

 

Communication Services: 0.47%

 

Entertainment: 0.47%  

Cinemark Holdings Incorporated

          139,624      $ 2,157,192  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 16.74%

 

Auto Components: 1.38%  

Dana Incorporated

          377,502        6,357,134  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.40%  

Collectors Universe Incorporated

          24,124        1,861,167  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 3.39%  

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Incorporated «

          85,191        2,157,036  

Del Taco Restaurants Incorporated †

          308,108        2,726,756  

Denny’s Corporation †

          235,664        2,712,493  

Dine Brands Global Incorporated

          39,648        2,496,635  

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Incorporated

          96,121        5,526,958  
     15,619,878  
  

 

 

 
Household Durables: 3.81%  

Beazer Homes Incorporated †

          216,726        3,209,712  

GoPro Incorporated Class A †

          496,697        3,471,912  

Green Brick Partners Incorporated †

          116,569        2,537,707  

Hamilton Beach Brand Class A

          74,980        1,408,124  

Hooker Furniture Corporation

          158,394        4,794,586  

iRobot Corporation Ǡ

          27,239        2,136,355  
     17,558,396  
  

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 0.16%  

Stamps.com Incorporated †

          3,845        720,784  
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 1.07%  

Johnson Outdoors Incorporated Class A

          31,874        2,664,666  

Malibu Boats Incorporated Class A †

          39,837        2,270,311  
     4,934,977  
  

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 1.66%  

Big Lots Stores Incorporated

          89,202        4,609,067  

Nordstrom Incorporated «

          116,629        3,023,024  
     7,632,091  
  

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 3.10%  

American Eagle Outfitters Incorporated

          292,251        5,257,595  

Dick’s Sporting Goods Incorporated

          58,538        3,325,544  

Shoe Carnival Incorporated

          122,666        4,485,896  

Urban Outfitters Incorporated †

          44,818        1,227,117  
     14,296,152  
  

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 1.77%  

Carter’s Incorporated

          21,202        1,886,766  

Lakeland Industries Incorporated †

          123,509        2,447,948  

Rocky Brands Incorporated

          131,113        3,802,277  
             8,136,991  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Energy: 3.68%                           
Energy Equipment & Services: 1.81%                           

Helmerich & Payne Incorporated

          195,566      $ 4,453,038  

Patterson-UTI Energy Incorporated

          899,418        3,876,492  
             8,329,530  
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.87%                           

Diamondback Energy Incorporated

          102,447        4,093,782  

Southwestern Energy Company †

          953,313        2,964,803  

W&T Offshore Incorporated Ǡ

          789,069        1,546,575  
             8,605,160  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 23.50%

          
Banks: 16.18%                           

Ameris Bancorp

          179,087        6,090,749  

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation

          191,187        5,718,403  

Banc of California Incorporated

          169,864        2,259,191  

Banner Corporation

          110,160        4,552,913  

Customers Bancorp Incorporated †

          193,141        3,262,151  

FB Financial Corporation

          129,204        4,124,192  

First Foundation Incorporated

          225,404        4,003,175  

First Interstate BancSystem Class A

          124,844        4,750,314  

Great Southern Bancorp Incorporated

          80,973        3,716,661  

Heritage Financial Corporation

          193,037        4,491,971  

Independent Bank Corporation

          140,165        2,384,207  

Midland States Bancorp Incorporated

          151,969        2,575,875  

OceanFirst Financial Corporation

          184,113        2,903,462  

OFG Bancorp

          232,843        3,900,120  

Synovus Financial Corporation

          202,458        6,391,599  

Umpqua Holdings Corporation

          290,956        4,041,379  

Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania

          172,205        3,153,074  

Western Alliance Bancorp

          121,257        6,216,846  
             74,536,282  
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 1.38%                           

Piper Jaffray Companies Incorporated

          68,970        6,356,965  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 1.58%                           

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

          91,784        2,412,084  

FBL Financial Group Incorporated

          54,400        2,828,800  

State Auto Financial Corporation

          75,209        1,129,639  

United Fire Group Incorporated

          41,591        909,595  
             7,280,118  
          

 

 

 
Mortgage REITs: 0.84%                           

Capstead Mortgage Corporation

          683,908        3,850,402  
          

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 3.52%                           

Axos Financial Incorporated †

          172,570        5,781,095  

Homestreet Incorporated

          128,484        4,156,457  

Walker & Dunlop Incorporated

          78,434        6,275,504  
             16,213,056  
          

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care: 5.40%  
Biotechnology: 0.82%  

Eagle Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          10,555      $ 480,253  

Five Prime Therapeutics Incorporated †

          174,938        3,288,834  
     3,769,087  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 1.58%  

AngioDynamics Incorporated †

          129,886        1,846,979  

ICU Medical Incorporated †

          12,192        2,300,630  

Merit Medical Systems Incorporated †

          56,613        3,117,678  
     7,265,287  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.68%  

AMN Healthcare Services Incorporated †

          52,494        3,420,509  

Brookdale Senior Living Incorporated †

          397,621        1,685,913  

LHC Group Incorporated †

          5,851        1,148,668  

Option Care Health Incorporated †

          159,995        2,519,921  

The Ensign Group Incorporated

          49,891        3,585,666  
     12,360,677  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 0.32%  

Computer Programs & Systems Incorporated

          52,340        1,488,026  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 22.91%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 1.06%  

Ducommun Incorporated †

          98,513        4,898,066  
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 0.52%  

Radiant Logistics Incorporated †

          404,206        2,392,900  
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 2.08%  

Alaska Air Group Incorporated

          130,525        6,652,859  

SkyWest Incorporated

          68,328        2,933,321  
     9,586,180  
  

 

 

 
Building Products: 2.28%  

American Woodmark Corporation †

          49,650        4,344,872  

CSW Industrials Incorporated

          24,864        2,667,659  

Patrick Industries Incorporated

          55,180        3,478,547  
     10,491,078  
  

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 2.77%  

ABM Industries Incorporated

          95,906        3,692,381  

Healthcare Services Group Incorporated

          103,200        2,442,744  

Herman Miller Incorporated

          151,631        5,404,129  

Stericycle Incorporated †

          17,359        1,222,768  
     12,762,022  
  

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 2.08%  

Comfort Systems Incorporated

          52,348        2,637,816  

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company †

          133,748        1,510,015  

MYR Group Incorporated †

          38,687        1,978,066  

Northwest Pipe Company †

          62,134        1,788,217  

Sterling Construction Company Incorporated †

          102,745        1,642,893  
     9,557,007  
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Electrical Equipment: 2.21%  

Atkore International Incorporated †

          123,204      $ 4,802,492  

Encore Wire Corporation

          26,585        1,373,647  

Regal-Beloit Corporation

          33,466        3,983,793  
     10,159,932  
  

 

 

 
Machinery: 6.28%  

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

          63,255        2,390,406  

Federal Signal Corporation

          83,339        2,586,009  

Hillenbrand Incorporated

          134,520        5,040,464  

Kadant Incorporated

          29,650        3,792,532  

Lydall Incorporated †

          86,741        2,376,703  

Miller Industries Incorporated

          107,646        3,594,300  

Mueller Water Products Incorporated Class A

          210,380        2,497,211  

Rexnord Corporation

          75,969        2,849,597  

The Shyft Group Incorporated

          146,265        3,792,651  
     28,919,873  
  

 

 

 
Professional Services: 1.07%  

CBIZ Incorporated †

          54,185        1,312,361  

Kelly Services Incorporated Class A

          176,942        3,620,233  
     4,932,594  
  

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.06%  

Arcbest Corporation

          116,813        4,895,633  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 1.50%  

BMC Stock Holdings Incorporated †

          78,417        3,837,728  

CAI International Incorporated

          97,489        3,085,527  
     6,923,255  
  

 

 

 

Information Technology: 8.54%

 

Communications Equipment: 0.62%  

NETGEAR Incorporated †

          89,472        2,846,104  
          

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 3.04%  

ePlus Incorporated †

          32,327        2,725,489  

Insight Enterprises Incorporated †

          67,895        4,853,135  

Methode Electronics Incorporated

          112,274        3,931,835  

PC Connection Incorporated

          54,816        2,502,350  
     14,012,809  
  

 

 

 
IT Services: 1.53%  

Conduent Incorporated †

          676,117        2,853,214  

Hackett Group Incorporated

          14,521        204,456  

TTEC Holdings Incorporated

          37,291        2,523,109  

Unisys Corporation †

          101,903        1,485,746  
     7,066,525  
  

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 2.47%  

Cirrus Logic Incorporated †

          25,478        2,040,788  

Diodes Incorporated †

          29,328        1,993,131  

FormFactor Incorporated †

          61,252        2,511,332  

Ichor Holdings Limited †

          71,087        2,267,675  

Onto Innovation Incorporated †

          57,691        2,550,519  
     11,363,445  
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Software: 0.23%  

American Software Incorporated Class A

          65,316      $ 1,072,489  
          

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 0.65%  

NCR Corporation †

          107,737        2,981,083  
          

 

 

 

Materials: 8.91%

 

Chemicals: 2.93%  

Hawkins Incorporated

          57,504        2,885,551  

Ingevity Corporation †

          61,355        4,085,016  

Minerals Technologies Incorporated

          86,423        5,243,283  

Stepan Company

          10,982        1,275,669  
     13,489,519  
  

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 1.07%  

Eagle Materials Incorporated

          54,280        4,938,937  
          

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.38%  

UFP Technologies Incorporated †

          39,500        1,740,765  
          

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 3.67%  

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation

          68,445        5,337,341  

Schnitzer Steel Industries Incorporated Class A

          253,761        6,501,357  

United States Steel Corporation

          355,820        5,049,086  
     16,887,784  
  

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products: 0.86%  

Schweitzer-Mauduit International Incorporated

          114,098        3,968,328  
          

 

 

 

Real Estate: 8.83%

 

Equity REITs: 8.83%  

Agree Realty Corporation

          45,207        2,979,141  

American Campus Communities Incorporated

          79,191        3,151,802  

Armada Hoffler Properties Incorporated

          271,395        2,879,501  

Global Medical REIT Incorporated

          198,134        2,712,454  

Independence Realty Trust Incorporated

          285,382        3,675,720  

Investors Real Estate Trust

          31,812        2,207,753  

Lexington Corporate Properties Trust

          205,949        2,102,739  

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation

          147,786        2,191,666  

One Liberty Properties Incorporated

          133,722        2,377,577  

Outfront Media Incorporated

          215,894        4,089,032  

PotlatchDeltic Corporation

          91,580        4,262,133  

Retail Opportunity Investment Corporation

          64,077        831,719  

RLJ Lodging Trust

          157,208        1,938,375  

STAG Industrial Incorporated

          113,214        3,371,513  

Summit Hotel Properties Incorporated

          217,987        1,894,307  
     40,665,432  
  

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $378,017,724)

 

     455,881,112  
  

 

 

 
          

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

           

Expiration

date

     Shares      Value  
Warrants: 0.00%                          

Energy: 0.00%

         
Energy Equipment & Services: 0.00%                          

Parker Drilling Company †(a)

      9-16-2024        8,457      $ 0  
         

 

 

 

Total Warrants (Cost $0)

            0  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 2.16%                          
Investment Companies: 2.16%                          

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.12        6,188,169        6,188,169  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02          3,783,891        3,783,891  

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $9,972,060)

            9,972,060        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $387,989,784)     101.14        465,853,172  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (1.14        (5,261,152
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 460,592,020  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

«

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

Non-income-earning security

(a)

The security is fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(r)

The investment is a non-registered investment company purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:    

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sale
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares
end of
period
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC

  $ 0     $ 43,768,644     $ (37,580,475   $ 0     $ 0     $ 6,188,169         6,188,169     $ 2,085 # 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    2,323,207       41,031,781       (39,571,097     0       0       3,783,891         3,783,891       1,132  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 0     $ 0     $ 9,972,060       2.16     $ 3,217  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities (Including $5,995,628 of securities loaned), at value (cost $378,017,724)

  $ 455,881,112  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $9,972,060)

    9,972,060  

Receivable for investments sold

    792,576  

Receivable for dividends

    311,616  

Receivable for securities lending income, net

    3,981  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    81,239  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    467,042,584  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    6,188,169  

Advisory fee payable

    251,487  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    10,908  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    6,450,564  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 460,592,020  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $3,419)

  $ 4,344,865  

Income from affiliated securities

    27,838  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,372,703  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    1,684,761  

Custody and accounting fees

    14,644  

Professional fees

    23,653  

Shareholder report expenses

    6,167  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,583  

Other fees and expenses

    4,867  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,743,675  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (185,271
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,558,404  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2,814,299  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on investments

    547,220  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    100,393,468  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    100,940,688  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 103,754,987  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
       Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

      

Net investment income

  $ 2,814,299        $ 4,223,447  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

    547,220          (50,607,316

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    100,393,468          (40,450,997
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    103,754,987          (86,834,866
 

 

 

 

Capital Transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

      

Contribution

    17,803,789          464,639,096  

Withdrawals

    (62,636,146        (103,765,259
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (44,832,357        360,873,837  
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

    58,922,630          274,038,971  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    401,669,390          127,630,419  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 460,592,020        $ 401,669,390  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return1

    27.60     (13.74 )%      (14.51 )%      20.10     19.44     (4.96 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.83     0.82     0.86     0.85     0.84     0.85

Net expenses

    0.74     0.74     0.75     0.84     0.84     0.85

Net investment income

    1.34     1.15     0.80     0.87     0.72     0.62

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    43     78     168     144     110     72

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statements of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allows the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All interest, dividends, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether such interest, dividends and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $400,245,512 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 92,388,287  

Gross unrealized losses

     (26,780,627

Net unrealized gains

   $ 65,607,660  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 2,157,192      $ 0      $ 0      $ 2,157,192  

Consumer discretionary

     77,117,570        0        0        77,117,570  

Energy

     16,934,690        0        0        16,934,690  

Financials

     108,236,823        0        0        108,236,823  

Health care

     24,883,077        0        0        24,883,077  

Industrials

     105,518,540        0        0        105,518,540  

Information technology

     39,342,455        0        0        39,342,455  

Materials

     41,025,333        0        0        41,025,333  

Real estate

     40,665,432        0        0        40,665,432  

Warrants

           

Energy

     0        0        0        0  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     9,972,060        0        0        9,972,060  

Total assets

   $ 465,853,172      $ 0      $ 0      $ 465,853,172  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail for the Portfolio is included in the Portfolio of investments.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management , an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee

First $500 million

   0.800%

Next $500 million

   0.775

Next $1 billion

   0.750

Next $1 billion

   0.725

Next $1 billion

   0.700

Over $4 billion

   0.680

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.80% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at the following annual rate starting at 0.55% and declining to 0.40% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Funds Management has voluntarily waived and/or reimbursed advisory fees to reduce the net operating expense ratio of the Portfolio.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were $176,546,816 and $219,340,316, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund had securities lending transactions with the following counterparties which are subject to offset:

 

Counterparty      Value of
securities on
loan
       Collateral
received1
       Net amount  

Bank of America Securities Inc.

     $ 2,210,379        $ (2,210,379      $ 0  

Barclays Capital Inc.

       1,636,097          (1,636,097        0  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

       1,667,952          (1,667,952        0  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

       277,113          (277,113        0  

JPMorgan Securities LLC

       29,595          (29,595        0  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

       174,492          (174,492        0  

 

1 

Collateral received within this table is limited to the collateral for the net transaction with the counterparty.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS    

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees    

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment
company
directorships

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chair, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

 

Trustee, since January 2020; previously

Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019

  Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.    

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers    

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Nancy Wiser1

(Born 1967)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 77 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.    

 

 

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Table of Contents

LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


 

© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00734 01-20

SA286/SAR286 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

Wells Fargo Index Fund  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government- related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.”

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

Preparing for LIBOR Transition

The global financial industry is preparing to transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a key benchmark interest rate, to new alternative rates. LIBOR underpins more than $350 trillion of financial contracts. It is the benchmark rate for a wide spectrum of products ranging from residential mortgages to corporate bonds to derivatives. Regulators have called for a market-wide transition away from LIBOR to successor reference rates by the end of 2021, which requires proactive steps be taken by issuers, counterparties, and asset managers to identify impacted products and adopt new reference rates.

The Fund holds at least one security that uses LIBOR as a floating reference rate and has a maturity date after 12-31-2021.

Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of successor reference rates, and any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on investment instruments that use it as a benchmark rate. The transition process may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR and could negatively impact the value of certain instruments held by the Fund.

Wells Fargo Asset Management is monitoring LIBOR exposure closely and has put resources and controls in place to manage this transition effectively. The Fund’s portfolio management team is evaluating LIBOR holdings to understand what happens to those securities when LIBOR ceases to exist, including examining security documentation to identify the presence or absence of fallback language identifying a replacement rate to LIBOR.

While the pace of transition away from LIBOR will differ by asset class and investment strategy, the portfolio management team will monitor market conditions for those holdings to identify and mitigate deterioration or volatility in pricing and liquidity and ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.

Further information regarding the potential risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR can be found in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Maulik Bhansali, CFA®

Jarad Vasquez

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (MBFAX)   10-31-2001     3.21       3.15       3.27       8.07       4.09       3.75       0.82       0.78  
                   
Class C (MBFCX)   10-31-2001     6.25       3.33       2.98       7.25       3.33       2.98       1.57       1.53  
                   
Class R (WTRRX)4   7-9-2010                       7.90       3.85       3.50       1.07       1.03  
                   
Class R4 (MBFRX)5   11-30-2012                       8.35       4.39       4.04       0.59       0.52  
                   
Class R6 (WTRIX)6   11-30-2012                       8.52       4.52       4.18       0.44       0.37  
                   
Administrator Class (MNTRX)   6-30-1997                       8.16       4.17       3.84       0.76       0.70  
                   
Institutional Class (MBFIX)   10-31-2001                       8.47       4.48       4.14       0.49       0.42  
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index7                         7.28       4.34       3.71              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 4.50%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R, Class R4, Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). Securities issued by U.S. government agencies or government-sponsored entities may not be guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk and mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20208  
   

FNMA, 2.00%, 1-14-2051

     2.15  
   

U.S. Treasury Bond, 1.13%, 5-15-2040

     2.12  
   

U.S. Treasury Note, 0.25%, 11-15-2023

     1.96  
   

U.S. Treasury Note, 0.13%, 9-15-2023

     1.90  
   

U.S. Treasury Note, 1.38%, 5-31-2021

     1.78  
   

U.S. Treasury Note, 0.13%, 9-30-2022

     1.72  
   

U.S. Treasury Note, 0.13%, 8-31-2022

     1.63  
   

U.S. Treasury Note, 1.38%, 1-31-2021

     1.54  
   

FNMA, 2.00%, 2-12-2051

     1.53  
   

GNMA, 2.00%, 2-20-2051

     1.52  
Portfolio composition as of November 30, 20209
LOGO
 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.78% for Class A, 1.53% for Class C, 1.03% for Class R, 0.52% for Class R4, 0.37% for Class R6, 0.70% for Administrator Class, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invests, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without theseis caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to the Class R shares.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Class R4 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to the Class R4 shares.

 

6 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Institutional Class shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

7 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

Each holding represents the Fund’s allocable portion of the affiliated master portfolio security. Figures represent each holding as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

9 

Figures represent the portfolio composition of the affiliated master portfolio as a percentage of the long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,026.14      $ 3.96        0.78

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.16      $ 3.95        0.78
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.46      $ 7.76        1.53

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.40      $ 7.74        1.53
         

Class R

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,025.26      $ 4.52        0.89

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.61      $ 4.51        0.89
         

Class R4

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,027.96      $ 2.64        0.52

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.46      $ 2.64        0.52
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,028.75      $ 1.88        0.37

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.21      $ 1.88        0.37
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,026.31      $ 3.56        0.70

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.56      $ 3.55        0.70
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,028.50      $ 2.14        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.96      $ 2.13        0.42

 

1

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                             Value  
Investment Companies: 100.07%                           
Affiliated Master Portfolio: 100.07%                           

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

           $ 5,774,258,310  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $5,595,388,697)

             5,774,258,310  
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $5,595,388,697)     100.07        5,774,258,310  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.07        (3,821,966
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 5,770,436,344  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)  on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    95     95   $ 113,703,226     $ 4,956,522     $ 51,164,373     $ 117,135     $ 5,774,258,310       100.07

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $5,595,388,697)

  $ 5,774,258,310  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    6,921,477  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    10,947  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    5,781,190,734  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    8,501,084  

Management fee payable

    21,853  

Distributions payable

    1,256,892  

Administration fees payable

    306,127  

Distribution fees and expenses payable

    10,948  

Trustee’s fees payable

    1,155  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    656,331  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    10,754,390  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 5,770,436,344  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 5,326,067,146  

Total distributable earnings

    444,369,198  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 5,770,436,344  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 330,206,396  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    22,836,988  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $14.46  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $15.14  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 16,746,775  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    1,169,603  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $14.32  

Net assets – Class R

  $ 1,882,127  

Shares outstanding – Class R1

    133,373  

Net asset value per share – Class R

    $14.11  

Net assets – Class R4

  $ 4,289,893  

Share outstanding – Class R41

    304,094  

Net asset value per share – Class R4

    $14.11  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 2,415,430,780  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    171,314,189  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $14.10  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 256,657,027  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    18,185,217  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $14.11  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 2,745,223,346  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    194,764,861  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $14.10  

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/95.50 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $3,669)

  $ 51,164,373  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    117,135  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (9,967,396
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    41,314,112  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    1,398,006  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    258,034  

Class C

    19,157  

Class R

    1,971  

Class R4

    1,703  

Class R6

    384,930  

Administrator Class

    120,870  

Institutional Class

    1,030,953  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    400,910  

Class C

    29,805  

Class R

    1,753  

Class R4

    2,122  

Administrator Class

    295,375  

Distribution fees

 

Class C

    89,332  

Class R

    2,324  

Custody and accounting fees

    92,574  

Professional fees

    17,758  

Registration fees

    119,283  

Shareholder report expenses

    163,673  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    51,398  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    4,492,960  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (1,079,043

Class A

    (36,938

Class C

    (2,462

Class R4

    (763

Class R6

    (384,930

Administrator Class

    (35,319

Institutional Class

    (466,119
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,487,386  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    38,826,726  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    113,703,226  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    4,956,522  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    118,659,748  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 157,486,474  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 38,826,726       $ 120,113,953  

Net realized gains on investments

      113,703,226         306,742,964  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      4,956,522         56,934,677  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      157,486,474         483,791,594  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (1,998,606       (6,294,414

Class C

      (61,316       (417,858

Class R

      (14,194       (97,982

Class R4

      (31,989       (161,109

Class R6

      (21,256,070       (63,508,068

Administrator Class

      (1,592,881       (4,506,235

Institutional Class

      (20,630,505       (59,496,339
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (45,585,561       (134,482,005
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    3,975,423       57,145,100       5,035,376       68,831,957  

Class C

    348,418       4,961,849       737,031       9,984,279  

Class R

    14,553       203,415       91,423       1,215,599  

Class R4

    39,118       547,659       183,129       2,446,252  

Class R6

    20,787,518       291,035,956       46,956,601       627,133,874  

Administrator Class

    5,641,679       79,270,173       5,387,937       72,239,222  

Institutional Class

    42,702,899       598,700,209       67,880,909       903,670,274  
 

 

 

 
      1,031,864,361         1,685,521,457  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    122,458       1,761,667       399,765       5,475,932  

Class C

    2,877       40,971       14,131       191,525  

Class R

    457       6,409       1,589       21,221  

Class R4

    2,273       31,898       12,039       160,382  

Class R6

    1,088,189       15,265,637       3,578,858       47,809,034  

Administrator Class

    109,602       1,538,931       324,731       4,342,589  

Institutional Class

    1,305,997       18,315,815       3,940,416       52,636,436  
 

 

 

 
      36,961,328         110,637,119  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (2,404,024     (34,535,591     (7,058,184     (96,112,855

Class C

    (1,174,718     (16,749,433     (1,381,669     (18,673,889

Class R

    (115,921     (1,623,923     (519,677     (6,891,248

Class R4

    (66,275     (924,399     (700,264     (9,317,864

Class R6

    (34,745,894     (487,222,961     (60,509,001     (803,022,923

Administrator Class

    (3,363,283     (47,207,210     (5,797,513     (77,110,768

Institutional Class

    (20,463,288     (286,704,563     (81,653,483     (1,088,476,808
 

 

 

 
      (874,968,080       (2,099,606,355
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      193,857,609         (303,447,779
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      305,758,522         45,861,810  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      5,464,677,822         5,418,816,012  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 5,770,436,344       $ 5,464,677,822  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.17       $13.28       $12.86       $13.22       $13.28       $13.16  

Net investment income

    0.07       0.25       0.32       0.24       0.19 1      0.19 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.31       0.93       0.42       (0.36     0.00       0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.38       1.18       0.74       (0.12     0.19       0.31  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.09     (0.26     (0.32     (0.24     (0.19     (0.19

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.09     (0.29     (0.32     (0.24     (0.25     (0.19

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.46       $14.17       $13.28       $12.86       $13.22       $13.28  

Total return2

    2.69     9.03     5.87     (0.96 )%      1.48     2.36

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    0.82     0.82     0.83     0.83     0.83     0.83

Net expenses3

    0.78     0.78     0.78     0.78     0.78     0.78

Net investment income3

    1.01     1.85     2.50     1.79     1.40     1.43

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    213     603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $330,206       $299,642       $302,246       $320,208       $360,276       $699,273  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.03       $13.15       $12.74       $13.09       $13.15       $13.03  

Net investment income

    0.03       0.15       0.23       0.14       0.09       0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.30       0.92       0.40       (0.35     0.00       0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.33       1.07       0.63       (0.21     0.09       0.21  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.04     (0.16     (0.22     (0.14     (0.09     (0.09

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.04     (0.19     (0.22     (0.14     (0.15     (0.09

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.32       $14.03       $13.15       $12.74       $13.09       $13.15  

Total return1

    2.32     8.22     5.04     (1.65 )%      0.72     1.61

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses2

    1.57     1.57     1.58     1.58     1.58     1.58

Net expenses2

    1.53     1.53     1.53     1.53     1.53     1.53

Net investment income2

    0.27     1.11     1.75     1.04     0.68     0.68

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate3

    213     603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $16,747       $27,971       $34,494       $47,843       $59,049       $66,612  

 

1 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.83       $12.96       $12.55       $12.90       $12.97       $12.85  

Net investment income

    0.06 1      0.22 1      0.28 1      0.20 1      0.15 1      0.15 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.30       0.90       0.41       (0.35     (0.01     0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.36       1.12       0.69       (0.15     0.14       0.27  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.08     (0.22     (0.28     (0.20     (0.15     (0.15

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.08     (0.25     (0.28     (0.20     (0.21     (0.15

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.11       $13.83       $12.96       $12.55       $12.90       $12.97  

Total return2

    2.60     8.80     5.61     (1.19 )%      1.15     2.13

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    0.90     1.05     1.07     1.08     1.08     1.08

Net expenses3

    0.89     1.02     1.03     1.03     1.03     1.03

Net investment income3

    0.90     1.66     2.25     1.54     1.18     1.18

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    213     603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,882       $3,241       $8,565       $12,230       $13,826       $17,985  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R4   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.83       $12.95       $12.55       $12.89       $12.95       $12.83  

Net investment income

    0.09 1      0.29 1      0.35       0.26 1      0.22       0.22  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.30       0.91       0.40       (0.34     0.00       0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.39       1.20       0.75       (0.08     0.22       0.34  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.11     (0.29     (0.35     (0.26     (0.22     (0.22

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.11     (0.32     (0.35     (0.26     (0.28     (0.22

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.11       $13.83       $12.95       $12.55       $12.89       $12.95  

Total return2

    2.80     9.34     6.07     (0.61 )%      1.74     2.65

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    0.59     0.59     0.60     0.60     0.60     0.60

Net expenses3

    0.52     0.52     0.52     0.52     0.52     0.52

Net investment income3

    1.26     2.19     2.76     2.01     1.70     1.69

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    213     603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $4,290       $4,549       $10,805       $11,680       $43,205       $41,272  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.82       $12.95       $12.54       $12.89       $12.95       $12.83  

Net investment income

    0.10       0.30       0.37       0.28       0.24       0.24  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.30       0.91       0.41       (0.35     0.00       0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.40       1.21       0.78       (0.07     0.24       0.36  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.12     (0.31     (0.37     (0.28     (0.24     (0.24

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.12     (0.34     (0.37     (0.28     (0.30     (0.24

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.10       $13.82       $12.95       $12.54       $12.89       $12.95  

Total return1

    2.87     9.42     6.31     (0.54 )%      1.90     2.81

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses2

    0.44     0.44     0.45     0.45     0.45     0.45

Net expenses2

    0.37     0.37     0.37     0.37     0.37     0.37

Net investment income2

    1.42     2.26     2.92     2.24     1.87     1.84

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate3

    213     603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,415,431       $2,545,332       $2,513,644       $1,360,847       $797,896       $450,791  

 

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  17


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.83       $12.96       $12.56       $12.90       $12.97       $12.85  

Net investment income

    0.08 1      0.26       0.33 1      0.24 1      0.21       0.19  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.29       0.90       0.40       (0.34     (0.02     0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.37       1.16       0.73       (0.10     0.19       0.31  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.09     (0.26     (0.33     (0.24     (0.20     (0.19

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.09     (0.29     (0.33     (0.24     (0.26     (0.19

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.11       $13.83       $12.96       $12.56       $12.90       $12.97  

Total return2

    2.70     9.14     5.87     (0.79 )%      1.48     2.47

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    0.76     0.76     0.76     0.77     0.77     0.77

Net expenses3

    0.70     0.70     0.70     0.70     0.70     0.70

Net investment income3

    1.09     1.92     2.58     1.86     1.50     1.51

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    213     603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $256,657       $218,522       $205,825       $269,057       $373,042       $529,530  

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.82       $12.94       $12.54       $12.88       $12.95       $12.83  

Net investment income

    0.10       0.29       0.36       0.28       0.23       0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.29       0.92       0.40       (0.34     (0.01     0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.39       1.21       0.76       (0.06     0.22       0.35  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.11     (0.30     (0.36     (0.28     (0.23     (0.23

Net realized gains

    0.00       (0.03     0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.11     (0.33     (0.36     (0.28     (0.29     (0.23

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.10       $13.82       $12.94       $12.54       $12.88       $12.95  

Total return1

    2.85     9.45     6.18     (0.51 )%      1.77     2.76

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses2

    0.49     0.49     0.50     0.50     0.50     0.50

Net expenses2

    0.42     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.42     0.42

Net investment income2

    1.37     2.21     2.86     2.16     1.82     1.79

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate3

    213     603     577     542     614     667

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,745,223       $2,365,421       $2,343,238       $3,318,290       $3,166,348       $2,102,073  

 

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

2 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.35

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.35

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  19


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio, a separate diversified portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund owned 95% of Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the six months ended November 30, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent 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.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. Distributions from net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund


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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $5,592,245,257 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 182,013,053  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 182,013,053  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At November 30, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective    Value of affiliated
Master Portfolio

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

   Seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation    $5,774,258,310

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee

First $5 billion

   0.05%

Next $5 billion

   0.04

Over $10 billion

   0.03

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from the affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  21


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

      Class-level
administration fee
 

Class A, Class C, Class R

     0.16

Class R4, Institutional Class

     0.08  

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class

     0.10  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.78% for Class A shares, 1.53% for Class C shares, 1.03% for Class R shares, 0.52% for Class R4 shares, 0.37% for Class R6 shares, 0.70% for Administrator shares, and 0.42% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fees

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C and Class R shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Distribution fees are charged to Class C and Class R shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $5,417 from the sale of Class A shares. Funds Distributor did not receive any front-end or contingent deferred sales charges from Class A or Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, Class R, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. Class R4 is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of its average daily net assets. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$11,611,152,238      $1,892,826,772      $11,164,563,457      $1,682,795,393

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

8. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

9. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Fund  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Agency Securities: 30.69%  

