N-CSR 1 d624243dncsr.htm FLEXSHARES TRUST FlexShares Trust
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-22555

FlexShares Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Diana E. McCarthy, Esq.

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

with a copy to:

Peter K. Ewing

Craig R. Carberry, Esq.

Northern Trust Investments, Inc.

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 800-595-9111

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2013


Table of Contents

Item 1. Reports To Stockholders.

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


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

FlexShares® Trust

 

Annual Report

October 31, 2013

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund

FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Letter to Shareholders

    2   

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

    5   

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund

    5   

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

    7   

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

    9   

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund

    11   

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund

    13   

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

    15   

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund

    17   

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

    19   

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

    21   

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund

    23   

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

    25   

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

    27   

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund

    29   

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

    31   

Statements of Operations

    35   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    39   

Financial Highlights

    44   

Schedules of Investments

    48   

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund

    48   

FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund

    52   

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

    56   

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

    57   

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund

    58   

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund

    95   

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

    137   

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund

    172   

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

    177   

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

    182   

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund

    187   

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

    193   

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

    199   

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund

    205   

Notes to the Financial Statements

    208   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    235   

Tax Information

    236   

Fund Expenses

    237   

Trustees and Officers

    240   

Approval of Advisory Agreement

    244   

Supplemental Information

    251   

For More Information

    252   

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Shareholder Letter

 

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

We are pleased to mark another year of successful FlexShares operations. Included herein are portfolio and performance summaries on our family of exchange traded funds (ETFs), as well as an investment commentary covering the twelve months ended October 31, 2013. We appreciate the favorable reception FlexShares ETFs have garnered in the marketplace and will make every effort to earn your support as we broaden our footprint in the years ahead.

 

By carefully observing the evolving financial landscape, FlexShares strives to develop ETF products that directly address real investor needs. Whether through index design, market analytics, research or portfolio management, every FlexShares branded ETF is developed from thoughtful consideration of market trends and a wealth of investment expertise. Our ETFs seek to address four basic investor objectives: capital appreciation, income generation, risk management and liquidity management. In the past twelve months FlexShares has launched seven new index-based ETFs:

 

¨  

FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (Ticker: QDF, Investment Objective: Income Generation)

¨  

FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (Ticker: QDEF, Investment Objective: Income Generation)

¨  

FlexShares Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (Ticker: QDYN, Investment Objective: Income Generation)

¨  

FlexShares International Quality Dividend Index Fund (Ticker: IQDF, Investment Objective: Income Generation)

¨  

FlexShares International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (Ticker: IQDE, Investment Objective: Income Generation)

¨  

FlexShares International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (Ticker: IQDY, Investment Objective: Income Generation)

¨  

FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (Ticker: NFRA, Investment Objective: Risk Management)

In late 2013 we added another Fund to the FlexShares product offerings:

 

¨  

The FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (Ticker: GQRE; Investor Objective: Risk Management) tracks a securities index designed to measure the performance of companies that exhibit certain quality, valuation and momentum characteristics within a universe of publicly-traded equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate companies. (This annual report does not include GQRE because it did not commence operations during the trust’s fiscal year.)

 

Financial Market Highlights

 

Divergent asset class returns indicate some evolution of investor views about the state of the recovery and likely direction of monetary policy. During the 12-months ended October 31, 2013, developed market equities generated strong double digit returns while gold, natural resources and bonds all posted losses. Real estate, infrastructure and high yield securities produced middling results. These widely varied outcomes suggest a majority of investors expect stronger growth and higher interest rates in the quarters ahead.

 

Twelve month asset flows reflect the economic uncertainties that exist just below the media headlines. Central bankers’ guarded growth outlooks, communicated via policy actions, continued to be more important to investors than fundamental data about the real economy. Investors fled long-term bonds, equities and commodities following the Federal Reserve’s announcement in the spring about potentially tapering future bond purchases. Likewise, flows quickly surged back into risk assets when the Fed tabled these thoughts.

 

The multi-year focus on aggressive monetary stimulus has dampened investor awareness of the potential good and bad impacts of fiscal and structural reforms. The political brinksmanship surrounding the 2012 year-end fiscal cliff and sequester, as well as 2013’s debt ceiling and government shutdown, suggests that many U.S. elected officials are not feeling pressure from their constituents to keep the U.S. expansion on track. This situation will likely continue until

 

 

2    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Shareholder Letter (cont.)

 

 

the Fed’s monetary exit is well underway, or until voters express dissatisfaction at the polling booth.

 

The narrative driving the global financial markets’ performance over the past five years generally remained in place for the twelve months ended October 31, 2013: economic growth was subpar; unemployment declined as job growth continued to disappoint; earnings outlooks were lowered but markets were unaffected; inflation was decidedly scarce. Amid a plodding U.S. recovery, the housing sector was a relative standout, benefiting from a strong refinancing rally that generated limited spillover benefits. Economic activity in Europe was stagnant, shifting from recession to very tepid growth. In aggregate, downside worries continued to outstrip upside concerns which kept global central banks’ aggressive policy rates and market interventions fully in force.