FHLMC (1 Month LIBOR +0.35%) ±

    0.49     12-15-2048      $ 1,241,276      $ 1,245,562  

FHLMC

    1.75       5-15-2043        2,994,601        3,088,286  

FHLMC (1 Month LIBOR +0.35%) ±

    2.85       10-15-2037        4,838,938        4,823,768  

FHLMC

    3.00       10-15-2047        12,028,184        12,572,319  

FHLMC

    3.00       2-1-2050        999,365        1,062,799  

FHLMC

    3.00       5-15-2050        6,249,920        6,724,267  

FHLMC

    3.50       4-1-2049        4,899,034        5,397,453  

FHLMC

    3.50       8-1-2049        4,704,516        5,150,078  

FHLMC

    3.50       11-1-2049        15,429,035        16,404,180  

FHLMC

    4.00       1-1-2035        154,988        172,723  

FHLMC

    4.00       1-1-2036        255,855        281,670  

FHLMC

    4.00       10-1-2036        1,805,311        1,969,850  

FHLMC

    4.00       3-1-2037        212,339        235,822  

FHLMC

    4.00       3-1-2037        238,197        269,008  

FHLMC

    4.00       3-1-2037        410,576        451,765  

FHLMC

    4.00       4-1-2037        1,684,545        1,853,526  

FHLMC

    4.00       4-1-2037        2,181,716        2,422,843  

FHLMC

    4.00       8-1-2038        12,901,520        13,842,109  

FHLMC

    4.00       1-1-2048        1,496,008        1,660,780  

FHLMC

    4.00       11-1-2048        11,721,246        12,870,973  

FHLMC

    4.00       7-1-2049        14,835,567        16,471,897  

FHLMC

    4.00       7-1-2049        41,720,255        45,781,948  

FHLMC

    4.50       6-1-2039        205,096        230,158  

FHLMC

    4.50       7-1-2039        265,786        307,961  

FHLMC

    4.50       11-1-2048        6,624,862        7,357,708  

FHLMC

    4.50       3-1-2049        2,725,406        3,039,919  

FHLMC

    4.50       8-1-2049        23,749,644        26,367,718  

FHLMC

    5.00       5-1-2048        8,014,649        9,170,632  

FHLMC

    5.00       3-1-2049        15,707,313        17,769,267  

FHLMC

    6.50       4-1-2021        26        26  

FHLMC Series 1897 Class K

    7.00       9-15-2026        288        320  

FHLMC Series 264 Class 30

    3.00       7-15-2042        11,998,645        12,852,316  

FHLMC Series 4426 Class QC

    1.75       7-15-2037        5,301,433        5,481,258  

FHLMC Series 4705 Class A

    4.50       9-15-2042        2,315,575        2,388,260  

FHLMC Series 4763 Class CA

    3.00       9-15-2038        1,399,145        1,511,698  

FHLMC Series 4767 Class KA

    3.00       3-15-2048        3,746,893        4,052,167  

FHLMC Series 4786 Class DP

    4.50       7-15-2042        435,584        436,844  

FNMA (1 Month LIBOR +0.35%) ±

    0.50       10-15-2037        16,718,983        16,715,417  

FNMA %%

    1.50       12-16-2035        21,000,000        21,532,793  

FNMA

    1.50       1-25-2043        10,531,018        10,765,867  

FNMA

    1.50       1-25-2043        4,037,971        4,169,746  

FNMA

    1.50       4-25-2043        1,235,601        1,262,686  

FNMA %%

    1.50       2-12-2051        29,300,000        29,542,091  

FNMA

    1.70       8-25-2033        13,310,341        13,766,663  

FNMA

    1.75       5-25-2043        4,274,525        4,444,756  

FNMA

    1.75       6-25-2046        24,807,498        25,812,239  

FNMA

    2.00       11-1-2035        44,231,062        46,062,434  

FNMA %%

    2.00       12-16-2035        5,300,000        5,517,072  

FNMA

    2.00       6-25-2038        13,509,119        14,116,080  

FNMA %%

    2.00       12-14-2050        3,800,000        3,947,575  

FNMA %%

    2.00       1-14-2051        126,100,000        130,752,978  

FNMA %%

    2.00       2-12-2051        90,400,000        93,477,555  

FNMA

    2.50       11-25-2044        2,937,559        3,128,019  

FNMA

    2.50       9-1-2050        44,826,088        47,637,645  

FNMA

    2.50       10-1-2050        41,012,763        43,635,387  

FNMA (12 Month LIBOR +1.59%) ±

    2.69       1-1-2046        12,493,973        12,974,097  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Agency Securities (continued)  

FNMA (12 Month LIBOR +1.58%) ±

    2.76 %       6-1-2045      $ 3,553,064      $ 3,690,066  

FNMA

    3.00       1-1-2043        6,892,618        7,343,763  

FNMA

    3.00       11-25-2043        3,177,965        3,290,250  

FNMA

    3.00       5-25-2048        8,731,081        9,365,213  

FNMA

    3.00       7-25-2049        4,132,951        4,341,350  

FNMA

    3.00       2-1-2050        718,950        764,585  

FNMA

    3.00       6-1-2050        24,700,793        26,162,784  

FNMA

    3.50       9-1-2032        6,348,273        6,716,170  

FNMA

    3.50       6-1-2049        1,902,794        2,023,342  

FNMA

    3.50       11-1-2049        16,625,953        17,652,565  

FNMA

    4.00       9-1-2033        3,448,831        3,695,123  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2036        290,366        319,603  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2037        2,012,567        2,193,926  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2038        572,289        613,117  

FNMA

    4.00       9-1-2045        1,098,171        1,237,453  

FNMA

    4.00       1-1-2046        7,077,503        7,974,448  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2046        487,806        529,631  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2046        667,955        725,175  

FNMA

    4.00       1-1-2047        4,584,390        4,940,274  

FNMA

    4.00       2-1-2047        5,152,121        5,720,847  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2047        685,153        774,037  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2047        657,984        707,923  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2047        722,022        801,169  

FNMA

    4.00       9-1-2047        2,674,505        2,897,304  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2047        669,245        756,075  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2047        677,142        757,314  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2047        1,794,078        1,939,327  

FNMA

    4.00       11-1-2047        308,743        334,063  

FNMA

    4.00       11-1-2047        632,918        685,015  

FNMA

    4.00       3-1-2048        17,658,490        19,943,970  

FNMA

    4.00       7-1-2048        24,920,352        27,296,693  

FNMA

    4.00       9-1-2048        6,054,769        6,640,743  

FNMA

    4.00       10-1-2048        5,152,271        5,615,813  

FNMA

    4.00       11-1-2048        5,430,745        5,985,651  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2048        3,709,641        4,189,821  

FNMA

    4.00       2-1-2049        6,156,430        6,842,953  

FNMA

    4.00       3-1-2049        2,553,506        2,777,349  

FNMA

    4.00       4-1-2049        3,418,562        3,719,981  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        475,797        518,108  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        382,274        418,739  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        3,443,179        3,738,932  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        3,706,965        4,145,784  

FNMA

    4.00       5-1-2049        12,556,626        14,185,396  

FNMA

    4.00       6-1-2049        3,093,980        3,366,190  

FNMA

    4.00       6-1-2049        1,512,509        1,635,743  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2049        7,123,660        8,052,182  

FNMA

    4.00       12-1-2049        4,170,839        4,631,181  

FNMA

    4.50       5-1-2034        1,316,465        1,460,959  

FNMA

    4.50       6-1-2041        264,913        304,675  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2043        3,070,232        3,530,540  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2044        940,905        1,082,256  

FNMA

    4.50       10-1-2045        4,791,807        5,511,723  

FNMA

    4.50       2-1-2046        95,448        106,276  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2048        1,463,919        1,617,131  

FNMA

    4.50       4-1-2048        2,977,409        3,289,036  

FNMA

    4.50       5-1-2048        1,757,516        1,940,400  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Agency Securities (continued)  

FNMA

    4.50 %       6-1-2048      $ 1,905,528      $ 2,175,867  

FNMA

    4.50       7-1-2048        5,944,888        6,693,755  

FNMA

    4.50       8-1-2048        9,884,873        11,040,724  

FNMA

    4.50       10-1-2048        2,132,788        2,361,893  

FNMA

    4.50       10-1-2048        8,913,751        9,949,456  

FNMA

    4.50       10-1-2048        12,989,098        14,422,729  

FNMA

    4.50       11-1-2048        2,683,933        3,064,692  

FNMA

    4.50       1-1-2049        15,699,276        17,535,217  

FNMA

    4.50       2-1-2049        8,899,247        9,935,990  

FNMA

    4.50       4-1-2049        3,055,979        3,386,714  

FNMA

    4.50       5-1-2049        1,401,131        1,552,766  

FNMA

    4.50       5-1-2049        7,114,799        7,744,785  

FNMA

    4.50       6-1-2049        6,840,452        7,663,220  

FNMA

    4.50       7-1-2049        6,813,800        7,633,383  

FNMA

    4.50       7-1-2049        10,965,172        12,214,920  

FNMA

    4.50       8-1-2049        6,455,573        7,232,045  

FNMA

    4.50       2-1-2050        2,103,116        2,313,792  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2050        7,462,179        8,392,041  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2050        12,936,619        14,443,894  

FNMA

    4.50       3-1-2050        855,664        942,748  

FNMA

    4.50       4-1-2050        2,518,007        2,852,685  

FNMA

    4.50       4-1-2050        3,919,988        4,500,523  

FNMA

    4.50       4-1-2050        1,923,593        2,116,428  

FNMA

    4.50       1-1-2059        11,553,611        13,270,019  

FNMA

    5.00       7-1-2044        420,469        470,502  

FNMA

    5.00       9-1-2048        2,268,453        2,556,434  

FNMA

    5.00       9-1-2048        761,580        855,487  

FNMA

    5.00       10-1-2048        117,064        133,636  

FNMA

    5.00       12-1-2048        5,250,760        5,866,532  

FNMA

    5.00       1-1-2049        8,843,551        9,970,886  

FNMA

    5.00       6-1-2049        34,888,422        39,783,879  

FNMA

    5.00       8-1-2049        42,434,365        49,068,430  

FNMA

    5.00       8-1-2049        22,762,620        26,133,477  

FNMA

    5.00       11-1-2049        7,417,367        8,359,012  

FNMA

    5.50       12-1-2048        5,393,025        6,190,523  

FNMA

    5.50       6-1-2049        14,242,272        16,643,028  

FNMA

    6.00       4-1-2022        1,383        1,546  

FNMA

    6.00       2-1-2029        2,439        2,737  

FNMA

    6.00       3-1-2033        27,610        32,525  

FNMA

    6.00       11-1-2033        9,649        11,438  

FNMA Series 2017-13 Class PA

    3.00       8-25-2046        4,574,674        4,828,726  

FNMA Series 2017-M7 Class A2 ±±

    2.96       2-25-2027        2,040,000        2,289,166  

FNMA Series 2018-14 Class KC

    3.00       3-25-2048        4,451,997        4,795,776  

FNMA Series 2018-15 Class AB

    3.00       3-25-2048        1,533,255        1,654,266  

FNMA Series 2018-8 Class KL

    2.50       3-25-2047        6,325,982        6,604,326  

FNMA Series 414 Class A35

    3.50       10-25-2042        10,323,934        11,058,386  

GNMA %%

    2.00       12-21-2050        70,800,000        74,058,425  

GNMA %%

    2.00       2-20-2051        88,900,000        92,529,239  

GNMA %%

    2.50       1-21-2051        45,900,000        48,249,125  

GNMA

    3.50       1-20-2048        5,042,777        5,551,084  

GNMA

    3.50       3-20-2049        4,286,355        4,529,243  

GNMA

    4.00       6-20-2047        45,075,053        48,733,958  

GNMA

    4.00       3-20-2048        1,358,516        1,470,310  

GNMA

    4.00       4-20-2048        2,412,068        2,622,252  

GNMA

    4.00       4-20-2048        2,056,798        2,263,090  

GNMA

    4.00       4-20-2048        1,544,479        1,712,002  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Agency Securities (continued)  

GNMA

    4.00 %       4-20-2048      $ 4,821,172      $ 5,181,938  

GNMA

    4.00       5-20-2048        13,939,628        15,024,813  

GNMA

    4.00       5-20-2049        2,785,240        3,028,524  

GNMA

    4.00       6-20-2049        9,380,200        10,198,540  

GNMA

    4.00       7-20-2049        6,966,128        7,573,479  

GNMA

    4.50       8-15-2047        1,244,283        1,383,707  

GNMA %%

    4.50       6-20-2048        8,957,671        9,676,727  

GNMA

    4.50       2-20-2049        8,277,391        9,243,942  

GNMA

    4.50       3-20-2049        1,109,647        1,215,949  

GNMA

    4.50       4-20-2049        2,059,299        2,255,892  

GNMA

    4.50       5-20-2049        1,953,101        2,141,126  

GNMA

    4.50       5-20-2049        2,164,682        2,379,498  

GNMA

    4.50       5-20-2049        1,657,671        1,824,032  

GNMA

    5.00       12-20-2039        177,781        205,525  

GNMA

    5.00       11-20-2045        269,625        300,153  

GNMA

    5.00       3-20-2048        13,119,324        14,516,312  

GNMA

    5.00       5-20-2048        6,921,441        7,595,613  

GNMA

    5.00       6-20-2048        25,470,807        27,899,051  

GNMA

    5.00       7-20-2048        4,668,147        5,119,821  

GNMA

    5.00       8-20-2048        7,488,073        8,199,666  

GNMA

    5.00       12-20-2048        8,043,965        8,787,625  

GNMA

    5.00       1-20-2049        1,594,809        1,745,648  

GNMA

    5.00       1-20-2049        6,274,771        7,189,303  

GNMA

    5.00       2-20-2049        1,499,467        1,677,066  

GNMA

    5.00       3-20-2049        1,842,677        2,058,658  

GNMA Series 2012-141 Class WA ±±

    4.54       11-16-2041        1,287,430        1,437,292  

GNMA Series 2017-167 Class BQ

    2.50       8-20-2044        5,634,081        5,843,340  

GNMA Series 2018-11 Class PC

    2.75       12-20-2047        9,803,895        10,216,527  

GNMA Series 2019-132 Class NA

    3.50       9-20-2049        7,254,641        7,627,697  

Total Agency Securities (Cost $1,821,261,389)

 

     1,870,498,311  
         

 

 

 
Asset-Backed Securities: 10.01%  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Series 2020-1 Class A2

    1.10       3-20-2023        942,746        945,514  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Series 2020-2 Class A2

    0.60       12-18-2023        9,636,000        9,652,935  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Series 2020-3 Class A3

    0.53       6-18-2025        5,324,000        5,331,528  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding LLC Series 2017-1A Class A 144A

    3.07       9-20-2023        1,620,000        1,662,018  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding LLC Series 2020-2A Class A 144A

    2.02       2-20-2027        9,026,000        9,146,769  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding LLC Series 2019-3A Class A1 144A

    2.36       3-20-2026        3,825,000        3,938,889  

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust Series 2016-A2 Class A2 (1 Month LIBOR +0.63%) ±

    0.77       2-15-2024        8,478,000        8,496,003  

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust Series 2016-A7 Class A7 (1 Month LIBOR +0.51%) ±

    0.65       9-16-2024        5,081,000        5,102,646  

College Avenue Student Loan Trust Series 2017-A Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +1.65%) 144A ±

    1.80       11-26-2046        2,819,783        2,847,675  

College Avenue Student Loan Trust Series 2018-A Class A2 144A

    4.13       12-26-2047        2,036,406        2,149,138  

College Avenue Student Loan Trust Series 2019- A Class A2 144A

    3.28       12-28-2048        3,873,941        4,031,320  

Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust Series 2020-B Class A3

    0.62       8-15-2023        11,029,000        11,072,765  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2018-1 Class A 144A

    3.19       7-15-2031        16,494,000        18,081,714  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2018-2 Class A 144A

    3.47       1-15-2030        6,806,000        7,309,076  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2019-1 Class A 144A

    3.52       7-15-2030        11,868,000        12,947,474  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2020-1 Class A 144A

    2.04       8-15-2031        13,168,000        13,841,342  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2020-2 Class A 144A

    1.06       4-15-2033        14,632,000        14,705,369  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2020-A Class A3

    1.04       8-15-2024        5,068,000        5,125,434  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2020-C Class A3

    0.41       7-15-2025        5,229,000        5,235,175  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust Series 2020-C Class A4

    0.51       8-15-2026        3,750,000        3,763,091  

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust Series 2020-1 Class A1

    0.70       9-15-2025        14,869,000        14,940,997  

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust Series 2020-2 Class A

    1.06       9-15-2027        21,118,000        21,339,458  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

General Motors Company Series 2020-2 Class A 144A

    0.69 %       10-15-2025      $ 4,580,000      $ 4,584,357  

GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust Series 2020-2 Class A4

    1.01       7-22-2024        1,127,000        1,141,722  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2016-3A Class A2 (1 Month LIBOR +0.85%) 144A ±

    1.00       6-25-2065        122,412        122,432  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2016-AA Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +2.15%) 144A ±

    2.29       12-15-2045        1,928,019        1,972,072  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2018-BA Class A2A 144A

    3.61       12-15-2059        3,819,615        3,979,716  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2018-CA Class A2 144A

    3.52       6-16-2042        1,359,221        1,384,628  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2018-DA Class A2A 144A

    4.00       12-15-2059        9,761,040        10,321,453  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2018-EA Class A2 144A

    4.00       12-15-2059        5,011,010        5,192,090  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-A Class A2A 144A

    3.42       1-15-2043        10,118,535        10,582,574  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-BA Class A2A 144A

    3.39       12-15-2059        8,228,000        8,630,422  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-CA Class A2 144A

    3.13       2-15-2068        6,899,000        7,089,817  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-D Class A2A 144A

    3.01       12-15-2059        10,199,000        10,722,167  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-D Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +1.05%) 144A ±

    1.19       12-15-2059        4,627,000        4,638,689  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-FA Class A2 144A

    2.60       8-15-2068        11,883,000        12,269,170  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2019-GA Class A 144A

    2.40       10-15-2068        7,971,902        8,161,819  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-2A Class A1A 144A

    1.32       8-26-2069        9,985,000        9,983,400  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-2A Class A1B (1 Month LIBOR +0.90%) 144A ±

    1.05       8-26-2069        5,769,000        5,787,228  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-A Class A2A 144A

    2.46       11-15-2068        7,508,000        7,819,495  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-A Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +0.90%) 144A ±

    1.04       11-15-2068        4,776,000        4,756,767  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-BA Class A2 144A

    2.12       1-15-2069        4,271,000        4,382,657  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-DA Class A 144A

    1.69       5-15-2069        4,023,761        4,091,676  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-EA Class A 144A

    1.69       5-15-2069        1,360,553        1,380,984  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-FA Class A 144A

    1.22       7-15-2069        2,214,725        2,228,086  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-GA Class A 144A

    1.17       9-16-2069        10,546,238        10,604,515  

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2020-HA Class A 144A

    1.31       1-15-2069        11,127,000        11,213,279  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2004-4 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.16%) ±

    0.37       1-25-2037        6,222,565        6,105,757  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2004-5 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.18%) ±

    0.39       10-27-2036        2,275,718        2,237,214  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2005-1 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.11%) ±

    0.32       10-25-2033        18,921,938        18,364,793  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2005-2 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.10%) ±

    0.33       3-23-2037        18,348,902        17,780,552  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2005-3 Class A5 (3 Month LIBOR +0.12%) ±

    0.35       12-24-2035        13,937,051        13,687,267  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2005-4 Class A4 (3 Month LIBOR +0.18%) ±

    0.41       3-22-2032        3,316,251        3,127,719  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust Series 2020-1 Class A3

    2.03       2-15-2024        2,240,000        2,273,610  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust Series 2020-2 Class A2

    0.62       5-15-2023        9,959,337        9,969,081  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust Series 2020-3 Class A3

    0.52       7-15-2024        4,072,000        4,081,127  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust Series 2020-4 Class A3

    0.48       7-15-2024        3,655,000        3,657,268  

Santander Revolving Auto Loan Trust Series 2019-A Class A 144A

    2.51       1-26-2032        12,015,000        12,785,052  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2003-1 Class A5C (3 Month LIBOR +0.75%) 144A ±

    1.00       12-15-2032        3,166,428        3,006,906  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2007-2 Class A4 (3 Month LIBOR +0.06%) ±

    0.27       7-25-2022        8,947,615        8,563,376  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2008-1 Class A4A (3 Month LIBOR +1.60%) ±

    1.85       12-15-2032        3,150,726        3,198,545  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2010-1 Class A (1 Month LIBOR +0.40%) ±

    0.55       3-25-2025        1,486,343        1,441,429  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2012-1 Class A3 (1 Month LIBOR +0.95%) ±

    1.10       9-25-2028        10,877,954        10,512,112  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2012-2 Class A (1 Month LIBOR +0.70%) ±

    0.85       1-25-2029        9,480,212        8,994,305  

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2012-6 Class A3 (1 Month LIBOR +0.75%) ±

    0.90       5-26-2026        2,431,265        2,353,870  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2015-B Class A2A 144A

    2.98 %       7-15-2027      $ 307,093      $ 312,400  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2016-A Class A2A 144A

    2.70       5-15-2031        5,961,652        6,109,122  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2016-B Class A2A 144A

    2.43       2-17-2032        2,877,364        2,939,870  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2016-B Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +1.45%) 144A ±

    1.59       2-17-2032        7,923,668        7,983,737  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2016-C Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +1.10%) 144A ±

    1.24       9-15-2034        3,094,512        3,096,933  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2017-A Class A2B (1 Month LIBOR +0.90%) 144A ±

    1.04       9-15-2034        2,351,626        2,359,835  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2018-C Class A2A 144A

    3.63       11-15-2035        3,552,686        3,767,400  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2019-A Class A2A 144A

    3.44       7-15-2036        16,441,924        17,338,948  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2020-BA Class A1A 144A

    1.29       7-15-2053        11,157,108        11,187,374  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2020-PTA Class A2A 144A

    1.60       9-15-2054        10,058,000        10,132,124  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust Series 2020-PTB Class A2A 144A

    1.60       9-15-2054        26,019,000        26,148,939  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2016-A Class A2 144A

    2.76       12-26-2036        1,487,851        1,509,190  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2016-D Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +0.95%) 144A ±

    1.10       1-25-2039        252,814        254,022  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2016-E Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +0.85%) 144A ±

    1.00       7-25-2039        439,278        438,580  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2017-A Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +0.70%) 144A ±

    0.85       3-26-2040        557,599        557,591  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2017-D Class A2 144A

    2.65       9-25-2040        385,216        396,351  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2017-E Class A1 (1 Month LIBOR +0.50%) 144A ±

    0.65       11-26-2040        320,023        319,684  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2017-E Class A2B 144A

    2.72       11-26-2040        1,933,755        1,964,326  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2018-A Class A2B 144A

    2.95       2-25-2042        2,831,812        2,896,276  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2018-B Class A2FX 144A

    3.34       8-25-2047        6,401,679        6,583,752  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2020-A Class A2 144A

    2.54       5-15-2046        10,245,000        10,580,760  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC Series 2020-C Class AFX 144A

    1.95       2-15-2046        4,729,990        4,827,869  

Triton Container Finance LLC Series 2020-1A Class A 144A

    2.11       9-20-2045        4,637,357        4,657,502  

Verizon Owner Trust Series 2019-C Class A1A

    1.94       4-22-2024        3,017,000        3,083,771  

Verizon Owner Trust Series 2020-A Class A1A

    1.85       7-22-2024        9,683,000        9,920,254  

Verizon Owner Trust Series 2020-C Class A

    0.41       4-21-2025        4,323,000        4,325,869  

Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost $601,163,929)

 

     610,540,007  
         

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds and Notes: 25.92%

 

Communication Services: 2.82%

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.82%  

AT&T Incorporated

    1.65       2-1-2028        2,982,000        3,023,902  

AT&T Incorporated

    2.25       2-1-2032        3,962,000        4,008,833  

AT&T Incorporated

    2.30       6-1-2027        5,989,000        6,347,364  

AT&T Incorporated

    2.75       6-1-2031        5,989,000        6,362,198  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.00       6-30-2022        4,597,000        4,768,084  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.10       2-1-2043        966,000        987,959  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.30       2-1-2052        3,673,000        3,649,859  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.50       6-1-2041        1,995,000        2,148,492  

AT&T Incorporated 144A

    3.50       9-15-2053        3,462,000        3,545,569  

AT&T Incorporated 144A

    3.55       9-15-2055        2,907,000        2,975,111  

AT&T Incorporated 144A

    3.65       9-15-2059        2,712,000        2,763,055  

AT&T Incorporated

    3.85       6-1-2060        1,995,000        2,109,424  

AT&T Incorporated

    4.50       3-9-2048        3,045,000        3,710,806  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated 144A

    1.50       2-15-2026        4,971,000        5,045,118  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated 144A

    2.05       2-15-2028        10,104,000        10,395,702  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated 144A

    3.00       2-15-2041        890,000        915,863  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated 144A

    3.50 %       4-15-2025      $ 2,831,000      $ 3,130,746  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated 144A

    3.75       4-15-2027        6,159,000        6,972,604  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    1.75       1-20-2031        7,008,000        7,045,932  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    2.65       11-20-2040        7,809,000        8,030,038  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    3.00       3-22-2027        1,874,000        2,080,919  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    3.00       11-20-2060        3,794,000        4,010,150  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    3.50       11-1-2024        4,354,000        4,805,902  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    4.02       12-3-2029        2,246,000        2,671,204  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    4.27       1-15-2036        817,000        1,023,837  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    4.40       11-1-2034        3,909,000        4,936,258  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

    4.52       9-15-2048        2,431,000        3,229,822  
            110,694,751  
         

 

 

 
Entertainment: 0.16%  

Activision Blizzard Incorporated

    2.50       9-15-2050        3,277,000        3,164,863  

The Walt Disney Company

    3.50       5-13-2040        2,277,000        2,662,618  

The Walt Disney Company

    3.60       1-13-2051        2,044,000        2,419,622  

The Walt Disney Company

    3.80       5-13-2060        1,420,000        1,757,038  
            10,004,141  
         

 

 

 
Media: 0.84%  

Charter Communications Operating LLC

    4.46       7-23-2022        1,779,000        1,880,332  

Charter Communications Operating LLC

    4.80       3-1-2050        3,622,000        4,341,264  

Comcast Corporation

    1.50       2-15-2031        3,530,000        3,509,902  

Comcast Corporation

    1.95       1-15-2031        2,665,000        2,748,971  

Comcast Corporation

    2.45       8-15-2052        4,509,000        4,427,834  

Comcast Corporation

    2.80       1-15-2051        1,178,000        1,235,697  

Comcast Corporation

    3.10       4-1-2025        1,860,000        2,045,443  

Comcast Corporation

    3.75       4-1-2040        4,551,000        5,522,204  

Comcast Corporation

    3.95       10-15-2025        1,314,000        1,506,275  

Comcast Corporation

    4.15       10-15-2028        2,262,000        2,721,917  

Comcast Corporation

    4.60       10-15-2038        4,569,000        6,038,760  

Time Warner Cable Incorporated

    6.55       5-1-2037        1,283,000        1,768,535  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.20       5-19-2032        5,872,000        6,947,430  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.38       3-15-2043        554,000        643,180  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.60       1-15-2045        358,000        420,539  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.75       5-15-2025        3,091,000        3,580,465  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    4.95       5-19-2050        67,000        85,435  

ViacomCBS Incorporated

    5.85       9-1-2043        1,305,000        1,794,826  
            51,219,009  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 1.77%

 

Auto Components: 0.07%  

BorgWarner Incorporated «

    2.65       7-1-2027        4,142,000        4,426,987  
         

 

 

 
Beverages: 0.07%  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Company

    4.38       4-15-2038        3,667,000        4,531,149  
         

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.12%  

Stanford University

    1.29       6-1-2027        782,000        800,813  

Yale University

    0.87       4-15-2025        3,329,000        3,378,233  

Yale University

    1.48       4-15-2030        2,852,000        2,897,921  
            7,076,967  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.37%  

GLP Capital LP

    4.00 %       1-15-2030      $ 1,546,000      $ 1,657,467  

GLP Capital LP

    5.30       1-15-2029        1,887,000        2,166,276  

Marriott International Incorporated

    4.63       6-15-2030        736,000        849,790  

Marriott International Incorporated

    5.75       5-1-2025        3,451,000        4,000,386  

McDonald’s Corporation

    1.45       9-1-2025        1,447,000        1,498,629  

McDonald’s Corporation

    2.13       3-1-2030        543,000        570,881  

McDonald’s Corporation

    3.70       1-30-2026        2,852,000        3,239,145  

Starbucks Corporation

    1.30       5-7-2022        2,372,000        2,402,685  

Starbucks Corporation

    3.35       3-12-2050        1,901,000        2,102,814  

Starbucks Corporation

    3.50       11-15-2050        3,371,000        3,861,014  
            22,349,087  
         

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 0.07%  

Amazon.com Incorporated

    2.50       6-3-2050        2,183,000        2,303,622  

Amazon.com Incorporated

    2.70       6-3-2060        1,985,000        2,159,991  
            4,463,613  
         

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 0.75%  

Advance Auto Parts Company

    1.75       10-1-2027        3,881,000        3,914,589  

Advance Auto Parts Company

    3.90       4-15-2030        7,970,000        9,152,737  

Home Depot Incorporated

    2.70       4-15-2030        2,318,000        2,569,554  

Home Depot Incorporated

    2.95       6-15-2029        1,082,000        1,224,408  

Home Depot Incorporated

    3.13       12-15-2049        5,301,000        6,102,364  

Home Depot Incorporated

    3.30       4-15-2040        793,000        937,485  

Home Depot Incorporated

    3.35       4-15-2050        3,821,000        4,542,128  

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

    1.70       10-15-2030        5,017,000        5,037,916  

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

    3.00       10-15-2050        1,178,000        1,265,216  

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

    4.00       4-15-2025        2,022,000        2,294,303  

O’Reilly Automotive Incorporated

    1.75       3-15-2031        6,046,000        6,012,512  

O’Reilly Automotive Incorporated

    4.20       4-1-2030        1,938,000        2,325,130  
            45,378,342  
         

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.32%  

Nike Incorporated

    2.40       3-27-2025        2,754,000        2,959,046  

Nike Incorporated

    2.75       3-27-2027        1,838,000        2,039,522  

Nike Incorporated

    2.85       3-27-2030        1,810,000        2,049,320  

Nike Incorporated

    3.38       3-27-2050        2,246,000        2,710,210  

Ralph Lauren Corporation

    1.70       6-15-2022        3,235,000        3,300,040  

Ralph Lauren Corporation

    2.95       6-15-2030        6,269,000        6,643,340  
            19,701,478  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 1.16%

 

Beverages: 0.42%  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Company

    4.90       2-1-2046        556,000        725,102  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Incorporated

    3.75       7-15-2042        766,000        875,729  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Incorporated

    4.15       1-23-2025        3,927,000        4,460,162  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Incorporated

    4.60       4-15-2048        3,837,000        4,886,230  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Incorporated

    4.70       2-1-2036        5,301,000        6,771,787  

Constellation Brands Incorporated

    3.20       2-15-2023        931,000        983,845  

Constellation Brands Incorporated

    3.70       12-6-2026        578,000        662,941  

Constellation Brands Incorporated

    4.40       11-15-2025        280,000        325,544  

Keurig Dr Pepper Incorporated

    3.43       6-15-2027        2,841,000        3,236,097  

Keurig Dr Pepper Incorporated

    3.80       5-1-2050        1,945,000        2,341,599  
            25,269,036  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  31


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Food & Staples Retailing: 0.27%  

Costco Wholesale Corporation

    1.60 %       4-20-2030      $ 11,250,000      $ 11,543,475  

Costco Wholesale Corporation

    1.75       4-20-2032        1,287,000        1,333,469  

Sysco Corporation

    6.60       4-1-2050        1,004,000        1,556,939  

Walmart Incorporated

    3.05       7-8-2026        1,752,000        1,968,566  

Walmart Incorporated

    4.05       6-29-2048        43,000        59,167  
            16,461,616  
         

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.10%  

General Mills Incorporated

    2.88       4-15-2030        1,341,000        1,490,953  

Mars Incorporated 144A

    1.63       7-16-2032        4,814,000        4,786,758  
            6,277,711  
         

 

 

 
Tobacco: 0.37%  

Altria Group Incorporated

    2.35       5-6-2025        830,000        879,602  

Altria Group Incorporated

    3.88       9-16-2046        1,631,000        1,755,575  

Altria Group Incorporated

    4.45       5-6-2050        1,690,000        1,987,909  

BAT Capital Corporation

    2.26       3-25-2028        212,000        218,600  

BAT Capital Corporation

    2.73       3-25-2031        7,288,000        7,493,228  

BAT Capital Corporation

    3.56       8-15-2027        3,725,000        4,138,812  

BAT Capital Corporation

    4.70       4-2-2027        3,989,000        4,669,653  

BAT Capital Corporation

    4.91       4-2-2030        1,021,000        1,226,907  
            22,370,286  
         

 

 

 

Energy: 1.50%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.50%  

BP Capital Markets America Incorporated

    1.75       8-10-2030        3,805,000        3,829,874  

BP Capital Markets America Incorporated

    2.77       11-10-2050        4,568,000        4,523,602  

BP Capital Markets America Incorporated

    3.19       4-6-2025        4,637,000        5,090,516  

BP Capital Markets America Incorporated

    3.54       4-6-2027        4,672,000        5,244,766  

Concho Resources Incorporated

    2.40       2-15-2031        2,380,000        2,485,058  

Devon Energy Corporation

    5.00       6-15-2045        1,011,000        1,135,158  

Devon Energy Corporation

    5.60       7-15-2041        1,506,000        1,762,309  

Diamondback Energy Incorporated

    3.25       12-1-2026        3,688,000        3,903,021  

Diamondback Energy Incorporated

    3.50       12-1-2029        2,422,000        2,537,319  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    2.90       5-15-2025        1,827,000        1,895,529  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    3.60       2-1-2023        475,000        493,312  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    4.05       3-15-2025        6,724,000        7,230,232  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    4.20       4-15-2027        1,421,000        1,539,568  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    4.25       3-15-2023        2,722,000        2,864,945  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    4.50       4-15-2024        605,000        652,099  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    4.75       1-15-2026        1,323,000        1,468,321  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    5.50       6-1-2027        983,000        1,129,772  

Energy Transfer Operating Partners LP

    6.05       6-1-2041        890,000        990,727  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

    2.80       1-31-2030        4,000        4,331  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

    3.70       1-31-2051        1,743,000        1,891,143  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

    3.95       1-31-2060        1,927,000        2,085,301  

Gray Oak Pipeline LLC 144A

    2.60       10-15-2025        1,998,000        2,028,408  

HollyFrontier Corporation

    2.63       10-1-2023        2,018,000        2,035,514  

Marathon Oil Corporation

    5.20       6-1-2045        975,000        1,070,685  

Marathon Oil Corporation

    6.80       3-15-2032        702,000        831,049  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

    4.40       7-15-2027        3,661,000        3,993,716  

MPLX LP

    1.75       3-1-2026        2,976,000        3,015,385  

MPLX LP

    2.65       8-15-2030        3,996,000        4,043,143  

Pioneer Natural Resource

    1.90       8-15-2030        4,987,000        4,901,147  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

32  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

Plains All American Pipeline LP

    3.55 %       12-15-2029      $ 4,179,000      $ 4,283,517  

Plains All American Pipeline LP

    4.90       2-15-2045        825,000        830,504  

Regency Energy Partners LP

    4.50       11-1-2023        918,000        989,735  

Sunoco Logistics Partner LP

    3.45       1-15-2023        464,000        481,738  

Sunoco Logistics Partner LP

    4.25       4-1-2024        1,222,000        1,308,975  

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company LLC 144A

    3.25       5-15-2030        1,973,000        2,171,052  

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company LLC 144A

    3.95       5-15-2050        3,159,000        3,491,336  

Valero Energy Corporation

    1.20       3-15-2024        1,905,000        1,904,644  

Williams Companies Incorporated

    3.90       1-15-2025        1,321,000        1,457,988  
            91,595,439  
         

 

 

 

Financials: 7.10%

 

Banks: 2.95%  

Bank of America Corporation (U.S. SOFR +0.74%) ±

    0.81       10-24-2024        9,982,000        10,020,960  

Bank of America Corporation (U.S. SOFR +0.91%) ±

    0.98       9-25-2025        8,409,000        8,456,816  

Bank of America Corporation (U.S. SOFR +1.01%) ±

    1.20       10-24-2026        9,608,000        9,670,259  

Bank of America Corporation (U.S. SOFR +1.15%) ±

    1.32       6-19-2026        8,418,000        8,518,161  

Bank of America Corporation (U.S. SOFR +1.53%) ±

    1.90       7-23-2031        7,619,000        7,648,058  

Bank of America Corporation (U.S. SOFR +1.37%) ±

    1.92       10-24-2031        3,117,000        3,141,907  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +0.64%) ±

    2.02       2-13-2026        970,000        1,012,034  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +0.87%) ±

    2.46       10-22-2025        5,159,000        5,475,241  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +0.99%) ±

    2.50       2-13-2031        5,241,000        5,542,146  

Bank of America Corporation (U.S. SOFR +2.15%) ±

    2.59       4-29-2031        5,099,000        5,429,978  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +0.79%) ±

    3.00       12-20-2023        9,893,000        10,393,015  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +1.09%) ±

    3.09       10-1-2025        7,075,000        7,649,008  

Bank of America Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +1.04%) ±

    3.42       12-20-2028        12,745,000        14,341,583  

Bank of America Corporation

    3.50       4-19-2026        1,671,000        1,895,004  

Bank of America Corporation

    4.13       1-22-2024        638,000        705,938  

Bank of America Corporation

    4.18       11-25-2027        5,279,000        6,091,578  

Citigroup Incorporated (U.S. SOFR +0.69%) ±

    0.78       10-30-2024        6,412,000        6,429,400  

Citigroup Incorporated

    3.20       10-21-2026        9,784,000        10,853,938  

Deutsche Bank (U.S. SOFR +1.87%) ±

    2.13       11-24-2026        5,752,000        5,821,597  

Deutsche Bank (U.S. SOFR +2.16%) ±

    2.22       9-18-2024        3,965,000        4,045,813  

JPMorgan Chase & Company (U.S. SOFR +0.80%) ±

    1.05       11-19-2026        11,403,000        11,463,323  

JPMorgan Chase & Company (U.S. SOFR +1.11%) ±

    1.76       11-19-2031        5,700,000        5,714,126  

JPMorgan Chase & Company (U.S. SOFR +1.89%) ±

    2.18       6-1-2028        5,715,000        5,994,316  

JPMorgan Chase & Company (U.S. SOFR +2.52%) ±

    2.96       5-13-2031        5,329,000        5,797,676  

Santander Holdings USA Incorporated

    3.24       10-5-2026        4,276,000        4,632,009  

Santander Holdings USA Incorporated

    3.40       1-18-2023        1,369,000        1,438,806  

Santander Holdings USA Incorporated

    3.45       6-2-2025        8,011,000        8,674,407  

Santander Holdings USA Incorporated

    4.40       7-13-2027        2,155,000        2,442,027  

Santander Holdings USA Incorporated

    4.50       7-17-2025        429,000        481,541  
            179,780,665  
         

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 1.88%  

Affiliated Managers Group Incorporated

    3.30       6-15-2030        5,956,000        6,483,070  

Ares Capital Corporation

    3.88       1-15-2026        3,487,000        3,663,640  

Franklin Resources Incorporated

    1.60       10-30-2030        4,518,000        4,458,489  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated (U.S. SOFR +0.54%) ±

    0.63       11-17-2023        15,498,000        15,539,042  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

    3.50       4-1-2025        7,270,000        8,054,078  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

    3.50       11-16-2026        2,690,000        3,008,299  

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

    6.75       10-1-2037        3,168,000        4,848,349  

Golub Capital LLC

    3.38       4-15-2024        9,617,000        9,679,657  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  33


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Capital Markets (continued)  

IntercontinentalExchange Incorporated

    1.85 %       9-15-2032      $ 3,991,000      $ 4,034,442  

IntercontinentalExchange Incorporated

    2.65       9-15-2040        1,398,000        1,449,669  

Morgan Stanley (U.S. SOFR +0.47%) ±

    0.56       11-10-2023        6,669,000        6,673,624  

Morgan Stanley (U.S. SOFR +0.75%) ±

    0.86       10-21-2025        6,719,000        6,760,990  

Morgan Stanley (U.S. SOFR +1.03%) ±

    1.79       2-13-2032        11,433,000        11,511,399  

Morgan Stanley (U.S. SOFR +1.99%) ±

    2.19       4-28-2026        951,000        1,003,029  

Morgan Stanley (U.S. SOFR +3.12%) ±

    3.62       4-1-2031        703,000        817,828  

Morgan Stanley

    3.63       1-20-2027        5,035,000        5,753,572  

Morgan Stanley

    4.00       7-23-2025        6,646,000        7,607,525  

PPL Capital Funding Incorporated

    3.10       5-15-2026        4,538,000        5,042,195  

PPL Capital Funding Incorporated

    3.40       6-1-2023        550,000        585,360  

PPL Capital Funding Incorporated

    4.13       4-15-2030        4,852,000        5,753,833  

PPL Capital Funding Incorporated

    5.00       3-15-2044        1,522,000        1,985,636  
            114,713,726  
         

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 1.62%  

Ally Financial Incorporated

    1.45       10-2-2023        7,741,000        7,890,590  

Ally Financial Incorporated

    5.13       9-30-2024        6,159,000        7,063,685  

Ally Financial Incorporated

    5.75       11-20-2025        6,708,000        7,833,404  

Aviation Capital Group LLC 144A

    5.50       12-15-2024        4,962,000        5,312,066  

Bunge Limited Finance Corporation

    1.63       8-17-2025        4,949,000        5,051,359  

Bunge Limited Finance Corporation

    3.25       8-15-2026        4,037,000        4,430,579  

Bunge Limited Finance Corporation

    3.75       9-25-2027        3,508,000        3,908,051  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    1.70       8-18-2023        6,161,000        6,309,887  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    2.70       8-20-2027        8,692,000        9,170,566  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    2.75       6-20-2025        6,210,000        6,572,160  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    5.20       3-20-2023        4,234,000        4,643,844  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    5.40       4-1-2048        3,760,000        4,742,423  

Harley Davidson Financial Services Company 144A

    3.35       6-8-2025        3,823,000        4,109,913  

Hyundai Capital America 144A

    1.25       9-18-2023        2,903,000        2,923,390  

Hyundai Capital America 144A

    1.80       10-15-2025        2,903,000        2,941,752  

Hyundai Capital America 144A

    2.38       10-15-2027        2,903,000        2,993,394  

John Deere Capital Corporation

    0.55       7-5-2022        5,706,000        5,735,153  

John Deere Capital Corporation

    1.20       4-6-2023        4,394,000        4,487,437  

John Deere Capital Corporation

    1.75       3-9-2027        2,633,000        2,769,056  
            98,888,709  
         

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 0.04%  

Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

    0.95       8-1-2027        2,272,000        2,269,060  
         

 

 

 
Insurance: 0.61%  

American International Group Incorporated

    3.40       6-30-2030        4,204,000        4,792,159  

American International Group Incorporated

    4.20       4-1-2028        2,799,000        3,335,353  

American International Group Incorporated

    4.50       7-16-2044        2,493,000        3,198,896  

American International Group Incorporated

    4.75       4-1-2048        3,869,000        5,218,106  

American International Group Incorporated

    5.25       4-2-2030        4,803,000        5,796,325  

Brighthouse Financial Incorporated

    4.70       6-22-2047        2,089,000        2,158,113  

Fidelity & Guaranty Life Company 144A

    5.50       5-1-2025        1,911,000        2,208,848  

Fidelity National Financial Incorporated

    3.40       6-15-2030        2,405,000        2,649,662  

Nationwide Financial Services Incorporated 144A

    3.90       11-30-2049        4,484,000        4,967,521  

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company 144A

    4.35       4-30-2050        2,498,000        2,920,368  
            37,245,351  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

34  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Health Care: 3.20%  
Biotechnology: 1.18%  

AbbVie Incorporated

    2.30 %       11-21-2022      $ 5,819,000      $ 6,023,916  

AbbVie Incorporated

    2.60       11-21-2024        4,641,000        4,960,250  

AbbVie Incorporated

    2.90       11-6-2022        5,980,000        6,253,455  

AbbVie Incorporated

    2.95       11-21-2026        1,865,000        2,062,242  

AbbVie Incorporated

    3.20       11-21-2029        7,876,000        8,929,968  

AbbVie Incorporated

    3.75       11-14-2023        513,000        560,992  

AbbVie Incorporated

    3.80       3-15-2025        7,754,000        8,662,821  

AbbVie Incorporated

    4.05       11-21-2039        2,166,000        2,625,565  

AbbVie Incorporated

    4.25       11-14-2028        1,401,000        1,690,730  

AbbVie Incorporated

    4.25       11-21-2049        4,936,000        6,238,304  

AbbVie Incorporated

    4.30       5-14-2036        1,354,000        1,684,061  

AbbVie Incorporated

    4.45       5-14-2046        1,372,000        1,729,302  

Amgen Incorporated

    3.15       2-21-2040        674,000        727,938  

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

    1.20       10-1-2027        3,035,000        3,054,229  

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

    1.65       10-1-2030        3,035,000        3,021,358  

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

    2.60       10-1-2040        2,290,000        2,318,833  

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

    2.80       10-1-2050        1,416,000        1,422,389  

Regeneron Pharmaceutical Incorporated

    1.75       9-15-2030        7,615,000        7,486,714  

Regeneron Pharmaceutical Incorporated

    2.80       9-15-2050        2,303,000        2,258,648  
            71,711,715  
         

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 0.27%  

Abbott Laboratories

    3.75       11-30-2026        2,350,000        2,742,187  

Danaher Corporation

    2.60       10-1-2050        2,383,000        2,505,878  

Danaher Corporation

    3.35       9-15-2025        1,869,000        2,077,432  

Stryker Corporation

    1.15       6-15-2025        3,995,000        4,060,901  

Stryker Corporation

    1.95       6-15-2030        1,755,000        1,815,338  

Stryker Corporation

    2.90       6-15-2050        2,799,000        2,978,243  
            16,179,979  
         

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 0.74%  

Aetna Incorporated

    3.88       8-15-2047        1,478,000        1,761,885  

Anthem Incorporated

    2.25       5-15-2030        4,942,000        5,173,788  

Cigna Corporation

    3.40       9-17-2021        4,106,000        4,204,987  

Cigna Corporation

    3.40       3-1-2027        2,887,000        3,242,324  

Cigna Corporation

    3.88       10-15-2047        3,958,000        4,750,617  

Cigna Corporation

    4.38       10-15-2028        955,000        1,147,604  

CVS Health Corporation

    3.00       8-15-2026        2,013,000        2,216,979  

CVS Health Corporation

    1.75       8-21-2030        998,000        997,827  

CVS Health Corporation

    2.70       8-21-2040        1,391,000        1,405,926  

CVS Health Corporation

    3.70       3-9-2023        2,148,000        2,297,866  

CVS Health Corporation

    4.30       3-25-2028        4,779,000        5,620,444  

CVS Health Corporation

    4.78       3-25-2038        1,438,000        1,822,577  

HCA Incorporated

    5.13       6-15-2039        1,054,000        1,354,634  

HCA Incorporated

    5.25       6-15-2049        1,015,000        1,337,613  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    2.75       5-15-2040        1,428,000        1,564,519  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    3.50       8-15-2039        651,000        774,503  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    3.70       12-15-2025        2,013,000        2,302,520  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    3.75       10-15-2047        1,604,000        2,017,421  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

    3.88       8-15-2059        1,041,000        1,378,655  
            45,372,689  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  35


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 0.14%                          

Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated

    4.50 %       3-25-2030      $ 6,955,000      $ 8,722,259  
         

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 0.87%                          

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    0.75       11-13-2025        3,987,000        3,989,406  

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    1.13       11-13-2027        5,980,000        6,023,189  

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    1.45       11-13-2030        6,974,000        7,002,064  

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    2.35       11-13-2040        1,495,000        1,534,716  

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    2.55       11-13-2050        4,584,000        4,727,222  

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    3.40       7-26-2029        2,440,000        2,847,702  

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    3.45       11-15-2027        2,692,000        3,092,615  

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    3.90       2-20-2028        2,885,000        3,416,532  

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    4.25       10-26-2049        1,518,000        2,054,534  

Bristol Myers Squibb Company

    4.35       11-15-2047        912,000        1,241,441  

Eli Lilly and Company

    2.25       5-15-2050        2,827,000        2,750,289  

Eli Lilly and Company

    2.50       9-15-2060        1,905,000        1,920,572  

Johnson & Johnson

    2.10       9-1-2040        681,000        695,505  

Johnson & Johnson

    2.45       9-1-2060        972,000        1,018,574  

Merck & Company Incorporated

    2.35       6-24-2040        1,386,000        1,449,064  

Merck & Company Incorporated

    2.45       6-24-2050        1,386,000        1,444,631  

Merck & Company Incorporated

    3.70       2-10-2045        1,325,000        1,666,790  

Pfizer Incorporated

    2.80       3-11-2022        1,792,000        1,849,113  

Royalty Pharma plc 144A

    0.75       9-2-2023        989,000        993,278  

Royalty Pharma plc 144A

    1.20       9-2-2025        989,000        997,313  

Royalty Pharma plc 144A

    3.55       9-2-2050        2,520,000        2,617,503  
            53,332,053  
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 1.91%

         
Aerospace & Defense: 0.70%                          

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    2.55       10-15-2022        5,898,000        6,127,974  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    2.93       1-15-2025        271,000        294,298  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    3.25       8-1-2023        5,436,000        5,863,910  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    3.25       1-15-2028        3,365,000        3,798,395  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    4.03       10-15-2047        1,936,000        2,460,323  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

    5.15       5-1-2040        2,907,000        4,047,183  

The Boeing Company

    3.25       2-1-2028        4,038,000        4,205,609  

The Boeing Company

    3.63       2-1-2031        5,082,000        5,363,945  

The Boeing Company

    3.75       2-1-2050        2,117,000        2,141,554  

The Boeing Company

    5.81       5-1-2050        1,262,000        1,667,208  

United Technologies Corporation

    3.65       8-16-2023        390,000        420,409  

United Technologies Corporation

    3.95       8-16-2025        2,686,000        3,077,494  

United Technologies Corporation

    4.45       11-16-2038        2,502,000        3,227,914  
            42,696,216  
         

 

 

 
Airlines: 0.36%  

Delta Air Lines Incorporated 144A

    4.50       10-20-2025        6,004,000        6,338,253  

Delta Air Lines Incorporated 144A

    4.75       10-20-2028        4,004,000        4,310,220  

Southwest Airlines Company

    4.75       5-4-2023        3,989,000        4,325,491  

Southwest Airlines Company

    5.13       6-15-2027        5,984,000        6,960,267  
            21,934,231  
         

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.08%                          

Republic Services Incorporated

    1.75       2-15-2032        3,990,000        4,017,813  

Waste Management Incorporated

    2.50       11-15-2050        956,000        962,794  
            4,980,607  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

36  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Industrial Conglomerates: 0.25%                          

Alphabet Incorporated

    2.25 %       8-15-2060      $ 2,664,000      $ 2,639,240  

General Electric Company

    3.10       1-9-2023        666,000        700,156  

General Electric Company

    3.45       5-1-2027        5,548,000        6,111,013  

General Electric Company

    3.63       5-1-2030        2,849,000        3,193,548  

General Electric Company

    4.35       5-1-2050        1,491,000        1,750,369  

General Electric Company

    5.88       1-14-2038        317,000        409,926  
            14,804,252  
         

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.10%                          

Deere & Company

    2.75       4-15-2025        3,891,000        4,233,644  

Deere & Company

    3.75       4-15-2050        1,507,000        1,967,084  
            6,200,728  
         

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 0.37%                          

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC

    3.05       2-15-2051        1,332,000        1,538,475  

CSX Corporation

    4.30       3-1-2048        238,000        312,944  

CSX Corporation

    4.75       11-15-2048        1,292,000        1,806,659  

Union Pacific Corporation

    2.15       2-5-2027        2,951,000        3,130,747  

Union Pacific Corporation

    2.40       2-5-2030        3,653,000        3,952,482  

Union Pacific Corporation

    2.95       3-1-2022        3,307,000        3,414,945  

Union Pacific Corporation 144A

    2.97       9-16-2062        500,000        528,319  

Union Pacific Corporation

    3.15       3-1-2024        1,582,000        1,707,986  

Union Pacific Corporation

    3.25       2-5-2050        4,690,000        5,369,944  

Union Pacific Corporation

    3.75       2-5-2070        606,000        729,921  
            22,492,422  
         

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure: 0.05%  

Crowley Conro LLC

    4.18       8-15-2043        2,667,033        3,214,280  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 2.12%

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.10%  

Flex Limited

    4.88       5-12-2030        4,987,000        5,927,389  
         

 

 

 
IT Services: 0.32%  

Fiserv Incorporated

    3.20       7-1-2026        3,199,000        3,586,542  

Fiserv Incorporated

    3.50       7-1-2029        922,000        1,055,601  

IBM Corporation

    3.30       5-15-2026        1,095,000        1,234,347  

IBM Corporation

    4.15       5-15-2039        477,000        611,075  

Paypal Holdings Incorporated

    1.35       6-1-2023        5,148,000        5,275,086  

Paypal Holdings Incorporated

    1.65       6-1-2025        7,206,000        7,492,806  
            19,255,457  
         

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 0.94%  

Broadcom Incorporated

    3.15       11-15-2025        10,440,000        11,372,666  

Broadcom Incorporated

    3.88       1-15-2027        4,520,000        5,078,645  

Broadcom Incorporated

    4.15       11-15-2030        5,914,000        6,860,086  

Broadcom Incorporated

    4.25       4-15-2026        3,199,000        3,652,873  

Broadcom Incorporated

    4.70       4-15-2025        4,699,000        5,377,967  

Intel Corporation

    4.60       3-25-2040        1,896,000        2,546,606  

KLA Corporation

    3.30       3-1-2050        2,538,000        2,848,470  

Micron Technology Incorporated

    2.50       4-24-2023        5,891,000        6,151,741  

NVIDIA Corporation

    2.85       4-1-2030        1,047,000        1,173,460  

NVIDIA Corporation

    3.50       4-1-2050        8,033,000        9,765,705  

Texas Instruments Incorporated

    1.38       3-12-2025        2,363,000        2,441,496  
            57,269,715  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  37


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Software: 0.38%                          

Microsoft Corporation

    2.68 %       6-1-2060      $ 1,467,000      $ 1,608,093  

Microsoft Corporation

    4.10       2-6-2037        1,883,000        2,481,307  

Oracle Corporation

    2.63       2-15-2023        2,471,000        2,586,383  

Oracle Corporation

    2.80       4-1-2027        5,697,000        6,268,846  

Oracle Corporation

    2.95       11-15-2024        1,321,000        1,433,048  

Oracle Corporation

    3.80       11-15-2037        1,349,000        1,614,308  

Oracle Corporation

    3.85       4-1-2060        3,144,000        3,865,398  

Oracle Corporation

    4.00       11-15-2047        2,871,000        3,508,573  
            23,365,956  
         

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 0.38%                          

Apple Incorporated

    2.65       5-11-2050        4,595,000        4,927,367  

Apple Incorporated

    4.25       2-9-2047        1,346,000        1,850,465  

Apple Incorporated

    2.55       8-20-2060        4,378,000        4,539,112  

Dell International LLC 144A

    4.90       10-1-2026        972,000        1,135,157  

Dell International LLC 144A

    5.30       10-1-2029        1,911,000        2,308,508  

Dell International LLC 144A

    6.10       7-15-2027        1,902,000        2,330,653  

HP Incorporated

    2.20       6-17-2025        5,989,000        6,327,725  
            23,418,987  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.76%

 

Chemicals: 0.34%  

Dow Chemical Corporation

    2.10       11-15-2030        5,715,000        5,833,340  

Dow Chemical Corporation

    3.60       11-15-2050        2,026,000        2,260,257  

Dow Chemical Corporation

    4.38       11-15-2042        974,000        1,188,902  

LYB International Finance III Company

    1.25       10-1-2025        2,222,000        2,241,833  

LYB International Finance III Company

    2.25       10-1-2030        980,000        1,000,370  

LYB International Finance III Company

    3.38       10-1-2040        1,246,000        1,311,826  

LYB International Finance III Company

    3.63       4-1-2051        1,746,000        1,885,196  

Nutrition and Biosciences Incorporated 144A

    1.23       10-1-2025        2,016,000        2,040,985  

Nutrition and Biosciences Incorporated 144A

    2.30       11-1-2030        3,022,000        3,106,832  
            20,869,541  
         

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 0.42%                          

Barrick Gold Finance Company LLC

    5.70       5-30-2041        1,154,000        1,660,109  

Newmont Mining Corporation

    2.25       10-1-2030        12,670,000        13,271,678  

Nucor Corporation

    2.00       6-1-2025        1,991,000        2,091,274  

Nucor Corporation

    2.70       6-1-2030        2,549,000        2,782,447  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company

    1.30       8-15-2025        1,571,000        1,589,111  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company

    2.15       8-15-2030        4,080,000        4,164,820  
            25,559,439  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 1.18%

 

Equity REITs: 0.96%  

Agree LP

    2.90       10-1-2030        1,391,000        1,457,420  

Crown Castle International Corporation

    3.30       7-1-2030        1,585,000        1,768,843  

Crown Castle International Corporation

    4.00       3-1-2027        951,000        1,086,042  

Equinix Incorporated

    2.63       11-18-2024        2,516,000        2,680,067  

Equinix Incorporated

    2.90       11-18-2026        5,252,000        5,727,080  

Healthpeak Properties

    2.88       1-15-2031        1,316,000        1,405,658  

Kimco Realty Corporation

    1.90       3-1-2028        1,985,000        1,994,244  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    1.70       2-15-2031        1,759,000        1,745,842  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    3.60       6-1-2027        284,000        319,764  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

38  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Equity REITs (continued)  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    3.75 %       6-15-2024      $ 4,371,000      $ 4,737,861  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    3.95       3-15-2029        1,878,000        2,196,497  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    4.00       11-15-2025        2,287,000        2,586,674  

Mid-America Apartments LP

    4.30       10-15-2023        1,914,000        2,089,331  

Realty Income Corporation

    3.25       1-15-2031        4,263,000        4,824,380  

Regency Centers LP

    2.95       9-15-2029        4,062,000        4,291,002  

Store Capital Corporation

    2.75       11-18-2030        3,294,000        3,325,094  

Store Capital Corporation

    4.50       3-15-2028        7,031,000        7,901,087  

Store Capital Corporation

    4.63       3-15-2029        2,381,000        2,721,079  

VEREIT Operating Partnership LP

    2.20       6-15-2028        1,992,000        2,003,779  

VEREIT Operating Partnership LP

    2.85       12-15-2032        1,394,000        1,427,609  

VEREIT Operating Partnership LP

    3.40       1-15-2028        1,985,000        2,148,057  
            58,437,410  
         

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development: 0.22%                          

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    3.95       1-15-2024        2,960,000        3,216,306  

Highwoods Realty LP

    2.60       2-1-2031        1,645,000        1,656,427  

Spirit Realty LP

    3.20       2-15-2031        4,423,000        4,622,562  

Spirit Realty LP

    3.40       1-15-2030        2,250,000        2,391,694  

Spirit Realty LP

    4.00       7-15-2029        1,104,000        1,226,828  

Spirit Realty LP

    4.45       9-15-2026        233,000        261,583  
            13,375,400  
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 2.40%

 

Electric Utilities: 1.48%  

Duke Energy Corporation

    1.80       9-1-2021        3,936,000        3,973,624  

Duke Energy Progress Incorporated

    2.50       8-15-2050        2,283,000        2,320,939  

Entergy Arkansas LLC 1st Mortgage

    2.65       6-15-2051        2,495,000        2,599,500  

Entergy Texas Incorporated 1st Mortgage

    1.75       3-15-2031        2,522,000        2,530,302  

Evergy Incorporated

    2.25       6-1-2030        2,440,000        2,593,102  

Evergy Incorporated

    2.45       9-15-2024        3,491,000        3,698,645  

Evergy Incorporated

    2.90       9-15-2029        2,480,000        2,692,508  

Evergy Kansas Central Incorporated

    3.45       4-15-2050        4,060,000        4,751,107  

Exelon Corporation

    4.70       4-15-2050        3,613,000        4,876,829  

Interstate Power & Light Company

    3.50       9-30-2049        1,431,000        1,610,260  

ITC Holdings Corporation

    2.70       11-15-2022        3,761,000        3,911,472  

Metropolitan Edison Company 144A

    4.30       1-15-2029        4,189,000        4,791,552  

Mississippi Power Company

    3.95       3-30-2028        4,588,000        5,295,913  

Mississippi Power Company

    4.25       3-15-2042        2,754,000        3,369,710  

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

    2.10       8-1-2027        3,745,000        3,776,624  

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

    2.50       2-1-2031        5,160,000        5,196,668  

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

    3.15       1-1-2026        803,000        848,359  

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

    3.30       12-1-2027        6,785,000        7,206,140  

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

    3.30       8-1-2040        1,254,000        1,267,343  

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

    3.95       12-1-2047        3,055,000        3,182,454  

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

    4.50       7-1-2040        968,000        1,085,785  

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

    4.55       7-1-2030        4,164,000        4,753,823  

Pennsylvania Electric Company 144A

    3.25       3-15-2028        1,582,000        1,704,591  

Public Service Electric and Gas Company

    2.05       8-1-2050        778,000        723,078  

Public Service Electric and Gas Company

    2.70       5-1-2050        4,146,000        4,401,170  

South Carolina Edison Company

    4.13       3-1-2048        2,097,000        2,540,047  

Southern California Edison Company

    2.85       8-1-2029        1,900,000        2,054,666  

Southern California Edison Company

    4.65       10-1-2043        914,000        1,136,898  

Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company 144A

    3.85       6-1-2025        1,312,000        1,429,301  
            90,322,410  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  39


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Gas Utilities: 0.06%  

Southern Company Gas Capital Corporation

    1.75     1-15-2031      $ 3,810,000      $ 3,840,877  
         

 

 

 
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers: 0.07%  

The AES Corporation 144A%%

    1.38       1-15-2026        4,017,000        4,050,656  
         

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities: 0.79%  

Black Hills Corporation

    3.05       10-15-2029        2,286,000        2,497,605  

Black Hills Corporation

    3.88       10-15-2049        1,681,000        1,924,501  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

    2.50       9-1-2022        386,000        399,049  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

    2.50       9-1-2024        4,069,000        4,319,821  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

    2.90       7-1-2050        1,290,000        1,403,280  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

    2.95       3-1-2030        1,593,000        1,741,556  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

    4.10       9-1-2047        1,825,000        2,219,581  

Consumers Energy Company

    2.50       5-1-2060        1,582,000        1,614,181  

Dominion Resources Incorporated

    2.00       8-15-2021        2,628,000        2,654,352  

DTE Energy Company

    1.05       6-1-2025        3,805,000        3,836,468  

DTE Energy Company

    2.53       10-1-2024        515,000        548,389  

DTE Energy Company

    2.95       3-1-2030        2,502,000        2,734,945  

DTE Energy Company

    2.95       3-1-2050        4,128,000        4,600,814  

DTE Energy Company

    3.80       3-15-2027        3,765,000        4,285,275  

Midamerican Energy Company

    3.65       8-1-2048        1,985,000        2,443,903  

NextEra Energy Capital Company

    2.25       6-1-2030        3,038,000        3,180,636  

NextEra Energy Capital Company

    2.75       5-1-2025        3,210,000        3,478,035  

WEC Energy Group Incorporated

    1.38       10-15-2027        4,179,000        4,194,247  
            48,076,638  
         

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $1,481,624,908)

 

     1,580,128,429  
         

 

 

 

Municipal Obligations: 0.45%

 

California: 0.06%

 

GO Revenue: 0.06%  

Los Angeles CA Community College District Build America Bonds

    6.75       8-1-2049        2,105,000        3,772,497  
         

 

 

 

Nevada: 0.09%

 

Airport Revenue: 0.09%  

Clark County NV Airport Authority Build America Bonds Series C

    6.82       7-1-2045        3,365,000        5,556,826  
         

 

 

 

New York: 0.12%

 

Airport Revenue: 0.12%  

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Bonds Series 174

    4.46       10-1-2062        5,505,000        7,172,024  
         

 

 

 

Ohio: 0.05%

 

Education Revenue: 0.05%  

Ohio State University General Receipts Taxable Bonds Series A

    4.80       6-1-2111        1,957,000        2,819,274  
         

 

 

 

Texas: 0.13%

 

Education Revenue: 0.03%  

University of Texas Financing System Bond Series B

    2.44       8-15-2049        1,695,000        1,728,900  
         

 

 

 
Transportation Revenue: 0.10%  

North Texas Tollway Authority

    6.72       1-1-2049        3,609,000        6,251,690  
         

 

 

 
            7,980,590  
         

 

 

 

Total Municipal Obligations (Cost $19,305,170)

 

     27,301,211  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

40  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities: 3.36%  

Angel Oak Mortgage Trust Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A ±±

    3.63 %       3-25-2049      $ 1,838,790      $ 1,883,962  

Angel Oak Mortgage Trust Series 2020-2 Class A1 144A ±±

    2.53       1-26-2065        6,576,616        6,710,976  

Angel Oak Mortgage Trust Series 2020-5 Class A1 144A ±±

    1.37       5-25-2065        2,269,702        2,273,353  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust Series 2018-B1 Class ASB ±±

    3.60       1-15-2051        787,000        880,607  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust Series 2020-B20 Class A5

    2.03       10-15-2053        5,004,000        5,195,930  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust Series 2020-B21 Class A5

    1.98       12-15-2053        4,871,000        5,021,647  

Bunker Hill Loan Depositary Trust Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A

    3.61       10-26-2048        2,578,287        2,684,815  

Bunker Hill Loan Depositary Trust Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A

    2.88       7-25-2049        4,494,226        4,619,633  

Bunker Hill Loan Depositary Trust Series 2019-3 Class A1 144A

    2.72       11-25-2059        5,215,307        5,358,227  

CD Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-CD4 Class ASB

    3.32       5-10-2050        2,105,000        2,295,507  

CD Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-CD6 Class ASB

    3.33       11-13-2050        5,323,000        5,859,686  

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-C8 Class A1

    1.96       6-15-2050        156,405        156,429  

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-C8 Class ASB

    3.37       6-15-2050        2,014,000        2,190,022  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2016- P5 Class A1

    1.41       10-10-2049        270,817        270,983  

Colt Funding LLC Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A ±±

    3.71       3-25-2049        1,452,224        1,467,635  

Colt Funding LLC Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A ±±

    3.34       5-25-2049        2,787,108        2,808,622  

Colt Funding LLC Series 2019-4 Class A1 144A ±±

    2.58       11-25-2049        3,760,558        3,805,798  

Colt Funding LLC Series 2020-2 Class A1 144A ±±

    1.85       3-25-2065        4,069,146        4,122,689  

Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2013-CR6 Class A4

    3.10       3-10-2046        8,286,000        8,580,492  

Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2014-UBS4 Class A4

    3.42       8-10-2047        4,380,000        4,643,087  

Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2015-LC21 Class A4

    3.71       7-10-2048        1,777,000        1,968,636  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2015-C4 Class A4

    3.81       11-15-2048        2,010,200        2,249,217  

Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2017-C6 Class ASB

    3.12       6-10-2050        1,249,000        1,351,327  

Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2020-C9 Class A5

    1.93       9-15-2053        976,000        1,004,686  

GCAT Series 2019-NQM1 Class A1 144A

    2.99       2-25-2059        1,642,990        1,674,650  

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2012-GCJ7 Class AAB

    2.94       5-10-2045        8,937        8,936  

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2014-GCJ18 Class A3

    3.80       1-10-2047        1,727,233        1,788,648  

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2015-GC34 Class A4

    3.51       10-10-2048        3,317,000        3,657,050  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2014-GC18 Class A4

    4.07       1-10-2047        5,804,323        6,257,534  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2017-GS18 Class A4

    3.47       11-10-2050        4,741,000        5,365,882  

Impact Funding LLC Series 2010-1 Class A1 144A

    5.31       1-25-2051        6,182,518        6,679,630  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Series 2014-C23 Class A4

    3.67       9-15-2047        2,419,000        2,597,756  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Series 2017-C5 Class ASB

    3.49       3-15-2050        861,000        936,661  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Series 2018-C8 Class ASB

    4.15       6-15-2051        2,714,000        3,118,335  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2015-C28 Class A3

    2.91       10-15-2048        9,951,788        10,464,537  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2015-C29 Class A4

    3.61       5-15-2048        2,663,000        2,941,689  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2017-JP6 Class ASB

    3.28       7-15-2050        2,343,000        2,553,442  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust Series 2015-C20 Class A4

    3.25       2-15-2048        800,041        863,781  

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2019-NQM2 Class A1 144A ±±

    3.60       4-25-2049        2,084,966        2,115,150  

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2019-NQM4 Class A1 144A ±±

    2.49       9-25-2059        3,555,840        3,620,773  

SG Capital Partners Series 2019-3 Class A1 144A ±±

    2.70       9-25-2059        3,184,135        3,227,661  

Starwood Mortgage Residential Trust Series 2019-INV1 Class A1 144A ±±

    2.61       9-27-2049        3,879,453        3,948,115  

Starwood Mortgage Residential Trust Series 2020-1 Class A1 144A ±±

    2.28       2-25-2050        6,422,610        6,559,660  

Starwood Mortgage Residential Trust Series 2020-3 Class A1 144A ±±

    1.49       4-25-2065        5,912,701        5,948,234  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A ±±

    3.40       12-25-2059        2,930,161        3,015,859  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A ±±

    3.84       2-25-2059        1,410,330        1,421,442  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A ±±

    2.91       7-25-2059        3,885,311        3,987,052  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-2 Class A1 144A ±±

    3.21       5-25-2059        5,288,937        5,355,142  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  41


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-3 Class A1 144A ±±

    2.69 %       11-25-2059      $ 2,525,534      $ 2,591,437  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-3 Class A1 144A

    2.78       7-25-2059        7,218,128        7,378,425  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2019-4 Class A1 144A

    2.64       11-25-2059        9,768,571        9,989,730  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2020-1 Class A1 144A

    2.42       1-25-2060        2,346,576        2,390,166  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2020-2 Class A1 144A ±±

    2.23       5-25-2060        8,674,251        8,758,709  

Verus Securitization Trust Series 2020-5 Class A1 144A

    1.22       5-25-2065        1,749,724        1,751,309  

Visio Trust Series 2019-1 Class A1 144A ±±

    3.57       6-25-2054        2,120,637        2,149,054  

Visio Trust Series 2020-1R Class A1 144A%%(a)

    1.31       11-25-2055        4,520,000        4,519,989  

Total Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $200,297,244)

 

     205,040,404  
         

 

 

 
U.S. Treasury Securities: 27.33%  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    0.25       8-31-2025        24,908,000        24,797,082  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.13       5-15-2040        134,293,000        129,026,196  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.13       8-15-2040        71,466,000        68,484,528  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.25       5-15-2050        22,057,000        20,309,672  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.38       11-15-2040        35,274,000        35,285,023  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.38       8-15-2050        89,210,000        84,763,439  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.63       11-15-2050        29,373,000        29,680,499  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.50       2-15-2045        15,226,000        18,380,042  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.88       5-15-2043        52,278,000        66,921,966  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       5-31-2022        33,602,000        33,598,062  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       6-30-2022        22,213,000        22,209,529  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       7-31-2022        5,663,000        5,661,230  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       8-31-2022        99,251,000        99,216,107  

U.S. Treasury Note ##

    0.13       9-30-2022        104,950,000        104,921,302  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       10-31-2022        41,390,000        41,373,832  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       11-30-2022        31,203,000        31,190,811  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       9-15-2023        116,043,000        115,852,618  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.13       10-15-2023        82,284,000        82,136,146  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.25       6-15-2023        18,871,000        18,907,857  

U.S. Treasury Note ##

    0.25       11-15-2023        119,381,000        119,595,513  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.25       9-30-2025        33,600,000        33,434,625  

U.S. Treasury Note «

    0.25       10-31-2025        60,663,000        60,345,467  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.38       11-30-2025        59,272,000        59,304,415  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.50       10-31-2027        39,860,000        39,548,594  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.88       11-15-2030        60,185,000        60,326,059  

U.S. Treasury Note ##

    1.38       1-31-2021        93,393,000        93,584,046  

U.S. Treasury Note ##

    1.38       5-31-2021        107,586,000        108,275,223  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       5-15-2022        3,363,000        3,459,818  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       4-30-2021        28,262,000        28,514,812  

U.S. Treasury Note

    3.13       5-15-2021        26,340,000        26,704,233  

Total U.S. Treasury Securities (Cost $1,667,179,959)

 

     1,665,808,746  
         

 

 

 

Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes: 7.00%

 

Communication Services: 0.07%

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.07%  

Vodafone Group plc

    4.25       9-17-2050        3,540,000        4,332,239  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 0.16%

 

Automobiles: 0.16%  

Nissan Motor Company 144A

    3.52       9-17-2025        1,806,000        1,885,431  

Nissan Motor Company 144A

    4.35       9-17-2027        4,887,000        5,239,771  

Nissan Motor Company 144A

    4.81       9-17-2030        2,244,000        2,477,513  
            9,602,715  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

42  |  Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  

Consumer Staples: 0.15%

 

Beverages: 0.15%  

Bacardi Limited 144A

    4.70 %       5-15-2028      $ 3,449,000      $ 3,989,799  

Bacardi Limited 144A

    5.15       5-15-2038        1,632,000        2,051,445  

Bacardi Limited 144A

    5.30       5-15-2048        2,450,000        3,300,374  
            9,341,618  
         

 

 

 

Energy: 1.06%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.06%  

Aker BP ASA 144A

    2.88       1-15-2026        5,234,000        5,241,893  

Aker BP ASA 144A

    4.00       1-15-2031        2,699,000        2,724,183  

Ecopetrol SA

    5.88       5-28-2045        2,196,000        2,610,495  

Enbridge Incorporated

    2.50       1-15-2025        8,829,000        9,301,674  

Enbridge Incorporated

    3.13       11-15-2029        4,038,000        4,382,544  

Equinor ASA

    1.75       1-22-2026        2,343,000        2,449,442  

Equinor ASA

    3.25       11-18-2049        1,370,000        1,524,745  

FEL Energy Company 144A%%

    5.75       12-1-2040        1,937,000        2,037,724  

Galaxy Pipeline Assets Company 144A

    1.75       9-30-2027        5,844,000        5,876,563  

Galaxy Pipeline Assets Company 144A

    2.63       3-31-2036        2,755,000        2,848,321  

Oleoducto Central SA 144A

    4.00       7-14-2027        1,951,000        2,107,080  

Petroleos Mexicanos Company

    2.38       4-15-2025        1,633,050        1,703,336  

Petroleos Mexicanos Company

    2.46       12-15-2025        4,435,750        4,628,550  

Saudi Arabian Oil Company 144A

    1.63       11-24-2025        2,967,000        3,020,436  

Saudi Arabian Oil Company 144A

    2.25       11-24-2030        2,967,000        3,005,637  

Saudi Arabian Oil Company 144A

    3.25       11-24-2050        660,000        661,373  

Suncor Energy Incorporated

    3.10       5-15-2025        3,958,000        4,299,906  

Tengizchevroil LLP 144A

    2.63       8-15-2025        3,111,000        3,217,552  

Total Capital International SA

    3.13       5-29-2050        2,916,000        3,191,953  
            64,833,407  
         

 

 

 

Financials: 4.61%

 

Banks: 2.59%  

Asian Development Bank

    0.63       4-7-2022        7,177,000        7,219,294  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    1.13       9-18-2025        4,600,000        4,615,437  

Banco Santander SA

    2.75       5-28-2025        3,600,000        3,831,827  

Banco Santander SA %%

    2.75       12-3-2030        3,000,000        3,000,000  

Banco Santander SA

    3.49       5-28-2030        1,800,000        2,005,670  

Barclays plc (3 Month LIBOR +3.05%) ±

    5.09       6-20-2030        6,684,000        7,876,944  

Danske Bank A/S (1 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +1.03%) 144A±

    1.17       12-8-2023        7,825,000        7,854,600  

Danske Bank A/S (3 Month LIBOR +1.25%) 144A±

    3.00       9-20-2022        9,081,000        9,235,466  

Danske Bank A/S (3 Month LIBOR +1.59%) 144A±

    3.24       12-20-2025        8,694,000        9,288,976  

Danske Bank A/S 144A

    5.00       1-12-2022        4,619,000        4,835,112  

HSBC Holdings plc (U.S. SOFR +1.29%) ±

    1.59       5-24-2027        10,944,000        11,038,179  

HSBC Holdings plc (U.S. SOFR +1.54%) ±

    1.65       4-18-2026        8,489,000        8,608,835  

HSBC Holdings plc (U.S. SOFR +1.73%) ±

    2.01       9-22-2028        9,614,000        9,768,954  

Inter-American Development Bank

    0.88       4-3-2025        7,363,000        7,501,119  

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank

    0.50       5-27-2025        11,429,000        11,451,709  

National Australia Bank 144A

    2.33       8-21-2030        5,461,000        5,501,929  

Perrigo Finance plc

    4.90       12-15-2044        1,656,000        1,861,444  

Perrigo Finance Unlimited Company

    3.15       6-15-2030        3,125,000        3,308,532  

Royal Bank Scotland Group plc (1 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +2.15%) ±

    2.36       5-22-2024        1,639,000        1,698,600  

Royal Bank Scotland Group plc (1 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +2.55%) ±

    3.07       5-22-2028        2,969,000        3,205,559  

Royal Bank Scotland Group plc (5 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +2.10%) ±

    3.75       11-1-2029        2,937,000        3,109,795  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio  |  43


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Banks (continued)  

Santander UK Group Holdings plc (1 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +1.25%) ±

    1.53 %       8-21-2026      $ 12,378,000      $ 12,470,217  

Societe Generale (5 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +3.00%) 144A ±

    3.65       7-8-2035        2,532,000        2,658,692  

Swedish Export Credit Corporation

    0.75       4-6-2023        9,883,000        9,984,032  

Westpac Banking Corporation (5 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +1.75%) ±

    2.67       11-15-2035        4,764,000        4,923,022  

Westpac Banking Corporation

    2.96       11-16-2040        1,151,000        1,238,072  
            158,092,016  
         

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 0.65%  

Credit Suisse Group Funding Limited (U.S. SOFR +2.04%) 144A ±

    2.19       6-5-2026        7,231,000        7,539,821  

Credit Suisse Group Funding Limited (U.S. SOFR +1.56%) 144A ±

    2.59       9-11-2025        1,367,000        1,442,223  

Credit Suisse Group Funding Limited (3 Month LIBOR +1.20%) 144A ±

    3.00       12-14-2023        3,476,000        3,632,942  

Credit Suisse Group Funding Limited

    3.80       6-9-2023        3,131,000        3,369,679  

Credit Suisse Group Funding Limited (U.S. SOFR +3.73%) 144A ±

    4.19       4-1-2031        8,443,000        9,949,633  

Nomura Holdings Incorporated

    2.65       1-16-2025        3,450,000        3,663,223  

Nomura Holdings Incorporated

    2.68       7-16-2030        2,862,000        3,023,004  

Nomura Holdings Incorporated

    3.10       1-16-2030        6,118,000        6,664,931  
            39,285,456  
         

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 1.24%  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    3.15       2-15-2024        3,940,000        4,055,681  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    3.50       5-26-2022        1,794,000        1,845,110  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    3.95       2-1-2022        992,000        1,018,033  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    4.63       7-1-2022        838,000        879,248  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    4.88       1-16-2024        1,868,000        2,011,903  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC

    6.50       7-15-2025        3,843,000        4,441,882  

BAT International Finance plc

    1.67       3-25-2026        10,411,000        10,596,854  

Brookfield Finance Incorporated

    4.35       4-15-2030        4,883,000        5,925,045  

DH Europe Finance II

    2.05       11-15-2022        2,978,000        3,075,717  

DH Europe Finance II

    2.20       11-15-2024        5,104,000        5,412,496  

DH Europe Finance II

    2.60       11-15-2029        5,520,000        6,082,493  

DH Europe Finance II

    3.40       11-15-2049        39,000        46,451  

Element Fleet Management Corporation 144A

    3.85       6-15-2025        3,823,000        4,084,821  

GE Capital International Funding Company 144A

    3.45       5-15-2025        2,250,000        2,450,109  

GE Capital International Funding Company 144A

    4.40       5-15-2030        4,527,000        5,212,703  

GE Capital International Funding Company

    4.42       11-15-2035        6,562,000        7,568,407  

Trust Fibrauno 144A

    4.87       1-15-2030        2,649,000        2,925,821  

Trust Fibrauno 144A

    6.39       1-15-2050        1,663,000        1,835,952  

UBS Group AG (1 Year Treasury Constant Maturity +1.08%) 144A ±

    1.36       1-30-2027        6,030,000        6,091,499  
            75,560,225  
         

 

 

 
Insurance: 0.13%  

Arch Capital Group Limited

    3.64       6-30-2050        2,476,000        2,921,393  

Athene Holding Limited

    3.50       1-15-2031        1,405,000        1,485,339  

Athene Holding Limited

    6.15       4-3-2030        2,927,000        3,646,805  
            8,053,537  
         

 

 

 

Health Care: 0.39%

 

Pharmaceuticals: 0.39%                          

Astrazeneca plc

    0.70       4-8-2026        3,861,000        3,845,128  

Shire plc ADR

    2.88       9-23-2023        3,878,000        4,115,838  

Takeda Pharmaceutical

    2.05       3-31-2030        7,069,000        7,219,757  

Takeda Pharmaceutical

    3.18       7-9-2050        4,327,000        4,624,482  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)                          

Takeda Pharmaceutical

    4.40 %       11-26-2023      $ 3,391,000      $ 3,764,003  
            23,569,208  
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 0.10%

 

Construction & Engineering: 0.04%  

Hutama Karya Persero PT 144A

    3.75       5-11-2030        2,193,000        2,436,182  
         

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure: 0.06%

 

Adani Ports & Special Company 144A

    4.20       8-4-2027        3,484,000        3,709,694  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 0.27%

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 0.27%  

NXP BV 144A

    3.15       5-1-2027        3,217,000        3,510,174  

NXP BV 144A

    3.88       6-18-2026        7,599,000        8,610,829  

NXP BV 144A

    4.30       6-18-2029        2,498,000        2,930,401  

TSMC Global Limited Company 144A

    1.38       9-28-2030        1,227,000        1,201,769  
            16,253,173  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.14%

 

Chemicals: 0.07%  

Nutrien Limited

    5.00       4-1-2049        2,885,000        3,992,597  
         

 

 

 

Metals & Mining: 0.07%

 

Teck Resources Limited

    5.20       3-1-2042        1,462,000        1,629,663  

Teck Resources Limited

    6.25       7-15-2041        2,339,000        2,908,035  
            4,537,698  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 0.05%

 

Real Estate Management & Development: 0.05%  

Scentre Group Trust 144A

    3.63       1-28-2026        2,951,000        3,201,923  
         

 

 

 

Total Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $406,679,715)

 

     426,801,688  
         

 

 

 
Yankee Government Bonds: 1.28%  

Abu Dhabi Government International 144A

    2.50       4-16-2025        10,650,000        11,367,370  

Bermuda 144A

    3.38       8-20-2050        2,234,000        2,368,040  

Japan Bank for International Cooperation

    1.75       10-17-2024        5,082,000        5,317,976  

Republic of Indonesia

    4.45       4-15-2070        2,939,000        3,629,769  

Republic of Paraguay 144A

    4.95       4-28-2031        2,400,000        2,844,024  

Republic of Paraguay 144A

    5.40       3-30-2050        2,956,000        3,687,610  

Republic of Peru %%

    1.86       12-1-2032        2,866,000        2,843,072  

Republic of Peru

    2.39       1-23-2026        5,029,000        5,293,023  

Republic of Peru %%

    2.78       12-1-2060        1,579,000        1,559,263  

Republic of Peru %%

    3.23       7-28-2121        765,000        755,438  

State of Israel

    3.38       1-15-2050        2,126,000        2,347,189  

State of Israel

    4.50       4-3-2120        728,000        963,326  

State of Qatar 144A

    3.40       4-16-2025        205,000        225,500  

United Mexican States

    2.66       5-24-2031        11,292,000        11,293,807  

United Mexican States

    3.77       5-24-2061        1,725,000        1,720,688  

United Mexican States

    3.90       4-27-2025        4,768,000        5,280,560  

United Mexican States

    4.35       1-15-2047        1,753,000        1,938,836  

United Mexican States

    4.50       4-22-2029        8,500,000        9,813,250  

United Mexican States

    4.60       2-10-2048        1,782,000        2,020,806  

United Mexican States

    4.75       3-8-2044        2,478,000        2,852,798  

Total Yankee Government Bonds (Cost $72,047,240)

 

     78,122,345  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Yield                               Principal      Value  
Short-Term Investments: 3.68%  
Investment Companies: 3.68%  

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.12      $ 54,037,500      $ 54,037,500  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)##

    0.02          170,055,243        170,055,243  

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $224,092,743)

 

     224,092,743  
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $6,493,652,297)     109.72        6,688,333,884  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (9.72        (592,746,887
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 6,095,586,997  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

±

Variable rate investment. The rate shown is the rate in effect at period end.

%%

The security is purchased on a when-issued basis.

±±

The coupon of the security is adjusted based on the principal and interest payments received from the underlying pool of mortgages as well as the credit quality and the actual prepayment speed of the underlying mortgages.

144A

The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

«

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(a)

The security is fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

##

All or a portion of this security is segregated for when-issued securities.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(r)

The investment is a non-registered investment company purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

FHLMC

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

FNMA

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

GNMA

Government National Mortgage Association

 

GO

General obligation

 

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

SOFR

Secured Overnight Financing Rate

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
   

Value,
end of

period

    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
 
Short-Term Investments                                                  

Investment Companies

 

               

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC

  $ 0     $ 54,097,500     $ (60,000   $ 0     $ 0     $ 54,037,500         54,037,500     $ 534 # 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    315,907,475       2,475,977,232       (2,621,829,464     0       0       170,055,243         170,055,243       121,381  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 0     $ 0     $ 224,092,743       3.68     $ 121,915  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities (including $52,976,648 of securities loaned), at value (cost $6,269,559,554)

  $ 6,464,241,141  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $224,092,743)

    224,092,743  

Receivable for investments sold

    826,853,596  

Principal paydown receivable

    673,358  

Receivable for interest

    20,194,640  

Receivable for securities lending income, net

    915  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    271,927  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    7,536,328,320  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    53,869,375  

Payable for investments purchased

    828,498,144  

Payable for when-issued transactions

    553,637,122  

Cash collateral due to broker

    3,082,539  

Overdraft due to custodian bank

    2,856  

Advisory fee payable

    1,651,287  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,440,741,323  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 6,095,586,997  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest (net of foreign withholding taxes of $3,863)

  $ 53,928,274  

Income from affiliated securities

    123,544  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    54,051,818  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    10,267,456  

Custody and accounting fees

    132,138  

Professional fees

    48,147  

Shareholder report expenses

    3,829  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,576  

Other fees and expenses

    44,708  
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    10,505,854  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    43,545,964  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on investments

    119,819,612  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5,227,398  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    125,047,010  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 168,592,974  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
       Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

 

Net investment income

  $ 43,545,964        $ 132,899,852  

Net realized gains on investments

    119,819,612          327,904,415  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5,227,398          58,392,982  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    168,592,974          519,197,249  
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

 

Contributions

    684,363,108          2,488,553,741  

Withdrawals

    (519,224,929        (3,071,640,078
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    165,138,179          (583,086,337
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    333,731,153          (63,889,088
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    5,761,855,844          5,825,744,932  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 6,095,586,997        $ 5,761,855,844  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
     Year ended May 31  
      2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Total return1

    2.85      9.49     6.30     (0.53 )%      1.89     2.78

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

            

Gross expenses

    0.35      0.35     0.35     0.35     0.35     0.36

Net expenses

    0.35      0.35     0.35     0.35     0.35     0.35

Net investment income

    1.44      2.28     2.93     2.23     1.87     1.86

Supplemental data

            

Portfolio turnover rate

    213      603     577     542     614     667

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

The values of securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Portfolio are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities resulting from changes in exchange rates. The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates of securities and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allows the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

When-issued transactions

The Portfolio may purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis. The Portfolio records a when-issued transaction on the trade date and will segregate assets in an amount at least equal in value to the Portfolio’s commitment to purchase when-issued securities. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and the Portfolio begins earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All interest, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether interest and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $6,498,269,871 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 202,197,380  

Gross unrealized losses

     (12,133,367

Net unrealized gains

   $ 190,064,013  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Agency securities

   $ 0      $ 1,870,498,311      $ 0      $ 1,870,498,311  

Asset-backed securities

     0        610,540,007        0        610,540,007  

Corporate bonds and notes

     0        1,580,128,429        0        1,580,128,429  

Municipal obligations

     0        27,301,211        0        27,301,211  

Non-agency mortgage-back securities

     0        205,040,404        0        205,040,404  

U.S. Treasury securities

     1,665,808,746        0        0        1,665,808,746  

Yankee corporate bonds and notes

     0        426,801,688        0        426,801,688  

Yankee government bonds

     0        78,122,345        0        78,122,345  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     224,092,743        0        0        224,092,743  

Total assets

   $ 1,889,901,489      $ 4,798,432,395      $ 0      $ 6,688,333,884  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee

First $500 million

   0.400%

Next $500 million

   0.375

Next $2 billion

   0.350

Next $2 billion

   0.325

Next $5 billion

   0.300

Over $10 billion

   0.290

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.34% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.20% and declining to 0.10% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$12,257,295,189      $1,998,159,702      $11,785,854,423      $1,776,440,396

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of November 30, 2020, the Portfolio had securities lending transactions with the following counterparties which are subject to offset:

 

Counterparty      Value of
securities on
loan
     Collateral
received1
     Net amount  

Nomura Securities International Inc.

     $49,732,070      $(49,732,070)        $0  

UBS Securities LLC

         3,244,578           (3,244,578)          0  

 

1 

Collateral received within this table is limited to the collateral for the net transaction with the counterparty.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996; Chair, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Nancy Wiser1 (Born 1967)   Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 77 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00735 01-20

SA287/SAR287 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

 

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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Real Return Fund for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  3


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change to the Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

Preparing for LIBOR Transition

The global financial industry is preparing to transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a key benchmark interest rate, to new alternative rates. LIBOR underpins more than $350 trillion of financial contracts. It is the benchmark rate for a wide spectrum of products ranging from residential mortgages to corporate bonds to derivatives. Regulators have called for a market-wide transition away from LIBOR to successor reference rates by the end of 2021, which requires proactive steps be taken by issuers, counterparties, and asset managers to identify impacted products and adopt new reference rates.

The Fund holds at least one security that uses LIBOR as a floating reference rate and has a maturity date after 12-31-2021.

Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of successor reference rates, and any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on investment instruments that use it as a benchmark rate. The transition process may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR and could negatively impact the value of certain instruments held by the Fund.

Wells Fargo Asset Management is monitoring LIBOR exposure closely and has put resources and controls in place to manage this transition effectively. The Fund’s portfolio management team is evaluating LIBOR holdings to understand what happens to those securities when LIBOR ceases to exist, including examining security documentation to identify the presence or absence of fallback language identifying a replacement rate to LIBOR.

While the pace of transition away from LIBOR will differ by asset class and investment strategy, the portfolio management team will monitor market conditions for those holdings to identify and mitigate deterioration or volatility in pricing and liquidity and ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.

Further information regarding the potential risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR can be found in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser for the affiliated master portfolio1

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Petros N. Bocray, CFA®, FRM

Michael Bradshaw, CFA®

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Jay N. Mueller, CFA®

Garth B. Newport, CFA®

Michael Schueller, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
                   
Class A (IPBAX)   2-28-2003     2.80       3.27       2.57       7.64       4.23       3.04       1.43       0.78  
                   
Class C (IPBCX)   2-28-2003     5.79       3.45       2.28       6.79       3.45       2.28       2.18       1.53  
                   
Class R6 (IPBJX)4   10-31-2016                       7.98       4.60       3.35       1.05       0.40  
                   
Administrator Class (IPBIX)   2-28-2003                       7.90       4.46       3.28       1.37       0.60  
                   
Institutional Class (IPBNX)5   10-31-2016                       8.02       4.57       3.34       1.10       0.45  
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index6                         10.15       4.68       3.53              
                   
CPI7                         1.17       1.86       1.75              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 4.50%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. High-yield securities have a greater risk of default and tend to be more volatile than higher-rated debt securities. Loans are subject to risks similar to those associated with other below investment-grade bond investments, such as credit risk (for example, risk of issuer default), below-investment-grade bond risk (for example, risk of greater volatility in value), and risk that the loan may become illiquid or difficult to price. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Foreign investments are especially volatile and can rise or fall dramatically due to differences in the political and economic conditions of the host country. These risks are generally intensified in emerging markets. The Fund is exposed to mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk and small company securities risk. Securities issued by U.S. government agencies or government-sponsored entities may not be guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20208  
   

TIPS, 0.38%, 7-15-2025

     3.07  
   

TIPS, 0.63%, 1-15-2026

     2.73  
   

TIPS, 0.13%, 1-15-2023

     2.56  
   

TIPS, 0.63%, 1-15-2024

     2.46  
   

TIPS, 0.13%, 7-15-2024

     2.39  
   

TIPS, 0.38%, 7-15-2023

     2.24  
   

TIPS, 0.25%, 1-15-2025

     2.23  
   

TIPS, 0.13%, 7-15-2022

     2.20  
   

TIPS, 0.13%, 7-15-2030

     2.15  
   

TIPS, 0.50%, 1-15-2028

     2.04  
Portfolio allocation as of November 30, 20209
LOGO
 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated master portfolio of the Wells Fargo Master Trust with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. References to the investment activities of the Fund are intended to refer to the investment activities of the affiliated master portfolio in which it invests.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.78% for Class A, 1.53% for Class C, 0.40% for Class R6, 0.60% for Administrator Class, and 0.45% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) from funds in which the affiliated master portfolio invests, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Net expenses from the affiliated master portfolio are included in the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

Historical performance shown for the Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, and is not adjusted to reflect the Class R6 expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Class R6 shares would be higher.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, and is not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) Index is an index of inflation-indexed-linked U.S. Treasury securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers in U.S. All Items is published monthly by the U.S. government as an indicator of changes in price levels (or inflation) paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

Each holding represents the Fund’s allocable portion of the affiliated master portfolio security. Figures represent each holding as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

9 

Figures represent the portfolio composition of the affiliated master portfolio as a percentage of the total long-term investments of the affiliated master portfolio. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  7


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

     Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,052.92      $ 4.01        0.78

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.16      $ 3.95        0.78
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,048.99      $ 7.86        1.53

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.40      $ 7.74        1.53
         

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,054.39      $ 2.06        0.40

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.06      $ 2.03        0.40
         

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,054.37      $ 3.09        0.60

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.06      $ 3.04        0.60
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,055.06      $ 2.32        0.45

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.81      $ 2.28        0.45

 

 

 

 

1 

Amounts reflect net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests.

 

2 

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                             Value  

Investment Companies: 99.87%

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio: 99.87%  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

           $ 59,698,728  
          

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $52,913,313)

             59,698,728        
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $52,913,313)     99.87        59,698,728  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.13          78,964  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 59,777,692  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolio were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Net

change in
unrealized
gains

(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio

    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolio
   

Value,
end

of period

    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    35     27   $ (69,454   $ 2,692,438     $ 637,079     $ 94,708     $ 350     $ 59,698,728       99.87

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  9


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolio, at value (cost $52,913,313)

  $ 59,698,728  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    115,356  

Receivable from manager

    10,397  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    1,352  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    59,825,833  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    25,981  

Administration fees payable

    4,216  

Distribution fee payable

    923  

Shareholder report expenses payable

    4,858  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    5,650  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    1,066  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    5,447  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    48,141  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 59,777,692  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 55,087,686  

Total distributable earnings

    4,690,006  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 59,777,692  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 13,273,112  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    1,243,835  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $10.67  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $11.17  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 1,472,429  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    140,413  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $10.49  

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 21,641,244  

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    2,007,254  

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $10.78  

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 13,443,186  

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    1,239,568  

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $10.85  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 9,947,721  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    922,260  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $10.79  

 

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/95.50 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

  $ 637,079  

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio (net of foreign withholding taxes of $791)

    94,708  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    350  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (139,904

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    24,123  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    616,356  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    14,886  

Administration fees

 

Class A

    11,164  

Class C

    1,349  

Class R6

    2,945  

Administrator Class

    7,047  

Institutional Class

    4,070  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    17,428  

Class C

    2,101  

Administrator Class

    17,599  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    6,319  

Custody and accounting fees

    2,020  

Professional fees

    18,048  

Registration fees

    100,273  

Shareholder report expenses

    34,759  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    7,721  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    258,758  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (193,866

Class A

    (696

Administrator Class

    (8,434
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    55,762  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    560,594  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized losses on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    (69,454

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolio

    2,692,438  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2,622,984  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 3,183,578  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  11


Table of Contents

Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 560,594       $ 1,149,193  

Net realized losses on investments

      (69,454       (1,121,387

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      2,692,438         3,059,682  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      3,183,578         3,087,488  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (113,765       (333,051

Class C

      (9,527       (28,644

Class R6

      (203,448       (410,590

Administrator Class

      (118,115       (268,283

Institutional Class

      (97,958       (274,619
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (542,813       (1,315,187
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    234,470       2,450,862       341,385       3,446,122  

Class C

    22,278       228,745       58,887       586,232  

Class R6

    486,193       5,175,121       700,870       7,155,041  

Administrator Class

    319,355       3,412,800       754,263       7,722,657  

Institutional Class

    186,884       1,980,252       587,649       6,004,061  
 

 

 

 
      13,247,780         24,914,113  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    8,021       84,905       23,714       238,785  

Class C

    871       9,052       2,484       24,671  

Class R6

    11,490       122,982       22,788       231,443  

Administrator Class

    10,659       114,697       25,943       265,162  

Institutional Class

    9,127       97,689       26,962       274,014  
 

 

 

 
      429,325         1,034,075  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (289,746     (3,073,050     (865,507     (8,666,594

Class C

    (53,208     (552,035     (153,174     (1,519,143

Class R6

    (255,333     (2,736,788     (395,994     (4,031,485

Administrator Class

    (395,313     (4,254,378     (827,804     (8,434,604

Institutional Class

    (298,671     (3,189,919     (699,776     (7,084,487
 

 

 

 
      (13,806,170       (29,736,313
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (129,065       (3,788,125
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      2,511,700         (2,015,824
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      57,265,992         59,281,816  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 59,777,692       $ 57,265,992  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Fund


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS A   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.22       $9.89       $9.87       $9.96       $9.95       $10.07  

Net investment income

    0.09       0.12       0.15       0.21       0.19 1      0.10 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.45       0.42       0.09       (0.09     0.03       (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.54       0.54       0.24       0.12       0.22       0.09  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.09     (0.21     (0.19     (0.21     (0.20     (0.07

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01     (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.09     (0.21     (0.22     (0.21     (0.21     (0.21

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.67       $10.22       $9.89       $9.87       $9.96       $9.95  

Total return2

    5.29     5.48     2.56     1.25     2.23     1.01

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.43     1.43     1.16     1.04     1.11     1.20

Net expenses3

    0.78     0.78     0.77     0.80     0.85     0.85

Net investment income3

    1.68     1.79     1.95     2.15     1.92     0.98

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    9     24     39     29     25     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $13,273       $13,196       $17,716       $26,133       $29,678       $18,938  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.44

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  13


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS C   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.06       $9.73       $9.73       $9.82       $9.77       $9.92  

Net investment income

    0.05 1      0.11 1      0.10 1      0.03       0.04       0.03 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.44       0.35       0.07       0.02       0.10       (0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.49       0.46       0.17       0.05       0.14       0.01  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.06     (0.13     (0.14     (0.14     (0.08     (0.02

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01     (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.06     (0.13     (0.17     (0.14     (0.09     (0.16

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.49       $10.06       $9.73       $9.73       $9.82       $9.77  

Total return2

    4.90     4.77     1.79     0.53     1.44     0.21

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    2.18     2.18     1.91     1.79     1.86     1.95

Net expenses3

    1.53     1.53     1.52     1.56     1.60     1.60

Net investment income3

    0.87     1.09     1.08     1.39     1.23     0.30

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    9     24     39     29     25     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,472       $1,714       $2,553       $3,517       $4,580       $5,654  

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.44

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
CLASS R6   2020     2019     2018     20171  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.33       $9.99       $9.96       $10.05       $10.17  

Net investment income

    0.12       0.22       0.23 2      0.22       0.10  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.44       0.37       0.06       (0.06     (0.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.56       0.59       0.29       0.16       0.03  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.11     (0.25     (0.23     (0.25     (0.14

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.11     (0.25     (0.26     (0.25     (0.15

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.78       $10.33       $9.99       $9.96       $10.05  

Total return3

    5.44     5.94     2.99     1.63     0.36

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses4

    1.05     1.05     0.82     0.66     0.69

Net expenses4

    0.40     0.40     0.39     0.42     0.47

Net investment income4

    2.10     2.08     2.34     2.52     1.32

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate5

    9     24     39     29     25

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $21,641       $18,224       $14,358       $11,750       $7,438  

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from October 31, 2016 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

2 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 20171

    0.44

 

5 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  15


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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.38       $10.03       $9.99       $10.06       $10.03       $10.15  

Net investment income

    0.10 1      0.20 1      0.21 1      0.24 1      0.22 1      0.13 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.46       0.36       0.06       (0.09     0.02       (0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.56       0.56       0.27       0.15       0.24       0.11  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.09     (0.21     (0.20     (0.22     (0.20     (0.09

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01     (0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.09     (0.21     (0.23     (0.22     (0.21     (0.23

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.85       $10.38       $10.03       $9.99       $10.06       $10.03  

Total return2

    5.44     5.67     2.78     1.50     2.46     1.21

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses3

    1.37     1.37     1.10     0.97     1.04     1.13

Net expenses3

    0.60     0.60     0.59     0.60     0.60     0.60

Net investment income3

    1.91     1.92     2.15     2.39     2.20     1.30

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate4

    9     24     39     29     25     29

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $13,443       $13,544       $13,562       $23,331       $26,100       $20,607  

 

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 2017

    0.44

Year ended May 31, 2016

    0.44

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investment in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended May 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2020     2019     2018     20171  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.33       $9.99       $9.97       $10.06       $10.17  

Net investment income

    0.10       0.21       0.22       0.24       0.14  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.47       0.37       0.05       (0.08     (0.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.57       0.58       0.27       0.16       0.04  

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.11     (0.24     (0.22     (0.25     (0.14

Net realized gains

    0.00       0.00       (0.03     0.00       (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.11     (0.24     (0.25     (0.25     (0.15

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.79       $10.33       $9.99       $9.97       $10.06  

Total return2

    5.51     5.78     2.84     1.57     0.41

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses3

    1.10     1.10     0.84     0.71     0.76

Net expenses3

    0.45     0.45     0.44     0.47     0.52

Net investment income3

    1.87     2.09     2.20     2.62     2.24

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate4

    9     24     39     29     25

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $9,948       $10,587       $11,094       $12,110       $5,229  

 

 

 

 

1 

For the period from October 31, 2016 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Ratios include net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolio which were as follows:

 

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2020

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2019

    0.39

Year ended May 31, 2018

    0.41

Year ended May 31, 20171

    0.44

 

4 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the affiliated Master Portfolio’s percentage of the Fund’s total investments in securities at the end of the period by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  17


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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Real Return Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

The Fund is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure that invests substantially all of its assets in a single master portfolio with a substantially identical investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies. The Fund invests in Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio, a separate diversified portfolio (the “affiliated Master Portfolio”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. As of November 30, 2020, the Fund owned 27% of Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio. The affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities and the Fund acquires an indirect interest in those securities. The Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolio as a partnership investment and records on a daily basis its share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio for the six months ended November 30, 2020 are included in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued daily based on the Fund’s proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily. Securities held in the affiliated Master Portfolio are valued as discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements of the affiliated Master Portfolio, which are included elsewhere in this report.

Investments which are not valued using the method discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Investment transactions, income and expenses

Investments in the affiliated Master Portfolio are recorded on a trade basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains or losses. The Fund also accrues its own expenses.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid from net investment income monthly and any net realized gains are paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $53,040,192 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 6,658,536  

Gross unrealized losses

     0  

Net unrealized gains

   $ 6,658,536  

As of May 31, 2020, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards which consisted of $1,082,708 in short-term capital losses and $906,231 in long-term capital losses.

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

At November 30, 2020, the affiliated Master Portfolio was measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The investment objective and the value of the affiliate Master Portfolio was as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective   

Value of affiliated

Master Portfolio

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

   Seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term    $ 59,698,728  

The affiliated Master Portfolio does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio, the Fund pays Funds Management an investment management fee only for fund-level administrative services at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $5 billion

     0.05

Next $5 billion

     0.04  

Over $10 billion

     0.03  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to the affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from each affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  19


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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

     

Class-level

administration fee

 

Class A, Class C

     0.16

Class R6

     0.03  

Administrator Class

     0.10  

Institutional Class

     0.08  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Net expenses from the affiliated Master Portfolio are included in the expense caps. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.78% for Class A shares, 1.53% for Class C shares, 0.40% for Class R6 shares, and 0.60% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.45% for Institutional Class shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received $367 from the sale of Class A shares. No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A and Class C shares for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a single affiliated Master Portfolio. Purchases and sales have been calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage of the affiliated Master Portfolio by the affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds

U.S.

government

    

Non-U.S.

government

    

U.S.

government

    

Non-U.S.

government

$9,094,158      $8,171,588      $839,712      $3,480,931

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

8. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

9. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  21


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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 13.41%

 

Consumer Staples: 4.47%

 

Beverages: 0.68%  

PepsiCo Incorporated

          10,246      $ 1,477,781  
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 1.47%  

Costco Wholesale Corporation

          2,497        978,250  

Sysco Corporation

          8,236        587,144  

Walmart Incorporated

          10,637        1,625,227  
             3,190,621  
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.61%  

Mondelez International Incorporated Class A

          13,731        788,846  

Nomad Foods Limited †

          22,626        546,418  
             1,335,264  
          

 

 

 
Household Products: 1.56%  

Church & Dwight Company Incorporated

          8,444        741,130  

The Clorox Company

          2,189        444,279  

The Procter & Gamble Company

          15,936        2,213,032  
             3,398,441  
          

 

 

 
Tobacco: 0.15%  

Philip Morris International Incorporated

          4,390        332,543  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 0.98%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.98%  

Chevron Corporation

          14,933        1,301,859  

Phillips 66

          13,681        828,795  
             2,130,654  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 0.11%

 

Mortgage REITs: 0.11%  

AGNC Investment Corporation

          15,892        242,830  
          

 

 

 

Materials: 3.49%

 

Chemicals: 1.46%  

Ecolab Incorporated

          2,642        586,920  

Linde plc

          4,987        1,278,767  

The Sherwin-Williams Company

          1,009        754,359  

Westlake Chemical Corporation

          7,573        569,111  
             3,189,157  
          

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 0.18%  

Martin Marietta Materials Incorporated

          1,432        380,382  
          

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.18%  

Crown Holdings Incorporated †

          4,206        396,416  
          

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 1.67%  

Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited

          2,500        164,675  

Alamos Gold Incorporated Class A

          8,000        66,220  

AngloGold Ashanti Limited ADR

          4,200        91,014  

B2Gold Corporation

 

     28,000        156,095  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Metals & Mining (continued)  

Barrick Gold Corporation

 

     10,956      $ 253,522  

Centerra Gold Incorporated

 

     6,000        58,582  

Endeavour Mining Corporation †

 

     3,300        77,831  

Evolution Mining Limited

 

     22,000        80,261  

Fortuna Silver Mines Incorporated †

 

     6,000        38,207  

Franco-Nevada Corporation

 

     1,300        173,043  

Gold Fields Limited ADR

 

     11,500        100,165  

Kinross Gold Corporation

 

     30,000        213,675  

Kirkland Lake Gold Limited

 

     5,037        206,375  

Lundin Gold Incorporated †

 

     5,000        44,275  

MAG Silver Corporation †

 

     6,000        91,384  

Newcrest Mining Limited

 

     6,000        118,608  

Newmont Corporation

 

     5,090        299,394  

Northern Star Resources Limited

 

     14,000        129,589  

Pan American Silver Corporation

 

     3,300        97,449  

Royal Gold Incorporated

 

     3,084        340,689  

SilverCrest Metals Incorporated †

 

     4,000        35,112  

SSR Mining Incorporated †

 

     2,272        42,057  

SSR Mining Incorporated †

 

     3,100        57,071  

Steel Dynamics Incorporated

 

     9,914        358,986  

Teranga Gold Corporation †

 

     4,000        44,167  

Torex Gold Resources Incorporated †

 

     6,600        91,070  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corporation

 

     3,900        150,541  

Yamana Gold Incorporated

 

     12,000        62,647  
             3,642,704  
          

 

 

 

Real Estate: 4.36%

 

Equity REITs: 4.36%  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Incorporated

 

     2,828        463,028  

American Homes 4 Rent Class A

 

     13,884        398,748  

American Tower Corporation

 

     4,503        1,041,094  

Camden Property Trust

 

     4,094        404,610  

CoreSite Realty Corporation

 

     3,197        400,872  

Equinix Incorporated

 

     1,388        968,533  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

 

     2,676        233,401  

Four Corners Property Trust Incorporated

 

     17,679        495,189  

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

 

     10,353        305,414  

Host Hotels & Resorts Incorporated

 

     19,066        267,496  

Invitation Homes Incorporated

 

     15,334        438,246  

Mid-America Apartment Communities Incorporated

 

     3,257        410,903  

Prologis Incorporated

 

     8,930        893,447  

SBA Communications Corporation

 

     2,086        599,057  

Simon Property Group Incorporated

 

     2,409        198,911  

STAG Industrial Incorporated

 

     11,242        334,787  

Sun Communities Incorporated

 

     4,020        558,780  

VICI Properties Incorporated

 

     25,295        639,711  

Welltower Incorporated

 

     6,879        433,239  
             9,485,466  
          

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $22,516,767)

 

     29,202,259  
  

 

 

 
          

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Corporate Bonds and Notes: 14.31%

 

Communication Services: 2.02%

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 0.44%  

CenturyLink Incorporated

    6.75     12-1-2023      $ 260,000      $ 288,353  

CenturyLink Incorporated

    6.45       6-15-2021        155,000        159,108  

CommScope Holding Company Incorporated 144A

    5.50       3-1-2024        290,000        297,975  

Level 3 Financing Incorporated

    5.38       1-15-2024        125,000        125,875  

Level 3 Financing Incorporated

    5.38       5-1-2025        85,000        87,257  
            958,568  
         

 

 

 
Entertainment: 0.43%  

Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated 144A

    4.88       11-1-2024        170,000        168,725  

Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated 144A

    6.50       5-15-2027        150,000        166,125  

Netflix Incorporated

    5.38       2-1-2021        600,000        604,500  
            939,350  
         

 

 

 
Media: 0.98%  

CCO Holdings LLC 144A

    5.13       5-1-2027        600,000        631,269  

CSC Holdings LLC 144A

    5.50       4-15-2027        200,000        211,100  

CSC Holdings LLC

    6.75       11-15-2021        105,000        109,840  

DISH DBS Corporation

    5.88       7-15-2022        190,000        199,553  

DISH DBS Corporation

    6.75       6-1-2021        155,000        158,371  

Sirius XM Radio Incorporated 144A

    3.88       8-1-2022        800,000        812,000  
            2,122,133  
         

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.17%  

Sprint Corporation

    7.88       9-15-2023        155,000        178,638  

Sprint Spectrum Company LLC 144A

    3.36       3-20-2023        43,750        44,215  

T-Mobile USA Incorporated

    4.00       4-15-2022        145,000        149,534  
            372,387  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 2.34%

 

Auto Components: 0.11%  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

    5.13       11-15-2023        245,000        245,196  
         

 

 

 
Automobiles: 0.18%  

Ford Motor Company

    8.50       4-21-2023        355,000        398,267  
         

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.19%  

Carnival Corporation 144A

    11.50       4-1-2023        50,000        56,938  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited 144A

    9.13       6-15-2023        325,000        351,813  
            408,751  
         

 

 

 
Household Durables: 0.61%  

KB Home Class B

    7.50       9-15-2022        315,000        344,925  

Lennar Corporation

    6.25       12-15-2021        250,000        257,000  

Newell Brands Incorporated

    4.35       4-1-2023        93,000        97,878  

PulteGroup Incorporated

    4.25       3-1-2021        400,000        401,840  

Toll Brothers Finance Corporation

    5.88       2-15-2022        225,000        233,928  
            1,335,571  
         

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 0.07%  

QVC Incorporated

    4.38       3-15-2023        140,000        146,650  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Multiline Retail: 0.72%  

Macy’s Incorporated 144A

    8.38 %       6-15-2025      $ 605,000      $ 659,420  

Macy’s Retail Holdings Incorporated

    3.45       1-15-2021        100,000        99,922  

Nordstrom Incorporated 144A

    8.75       5-15-2025        730,000        813,950  
            1,573,292  
         

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 0.37%  

L Brands Incorporated

    5.63       10-15-2023        65,000        69,443  

L Brands Incorporated 144A

    9.38       7-1-2025        225,000        274,500  

Penske Auto Group Incorporated

    3.50       9-1-2025        140,000        141,400  

The Gap Incorporated 144A

    8.63       5-15-2025        295,000        327,819  
            813,162  
         

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.09%  

Levi Strauss & Company

    5.00       5-1-2025        180,000        184,950  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 0.03%

 

Personal Products: 0.03%  

Edgewell Personal Care Company

    4.70       5-24-2022        60,000        62,250  
         

 

 

 

Energy: 2.72%

 

Energy Equipment & Services: 0.09%  

Hilcorp Energy Company 144A

    5.00       12-1-2024        175,000        170,625  

USA Compression Partners LP

    6.88       9-1-2027        20,000        21,082  
            191,707  
         

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 2.63%  

Apache Corporation

    4.63       11-15-2025        70,000        72,779  

Buckeye Partners LP 144A

    4.13       3-1-2025        50,000        49,875  

Buckeye Partners LP

    4.15       7-1-2023        200,000        202,000  

Cheniere Energy Partners LP

    5.25       10-1-2025        500,000        513,125  

Continental Resources Incorporated

    4.50       4-15-2023        600,000        615,000  

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP

    6.25       4-1-2023        480,000        482,174  

DCP Midstream Operating LP 144A

    4.75       9-30-2021        300,000        304,125  

EnLink Midstream Partners LP

    4.15       6-1-2025        685,000        635,338  

Enviva Partners LP 144A

    6.50       1-15-2026        445,000        475,445  

EQT Corporation

    7.88       2-1-2025        85,000        97,325  

Newfield Exploration Company

    5.75       1-30-2022        90,000        93,199  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +1.45%) ±

    1.67       8-15-2022        120,000        114,641  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation «

    8.00       7-15-2025        155,000        169,965  

Ovintiiv Incorporated

    3.90       11-15-2021        155,000        156,116  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC

    6.25       3-15-2022        250,000        264,018  

Southern Star Central Corporation 144A

    5.13       7-15-2022        222,000        222,134  

Suburban Propane Partners LP

    5.50       6-1-2024        345,000        352,671  

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP 144A

    4.75       10-1-2023        460,000        451,352  

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP 144A

    7.50       10-1-2025        115,000        118,450  

Targa Resources Partners LP

    4.25       11-15-2023        345,000        346,725  
            5,736,457  
         

 

 

 

Financials: 2.28%

 

Banks: 0.15%  

CIT Group Incorporated

    5.00       8-15-2022        305,000        324,444  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Capital Markets: 0.19%  

Blue Cube Spinco Incorporated

    10.00 %       10-15-2025      $ 390,000      $ 411,938  
         

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.85%  

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC

    4.13       8-17-2027        400,000        413,500  

General Motors Financial Company Incorporated

    2.75       6-20-2025        135,000        142,873  

Navient Corporation

    7.25       9-25-2023        145,000        158,050  

Onemain Finance Corporation

    6.13       3-15-2024        295,000        319,618  

Onemain Finance Corporation

    7.75       10-1-2021        390,000        408,525  

SLM Corporation

    5.50       1-25-2023        400,000        415,000  
            1,857,566  
         

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 0.24%  

LPL Holdings Incorporated 144A

    5.75       9-15-2025        495,000        512,335  
         

 

 

 
Insurance: 0.37%  

Genworth Mortgage Holdings LLC 144A

    6.50       8-15-2025        750,000        798,750  
         

 

 

 
Mortgage REITs: 0.23%  

Starwood Property Trust Incorporated

    5.00       12-15-2021        500,000        507,500  
         

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 0.25%  

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LP 144A

    5.25       3-15-2022        545,000        543,638  
         

 

 

 

Health Care: 1.04%

 

Health Care Providers & Services: 0.99%  

Centene Corporation

    4.75       1-15-2025        130,000        133,995  

Emcompass Health Corporation

    5.13       3-15-2023        290,000        291,450  

Magellan Health Incorporated

    4.90       9-22-2024        680,000        714,000  

MEDNAX Incorporated 144A

    5.25       12-1-2023        335,000        338,343  

Molina Healthcare Incorporated 144A

    4.88       6-15-2025        5,000        5,122  

Molina Healthcare Incorporated

    5.38       11-15-2022        400,000        420,000  

Tenet Healthcare Corporation

    4.63       7-15-2024        240,000        244,200  
            2,147,110  
         

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 0.05%  

Charles River Laboratories Incorporated 144A

    5.50       4-1-2026        110,000        115,500  
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 2.29%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 0.09%  

RBS Global & Rexnord LLC 144A

    4.88       12-15-2025        200,000        204,000  
         

 

 

 
Airlines: 1.17%  

American Airlines Group Company 144A

    5.00       6-1-2022        430,000        355,825  

Delta Air Lines Incorporated 144A

    4.50       10-20-2025        995,000        1,050,393  

Mileage Plus Holdings LLC 144A

    6.50       6-20-2027        850,000        921,719  

United Airlines Pass-Through Trust Certificates Series 2020-1 Class A

    5.88       4-15-2029        210,000        223,506  
            2,551,443  
         

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.21%  

Covanta Holding Corporation

    5.88       7-1-2025        65,000        67,681  

Plastipak Holdings Incorporated 144A

    6.25       10-15-2025        380,000        391,400  
            459,081  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Construction & Engineering: 0.24%  

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation

    8.00 %       5-15-2022      $ 395,000      $ 404,875  

Taylor Morrison Communities Incorporated 144A

    5.88       4-15-2023        110,000        116,325  
            521,200  
         

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.03%  

Wesco Distribution Incorporated Company 144A

    7.13       6-15-2025        55,000        59,881  
         

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.05%  

Stevens Holding Company Incorporated 144A

    6.13       10-1-2026        10,000        10,838  

Trimas Corporation 144A

    4.88       10-15-2025        85,000        86,726  
            97,564  
         

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 0.50%  

Aircastle Limited

    5.13       3-15-2021        275,000        278,202  

Fortress Transportation & Infrastructure Investors LLC 144A

    6.75       3-15-2022        815,000        820,844  
            1,099,046  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 0.34%

 

IT Services: 0.16%  

Cardtronics Incorporated 144A

    5.50       5-1-2025        345,000        356,213  
         

 

 

 
Software: 0.06%  

NortonLifeLock Incorporated 144A

    5.00       4-15-2025        120,000        122,404  
         

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 0.12%  

Dell International LLC 144A

    7.13       6-15-2024        245,000        254,158  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.31%

 

Chemicals: 0.03%  

Chemours Company

    6.63       5-15-2023        65,000        66,151  
         

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.12%  

Reynolds Group Holding Limited 144A

    5.13       7-15-2023        5,000        5,061  

Sealed Air Corporation 144A

    5.13       12-1-2024        50,000        54,813  

Sealed Air Corporation 144A

    5.25       4-1-2023        190,000        202,056  
            261,930  
         

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 0.16%  

Cleveland-Cliffs Incorporated 144A

    9.88       10-17-2025        300,000        349,875  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 0.61%

 

Equity REITs: 0.61%  

CoreCivic Incorporated

    4.63       5-1-2023        245,000        230,300  

CoreCivic Incorporated

    5.00       10-15-2022        105,000        103,289  

SBA Communications Corporation

    4.00       10-1-2022        60,000        60,675  

Service Properties Trust Company

    4.35       10-1-2024        500,000        478,750  

Service Properties Trust Company

    7.50       9-15-2025        420,000        467,993  
            1,341,007  
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 0.33%

 

Electric Utilities: 0.05%  

NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP 144A

    4.25       7-15-2024        100,000        105,253  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers: 0.28%  

TerraForm Power Operating LLC 144A

    4.25 %       1-31-2023      $ 600,000      $ 619,500  
         

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $30,731,247)

 

     31,176,178  
  

 

 

 

Loans: 2.37%

 

Communication Services: 0.63%

 

Entertainment: 0.06%  

Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.94       10-17-2026        135,474        129,716  
         

 

 

 
Media: 0.38%  

CSC Holdings LLC (1 Month LIBOR +2.50%) ±

    2.64       4-15-2027        368,830        359,872  

Diamond Sports Group LLC (1 Month LIBOR +3.25%) ±

    3.40       8-24-2026        346,500        287,595  

Virgin Media Bristol LLC (1 Month LIBOR +2.50%) ±

    2.64       1-31-2028        175,000        171,483  
            818,950  
         

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.19%  

SBA Senior Finance II LLC (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.90       4-11-2025        428,596        422,129  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 0.22%

 

Auto Components: 0.07%  

Belron Finance US LLC (3 Month LIBOR +2.25%) ±

    2.46       11-7-2024        155,600        152,877  
         

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.12%  

Carnival Corporation (1 Month LIBOR +7.50%) ±

    8.50       6-30-2025        49,875        51,496  

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.90       5-30-2025        215,600        210,480  
            261,976  
         

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 0.03%  

Sally Beauty Holdings Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.25%) ±

    2.40       7-5-2024        64,064        62,943  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 0.05%

 

Food Products: 0.05%  

Prestige Brands Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.00%) ±

    2.15       1-26-2024        106,657        106,479  
         

 

 

 

Energy: 0.16%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.16%  

Apergy Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +5.00%) ±

    5.50       5-28-2027        339,967        342,516  
         

 

 

 

Financials: 0.06%

 

Diversified Financial Services: 0.06%  

Delos Finance SARL (3 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.97       10-6-2023        140,000        137,550  
         

 

 

 

Health Care: 0.25%

 

Health Care Providers & Services: 0.25%  

Select Medical Corporation (6 Month LIBOR +2.50%) ±

    2.78       3-6-2025        549,214        538,746  
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 0.57%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 0.07%  

Rexnord LLC (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.90       8-21-2024        156,250        155,636  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
Building Products: 0.25%  

Advanced Drainage Systems Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.25%) ±

    2.44 %       7-31-2026      $ 271,500      $ 270,821  

Flex Acquisition Company (1 Month LIBOR +3.00%) ±

    5.12       12-29-2023        288,996        284,901  
            555,722  
         

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.23%  

Aramark Services Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.90       3-28-2024        106,844        103,528  

Aramark Services Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.90       3-11-2025        364,323        352,286  

KAR Auction Services Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.25%) ±

    2.44       9-19-2026        38,774        37,804  
            493,618  
         

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.02%  

Columbus McKinnon Corporation (3 Month LIBOR +2.50%) ±

    3.50       1-31-2024        37,558        37,464  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 0.30%

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.09%  

CDW LLC (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.90       10-13-2026        194,911        194,728  
         

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 0.14%  

ON Semiconductor Corporation (1 Month LIBOR +2.00%) ±

    2.15       9-19-2026        311,850        309,424  
         

 

 

 
Software: 0.07%  

SS&C Technologies Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.90       4-16-2025        91,006        89,448  

SS&C Technologies Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +1.75%) ±

    1.90       4-16-2025        68,925        67,745  
            157,193  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.13%

 

Chemicals: 0.05%  

Ineos US Finance LLC (1 Month LIBOR +2.00%) ±

    2.15       4-1-2024        108,830        106,574  
         

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.08%  

Berry Global Incorporated (1 Month LIBOR +2.00%) ±

    2.13       10-1-2022        175,000        174,270  
         

 

 

 

Total Loans (Cost $5,277,240)

 

     5,158,511  
  

 

 

 
U.S. Treasury Securities: 66.15%  

TIPS

    0.13       7-15-2022        4,685,569        4,802,525  

TIPS

    0.13       1-15-2023        5,423,612        5,586,391  

TIPS

    0.13       7-15-2024        4,927,014        5,211,473  

TIPS

    0.13       10-15-2024        3,753,391        3,975,320  

TIPS

    0.13       4-15-2025        3,768,499        4,000,988  

TIPS

    0.13       10-15-2025        1,986,098        2,131,177  

TIPS

    0.13       7-15-2026        3,686,291        3,992,186  

TIPS

    0.13       1-15-2030        4,248,720        4,678,018  

TIPS

    0.13       7-15-2030        3,085,965        3,416,139  

TIPS

    0.25       1-15-2025        4,560,228        4,857,889  

TIPS

    0.25       7-15-2029        3,428,941        3,821,350  

TIPS

    0.25       2-15-2050        1,741,225        2,061,062  

TIPS

    0.38       7-15-2023        4,669,237        4,899,902  

TIPS

    0.38       7-15-2025        6,168,006        6,683,854  

TIPS

    0.38       1-15-2027        3,205,414        3,523,409  

TIPS

    0.38       7-15-2027        1,553,411        1,722,789  

TIPS

    0.50       4-15-2024        3,214,555        3,408,517  

TIPS

    0.50       1-15-2028        3,972,602        4,443,418  

TIPS

    0.63       4-15-2023        4,138,850        4,322,619  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  |  29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  
U.S. Treasury Securities (continued)  

TIPS

    0.63 %       1-15-2024      $ 5,047,411      $ 5,359,391  

TIPS

    0.63       1-15-2026        5,416,506        5,957,381  

TIPS

    0.63       2-15-2043        2,077,293        2,571,976  

TIPS

    0.75       7-15-2028        3,535,693        4,058,266  

TIPS

    0.75       2-15-2042        2,804,706        3,543,899  

TIPS

    0.75       2-15-2045        2,514,467        3,219,925  

TIPS

    0.88       1-15-2029        2,906,715        3,370,578  

TIPS

    0.88       2-15-2047        1,590,330        2,123,277  

TIPS

    1.00       2-15-2046        1,570,755        2,127,432  

TIPS

    1.00       2-15-2048        1,208,479        1,672,091  

TIPS

    1.00       2-15-2049        1,380,804        1,932,320  

TIPS

    1.38       2-15-2044        2,267,003        3,244,795  

TIPS

    1.75       1-15-2028        2,379,100        2,884,039  

TIPS

    2.00       1-15-2026        2,950,470        3,461,462  

TIPS

    2.13       2-15-2040        1,252,337        1,927,196  

TIPS

    2.13       2-15-2041        1,598,519        2,488,382  

TIPS

    2.38       1-15-2025        3,037,672        3,511,399  

TIPS

    2.38       1-15-2027        2,187,567        2,684,526  

TIPS

    2.50       1-15-2029        2,291,134        2,975,371  

TIPS

    3.38       4-15-2032        923,769        1,389,984  

TIPS

    3.63       4-15-2028        1,858,591        2,530,153  

TIPS

    3.88       4-15-2029        2,438,128        3,478,491  

Total U.S. Treasury Securities (Cost $130,263,887)

 

     144,051,360  
  

 

 

 

Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes: 2.20%

 

Communication Services: 0.26%

 

Media: 0.26%  

Nielsen Holding and Finance BV 144A

    5.00       2-1-2025        65,000        66,869  

Nielsen Holding and Finance BV 144A

    5.50       10-1-2021        102,000        101,490  

Videotron Limited

    5.00       7-15-2022        375,000        395,156  
            563,515  
         

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 0.12%

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.12%  

International Game Technology plc 144A

    6.25       2-15-2022        250,000        256,250  
         

 

 

 

Energy: 0.17%

 

Energy Equipment & Services: 0.16%  

Alcoa Nederland Holding Company BV 144A

    6.75       9-30-2024        355,000        366,981  
         

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.01%  

Cenovus Energy Incorporated

    5.38       7-15-2025        10,000        11,028  
         

 

 

 

Financials: 0.64%

 

Diversified Financial Services: 0.64%  

DAE Funding LLC 144A

    5.25       11-15-2021        270,000        277,763  

DAE Funding LLC 144A

    5.75       11-15-2023        175,000        180,250  

Park Aerospace Holdings Company 144A

    5.25       8-15-2022        550,000        575,157  

Park Aerospace Holdings Limited 144A

    5.50       2-15-2024        345,000        368,267  
            1,401,437  
         

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

    

Interest

rate

   

Maturity

date

     Principal      Value  

Health Care: 0.30%

 

Pharmaceuticals: 0.30%  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance BV

    2.20 %       7-21-2021      $ 275,000      $ 275,096  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance BV

    2.80       7-21-2023        310,000        304,532  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance BV

    3.65       11-10-2021        70,000        70,525  
            650,153  
         

 

 

 

Industrials: 0.34%

 

Airlines: 0.26%  

Air Canada Company 144A

    7.75       4-15-2021        565,000        567,825  
         

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.08%  

NorthRiver Midstream Finance LP 144A

    5.63       2-15-2026        170,000        172,550  
         

 

 

 

Information Technology: 0.09%

 

Communications Equipment: 0.09%  

Nokia OYJ

    3.38       6-12-2022        180,000        185,456  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.28%

 

Metals & Mining: 0.28%  

Constellium Company 144A

    5.75       5-15-2024        250,000        254,988  

FMG Resources Proprietary Limited 144A

    4.75       5-15-2022        345,000        355,350  
            610,338  
         

 

 

 

Total Yankee Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $4,667,134)

 

     4,785,533  
  

 

 

 
         
    Yield            Shares         
Short-Term Investments: 1.17%                          
Investment Companies: 1.17%                          

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.12          115,000        115,000  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02          2,434,127        2,434,127  

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,549,127)

            2,549,127        
  

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $196,005,402)     99.61        216,922,968  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.39          847,014  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 217,769,982  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

144A

The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

±

Variable rate investment. The rate shown is the rate in effect at period end.

«

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Portfolio as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(r)

The investment is a non-registered investment company purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

 

TIPS

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description   

Number of

contracts

    

Expiration

date

    

Notional

cost

    

Notional

value

    

Unrealized

gains

    

Unrealized

losses

 

Long

                 

2-Year U.S. Treasury Notes

     14        3-31-2021      $ 3,090,851      $ 3,091,922      $ 1,071      $ 0  

Short

                 

10-Year U.S. Treasury Notes

     (5)        3-22-2021        (689,241      (690,859      0        (1,618

10-Year Ultra Futures

     (3)        3-22-2021        (469,889      (471,375      0        (1,486

U.S. Ultra Bond

     (8)        3-22-2021        (1,725,734      (1,728,250      0        (2,516

5-Year U.S. Treasury Notes

     (63)        3-31-2021        (7,929,532      (7,939,969      0        (10,437
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 1,071      $ (16,057
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Portfolio owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Portfolio and the issuer having the same adviser or investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliates of the Portfolio at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Value,

beginning of

period

    Purchases    

Sales

proceeds

   

Net

realized

gains

(losses)

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses)

   

Value,

end of

period

   

% of

net

assets

   

Shares,

end of

period

   

Income

from

affiliated

securities

 
Short-Term Investments                                                      

Investment Companies

                 

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC

  $ 0     $ 1,071,969     $ (956,969   $ 0     $ 0     $ 115,000         115,000     $ 42 # 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    923,723       64,212,161       (62,701,757     0       0       2,434,127         2,434,127       899  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 0     $ 0     $ 2,549,127       1.17     $ 941  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

32  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio


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Statement of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities (including $113,235 of securities loaned), at value (cost $193,456,275)

  $ 214,373,841  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $2,549,127)

    2,549,127  

Segregated cash for future contracts

    226,321  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $10)

    11  

Receivable for investments sold

    195,247  

Receivable for dividends and interest

    834,588  

Receivable for securities lending income, net

    20  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    40,335  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    218,219,490  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    115,000  

Payable for investments purchased

    275,376  

Payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    1,655  

Advisory fee payable

    57,477  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    449,508  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 217,769,982  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statement of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Interest

  $ 1,890,886  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $2,372)

    281,946  

Income from affiliated securities

    1,027  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,173,859  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Advisory fee

    351,221  

Custody and accounting fees

    12,918  

Professional fees

    21,915  

Shareholder report expenses

    7,679  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,716  

Other fees and expenses

    9,860  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    413,309  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (70,868
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    342,441  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,831,418  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (172,286

Futures contracts

    1,178  
 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on investments

    (171,108
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    8,057,253  

Futures contracts

    17,906  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    8,075,159  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7,904,051  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 9,735,469  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
       Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

 

Net investment income

  $ 1,831,418        $ 3,780,486  

Net realized losses on investments

    (171,108        (2,934,511

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    8,075,159          8,799,280  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    9,735,469          9,645,255  
 

 

 

 

Capital transactions

      

Transactions in investors’ beneficial interests

 

Contributions

    66,425,740          25,838,830  

Withdrawals

    (20,446,099        (56,167,504
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    45,979,641          (30,328,674
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    55,715,110          (20,683,419
 

 

 

 

Net assets

      

Beginning of period

    162,054,872          182,738,291  
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 217,769,982        $ 162,054,872  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio  |  35


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
     Year ended May 31  
      2020      2019      2018      2017      2016  

Total return1

    5.49      5.92      2.99      1.67      2.65      1.29

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

                

Gross expenses

    0.47      0.45      0.45      0.48      0.52      0.56

Net expenses

    0.39      0.39      0.40      0.41      0.44      0.44

Net investment income

    2.09      2.16      2.29      2.40      2.36      1.45

Supplemental data

                

Portfolio turnover rate

    9      24      39      29      25      29

 

 

 

 

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

36  |  Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio


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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Master Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) which is a diversified series of the Trust.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Portfolio, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Portfolio may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Portfolio’s Valuation Procedures.

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore may not fully reflect trading or events that occur after the close of the principal exchange in which the foreign securities are traded, but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such trading or events are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, then fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio are applied. These procedures take into account multiple factors including movements in U.S. securities markets after foreign exchanges close. Foreign securities that are fair valued under these procedures are categorized as Level 2 and the application of these procedures may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Depending on market activity, such fair valuations may be frequent. Such fair value pricing may result in net asset values that are higher or lower than net asset values based on the last reported sales price or latest quoted bid price. On November 30, 2020, such fair value pricing was not used in pricing foreign securities.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Portfolio are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

resulting from changes in exchange rates. The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates of securities and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments.

Securities lending

The Portfolio may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Portfolio receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Portfolio is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Portfolio fluctuates from time to time. The Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Portfolio may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Portfolio or pay the Portfolio the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

When-issued transactions

The Portfolio may purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis. The Portfolio records a when-issued transaction on the trade date and will segregate assets in an amount at least equal in value to the Portfolio’s commitment to purchase when-issued securities. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and the Portfolio begins earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

Loans

The Portfolio may invest in direct debt instruments which are interests in amounts owed to lenders by corporate or other borrowers. The loans pay interest at rates which are periodically reset by reference to a base lending rate plus a spread. Investments in loans may be in the form of participations in loans or assignments of all or a portion of loans from third parties. When the Portfolio purchases participations, it generally has no rights to enforce compliance with the terms of the loan agreement with the borrower. As a result, the Portfolio assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. When the Portfolio purchases assignments from lenders, it acquires direct rights against the borrower on the loan and may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement. Loans may include fully funded term loans or unfunded loan commitments, which are contractual obligations for future funding.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Portfolio and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. The Portfolio may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates and is subject to interest rate risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Portfolio and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Portfolio since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Portfolio is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Portfolio fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Portfolio’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Inflation-indexed bonds and TIPS

The Portfolio may invest in inflation-indexed bonds, including Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS). Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. If the index measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds (other than municipal inflation-indexed bonds and certain corporate inflation-indexed bonds) will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal. The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates may rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds. Inflation-indexed bonds, including TIPS, decline in value when real interest rates rise. In certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than nominal interest rates, inflation-indexed bonds may experience greater losses than other fixed income securities with similar durations.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the custodian verifies the ex-dividend date. Dividend income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Federal and other taxes

The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolio is not required to pay federal income taxes on its net investment income and net capital gains as it is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. All income, gains and losses of the Portfolio are deemed to have been “passed through” to the interest holders in proportion to their holdings of the Portfolio regardless of whether income and gains have been distributed by the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s income tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal revenue authority. Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $196,787,193 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 21,510,205  

Gross unrealized losses

     (1,389,416

Net unrealized gains

   $ 20,120,789  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Portfolio’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

 

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
    

Other significant
observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer staples

   $ 9,734,650      $ 0      $ 0      $ 9,734,650  

Energy

     2,130,654        0        0        2,130,654  

Financials

     242,830        0        0        242,830  

Materials

     7,608,659        0        0        7,608,659  

Real estate

     9,485,466        0        0        9,485,466  

Corporate bonds and notes

     0        31,176,178        0        31,176,178  

Loans

     0        4,625,654        532,857        5,158,511  

U.S. Treasury securities

     144,051,360        0        0        144,051,360  

Yankee corporate bonds and notes

     0        4,785,533        0        4,785,533  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     2,549,127        0        0        2,549,127  
     175,802,746        40,587,365        532,857        216,922,968  

Futures contracts

     1,071        0        0        1,071  

Total assets

   $ 175,803,817      $ 40,587,365      $ 532,857      $ 216,924,039  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 16,057      $ 0      $ 0      $ 16,057  

Total liabilities

   $ 16,057      $ 0      $ 0      $ 16,057  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Advisory fee

The Trust has entered into an advisory contract with Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The adviser is responsible for implementing investment policies and guidelines and for supervising the subadviser, who is responsible for day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio. Pursuant to the contract, Funds Management is entitled to receive an advisory fee at the following annual rate based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Advisory fee  

First $500 million

     0.400

Next $500 million

     0.375  

Next $2 billion

     0.350  

Next $2 billion

     0.325  

Next $5 billion

     0.300  

Over $10 billion

     0.290  

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.40% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Portfolio. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.28% and declining to 0.18% as the average daily net assets of the Portfolio increase.

Funds Management has voluntarily waived and/or reimbursed advisory fees to reduce the net operating expense ratio of the Portfolio.

Interfund transactions

The Portfolio may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices. Pursuant to these procedures, the Portfolio had $4,796,238, $0 and $0 in interfund purchases, sales and net realized gains (losses), respectively, during the six months ended November 30, 2020.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$33,173,817      $29,808,452      $3,063,116      $12,697,798

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Portfolio lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Portfolio and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Portfolio has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of November 30, 2020, the Portfolio had securities lending transactions with the following counterparties which are subject to offset:

 

Counterparty      Value of
securities on
loan
     Collateral
received1
     Net amount  

Barclays Capital Inc.

     $113,235      $(113,235)      $ 0  

 

1 

Collateral received within this table is limited to the collateral for the net transaction with the counterparty.

7. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Portfolio entered into futures contracts to speculate on interest rates and to help manage the duration of the portfolio. The Portfolio had an average notional amount of $3,108,435 in long futures contracts and $11,944,403 in short futures contracts during the six months ended November 30, 2020.

The fair value, realized gains or losses and change in unrealized gains or losses, if any, on derivative instruments are reflected in the corresponding financial statement captions.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

8. BORROWINGS

The Trust, along with Wells Fargo Variable Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds), are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Portfolio is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Portfolio based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Portfolio under the agreement.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. The Portfolio has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Portfolio’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Portfolio and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund and Portfolio file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  43


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chair, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

Wells Fargo Real Return Fund  |  45


Table of Contents

Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers    

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Nancy Wiser1

(Born 1967)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

 

1 

Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as the Treasurer of 77 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 67 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.    

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00737 01-20

SA288/SAR288 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

 

Multi-Asset Funds

 

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund (formerly, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Equity Fund)

 

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund (formerly, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund)

 

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Growth Fund (formerly, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund)

 

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Income Allocation Fund (formerly, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund)

 

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund (formerly, Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund)


Table of Contents

Contents

 

Letter to shareholders   2
Performance highlights  
Wells Fargo Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund   6
Wells Fargo Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund   8
Wells Fargo Spectrum Growth Fund   10
Wells Fargo Spectrum Income Allocation Fund   12
Wells Fargo Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund   14
Fund expenses   16
Portfolio of investments  
Wells Fargo Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund   18
Wells Fargo Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund   21
Wells Fargo Spectrum Growth Fund   24
Wells Fargo Spectrum Income Allocation Fund   27
Wells Fargo Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund   30
Financial statements  
Statements of assets and liabilities   33
Statements of operations   35
Statements of changes in net assets   37
Financial highlights   42
Notes to financial statements   52
Other information   63

 

 

 

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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of November 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund’s portfolio managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  1


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

“Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo Spectrum Funds for the six-month period that ended November 30, 2020. Effective November 2, 2020, the Funds changed their name from Wells Fargo WealthBuilder Funds to Wells Fargo Spectrum Funds. Global stock markets rallied strongly, driven by aggressive stimulus measures introduced by central banks and governments in response to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging market equities had particularly robust results during the six-month period. Among bonds, high-yield issues led the way while U.S. bonds generally had more modest returns than their international counterparts.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index,1 returned 19.98% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net),2 gained 23.28%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 rallied 31.14%. Among bond investments, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 returned a modest 1.79%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 gained a robust 8.19%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 had a 3.29% return, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 gained a healthy 10.47%.

Equities enjoyed a strong tailwind from monetary and fiscal stimulus.

Financial markets posted widely positive returns in June despite ongoing economic weakness and uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the timing of an effective vaccine. As economies reopened, optimism rose. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing global central bank commitment to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was boosted by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans through July. However, jobless rates remained historically high, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. By late June, numerous states reported increases of COVID-19 cases, an ominous sign. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June.

July was broadly positive for both global equities and fixed income. However, economic data and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases pointed to the vulnerability of the global economy and the need to regain control of the pandemic. Second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from the previous quarter by 9.5% and 12.1% in the U.S. and the eurozone, respectively. In contrast, China reported 3.2% year-over-year second-quarter GDP growth. U.S. unemployment remained high despite adding 1.8 million jobs in July, as a double-digit jobless rate persisted. However, manufacturing activity grew in both the U.S. and the eurozone. In Asia, while China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand, activity in Japan and South Korea contracted. A rising concern was the rapid and broad reemergence of COVID-19 infections.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S. dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The stock market continued to rally in August despite concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the expiration of the $600 weekly bonus unemployment benefit in July. Generally stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings boosted investor sentiment along with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a more accommodative policy shift that could lead to longer-term low interest rates. U.S. indices measuring manufacturing and services activities beat expectations while the U.S. housing market maintained strength. In Europe, retail sales expanded and consumer confidence was steady. China’s economy continued to expand.

Stocks grew more volatile in September on mixed economic data. U.S. economic activity continued to grow. However, only half of the 22 million jobs lost since the early spring had returned. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in September, a measurable improvement but far higher than the 3.5% pre-COVID-19 rate. Only 661,000 jobs were added for the month, down from 1.5 million in August. With the U.S. Congress failing to pass further fiscal relief and uncertainties surrounding a possible vaccine, doubts crept back into the markets. In the U.K., a lack of progress in Brexit talks with the European Union weighed on markets. China’s economy picked up steam, however, with growth fueled by increased global demand.

In October, capital markets took a step back from their six-month rally. Market volatility rose in advance of the U.S. election and amid a global increase in COVID-19 infections. Europe responded with more economic restrictions. Meanwhile, Brexit remained unresolved. U.S. markets looked favorably at a possible Democratic sweep and control of the federal purse strings in anticipation of additional fiscal stimulus, which could boost economic activity. Meanwhile, China continued to stand apart, reporting 4.9% third-quarter GDP growth year over year.

Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials. Global stock indices notched double-digit monthly gains. In a reversal of recent trends, value stocks outperformed growth and cyclical stocks outpaced technology stocks. However, U.S. unemployment remained elevated, with a net job loss of 10 million since February. The Eurozone Services Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, contracted sharply while the region’s manufacturing activity gauge indicated growth. The U.S. election results added to the market’s upbeat mood as investors gave thumbs-up to the certainty of the outcome after an unusual delay and anticipated more consistent policies in the new administration.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

“Global stocks rallied broadly in November, propelled by optimism over three promising COVID-19 vaccines, which reported high effectiveness in trials.

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  3


Table of Contents

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

Notice to Shareholders

At a meeting held on August 10-12, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Funds approved a change to each Fund’s automatic conversion feature for Class C shares in order to shorten the required holding period from 10 to 8 years. As a result, on a monthly basis beginning November 5, 2020, Class C shares will convert automatically into Class A shares 8 years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your Class C shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, 8 years after the date you acquired your Class C shares. When Class C shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other Class C shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into Class A shares on a pro rata basis.

Please note that a shorter holding period may apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers for Certain Intermediaries” in the Fund’s prospectus for further information.

 

Notice to Shareholders

Preparing for LIBOR Transition

The global financial industry is preparing to transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a key benchmark interest rate, to new alternative rates. LIBOR underpins more than $350 trillion of financial contracts. It is the benchmark rate for a wide spectrum of products ranging from residential mortgages to corporate bonds to derivatives. Regulators have called for a market-wide transition away from LIBOR to successor reference rates by the end of 2021, which requires proactive steps be taken by issuers, counterparties, and asset managers to identify impacted products and adopt new reference rates.

Each Fund (except Wells Fargo Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund) holds at least one security that uses LIBOR as a floating reference rate and has a maturity date after 12-31-2021.

Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of successor reference rates, and any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on investment instruments that use it as a benchmark rate. The transition process may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR and could negatively impact the value of certain instruments held by the Fund.

Wells Fargo Asset Management is monitoring LIBOR exposure closely and has put resources and controls in place to manage this transition effectively. The portfolio management team is evaluating LIBOR holdings to understand what happens to those securities when LIBOR ceases to exist, including examining security documentation to identify the presence or absence of fallback language identifying a replacement rate to LIBOR.

While the pace of transition away from LIBOR will differ by asset class and investment strategy, the portfolio management team will monitor market conditions for those holdings to identify and mitigate deterioration or volatility in pricing and liquidity and ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.

Further information regarding the potential risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR can be found in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation with no emphasis on income.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA®, CIPM, FRM

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WEAFX)3   2-10-2017     13.69       9.77       9.31       20.62       11.08       9.96       1.05       1.03  
                   
Class C (WEACX)4   10-1-1997     18.80       10.45       9.65       19.80       10.45       9.65       1.80       1.78  
                   
Institutional Class (WEAYX)5   7-31-2018                       20.95       11.24       10.05       0.72       0.70  
                   
Spectrum Aggressive Growth Blended Index6                         16.16       12.00       11.37              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)7                         9.52       7.38       5.16              
                   
Russell 3000® Index8                         19.02       13.95       14.04              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund (continued)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 20209  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

     27.33  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

     21.51  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

     19.56  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

     6.57  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

     4.83  
   

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6

     3.96  
   

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

     3.93  
   

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     2.42  
   

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF

     1.95  
   

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

     1.92  
Allocations (%) as of November 30, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation10
 
     

U.S. Large Cap Stock Funds

     60        60  
     

International Stock Funds

     30        30  
     

U.S. Small Cap Stock Funds

     10        10  
 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.28% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for the Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for the Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for the Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class A shares adjusted to reflect that the Institutional Class shares do not have a sales load but not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The Spectrum Aggressive Growth Blended Index is composed 70% of the Russell 3000® Index and 30% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). Effective November 2, 2020, the WealthBuilder Equity Blended Index was renamed the Spectrum Aggressive Growth Blended Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. Source: MSCI. 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 indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

Figures represent the percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

10 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash, if any, represents the net offset to such future positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  7


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks a combination of current income and capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA®, CIPM, FRM

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WMBGX)3   2-10-2017     5.22       5.40       5.16       11.64       6.66       5.79       1.10       1.08  
                   
Class C (WMBFX)4   9-30-2004     9.80       6.06       5.49       10.80       6.06       5.49       1.85       1.83  
                   
Institutional Class (WMBZX)5   7-31-2018                       12.04       6.83       5.87       0.77       0.75  
                   
Spectrum Conservative Growth Blended Index6                         10.75       7.50       6.91              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index7                         7.28       4.34       3.71              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index8                         10.15       4.68       3.53              
                   
ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index9                         6.26       7.44       6.60              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)10             9.52       7.38       5.16              
                   
Russell 3000® Index11                         19.02       13.95       14.04              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.    

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.     

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk, high-yield securities risk, mortgage-and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 9.

 

 

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Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund (continued)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 202012       
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

     16.86  
   

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

     11.96  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

     10.17  
   

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class

     9.01  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

     6.24  
   

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

     6.23  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

     5.29  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

     4.50  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6

     3.47  
   

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

     2.92  
Allocations (%) as of November 30, 2020  
    Neutral
allocation
    Effective
allocation13
 
     

Bond Funds

    54       55  
     

Stock Funds

    28       31  
     

Inflation Sensitive Funds

    14       12  
     

Alternative Investment Funds

    4       2  

 

 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.33% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for the Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for the Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for the Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class A shares adjusted to reflect that the Institutional Class shares do not have a sales load but not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Spectrum Conservative Growth Blended Index is composed 41% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 20% of the Russell 3000® Index, 15% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index, 15% of ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index, and 9% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). Effective November 2, 2020, the WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Blended Index, which was composed 60% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 28% of the Russell 3000® Index, and 12% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), was renamed the Spectrum Conservative Growth Blended Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) Index is an index of inflation-indexed-linked U.S. Treasury securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index is a market-value-weighted index of all domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds, including deferred interest bonds and payment-in-kind securities. Issues included in the index have maturities of one year or more and have a credit rating lower than BBB-/Baa3 but are not in default. The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index limits any individual issuer to a maximum of 2% benchmark exposure. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

10 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. Source: MSCI. 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 indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

11 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

Figures represent the percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

13 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash, if any, represents the net offset to such future positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  9


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Growth Fund

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks capital appreciation with a secondary emphasis on current income.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA®, CIPM, FRM

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WGAFX)3   2-10-2017     9.22       8.13       8.13       15.89       9.42       8.77       1.10       1.06  
                   
Class C (WGCFX)4   9-30-2004     14.02       8.84       8.48       15.02       8.84       8.48       1.85       1.81  
                   
Institutional Class (WGAYX)5   7-31-2018                       16.25       9.56       8.84       0.77       0.73  
                   
Spectrum Growth Blended Index6                         12.60       10.20       9.76              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index7                         7.28       4.34       3.71              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index8                         10.15       4.68       3.53              
                   
ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index9                         6.26       7.44       6.60              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)10                         9.52       7.38       5.16              
                   
Russell 3000® Index11                         19.02       13.95       14.04              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk, high-yield securities risk, mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 11.

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Growth Fund (continued)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 202012  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    18.96  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    11.64  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    11.55  
   

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

    6.20  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    6.20  
   

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class

    5.19  
   

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    3.89  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    3.89  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6

    3.42  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    2.79  
Allocations (%) as of November 30, 2020  
    Neutral
allocation
    Effective
allocation13
 
     

Stock Funds

    58       62  
     

Bond Funds

    24       25  
     

Inflation Sensitive Funds

    15       12  
     

Alternative Investment Funds

    3       1  

 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.31% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for the Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for the Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for the Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class A shares adjusted to reflect that the Institutional Class shares do not have a sales load but not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Spectrum Growth Blended Index is composed 40% of the Russell 3000® Index, 17% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), 15% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 14% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index, and 14% of ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index. Effective November 2, 2020, the WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Blended Index, which was composed 56% of the Russell 3000®Index, 24% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), and 20% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, was renamed the Spectrum Growth Blended Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) Index is an index of inflation-indexed-linked U.S. Treasury securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index is a market-value-weighted index of all domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds, including deferred interest bonds and payment-in-kind securities. Issues included in the index have maturities of one year or more and have a credit rating lower than BBB-/Baa3 but are not in default. The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index limits any individual issuer to a maximum of 2% benchmark exposure. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

10 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. Source: MSCI. 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 indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

11 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

Figures represent the percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

13 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash, if any, represents the net offset to such future positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  11


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Income Allocation Fund

 

Investment objective    

The Fund seeks current income with a secondary emphasis on capital appreciation.     

Manager    

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC    

Subadviser    

Wells Capital Management Incorporated    

Portfolio managers    

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA® , FRM    

Christian L. Chan, CFA®     

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA® , CIPM, FRM    

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WCAFX)3   2-10-2017     2.47       3.75       3.33       8.72       4.99       3.94       1.11       1.06  
                   
Class C (WCCFX)4   9-30-2004     6.99       4.35       3.62       7.99       4.35       3.62       1.86       1.81  
                   
Institutional Class (WCYFX)5   7-31-2018                       9.06       5.12       4.00       0.78       0.73  
                   
Spectrum Income Allocation Blended Index6                         8.82       5.90       5.31              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index7                         7.28       4.34       3.71              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index8                         10.15       4.68       3.53              
                   
ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index9                         6.26       7.44       6.60              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)10                         9.52       7.38       5.16              
                   
Russell 3000® Index11                         19.02       13.95       14.04              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.    

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.    

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.     

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk, high-yield securities risk, mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 13.

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Income Allocation Fund (continued)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 202012  
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    33.83  
   

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    22.22  
   

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class

    8.06  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    3.93  
   

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

    3.92  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    3.22  
   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    2.97  
   

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    2.89  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6

    2.48  
   

PIMCO CommodityRealReturn Strategy Fund Institutional Class

    1.99  
Allocations (%) as of November 30, 2020  
    Neutral
allocation
    Effective
allocation13
 
     

Bond Funds

    77       79  
     

Stock Funds

    10       11  
     

Inflation Sensitive Funds

    10       8  
     

Alternative Investment Funds

    3       2  
 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.31% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for the Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for the Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for the Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class A shares adjusted to reflect that the Institutional Class shares do not have a sales load but not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Spectrum Income Allocation Blended Index is composed 65% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 15% of ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index, 10% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index, 7% of the Russell 3000® Index, and 3% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). Effective November 2, 2020, the WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Blended Index, which was composed 80% of Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 14% of the Russell 3000® Index, and 6% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), was renamed the Spectrum Income Allocation Blended Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) Index is an index of inflation-indexed-linked U.S. Treasury securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index is a market-value-weighted index of all domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds, including deferred interest bonds and payment-in-kind securities. Issues included in the index have maturities of one year or more and have a credit rating lower than BBB-/Baa3 but are not in default. The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index limits any individual issuer to a maximum of 2% benchmark exposure. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

10 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. 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 indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

11 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

Figures represent the percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

13 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash, if any, represents the net offset to such future positions. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  13


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks a combination of capital appreciation and current income.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp R. Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Travis L. Keshemberg, CFA®, CIPM, FRM

Average annual total returns (%) as of November 30, 2020

 

 
        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
                   
Class A (WGBAX)3   2-10-2017     7.52       6.93       7.01       14.08       8.21       7.65       1.08       1.07  
                   
Class C (WGBFX)4   10-1-1997     12.26       7.60       7.35       13.26       7.60       7.35       1.83       1.82  
                   
Institutional Class (WGBIX)5   7-31-2018                       14.45       8.36       7.72       0.75       0.74  
                   
Spectrum Moderate Growth Blended Index6                         12.15       8.96       8.40              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index7                         7.28       4.34       3.71              
                   
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index8                         10.15       4.68       3.53              
                   
ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index9                         6.26       7.44       6.60              
                   
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)10                         9.52       7.38       5.16              
                   
Russell 3000® Index11                         19.02       13.95       14.04              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder may pay on an investment in a fund. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown without sales charges would be lower if sales charges were reflected. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted, which assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund’s website, wfam.com.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund will indirectly be exposed to all of the risks of an investment in the underlying funds and will indirectly bear expenses of the underlying funds. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to alternative investment risk, foreign investment risk, high-yield securities risk, mortgage- and asset-backed securities risk, and smaller-company investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

Please see footnotes on page 15.

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Wells Fargo Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund (continued)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of November 30, 202012  
   

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    16.43  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    9.23  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    8.64  
   

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    7.57  
   

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    7.29  
   

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class

    6.93  
   

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    6.22  
   

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

    6.21  
   

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    3.01  
   

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6

    2.95  
Allocations (%) as of November 30, 2020  
    Neutral
allocation
    Effective
allocation13
 
     

Stock Funds

    45       49  
     

Bond Funds

    37       37  
     

Inflation Sensitive Funds

    14       12  
     

Alternative Investment Funds

    4       2  
 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include the impact of 0.32% of acquired fund fees and expenses. Net expenses from affiliated master portfolios are included in the acquired fund fees and expense amount. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through September 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class A, 1.50% for Class C, and 0.42% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), net expenses from affiliated master portfolios, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance for the Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class C shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class C shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class A shares would be higher.

 

4 

Prior to February 13, 2017, historical performance shown for Class C shares reflects the performance of the Fund’s predecessor WealthBuilder Portfolio share class and does not reflect the front-end sales load previously attributable to the predecessor class. The expenses for Class C shares and the predecessor share class are similar.

 

5 

Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Class A shares adjusted to reflect that the Institutional Class shares do not have a sales load but not adjusted to reflect the Institutional Class expenses. If these expenses had been included, returns for the Institutional Class shares would be higher.

 

6 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Spectrum Moderate Growth Blended Index is composed 32% of the Russell 3000® Index, 26% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 14% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. TIPS Index, 14% of ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index, and 14% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net). Effective November 2, 2020, the WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Blended Index, which was composed of 42% of the Russell 3000® Index, 40% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and 18% of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), was renamed the Spectrum Moderate Growth Blended Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar–denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

8 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) Index is an index of inflation-indexed-linked U.S. Treasury securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

9 

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index is a market-value-weighted index of all domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds, including deferred interest bonds and payment-in-kind securities. Issues included in the index have maturities of one year or more and have a credit rating lower than BBB-/Baa3 but are not in default. The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Constrained Index limits any individual issuer to a maximum of 2% benchmark exposure. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2021. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

10 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the U.S. Source: MSCI. 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 indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

11 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

12 

Figures represent the percentage of the Fund’s net assets. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

13 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash, if any, is comprised of the net impact of long and/or short futures contracts held as part of a dynamic risk management strategy. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  15


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges (if any) on redemptions and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) and/or shareholder servicing 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 six-month period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” 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.

 

Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund    Beginning
account  value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,180.74      $ 4.10        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.31      $ 3.80        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,177.24      $ 8.19        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.55      $ 7.59        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,182.60      $ 2.30        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.96      $ 2.13        0.42
Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund                            
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,085.95      $ 3.92        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.31      $ 3.80        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,081.88      $ 7.83        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.55      $ 7.59        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,087.88      $ 2.20        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.96      $ 2.13        0.42

 

1

Amounts do not reflect expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

Spectrum Growth Fund    Beginning
account value
6-1-2020
     Ending
account value
11-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1,2
     Annualized net
expense ratio1
 
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,136.22      $ 4.02        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.31      $ 3.80        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,131.94      $ 8.02        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.55      $ 7.59        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,137.80      $ 2.25        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.96      $ 2.13        0.42
Spectrum Income Allocation Fund                            
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,054.67      $ 3.86        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.31      $ 3.80        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,050.67      $ 7.71        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.55      $ 7.59        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,056.40      $ 2.17        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.96      $ 2.13        0.42
Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund                            
         

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,112.34      $ 3.97        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.31      $ 3.80        0.75
         

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,109.56      $ 7.93        1.50

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.55      $ 7.59        1.50
         

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,114.72      $ 2.23        0.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.96      $ 2.13        0.42

 

1

Amounts do not reflect expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios in which the Fund invests.

 

2

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  17


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

                 Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 6.16%                          

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

         151,106      $ 10,009,261  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

         34,165        2,002,752  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

         22,194        8,063,524  

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

         63,212        5,381,870  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $20,283,213)

            25,457,407  
         

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 91.59%

         
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 81.78%                          

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            112,850,969  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            4,105,577  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            19,944,473  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            80,764,657  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            88,794,207  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            27,115,537  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            4,045,655  
            337,621,075  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 9.81%                          

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

         252,193        7,941,542  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 (l)†

         1,296,481        16,361,593  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

         285,093        16,210,411  
            40,513,546  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $313,137,759)

            378,134,621  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 0.58%          
Investment Companies: 0.58%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02        2,400,000        2,400,000  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,400,000)

            2,400,000        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $335,820,972)     98.33        405,992,028  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.67          6,875,991  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 412,868,019  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

Japanese Yen Futures

     171        12-14-2020      $ 20,426,171      $ 20,491,144      $ 64,973      $ 0  

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index

     33        12-18-2020        7,927,891        8,102,820        174,929        0  

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     140        12-18-2020        12,206,690        12,740,700        534,010        0  

IBEX 35 Index

     179        12-18-2020        16,889,783        17,215,924        326,141        0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     69        12-18-2020        4,079,720        4,147,935        68,215        0  

Long Gilt Futures

     172        3-29-2021        30,718,792        30,770,014        51,222        0  

Short

                 

E-Mini S&P 500 Index

     (68)        12-18-2020        (12,136,406      (12,318,880      0        (182,474

Mini-DAX Futures

     (208)        12-18-2020        (16,358,233      (16,539,207      0        (180,974

Euro-Bund Futures

     (120)        3-8-2021        (25,440,385      (25,422,031      18,354        0  
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 1,237,844      $ (363,448
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
 

Investment Companies

                 

Stock Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

  $ 6,253,466     $ 1,437,336     $ (1,619,562   $ 162,562     $ 1,707,740     $ 7,941,542         252,193     $ 0  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    14,166,330       1,573,634       (2,395,760     244,525       2,772,865       16,361,593         1,296,481       0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    14,167,621       2,553,879       (3,393,521     189,569       2,692,863       16,210,411         285,093       0  
              40,513,546       9.81    
           

 

 

       

Short-Term Investments

                 

Investment Companies

                 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    2,220,697       48,652,063       (48,472,760     0       0       2,400,000       0.58       2,400,000       936  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 596,656     $ 7,173,468     $ 42,913,546       10.39     $ 936  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  19


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:    

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Affiliated Master Portfolio

                 

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    31.68     35.95   $ 1,049,614     $ 16,731,762     $ 879,204     $ 4,849     $ 378     $ 112,850,969    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    1.53       0.48       1,602,961       1,269,876       6,539       1,524       0       4,105,577    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    8.55       9.89       103,894       3,711,080       339,131       147       0       19,944,473    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    7.93       11.72       1,927,513       9,060,987       605,949       504       0       80,764,657    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    7.84       9.67       6,281,263       3,682,774       587,754       672       0       88,794,207    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    6.74       11.13       92,422       5,039,485       105,217       184       0       27,115,537    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    1.54       0.88       (770     1,222,915       63,594       448       0       4,045,655    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 11,056,897     $ 40,718,879     $ 2,587,388     $ 8,328     $ 378     $ 337,621,075       81.78
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM CONSERVATIVE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

                 Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 7.74%                          

Aberdeen Standard Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF

         73,063      $ 1,535,784  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

         60,725        4,022,424  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

         13,369        783,691  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

         17,526        6,367,546  

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

         19,414        1,652,908  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

         79,071        9,363,588  

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund

         70,169        6,176,977  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $25,691,006)

            29,902,918  
         

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 90.47%

         
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 65.97%                          

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

            46,185,100  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

            65,099,316  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            39,272,650  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            1,175,357  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            5,087,424  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            20,433,107  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            17,359,574  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            7,400,827  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

            3,398,403  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

            24,103,314  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            1,094,268  

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

            24,049,620  
            254,658,960  
         

 

 

 
Alternative Investment Funds: 3.77%                          

PIMCO CommodityRealReturn Strategy Fund Institutional Class

         1,371,899        7,641,476  

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6 (l)

         880,591        6,903,833  
            14,545,309  
         

 

 

 
Bond Funds: 14.78%                          

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6 (l)

         988,435        10,981,516  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class (l)

         3,327,712        11,280,943  

Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund Institutional Class (l)

         3,513,536        34,784,008  
            57,046,467  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 5.95%                          

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6 (I)

         2,227,213        13,407,823  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

         60,700        1,911,434  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 (l)†

         305,166        3,851,196  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

         67,141        3,817,648  
            22,988,101  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $324,354,997)

            349,238,837  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 0.33%          
Investment Companies: 0.33%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02        1,280,700        1,280,700  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,280,700)

            1,280,700        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $351,326,703)     98.54        380,422,455  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.46          5,623,340  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 386,045,795  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  21


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM CONSERVATIVE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

Japanese Yen Futures

     161        12-14-2020      $ 19,231,575      $ 19,292,831      $ 61,256      $ 0  

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index

     31        12-18-2020        7,447,413        7,611,740        164,327        0  

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     132        12-18-2020        11,499,614        12,012,660        513,046        0  

IBEX 35 Index

     170        12-18-2020        16,040,610        16,350,319        309,709        0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     65        12-18-2020        3,835,535        3,907,475        71,940        0  

Long Gilt Bonds

     170        3-29-2021        30,361,597        30,412,224        50,627        0  

Short

                 

E-Mini S&P 500 Index

     64        12-18-2020        11,437,817        11,594,240        0        (156,423

Mini-DAX Futures

     196        12-18-2020        15,414,418        15,585,022        0        (170,604

Euro-Bund Futures

     118        12-8-2020        25,016,378        24,998,330        18,048        0  
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 1,188,953      $ (327,027
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager or adviser. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
 

Investment Companies

                 

Alternative Investment Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

  $ 13,783,975     $ 30,492     $ (6,387,113   $ (1,501,142   $ 977,621     $ 6,903,833       1.79     880,591     $ 0  
           

 

 

       

Bond Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    14,693,669       634,977       (5,009,154     146,075       515,949       10,981,516         988,435       239,186  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    3,984,855       7,536,837       (661,343     (11,071     431,665       11,280,943         3,327,712       103,723  

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class

    35,821,977       2,680,556       (5,787,174     121,544       1,947,105       34,784,008         3,513,536       877,559  
              57,046,467       14.78      
           

 

 

       

Stock Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6

    0       13,105,428       (122,455     3,162       421,688       13,407,823         2,227,213       52,321  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    2,711,234       2,927       (1,481,246     411,624       266,895       1,911,434         60,700       0  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    6,165,200       6,624       (3,342,885     561,331       460,926       3,851,196         305,166       0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    6,179,364       10,395       (3,378,436     239,104       767,221       3,817,648         67,141       0  
              22,988,101       5.95      
           

 

 

       

Short-Term Investments

                 

Investment Companies

                 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    1,087,098       9,494,456       (9,300,774     0       0       1,280,700       0.33       1,280,700       449  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ (29,373   $ 5,789,070     $ 88,219,101       22.85     $ 1,273,238  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM CONSERVATIVE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
   

Net

realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios

    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    8.64     7.92   $ 335,841     $ (687,795   $ 0     $ 1,121     $ 390,670     $ 46,185,100    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    1.08       1.07       1,332,489       (41,053     0       1,358       592,380       65,099,316    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    13.67       12.51       359,177       6,577,562       367,597       1,944       51       39,272,650    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.67       0.14       646,241       483,204       3,339       577       0       1,175,357    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    3.71       2.52       24,152       1,358,452       111,878       54       0       5,087,424    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    3.42       2.96       652,003       2,543,009       211,668       173       0       20,433,107    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    3.38       1.89       2,502,406       (3,689     218,491       236       0       17,359,574    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    2.94       3.04       (19,435     1,656,534       44,503       56       6       7,400,827    

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

    2.33       6.84       252,152       (24,401     0       19       119,892       3,398,403    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    7.25       11.07       2,878       672,322       22,945       82       152,485       24,103,314    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    0.67       0.24       (1,713     426,267       25,397       168       0       1,094,268    

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

    0.00       15.95       3,704       58,218       0       0       17,125       24,049,620    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 6,089,895     $ 13,018,630     $ 1,005,818     $ 5,788     $ 1,272,609     $ 254,658,960       65.97
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  23


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

                                    Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 7.81%          

Aberdeen Standard Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF

         53,281      $ 1,119,967  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

         58,522        3,876,497  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

         19,708        1,155,283  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

         12,809        4,653,765  

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

         32,506        2,767,561  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

         36,816        4,359,751  

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund

         52,189        4,594,198  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $19,195,904)

            22,527,022  
         

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 90.20%

         
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 66.88%                          

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

            6,148,933  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

            4,740,819  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            54,689,066  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            1,432,042  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            8,061,950  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            33,310,821  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            33,572,299  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            11,207,925  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

            2,541,052  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

            17,871,510  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            1,428,777  

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

            17,896,513  
            192,901,707  
         

 

 

 
Alternative Investment Funds: 3.13%                          

PIMCO CommodityRealReturn Strategy Fund Institutional Class

         1,006,163        5,604,329  

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6 (l)

         437,662        3,431,268  
            9,035,597  
         

 

 

 
Bond Funds: 11.87%                          

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6 (l)

         723,926        8,042,816  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class (l)

         3,309,444        11,219,014  

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class (l)

         1,511,269        14,961,562  
            34,223,392  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 8.32%                          

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6 (l)

         1,637,863        9,859,933  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

         89,824        2,828,570  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 (l)†

         450,882        5,690,130  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

         99,051        5,632,021  
            24,010,654  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $228,273,677)

            260,171,350  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 0.33%                          
Investment Companies: 0.33%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02        966,950        966,950  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $966,950)

            966,950        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $248,436,531)     98.34        283,665,322  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.66          4,781,294  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 288,446,616  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

Japanese Yen Futures

     120        12-14-2020      $ 14,334,121      $ 14,379,750      $ 45,629      $ 0  

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index

     23        12-18-2020        5,525,500        5,647,420        121,920        0  

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     98        12-18-2020        8,538,901        8,918,490        379,589        0  

IBEX 35 Index

     126        12-18-2020        11,888,780        12,118,472        229,692        0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     48        12-18-2020        2,832,998        2,885,520        52,522        0  

Long Gilt Futures

     124        3-29-2021        22,146,106        22,183,034        36,928        0  

Short

                 

E-Mini S&P 500 Index

     (47)        12-18-2020        (8,390,627      (8,514,520      0        (123,893

Mini-DAX Futures

     (146)        12-18-2020        (11,482,101      (11,609,251      0        (127,150

Euro-Bund Futures

     (86)        3-8-2021        (18,232,275      (18,219,122      13,153        0  
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 879,433      $ (251,043
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
 

Investment Companies

                 

Alternative Investment Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

  $ 9,261,772     $ 770,951     $ (6,257,810   $ (1,459,719   $ 1,116,074     $ 3,431,268       1.19     437,662     $ 0  
           

 

 

       

Bond Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    2,706,836       5,157,916       (55,146     (605     233,815       8,042,816         723,926       65,773  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    742,599       10,619,365       (433,740     (2,495     293,285       11,219,014         3,309,444       46,001  

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class

    6,675,119       8,905,985       (1,239,839     1,099       619,198       14,961,562         1,511,269       203,199  
              34,223,392       11.87      
           

 

 

       

Stock Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6

    0       9,549,829       0       0       310,104       9,859,933         1,637,863       38,453  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    3,706,105       115,860       (1,946,773     505,131       448,247       2,828,570         89,824       0  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    8,508,998       269,230       (4,535,619     808,155       639,366       5,690,130         450,882       0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    8,550,041       303,662       (4,644,467     334,591       1,088,194       5,632,021         99,051       0  
              24,010,654       8.32      
           

 

 

       

Short-Term Investments

                 

Investment Companies

                 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    768,588       44,740,466       (44,542,104     0       0       966,950       0.33       966,950       342  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 186,157     $ 4,748,283     $ 62,632,264       21.71     $ 353,768  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  25


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    1.61     1.06   $ 56,645     $ (128,458   $ 0     $ 218     $ 73,516     $ 6,148,933    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    0.20       0.08       225,826       (37,806     0       255       90,442       4,740,819    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    18.85       17.42       495,376       9,079,477       525,362       2,790       46       54,689,066    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.93       0.17       922,103       656,822       4,615       829       0       1,432,042    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    5.04       4.00       38,537       1,945,778       158,041       77       0       8,061,950    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    4.71       4.83       970,442       3,982,574       308,402       247       0       33,310,821    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    4.65       3.65       3,591,166       737,101       332,577       339       0       33,572,299    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    4.06       4.60       (16,010     2,424,078       64,977       81       8       11,207,925    

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Portfolio

    0.44       5.11       183,258       (80,278     0       4       31,051       2,541,052    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    1.35       8.21       6,160       294,873       8,070       26       48,871       17,871,510    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    0.92       0.31       (3,900     590,625       36,480       246       0       1,428,777    

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

    0.00       11.87       5,595       (128,737     0       0       11,571       17,896,513    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 6,475,198     $ 19,336,049     $ 1,438,524     $ 5,112     $ 255,505     $ 192,901,707       66.88
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM INCOME ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

                 Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 6.35%          

Aberdeen Standard Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF

         44,570      $ 936,861  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

         24,475        1,621,224  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

         5,167        1,877,274  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

         58,887        6,973,399  

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund

         39,867        3,509,492  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $13,315,727)

            14,918,250  
         

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 91.75%

         
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 71.64%                          

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

            52,213,414  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

            79,477,404  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            7,562,970  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            447,462  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            869,772  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            2,963,984  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            2,395,256  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            1,397,839  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

            2,081,614  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

            9,223,059  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            462,864  

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

            9,207,502  
            168,303,140  
         

 

 

 
Alternative Investment Funds: 3.53%                          

PIMCO CommodityRealReturn Strategy Fund Institutional Class

         837,553        4,665,171  

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6 (l)

         462,207        3,623,700  
            8,288,871  
         

 

 

 
Bond Funds: 12.90%                          

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6 (l)

         610,251        6,779,893  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class (l)

         1,358,041        4,603,758  

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class (l)

         1,912,766        18,936,383  
            30,320,034  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 3.68%                          

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6 (l)

         969,254        5,834,909  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

         14,577        459,037  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 (l)†

         93,572        1,180,885  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

         20,654        1,174,397  
            8,649,228  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $205,288,057)

            215,561,273  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 0.47%                          
Investment Companies: 0.47%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02        1,100,000        1,100,000  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,100,000)

            1,100,000        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $219,703,784)     98.57        231,579,523  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.43          3,352,665  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 234,932,188  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  27


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM INCOME ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

Japanese Yen Futures

     98        12-14-2020      $ 11,706,155      $ 11,743,464      $ 37,309      $ 0  

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index

     19        12-18-2020        4,564,544        4,665,260        100,716        0  

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     81        12-18-2020        7,052,505        7,371,405        318,900        0  

IBEX 35 Index

     104        12-18-2020        9,813,222        10,002,548        189,326        0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     40        12-18-2020        2,356,874        2,404,600        47,726        0  

Long Gilt Futures

     106        3-29-2021        18,931,349        18,962,916        31,567        0  

Short

                 

E-Mini S&P 500 Index

     (39)        12-18-2020        (6,971,757      (7,065,240      0        (93,483

Mini-DAX Futures

     (121)        12-18-2020        (9,516,187      (9,621,365      0        (105,178

Euro-Bund Futures

     (74)        3-8-2021        (15,688,237      (15,676,919      11,318        0  
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 736,862      $ (198,661
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
   

Shares,
end of

period

    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
 

Investment Companies

                 

Alternative Investment Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

  $ 8,895,359     $ 172,355     $ (5,124,263   $ (1,197,187   $ 877,436     $ 3,623,700       1.54   $ 462,207     $ 0  
           

 

 

       

Bond Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    12,824,937       347,144       (6,921,059     223,741       305,130       6,779,893         610,251       195,806  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    3,469,313       1,371,269       (478,767     (11,209     253,152       4,603,758         1,358,041       74,041  

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class

    31,161,289       1,542,035       (15,248,113     438,396       1,042,776       18,936,383         1,912,766       705,586  
              30,320,034       12.90      
           

 

 

       

Stock Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6

    0       5,825,480       (179,028     4,299       184,158       5,834,909         969,254       22,895  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    855,847       3,975       (603,553     198,534       4,234       459,037         14,577       0  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    1,939,111       14,486       (1,093,714     189,364       131,638       1,180,885         93,572       0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    1,940,462       16,359       (1,098,646     120,280       195,942       1,174,397         20,654       0  
              8,649,228       3.68      
           

 

 

       

Short-Term Investments

                 

Investment Companies

                 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    976,721       21,256,596       (21,133,317     0       0       1,100,000       0.47       1,100,000       429  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ (33,782   $ 2,994,466     $ 43,692,962       18.59     $ 998,757  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM INCOME ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Affiliated Master Portfolio

                 

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    7.52     8.96   $ 295,900     $ (365,683   $ 0     $ 977     $ 348,854     $ 52,213,414    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    0.94       1.30       1,156,325       520,648       0       1,177       528,864       79,477,404    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    4.29       2.41       73,899       1,688,817       99,314       534       13       7,562,970    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    0.21       0.05       200,557       158,193       1,099       181       0       447,462    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    1.17       0.43       2,650       (331,226     40,036       16       0       869,772    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    1.07       0.43       168,049       429,782       62,356       52       0       2,963,984    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    1.06       0.26       764,688       (238,099     61,117       71       0       2,395,256    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    0.91       0.57       (18,453     423,370       12,616       17       2       1,397,839    

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

    2.03       4.19       155,242       24,484       0       16       98,514       2,081,614    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    6.31       4.42       (12,287     486,940       16,487       61       111,935       9,223,059    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    0.21       0.10       (658     156,853       8,150       53       0       462,864    

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

    0.00       6.11       1,430       64,265       0       7       6,563       9,207,502    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 2,787,342     $ 3,018,344     $ 301,175     $ 3,162     $ 1,094,745     $ 168,303,140       71.64
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  29


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM MODERATE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

                 Shares      Value  
Exchange-Traded Funds: 6.79%                          

Aberdeen Standard Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF

         102,587      $ 2,156,379  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

         77,903        5,160,295  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

         37,885        2,220,819  

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

         15,267        5,546,806  

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

         34,641        2,949,335  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

         88,467        10,476,261  

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund

         100,070        8,809,162  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $32,693,673)

            37,319,057  
         

 

 

 

Investment Companies: 91.23%

         
Affiliated Master Portfolios: 68.62%                          

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

            41,592,326  

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

            40,053,706  

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

            90,319,769  

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

            2,741,474  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

            11,822,111  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

            50,749,521  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

            47,494,727  

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

            16,554,945  

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

            4,824,582  

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

            34,189,837  

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

            2,752,547  

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

            34,160,701  
            377,256,246  
         

 

 

 
Alternative Investment Funds: 3.80%                          

PIMCO CommodityRealReturn Strategy Fund Institutional Class

         1,933,813        10,771,336  

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6 (l)

         1,287,429        10,093,441  
            20,864,777  
         

 

 

 
Bond Funds: 12.13%                          

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6 (l)

         1,373,005        15,254,086  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class (l)

         3,932,831        13,332,296  

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class (l)

         3,847,565        38,090,893  
            66,677,275  
         

 

 

 
Stock Funds: 6.68%                          

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6 (l)

         2,692,036        16,206,057  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6 (l)

         137,617        4,333,554  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 (l)†

         644,506        8,133,663  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6 (l)

         141,883        8,067,450  
            36,740,724  
         

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (Cost $452,466,215)

            501,539,022  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 0.48%                          
Investment Companies: 0.48%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.02        2,652,130        2,652,130  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,652,130)

            2,652,130        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $487,812,018)     98.50        541,510,209  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    1.50          8,254,666  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 549,764,875  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM MODERATE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Non-income-earning security

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

Japanese Yen Futures

     229        12-14-2020      $ 27,354,248      $ 27,441,356      $ 87,108      $ 0  

E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Index

     44        12-18-2020        10,570,522        10,803,760        233,238        0  

E-Mini Russell 2000 Index

     187        12-18-2020        16,292,643        17,017,935        725,292        0  

IBEX 35 Index

     240        12-18-2020        22,645,567        23,082,803        437,236        0  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     92        12-18-2020        5,428,280        5,530,580        102,300        0  

Long Gilt Futures

     238        3-29-2021        42,506,236        42,577,113        70,877        0  

Short

                 

E-Mini S&P 500 Index

     (91)        12-18-2020        (16,256,549      (16,485,560      0        (229,011

Mini-DAX Futures

     (278)        12-18-2020        (21,863,330      (22,105,286      0        (241,956

Euro-Bund Futures

     (166)        3-8-2021        (35,192,531      (35,167,142      25,389        0  
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 1,681,440      $ (470,967
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
    Shares,
end of
period
    Dividends
from
affiliated
Underlying
Funds
 

Investment Companies

                 

Alternative Investment Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Alternative Risk Premia Fund Class R6

  $ 18,667,657     $ 460,037     $ (8,306,491   $ (1,950,358   $ 1,222,596     $ 10,093,441       1.84     1,287,429     $ 0  
           

 

 

       

Bond Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Global Investment Grade Credit Fund Class R6

    12,739,817       2,080,531       (244,086     (2,300     680,124       15,254,086         1,373,005       229,617  

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Fund Institutional Class

    3,490,191       9,991,819       (596,508     (10,313     457,107       13,332,296         3,932,831       101,328  

Wells Fargo Income Plus Fund Institutional Class

    31,365,106       7,387,148       (2,677,149     9,271       2,006,517       38,090,893         3,847,565       806,170  
              66,677,275       12.13      
           

 

 

       

Stock Funds

                 

Wells Fargo Diversified Income Builder Fund Class R6

    0       15,760,288       (65,581     1,654       509,696       16,206,057         2,692,036       63,206  

Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class R6

    5,608,025       77,673       (2,788,046     741,521       694,381       4,333,554         137,617       0  

Wells Fargo Endeavor Select Fund Class R6 †

    12,750,258       174,764       (6,914,343     1,205,446       917,538       8,133,663         644,506       0  

Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund Class R6

    12,787,291       200,715       (7,005,936     5,075,090       (2,989,710     8,067,450         141,883       0  
              36,740,724       6.68      
           

 

 

       

Short-Term Investments

                 

Investment Companies

                 

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    2,350,179       60,962,820       (60,660,869     0       0       2,652,130       0.48       2,652,130       998  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
        $ 5,070,011     $ 3,498,249     $ 116,163,570       21.13     $ 1,201,319  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  31


Table of Contents

Portfolio of investments—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

WELLS FARGO SPECTRUM MODERATE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

Transactions with the affiliated Master Portfolios were as follows:

 

    % of
ownership,
beginning
of period
    % of
ownership,
end of
period
    Net realized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses) on
securities
transactions
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Dividends
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Affiliated
income
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Interest
allocated
from
affiliated
Master
Portfolios
    Value,
end
of period
    % of
net
assets
 

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate ex-Corporate Portfolio

    7.53     7.14   $ 494,649     $ (548,571   $ 0     $ 999     $ 345,846     $ 41,592,326    

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

    0.94       0.66       1,345,966       (130,631     0       1,206       493,917       40,053,706    

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

    28.30       28.77       1,239,644       14,489,738       791,834       4,195       68       90,319,769    

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

    1.38       0.32       1,371,451       1,038,589       7,249       1,232       0       2,741,474    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

    7.64       5.87       114,827       2,907,498       232,787       113       0       11,822,111    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

    7.08       7.36       1,681,474       6,171,697       451,446       365       0       50,749,521    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

    7.00       5.17       5,476,366       981,412       482,445       499       0       47,494,727    

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

    6.09       6.80       55,146       3,603,001       94,864       119       12       16,554,945    

Wells Fargo High Yield Bond Portfolio

    2.06       9.71       374,782       (87,280     0       17       113,526       4,824,582    

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

    6.33       15.70       174,539       800,870       23,902       83       153,949       34,189,837    

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

    1.39       0.60       12,384       975,287       54,317       361       0       2,752,547    

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

    0.00       22.66       182,210       (556,804     0       0       22,149       34,160,701    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 12,523,438     $ 29,644,806     $ 2,138,844     $ 9,189     $ 1,129,467     $ 377,256,246       68.62
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

32  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Statements of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Spectrum
Aggressive
Growth Fund
       Spectrum
Conservative
Growth Fund
 

Assets

      

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (see cost below)

  $ 337,621,075        $ 254,658,960  

Investments in unaffiliated Underlying Funds, at value (see cost below)

    25,457,407          37,544,394  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (see cost below)

    42,913,546          88,219,101  

Cash

    32,048          0  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    7,967,406          6,748,611  

Receivable for investments sold

    0          86,247  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    126,664          34,524  

Receivable for dividends

    0          32,838  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    58,178          108,527  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    414,176,324          387,433,202  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

      

Payable for investments purchased

    16,564          34,498  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    340,832          385,345  

Payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    486,689          460,050  

Overdraft due to custodian bank

    0          79,705  

Management fee payable

    79,283          72,340  

Administration fees payable

    69,614          65,942  

Distribution fee payable

    214,105          211,366  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    82,450          78,161  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    18,768          0  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,308,305          1,387,407  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 412,868,019        $ 386,045,795  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

      

Paid-in capital

  $ 292,367,629        $ 325,546,590  

Total distributable earnings

    120,500,390          60,499,205  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 412,868,019        $ 386,045,795  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

      

Net assets – Class A

  $ 56,212,317        $ 38,402,925  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    2,561,250          3,256,678  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $21.95          $11.79  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $23.29          $12.51  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 353,208,391        $ 344,775,541  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    16,263,194          28,628,914  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $21.72          $12.04  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 3,447,311        $ 2,867,329  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    156,549          242,595  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $22.02          $11.82  

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at cost

  $ 284,072,747        $ 234,160,073  
 

 

 

 

Investments in unaffiliated Underlying Funds, at cost

  $ 20,283,213        $ 33,154,135  
 

 

 

 

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at cost

  $ 31,465,012        $ 84,012,495  
 

 

 

 

 

1 

Each Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  33


Table of Contents

Statements of assets and liabilities—November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Spectrum
Growth Fund
       Spectrum Income
Allocation Fund
      

Spectrum Moderate
Growth Fund

 

Assets

           

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at value (see cost below)

  $ 192,901,707        $ 168,303,140        $ 377,256,246  

Investments in unaffiliated Underlying Funds, at value (see cost below)

    28,131,351          19,583,421          48,090,393  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (see cost below)

    62,632,264          43,692,962          116,163,570  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    5,347,589          3,999,824          9,887,293  

Receivable for investments sold

    93,756          191,024          17,594  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    46,094          83,444          114,909  

Receivable for dividends

    32,176          13,653          38,532  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    107,777          66,313          15,098  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    289,292,714          235,933,781          551,583,635  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Payable for investments purchased

    33,465          14,527          40,361  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    73,574          244,279          444,601  

Payable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    340,801          281,341          649,421  

Overdraft due to custodian bank

    84,643          189,023          4,058  

Management fee payable

    50,055          38,565          110,279  

Administration fees payable

    48,946          40,468          93,643  

Distribution fee payable

    156,580          129,402          302,145  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    58,034          48,101          111,305  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    0          15,887          62,947  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    846,098          1,001,593          1,818,760  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 288,446,616        $ 234,932,188        $ 549,764,875  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

           

Paid-in capital

  $ 221,530,753        $ 209,785,641        $ 438,606,913  

Total distributable earnings

    66,915,863          25,146,547          111,157,962  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 288,446,616        $ 234,932,188        $ 549,764,875  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value and offering price per share

           

Net assets – Class A

  $ 29,056,150        $ 24,730,596        $ 52,899,859  

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    2,013,985          2,275,218          3,761,830  

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $14.43          $10.87          $14.06  

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $15.31          $11.53          $14.92  

Net assets – Class C

  $ 257,522,245        $ 209,574,364        $ 495,475,715  

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    17,558,176          19,299,252          34,690,850  

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $14.67          $10.86          $14.28  

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 1,868,221        $ 627,228        $ 1,389,301  

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    129,324          57,801          98,600  

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $14.45          $10.85          $14.09  

Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios, at cost

  $ 165,727,130        $ 159,961,012        $ 335,315,891  
 

 

 

 

Investments in unaffiliated Underlying Funds, at cost

  $ 24,669,433        $ 17,872,016        $ 43,213,613  
 

 

 

 

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at cost

  $ 58,039,968        $ 41,870,756        $ 109,282,514  
 

 

 

 

 

1 

Each Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

2 

Maximum offering price is computed as 100/94.25 of net asset value. On investments of $50,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

34  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Statements of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Spectrum
Aggressive
Growth
Fund
      

Spectrum
Conservative
Growth

Fund

 

Investment income

      

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios*

  $ 2,587,388        $ 1,005,818  

Dividends from unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    439,860          331,058  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    8,328          5,788  

Dividends from affiliated Underlying Funds

    936          1,273,238  

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    378          1,272,609  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (387,175        (324,214

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    59,840          34,994  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,709,555          3,599,291  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

      

Management fee

    491,321          479,637  

Administration fees

      

Class A

    51,681          36,059  

Class C

    357,932          363,957  

Institutional Class

    1,917          1,782  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    61,435          42,899  

Class C

    425,297          432,682  

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    1,273,120          1,297,252  

Custody and accounting fees

    19,252          25,569  

Professional fees

    17,046          17,065  

Registration fees

    26,348          29,404  

Shareholder report expenses

    25,064          26,065  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029          11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    6,456          6,567  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,767,898          2,769,967  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

      

Fund-level

    (21,633        (37,353

Class A

    (4        (12

Class C

    0          (38

Institutional Class

    (138        0  
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,746,123          2,732,564  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (36,568        866,727  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    11,056,897          6,089,895  

Unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    8,522,133          2,938,438  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    596,656          (29,373

Futures contracts

    (4,012,687        2,257,650  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    16,162,999          11,256,610  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

      

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    40,718,879          13,018,630  

Unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    (783,154        1,648,739  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    7,173,468          5,789,070  

Futures contracts

    893,931          (2,291,116
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    48,003,124          18,165,323  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    64,166,123          29,421,933  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 64,129,555        $ 30,288,660  
 

 

 

 

* Net of foreign withholding taxes allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios in the amount of

    $103,078          $38,654  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  35


Table of Contents

Statements of operations—six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

    

Spectrum
Growth

Fund

       Spectrum
Income
Allocation
Fund
       Spectrum
Moderate
Growth
Fund
 

Investment income

           

Dividends allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios*

  $ 1,438,524        $ 301,175        $ 2,138,844  

Dividends from unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    306,054          194,057          524,239  

Affiliated income allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    5,112          3,162          9,189  

Dividends from affiliated Underlying Funds

    353,768          998,757          1,201,319  

Interest allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    255,505          1,094,745          1,129,467  

Expenses allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    (252,710        (195,674        (475,933

Waivers allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    36,795          16,402          60,477  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,143,048          2,412,624          4,587,602  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

           

Management fee

    351,986          297,564          677,547  

Administration fees

           

Class A

    28,605          23,992          51,808  

Class C

    265,170          225,288          515,621  

Institutional Class

    1,172          417          1,059  

Shareholder servicing fees

 

    

Class A

    34,029          28,562          61,611  

Class C

    315,095          268,133          612,925  

Distribution fee

 

    

Class C

    943,597          803,602          1,837,316  

Custody and accounting fees

    20,053          25,744          26,070  

Professional fees

    17,284          16,545          17,284  

Registration fees

    29,079          24,363          27,574  

Shareholder report expenses

    25,009          21,382          27,265  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,029          11,029          11,029  

Other fees and expenses

    5,550          6,916          7,655  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,047,658          1,753,537          3,874,764  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

           

Fund-level

    (48,658        (57,919        (7,067

Class A

    (76        (12        (15

Class C

    (94        (35        (63

Institutional Class

    0          0          (41
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,998,830          1,695,571          3,867,578  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    144,218          717,053          720,024  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

           

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

    

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    6,475,198          2,787,342          12,523,438  

Unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    4,661,077          1,263,034          7,760,319  

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    186,157          (33,782        5,070,011  

Futures contracts

    305,136          1,975,280          (76,018
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    11,627,568          5,991,874          25,277,750  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

           

Securities transactions allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios

    19,336,049          3,018,344          29,644,806  

Unaffiliated Underlying Funds

    363,944          489,497          (142,848

Affiliated Underlying Funds

    4,748,283          2,994,466          3,498,249  

Futures contracts

    (1,541,247        (1,451,249        (2,886,063
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    22,907,029          5,051,058          30,114,144  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    34,534,597          11,042,932          55,391,894  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 34,678,815        $ 11,759,985        $ 56,111,918  
 

 

 

 

* Net of foreign withholding taxes allocated from affiliated Master Portfolios in the amount of

    $58,832          $12,523          $86,491  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

36  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

 

    Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund  
     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income (loss)

    $ (36,568     $ 1,639,003  

Net realized gains on investments

      16,162,999         24,590,770  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      48,003,124         21,688,508  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      64,129,555         47,918,281  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (567,930

Class C

      0         (1,552,546

Institutional Class

      0         (29,699
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (2,150,175
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    314,330       6,463,052       298,353       5,199,857  

Class C

    190,055       3,796,572       359,085       6,260,353  

Institutional Class

    95,561       1,915,346       160,349       2,796,790  
 

 

 

 
      12,174,970         14,257,000  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       30,298       567,646  

Class C

    0       0       83,857       1,551,446  

Institutional Class

    0       0       1,565       29,353  
 

 

 

 
      0         2,148,445  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (158,982     (3,186,514     (500,951     (8,818,583

Class C

    (1,478,032     (29,783,360     (4,600,956     (80,224,929

Institutional Class

    (61,553     (1,239,863     (110,171     (1,953,391
 

 

 

 
      (34,209,737       (90,996,903
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (22,034,767       (74,591,458
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      42,094,788         (28,823,352
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      370,773,231         399,596,583  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 412,868,019       $ 370,773,231  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  37


Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

 

    Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund  
     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 866,727       $ 3,179,134  

Net realized gains on investments

      11,256,610         15,599,553  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      18,165,323         13,024,227  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      30,288,660         31,802,914  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (193,130       (890,327

Class C

      (344,561       (7,430,688

Institutional Class

      (17,802       (71,252
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (555,493       (8,392,267
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    591,161       6,772,223       495,127       5,210,475  

Class C

    329,675       3,846,684       635,339       6,853,024  

Institutional Class

    114,744       1,316,518       478,608       5,104,224  
 

 

 

 
      11,935,425         17,167,723  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    17,119       192,421       83,080       889,538  

Class C

    29,954       344,470       677,973       7,425,458  

Institutional Class

    1,565       17,627       6,589       70,517  
 

 

 

 
      554,518         8,385,513  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (278,197     (3,179,135     (963,431     (10,195,020

Class C

    (2,206,058     (25,762,044     (8,292,697     (89,328,473

Institutional Class

    (118,502     (1,360,705     (416,582     (4,444,469
 

 

 

 
      (30,301,884       (103,967,962
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (17,811,941       (78,414,726
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      11,921,226         (55,004,079
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      374,124,569         429,128,648  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 386,045,795       $ 374,124,569  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

38  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

 

    Spectrum Growth Fund  
    

Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)

    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 144,218       $ 1,302,605  

Net realized gains on investments

      11,627,568         13,023,850  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      22,907,029         13,881,246  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      34,678,815         28,207,701  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (354,829

Class C

      0         (1,568,479

Institutional Class

      0         (19,520
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (1,942,828
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    152,164       2,067,524       328,720       4,010,239  

Class C

    274,510       3,800,589       732,564       9,057,872  

Institutional Class

    199,482       2,735,852       255,491       3,119,078  
 

 

 

 
      8,603,965         16,187,189  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       27,608       352,213  

Class C

    0       0       120,114       1,566,754  

Institutional Class

    0       0       1,501       19,123  
 

 

 

 
      0         1,938,090  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (113,501     (1,549,828     (405,547     (4,933,473

Class C

    (1,388,538     (19,305,421     (4,402,354     (54,313,865

Institutional Class

    (150,140     (2,066,094     (237,408     (2,898,904
 

 

 

 
      (22,921,343       (62,146,242
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (14,317,378       (44,020,963
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      20,361,437         (17,756,090
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      268,085,179         285,841,269  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 288,446,616       $ 268,085,179  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  39


Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

 

    Spectrum Income Allocation Fund  
     Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 717,053       $ 2,265,590  

Net realized gains on investments

      5,991,874         7,022,927  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      5,051,058         7,306,614  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      11,759,985         16,595,131  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      (206,571       (296,807

Class C

      (491,662       (2,755,368

Institutional Class

      (7,385       (12,973
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (705,618       (3,065,148
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    473,867       5,078,219       784,255       7,929,477  

Class C

    251,415       2,685,756       1,484,720       14,624,150  

Institutional Class

    36,037       385,415       154,637       1,542,234  
 

 

 

 
      8,149,390         24,095,861  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    19,127       206,307       29,412       296,366  

Class C

    45,556       490,641       271,115       2,729,197  

Institutional Class

    657       7,078       1,242       12,499  
 

 

 

 
      704,026         3,038,062  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (261,312     (2,794,263     (424,008     (4,271,019

Class C

    (1,504,432     (16,108,284     (5,428,685     (54,474,256

Institutional Class

    (47,188     (503,634     (131,864     (1,316,978
 

 

 

 
      (19,406,181       (60,062,253
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (10,552,765       (32,928,330
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      501,602         (19,398,347
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      234,430,586         253,828,933  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 234,932,188       $ 234,430,586  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

40  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

 

    Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund  
    

Six months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)

    Year ended
May 31, 2020
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 720,024       $ 3,517,264  

Net realized gains on investments

      25,277,750         19,877,805  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      30,114,144         28,068,408  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      56,111,918         51,463,477  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class A

      0         (813,632

Class C

      0         (4,579,863

Institutional Class

      0         (28,805
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (5,422,300
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    439,058       5,869,427       470,169       5,729,591  

Class C

    285,386       3,902,454       736,920       9,120,542  

Institutional Class

    148,077       1,997,631       450,633       5,535,084  
 

 

 

 
      11,769,512         20,385,217  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    0       0       64,744       813,231  

Class C

    0       0       356,445       4,574,503  

Institutional Class

    0       0       2,256       28,316  
 

 

 

 
      0         5,416,050  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (328,271     (4,391,791     (867,171     (10,544,636

Class C

    (2,721,526     (37,078,790     (9,473,999     (117,217,925

Institutional Class

    (203,356     (2,722,323     (390,561     (4,802,340
 

 

 

 
      (44,192,904       (132,564,901
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (32,423,392       (106,763,634
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      23,688,526         (60,722,457
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      526,076,349         586,798,806  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 549,764,875       $ 526,076,349  
 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  41


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

     Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income
(loss)
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized
gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 

Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund

                                               

Class A

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 18.59       0.07       3.29       0.00       0.00     $ 21.95  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 16.52       0.19       2.11       (0.19     (0.04   $ 18.59  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 20.55       0.17 4       (0.81     (0.26     (3.13   $ 16.52  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 21.41       0.10       2.59       0.00       (3.55   $ 20.55  

Year ended May 31, 20175

  $ 20.15       (0.02 )4      1.28       0.00       0.00     $ 21.41  

Class C6

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 18.45       (0.01     3.28       0.00       0.00     $ 21.72  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 16.39       0.07       2.07       (0.04     (0.04   $ 18.45  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 20.33       0.06       (0.82     (0.05     (3.13   $ 16.39  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 21.36       (0.02 )4      2.54       0.00       (3.55   $ 20.33  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 18.25       (0.07     3.19       0.00       (0.01   $ 21.36  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 19.44       (0.08     (1.11     0.00       0.00     $ 18.25  

Institutional Class

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 18.62       0.10 4       3.30       0.00       0.00     $ 22.02  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 16.55       0.29       2.07       (0.25     (0.04   $ 18.62  

Year ended May 31, 20197

  $ 21.08       0.14       (1.26     (0.28     (3.13   $ 16.55  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Six Months ended
November 30, 2020

(unaudited)
     Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Class A

    0.17      0.18     0.18     0.12     0.12 %5      N/A  

Class C6

    0.17      0.18     0.18     0.12     0.12     0.12

Institutional Class

    0.17      0.18     0.18 %7      N/A       N/A       N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

5 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

6 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

7 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

42  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
   

Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)

 
Net investment
income (loss)
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                             
         
  0.63     0.76     0.75     18.07     47   $ 56,212  
  1.08     0.77     0.75     13.91     71   $ 44,714  
  0.97     0.76     0.75     (2.35 )%      78   $ 42,588  
  0.75     0.75     0.75     12.61     63   $ 3,993  
  (0.30 )%      0.75     0.75     6.25     30   $ 1,669  
         
  (0.12 )%      1.51     1.50     17.72     47   $ 353,208  
  0.33     1.52     1.50     13.06     71   $ 323,778  
  0.32     1.51     1.50     (3.16 )%      78   $ 355,837  
  (0.10 )%      1.50     1.50     11.80     63   $ 491,304  
  (0.37 )%      1.50     1.50     17.07     30   $ 532,454  
  (0.46 )%      1.51     1.50     (6.12 )%      27   $ 423,109  
         
  0.96     0.43     0.42     18.26     47   $ 3,447  
  1.40     0.44     0.42     14.26     71   $ 2,281  
  1.40     0.43     0.42     (4.54 )%      78   $ 1,172  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  43


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

     Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized
gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 

Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund

                                               

Class A

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 10.92       0.07       0.87       (0.07     0.00     $ 11.79  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 10.30       0.15       0.76       (0.21     (0.08   $ 10.92  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 10.90       0.19 4      0.03       (0.18     (0.64   $ 10.30  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 11.83       0.18 4      0.40       (0.50     (1.01   $ 10.90  

Year ended May 31, 20175

  $ 11.56       0.07       0.28       (0.08     0.00     $ 11.83  

Class C6

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 11.14       0.02       0.89       (0.01     0.00     $ 12.04  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 10.50       0.09       0.77       (0.14     (0.08   $ 11.14  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 11.10       0.12 4      0.02       (0.10     (0.64   $ 10.50  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 11.83       0.09       0.41       (0.22     (1.01   $ 11.10  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 11.40       0.06       0.80       (0.08     (0.35   $ 11.83  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 12.19       0.05       (0.30     (0.07     (0.47   $ 11.40  

Institutional Class

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 10.94       0.09       0.87       (0.08     0.00     $ 11.82  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 10.32       0.20       0.74       (0.24     (0.08   $ 10.94  

Year ended May 31, 20197

  $ 11.06       0.14       (0.04     (0.20     (0.64   $ 10.32  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Six months ended
May 31, 2020
(unaudited)
     Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Class A

    0.15      0.16     0.16     0.13     0.11 %5      N/A  

Class C6

    0.15      0.16     0.17     0.13     0.11     0.11

Institutional Class

    0.15      0.16     0.16 %7      N/A       N/A       N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

5 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

6 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

7 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

44  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
   

Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)

 
Net investment
income
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                             
         
  1.13     0.77     0.75     8.59     82   $ 38,403  
  1.47     0.77     0.75     8.95     162   $ 31,965  
  1.81     0.76     0.75     2.40     155   $ 34,104  
  1.58     0.75     0.75     4.87     161   $ 2,712  
  1.03     0.74     0.74     3.06     136   $ 800  
         
  0.38     1.52     1.50     8.19     82   $ 344,776  
  0.73     1.52     1.50     8.24     162   $ 339,482  
  1.13     1.51     1.50     1.58     155   $ 393,207  
  0.81     1.50     1.50     4.11     161   $ 559,104  
  0.52     1.49     1.49     7.75     136   $ 707,284  
  0.48     1.49     1.49     (2.02 )%      150   $ 833,218  
         
  1.47     0.44     0.42     8.79     82   $ 2,867  
  1.80     0.44     0.42     9.26     162   $ 2,678  
  1.37     0.43     0.42     1.28     155   $ 1,817  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  45


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

     Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income
(loss)
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized
gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 

Spectrum Growth Fund

                                               

Class A

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 12.70       0.05 4      1.68       0.00       0.00     $ 14.43  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.57       0.15       1.17       (0.18     (0.01   $ 12.70  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 13.88       0.14 4      (0.30     (0.23     (1.92   $ 11.57  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 14.60       0.12       1.39       (0.30     (1.93   $ 13.88  

Year ended May 31, 20176

  $ 13.92       0.01 4      0.67       0.00       0.00     $ 14.60  

Class C7

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 12.96       0.00 4,5      1.71       0.00       0.00     $ 14.67  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.78       0.06       1.20       (0.07     (0.01   $ 12.96  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 14.02       0.08       (0.33     (0.07     (1.92   $ 11.78  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 14.58       0.04       1.34       (0.01     (1.93   $ 14.02  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 13.39       (0.01 )4      1.84       0.00       (0.64   $ 14.58  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 14.92       (0.01     (0.71     (0.04     (0.77   $ 13.39  

Institutional Class

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 12.70       0.07 4      1.68       0.00       0.00     $ 14.45  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.57       0.16       1.20       (0.22     (0.01   $ 12.70  

Year ended May 31, 20198

  $ 14.20       0.18       (0.65     (0.24     (1.92   $ 11.57  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
     Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Class A

    0.15      0.16     0.17     0.12     0.11 %6      N/A  

Class C7

    0.15      0.16     0.17     0.12     0.11     0.11

Institutional Class

    0.15      0.16     0.17 %8      N/A       N/A       N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

5 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

6 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

7 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

8 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

46  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
   

Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)

 
Net investment
income (loss)
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                             
         
  0.77     0.79     0.75     13.62     69   $ 29,056  
  1.14     0.79     0.75     11.34     98   $ 25,089  
  1.20     0.78     0.75     (0.38 )%      97   $ 23,420  
  1.07     0.78     0.75     10.33     93   $ 2,009  
  0.16     0.76     0.75     4.89     58   $ 357  
         
  0.02     1.53     1.50     13.19     69   $ 257,522  
  0.40     1.53     1.50     10.67     98   $ 241,980  
  0.56     1.52     1.50     (1.12 )%      97   $ 261,722  
  0.26     1.51     1.50     9.45     93   $ 354,185  
  (0.06 )%      1.51     1.50     14.05     58   $ 402,997  
  (0.06 )%      1.51     1.50     (4.79 )%      59   $ 429,628  
         
  1.09     0.46     0.42     13.78     69   $ 1,868  
  1.44     0.46     0.42     11.71     98   $ 1,016  
  1.84     0.45     0.42     (2.47 )%      97   $ 699  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  47


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

     Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized
gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 

Spectrum Income Allocation Fund

                                               

Class A

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 10.40       0.07       0.50       (0.10     0.00     $ 10.87  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 9.82       0.16       0.59       (0.17     0.00     $ 10.40  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 10.05       0.18       0.18       (0.19     (0.40   $ 9.82  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 10.52       0.20       0.02       (0.19     (0.50   $ 10.05  

Year ended May 31, 20174

  $ 10.34       0.04       0.18       (0.04     0.00     $ 10.52  

Class C5

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 10.36       0.03       0.50       (0.03     0.00     $ 10.86  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 9.81       0.09       0.58       (0.12     0.00     $ 10.36  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 10.06       0.14 6      0.13       (0.12     (0.40   $ 9.81  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 10.51       0.11       0.04       (0.10     (0.50   $ 10.06  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 10.33       0.07       0.38       (0.10     (0.17   $ 10.51  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 10.82       0.07       (0.20     (0.08     (0.28   $ 10.33  

Institutional Class

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 10.39       0.08       0.50       (0.12     0.00     $ 10.85  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 9.80       0.21       0.57       (0.19     0.00     $ 10.39  

Year ended May 31, 20197

  $ 10.15       0.15       0.12       (0.22     (0.40   $ 9.80  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Six Months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
     Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Class A

    0.15      0.15     0.16     0.13     0.11 %4      N/A  

Class C5

    0.15      0.15     0.16     0.13     0.11     0.11

Institutional Class

    0.15      0.15     0.16 %7      N/A       N/A       N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

5 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

6 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

7 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

48  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
   

Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)

 
Net investment
income
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                             
         
  1.28     0.80     0.75     5.47     93   $ 24,731  
  1.61     0.80     0.75     7.72     197   $ 21,256  
  2.15     0.79     0.75     3.84     183   $ 16,242  
  1.81     0.77     0.75     2.05     192   $ 4,532  
  1.34     0.76     0.75     2.14     175   $ 4,468  
         
  0.53     1.55     1.50     5.07     93   $ 209,574  
  0.89     1.55     1.50     6.90     197   $ 212,465  
  1.41     1.54     1.50     2.89     183   $ 237,153  
  1.05     1.52     1.50     1.37     192   $ 319,498  
  0.72     1.50     1.50     4.42     175   $ 425,400  
  0.68     1.51     1.50     (1.11 )%      198   $ 523,832  
         
  1.62     0.47     0.42     5.64     93   $ 627  
  1.96     0.47     0.42     8.07     197   $ 710  
  1.61     0.46     0.42     2.95     183   $ 434  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  49


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

     Beginning
net asset
value per
share
    Net
investment
income
    Net realized
and unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
    Distributions
from net
investment
income
    Distributions
from net
realized
gains
    Ending
net asset
value per
share
 

Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund

                                               

Class A

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 12.64       0.06 4      1.36       0.00       0.00     $ 14.06  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.64       0.15       1.07       (0.21     (0.01   $ 12.64  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 13.27       0.18 4      (0.14     (0.23     (1.44   $ 11.64  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 14.24       0.19 4      0.89       (0.42     (1.63   $ 13.27  

Year ended May 31, 20175

  $ 13.68       0.01       0.55       0.00       0.00     $ 14.24  

Class C6

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 12.87       0.03       1.38       0.00       0.00     $ 14.28  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.85       0.08       1.06       (0.11     (0.01   $ 12.87  

Year ended May 31, 2019

  $ 13.40       0.11       (0.14     (0.08     (1.44   $ 11.85  

Year ended May 31, 2018

  $ 14.21       0.09       0.87       (0.14     (1.63   $ 13.40  

Year ended May 31, 2017

  $ 13.29       0.05       1.40       0.00       (0.53   $ 14.21  

Year ended May 31, 2016

  $ 14.52       0.03       (0.53     (0.06     (0.67   $ 13.29  

Institutional Class

           

Six months ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

  $ 12.64       0.08 4      1.37       0.00       0.00     $ 14.09  

Year ended May 31, 2020

  $ 11.65       0.25       1.01       (0.26     (0.01   $ 12.64  

Year ended May 31, 20197

  $ 13.52       0.15       (0.33     (0.25     (1.44   $ 11.65  

 

 

 

1 

Including net expenses allocated from the affiliated Master Portfolios, the expense ratios would be increased by the following amounts:

 

    Six months ended
November 30, 2020
(unaudited)
     Year ended May 31  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Class A

    0.15      0.16     0.17     0.12     0.11 %5      N/A  

Class C6

    0.15      0.16     0.17     0.12     0.11     0.11

Institutional Class

    0.15      0.16     0.16 %7      N/A       N/A       N/A  

 

2 

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

3 

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by multiplying the Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. These purchases and sales amounts are aggregated with the direct purchases and sales in Underlying Funds and unaffiliated securities and included in the portfolio turnover calculation.

 

4 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

5 

For the period from February 10, 2017 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2017

 

6 

Effective at the close of business on February 10, 2017, the Fund’s existing share class, WealthBuilder Portfolio shares, was renamed Class C.

 

7 

For the period from July 31, 2018 (commencement of class operations) to May 31, 2019

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

50  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

Ratio to average net assets (annualized)     Total
return2
    Portfolio
turnover
rate3
   

Net assets at
end of period
(000s omitted)

 
Net investment
income
    Gross
expenses1
    Net
expenses1
 
                                             
         
  0.94     0.75     0.75     11.23     75   $ 52,900  
  1.31     0.76     0.75     10.49     131   $ 46,133  
  1.51     0.76     0.75     1.02     126   $ 46,380  
  1.33     0.75     0.75     7.51     129   $ 3,031  
  0.54     0.74     0.74     4.09     102   $ 1,464  
         
  0.19     1.50     1.50     10.96     75   $ 495,476  
  0.57     1.51     1.50     9.58     131   $ 477,998  
  0.84     1.50     1.50     0.31     126   $ 539,352  
  0.56     1.50     1.50     6.65     129   $ 732,031  
  0.30     1.49     1.49     11.14     102   $ 867,751  
  0.26     1.49     1.49     (3.39 )%      100   $ 966,932  
         
  1.26     0.42     0.42     11.47     75   $ 1,389  
  1.63     0.43     0.42     10.78     131   $ 1,945  
  1.38     0.43     0.42     (0.62 )%      126   $ 1,067  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  51


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the following funds: Wells Fargo Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund (“Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund”), Wells Fargo Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund (“Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund”), Wells Fargo Spectrum Growth Fund (“Spectrum Growth Fund” ), Wells Fargo Spectrum Income Allocation Fund (“Spectrum Income Allocation Fund” ) and Wells Fargo Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund (“Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund” ) (each, a “Fund”, collectively, the “Funds”). Each Fund is a diversified series of the Trust.

Effective at the close of business on October 30, 2020, each Fund changed its name and four of the Funds changed its investment strategy and revised its neutral asset allocation. The name changes of each Fund were as follows:

 

Former fund name      New fund name

WealthBuilder Equity Fund

     Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund

WealthBuilder Moderate Balanced Fund

     Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund

WealthBuilder Growth Allocation Fund

     Spectrum Growth Fund

WealthBuilder Conservative Allocation Fund

     Spectrum Income Allocation Fund

WealthBuilder Growth Balanced Fund

     Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund

Each Fund is a fund-of-funds that may invest in various affiliated mutual funds, unaffiliated mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”) to pursue its investment objective. The Underlying Funds incur separate expenses in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. Investments in affiliated mutual funds may also include investments in one or more separate diversified portfolios (each, an “affiliated Master Portfolio”, collectively, the “affiliated Master Portfolios”) of Wells Fargo Master Trust, a registered open-end management investment company. Each affiliated Master Portfolio directly acquires portfolio securities, and each Fund investing in an affiliated Master Portfolio acquires an indirect interest in those securities. Each Fund accounts for its investment in the affiliated Master Portfolios as partnership investments and records on a daily basis its share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expense and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The financial statements for the Underlying Funds are presented in separate financial statements and may be obtained by contacting Investor Services for the affiliated mutual funds or by contacting the servicing agent of the unaffiliated mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. The financial statements of the affiliated Master Portfolios are available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov and are filed with the SEC under Wells Fargo Master Trust. The financial statements for all other affiliated Underlying Funds are also publicly available on the SEC website at sec.gov.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of each Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Funds may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Investments in underlying mutual funds are valued at net asset per share as reported by the Underlying Funds as of the close of the regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading. Investments in affiliated Master Portfolios are valued daily based on each Fund’s proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s net assets, which are also valued daily.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Funds’ Valuation Procedures.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

 

 

52  |  Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Investments which are not valued using the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Funds. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between each Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. A Fund may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates, security values and foreign exchange rates and is subject to interest rate risk, equity price risk, and/or foreign currency risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Fund is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Fund fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Fund’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Each Fund records on a daily basis its proportionate share of each affiliated Master Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses. Income from foreign securities in each affiliated Master Portfolio is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Income dividends and capital gain distributions from Underlying Funds are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions from Underlying Funds are treated as realized gains.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date for each Fund as follows:

 

      Net investment income      Net realized gains  

Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund

     Annually        Annually  

Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund

     Quarterly        Annually  

Spectrum Growth Fund

     Annually        Annually  

Spectrum Income Allocation Fund

     Monthly        Annually  

Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund

     Annually        Annually  

Federal and other taxes

Each Fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

Each Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed each Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  53


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

As of November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes and the unrealized gains (losses) were as follows:

 

      Tax cost      Gross
unrealized
gains
     Gross
unrealized
losses
     Net
unrealized
gains
 

Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund

   $ 324,275,285      $ 88,047,453      $ (5,456,314    $ 82,591,139  

Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund

     352,133,294        30,693,570        (1,542,483      29,151,087  

Spectrum Growth Fund

     256,197,524        147,384,752        (119,288,564      28,096,188  

Spectrum Income Allocation Fund

     214,149,032        19,178,571        (1,209,879      17,968,692  

Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund

     492,331,104        302,223,251        (251,833,673      50,389,578  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by each Fund differ principally in applicable sales charges, distribution, shareholder servicing, and administration fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of each Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Each Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing each Fund’s assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2020:

 

Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund    Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 25,457,407      $ 0      $ 0      $ 25,457,407  

Investment companies

     40,513,546        0        0        40,513,546  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     2,400,000        0        0        2,400,000  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                337,621,075  
     68,370,953        0        0        405,992,028  

Futures contracts

     1,237,844        0        0        1,237,844  

Total assets

   $ 69,608,797      $ 0      $ 0      $ 407,229,872  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 363,448      $ 0      $ 0      $ 363,448  

Total liabilities

   $ 363,448      $ 0      $ 0      $ 363,448  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investment in affiliated Master Portfolios valued at $337,621,075 does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

 

 

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Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund   

Quoted prices

(Level 1)

    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 29,902,918      $ 0      $ 0      $ 29,902,918  

Investment companies

     94,579,877        0        0        94,579,877  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     1,280,700        0        0        1,280,700  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                254,658,960  
     125,763,495        0        0        380,422,455  

Futures contracts

     1,188,953        0        0        1,188,953  

Total assets

   $ 126,952,448      $ 0      $ 0      $ 381,161,408  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 327,027      $ 0      $ 0      $ 327,027  

Total liabilities

   $ 327,027      $ 0      $ 0      $ 327,027  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investment in affiliated Master Portfolios valued at $254,658,960 does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

 

Spectrum Growth Fund   

Quoted prices

(Level 1)

    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 22,527,022      $ 0      $ 0      $ 22,527,022  

Investment companies

     67,269,643        0        0        67,269,643  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     966,950        0        0        966,950  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                192,901,707  
     90,763,615        0        0        283,665,322  

Futures contracts

     879,433        0        0        879,433  

Total assets

   $ 91,643,048      $ 0      $ 0      $ 284,544,755  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 251,043      $ 0      $ 0      $ 251,043  

Total liabilities

   $ 251,043      $ 0      $ 0      $ 251,043  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investment in affiliated Master Portfolios valued at $192,901,707 does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

 

 

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Spectrum Income Allocation Fund   

Quoted prices

(Level 1)

    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 14,918,250      $ 0      $ 0      $ 14,918,250  

Investment companies

     47,258,133        0        0        47,258,133  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     1,100,000        0        0        1,100,000  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                168,303,140  
     63,276,383        0        0        231,579,523  

Futures contracts

     736,862        0        0        736,862  

Total assets

   $ 64,013,245      $ 0      $ 0      $ 232,316,385  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 198,661      $ 0      $ 0      $ 198,661  

Total liabilities

   $ 198,661      $ 0      $ 0      $ 198,661  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investment in affiliated master portfolios valued at $168,303,140 does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

 

Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund   

Quoted prices

(Level 1)

    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Exchange-traded funds

   $ 37,319,057      $ 0      $ 0      $ 37,319,057  

Investment companies

     124,282,776        0        0        124,282,776  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     2,652,130        0        0        2,652,130  

Investments measured at net asset value*

                                377,256,246  
     164,253,963        0        0        541,510,209  

Futures contracts

     1,681,440        0        0        1,681,440  

Total assets

   $ 165,935,403      $ 0      $ 0      $ 543,191,649  

Liabilities

           

Futures contracts

   $ 470,967      $ 0      $ 0      $ 470,967  

Total liabilities

   $ 470,967      $ 0      $ 0      $ 470,967  

 

*

Investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amount presented in the table is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s investment in affiliated Master Portfolios valued at $377,256,246 does not have a redemption period notice, can be redeemed daily and does not have any unfunded commitments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the tables following each applicable Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Funds did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

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The investment objective of each affiliated Master Portfolio is as follows:

 

Affiliated Master Portfolio    Investment objective

Wells Fargo Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate

ex-Corporate Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Bloomberg Barclays

U.S. Aggregate ex-Corporate Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo Core Bond Portfolio

   Seeks total return, consisting of income and capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Disciplined Large Cap Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Emerging Growth Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced International Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Large Cap Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Factor Enhanced U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio

  

Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio

  

Seeks to replicate the total return of the Wells Fargo U.S. High

Yield Bond Index, before fees and expenses

Wells Fargo Real Return Portfolio

   Seeks returns that exceed the rate of inflation over the long-term

Wells Fargo Small Company Value Portfolio

   Seeks long-term capital appreciation

Wells Fargo Strategic Retirement Bond Portfolio

   Seeks to replicate the total return of a blended index that is weighted 50% to the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Linked 1-10 Year Bond Index and 50% to the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Intermediate Government Bond Index, before fees and expenses

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of each Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of each Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with each Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on each Fund’s average daily net assets

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $1 billion

     0.250

Next $4 billion

     0.225  

Next $5 billion

     0.190  

Over $10 billion

     0.180  

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Funds. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to each Fund and is entitled to receive a an annual subadvisory fee of 0.15% of each Fund’s average daily net assets

Funds Management also serves as the adviser to each affiliated Master Portfolio and is entitled to receive a fee from each affiliated Master Portfolio for those services.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to each Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

     

Class-level

administration fee

 

Class A, Class C

     0.21

Institutional Class

     0.13  

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for each Fund. When each class of a Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through September 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap each Fund’s expenses at 0.75% for Class A shares, 1.50% for Class C shares, and 0.42% for Institutional Class shares. Acquired fund fees and expenses (including net expenses from affiliated Master Portfolios) are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan for Class C shares of the Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class C shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter of each Fund, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the six months ended November 30, 2020, Funds Distributor received front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges from the following Funds:

 

     Front-end
sales charges
     Contingent deferred
sales charges
 
      Class A      Class C  

Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund

   $ 3,566      $ 569  

Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund

     2,685        512  

Spectrum Growth Fund

     2,151        529  

Spectrum Income Allocation Fund

     1,384        68  

Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund

     2,154        535  

No contingent deferred sales charges were incurred by Class A shares of each Fund for the six months ended November 30, 2020.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A and Class C of each Fund are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Funds seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing some of their investable assets in affiliated Master Portfolios. Purchases and sales related to these investments have been calculated by aggregating the results of multiplying each Fund’s ownership percentage in the respective affiliated Master Portfolio by the corresponding affiliated Master Portfolio’s purchases and sales. Purchases and sales in Underlying Funds in which the Funds invest are actual aggregate purchases and sales of those investments.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended November 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

       Purchases at cost        Sales proceeds  
        U.S.
government
       Non-U.S.
government
       U.S.
government
       Non-U.S.
government
 

Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund

     $ 0        $ 171,671,821        $ 0        $ 227,993,259  

Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund

       161,313,286          151,197,710          147,269,239          158,575,202  

Spectrum Growth Fund

       15,815,146          171,580,957          12,221,676          171,863,188  

Spectrum Income Allocation Fund

       191,448,471          25,719,496          177,608,951          52,818,959  

Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund

       109,828,134          277,588,482          96,890,982          296,099,278  

6. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the following Funds entered into futures contracts to gain market exposure to certain asset classes consistent with an active asset allocation strategy. The volume of each Fund’s futures contracts during the six months ended November 30, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Average notional balance  
       

Long

futures

       Short
futures
 

Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund

     $ 31,924,458        $ 43,297,390  

Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund

       25,266,592          29,749,344  

Spectrum Growth Fund

       22,892,213          30,755,406  

Spectrum Income Allocation Fund

       19,400,198          20,241,025  

Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund

       46,356,740          57,277,922  

A summary of the location of derivative instruments on the financial statements by primary risk exposure is outlined following tables.

The fair value of derivative instruments as of November 30, 2020 by primary risk type was as follows for Spectrum Aggressive Growth Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 1,103,295    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 363,448

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      64,973    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0

Interest rate risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      69,576    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0
          $ 1,237,844           $ 363,448  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of November 30, 2020 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ (3,925,695      $ 597,993  

Foreign currency risk

       80,268          226,362  

Interest rate risk

       (167,260        69,576  
       $ (4,012,687      $ 893,931  

The fair value of derivative instruments as of November 30, 2020 by primary risk type was as follows for Spectrum Conservative Growth Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 1,059,022    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 327,027

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      61,256    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0

Interest rate risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      68,675    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0
          $ 1,188,953           $ 327,027  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of November 30, 2020 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 3,041,512        $ (2,589,305

Interest rate risk

       181,148          68,675  

Foreign currency risk

       (965,010        229,514  
       $ 2,257,650        $ (2,291,116

The fair value of derivative instruments as of November 30, 2020 by primary risk type was as follows for Spectrum Growth Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risks

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 783,723    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 251,043

Interest rate risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      50,081    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      45,629    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0
          $ 879,433           $ 251,043  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of November 30, 2020 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 848,971        $ (1,754,565

Foreign currency risk

       (679,392        163,237  

Interest rate risk

       135,557          50,081  
       $ 305,136        $ (1,541,247

The fair value of derivative instruments as of November 30, 2020 by primary risk type was as follows for Spectrum Income Allocation Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 656,668    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 198,661

Foreign currency risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      37,309    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0

Interest rate risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      42,885    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0
          $ 736,862           $ 198,661  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of November 30, 2020 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 2,472,509        $ (1,637,122

Interest rate risk

       109,371          42,885  

Foreign currency risk

       (606,600        142,988  
       $ 1,975,280        $ (1,451,249

The fair value of derivative instruments as of November 30, 2020 by primary risk type was as follows for Spectrum Moderate Growth Fund:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value      Statements of Assets and
Liabilities location
   Fair value  

Equity risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts    $ 1,498,066    Unrealized losses on futures contracts    $ 470,967

Foreign currency

risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      87,108    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0

Interest rate risk

   Unrealized gains on futures contracts      96,266    Unrealized losses on futures contracts      0
          $ 1,681,440           $ 470,967  

 

*

Amount represents cumulative unrealized gains (losses) on futures contracts as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin as of November 30, 2020 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020 was as follows:

 

       Realized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 1,010,182        $ (3,303,970

Interest rate risk

       263,843          96,266  

Foreign currency risk

       (1,350,043        321,641  
       $ (76,018      $ (2,886,063

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds), Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby each Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to each Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by each Fund under the agreement.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Funds’ organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to each Fund. Each Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, each Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. Each Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

10. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS    

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 144 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.    

Independent Trustees    

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chair, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy (private school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   N/A

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business (Emeritus), Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chair, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019. Interim President of the McKnight Foundation from January to September 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

Wells Fargo Multi-Asset Funds  |  65


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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers    

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2018. Deputy General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2020 and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 2018 to 2020. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 77 funds in the Fund Complex.    

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.    

 

 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Funds’ website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of Wells Fargo Funds. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-222-8222 or visit the Funds’ website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2021 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-1220-00738 01-20

SWBP/SAR102 11-20

 

 



Table of Contents
ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6.

INVESTMENTS

A Portfolio of Investments for each series of Wells Fargo Funds Trust is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

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 MANAGEMEENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees that have been implemented since the registrant’s last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item.


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ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) The President and Treasurer have concluded that the Wells Fargo Funds Trust disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by the appropriate persons, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report.

(b) There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the most recent fiscal half-year of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURES OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS

(a)(1) Not applicable.

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section  906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


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LOGO

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.

 

Wells Fargo Funds Trust
By:  
  /s/ Andrew Owen
  Andrew Owen
  President
Date:   January 27, 2021

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 date indicated.

 

Wells Fargo Funds Trust
By:  
  /s/ Andrew Owen
  Andrew Owen
  President
Date:   January 27, 2021

 

By:  
  /s/ Nancy Wiser
  Nancy Wiser
  Treasurer
Date:   January 27, 2021

 

By:  
  /s/ Jeremy DePalma
  Jeremy DePalma
  Treasurer
Date:   January 27, 2021