 

Investment Themes

 

The year had definite periods of drama. These were driven not by changing fundamentals but by political brinksmanship and ineffective policy communications which impacted markets and asset flows. A key period occurred in the late spring when the Federal Reserve surprised investors by stating it might start to pare back on its bond purchases later in 2013. Its announcement sent long-term interest rates sharply higher, upended an equity rally and depressed many emerging stock markets. Asset outflows quickly accelerated from equities and riskier bonds as investors deduced that the period of maximum monetary support was now in the rear view mirror. Caught off-guard by the market reaction to messaging, the Fed in September again surprised investors when it elected to maintain its buying activity. The Fed cited concerns about weak economic data and renewed brinksmanship in Washington. The decision by the Fed to “stay the course” quickly drove investors back into equities and other risk assets, although with a more discerning eye. Most stock indices subsequently rallied to new yearly highs even as less forgiving rate markets retraced only about half the May/June selloff.

 

The behavior of investors and financial markets following the Federal Reserve deliberations, as well as the display of indecisiveness, suggest the post crisis period has entered a new and uncertain phase. A consensus seems to be forming

among policy makers and investors that the strategy of monetary-centric stimulus in place for the past five years is now producing diminishing economic benefits and, potentially, increased economic risks. Investors expected that by this point in the recovery both the global economy and monetary policies would have successfully bridged back to a more fundamentally driven market. In September investors showed they were ready for the Fed to start the process of policy normalization but the central bank deferred, concerned that the U.S. economy was not strong enough to handle even a modest pullback in support.

 

Five years after the financial crisis it is clear that any moves by the U.S. to exit easy money policies, or to aggressively address fiscal issues, remain fraught with timing, communication and implementation risks that may have an adverse impact on the potential global recovery. For investors this means the timeline for returning to a more normalized economic environment remains extended. We also believe that any “normalized” environment is less likely to resemble the economy and markets from before the crisis.

 

Please review our entire Annual Report to learn more about FlexShares ETFs, and visit our website at www.flexshares.com for additional information regarding portfolio characteristics, pricing and performance.

 

We look forward to being of service to you and appreciate your interest in FlexShares – Based on Understanding, Built on Experience.

 

Sincerely,

 

Shundrawn A. Thomas

President

FlexShares Trust

 

The views in this letter were as of October 31, 2013 and may not necessarily reflect the same views on the date this letter is first published or any time thereafter. These views are intended to help shareholders in understanding the Funds’ investment methodology and do not constitute investment advice.

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Funds. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an

 

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      3   


Table of Contents

 

 

Shareholder Letter (cont.)

 

 

effective prospectus, which includes information regarding the Funds’ risks, objectives, fees and expenses, experience of its management, and other information.

 

An investment in the Funds’ is subject to numerous risks, including possible loss of principal. Fund returns may not match the return of the respective indexes. Some of the risks include, but are not limited to, the following: asset class; commodity; concentration; counterparty; credit; currency; derivatives; emerging markets; equity securities; fluctuation of yield; foreign securities; geographic; income; industry concentration; inflation-protected securities; interest rate/ maturity; issuer; management; market; market trading; mid cap stock; natural resources; new funds; non-diversification; passive investment; privatization; small cap stock; tracking error; and value investing. A full description of risks is in each Fund’s prospectus.

 

Foreside Fund Services, LLC, distributor.

 

 

4    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Morningstar   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund Ticker:   GUNR

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

     1 Year     Since
Inception
9/16/2011
 
  

 

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

     (0.33 )%      0.23

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

     (0.61 )%      0.24

Morningstar® Global Upstream Natural Resources Index

     (0.15 )%      0.32

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.50% and the net expense ratio is 0.48%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the performance of the Morningstar® Global Upstream Natural Resources IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index reflects the performance of a selection of equity securities that are traded in or are issued by companies domiciled in global developed or emerging market countries, including the U.S., as determined by Morningstar, Inc., the “Index Provider,” pursuant to its index methodology. The companies included in the Underlying Index have significant business operations in the ownership, management and/or production of natural resources in five sectors (energy, agriculture, precious or industrial metals, timber and water resources), as determined by the Index Provider. On October 31, 2013, there were 120 issues in the Underlying Index. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) uses a representative sampling strategy to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

As a result of moderating global growth, demand for raw commodities and natural resources weakened for the second straight year. Sluggish but improving U.S. growth, an exit from recessions in the Eurozone, modest signs of improvement in Japan and slowing growth in emerging markets combined with supply metrics to produce weak spot price performance for most natural resources and commodities. Similarly, easing global currency fears led to decreased demand for precious metals, with gold and silver spot prices significantly lower. Despite increased production from the lower 48 states and Canada, North American and Brent crude oil prices were higher for the year, while milder U.S. weather held down demand and prices for natural gas. Global agriculture sector supplies rebounded from the 2012 droughts in both North and South America. Planted acreage and yields also increased. Together, these trends drove down major grain prices. Precious metals producers’ equities performed poorly due to lower gold and silver prices. Overall metal demand was weaker, highlighted by gold and silver, however metals linked to the auto industry (iron ore/steel, palladium, platinum and aluminum) fared

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      5   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Morningstar   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

better as U.S. auto sales and production recovered to near pre-financial crisis levels and global auto demand continues higher.

 

For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was (0.33)%, and the total return for the Underlying Index was (0.15)%. The performance of the Underlying Index and Fund during the fiscal year was negative relative to the international market as measured by the MSCI All Country World Index (24.10% total return). Natural resource companies’ equity prices reflected the weak performance in underlying commodities. The Underlying Index’s balanced approach between the five major natural resource sectors was a benefit for the period. Positive performance in the energy, timber and water sectors offset poor performance within the metals sector. Overall, the Underlying Index’s and Fund’s performance reflected the benign global economic growth and inflationary environments. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return was -21 basis points (bps) for the 12-month period, which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-48 bps), comparatively favorable tax treatments of foreign dividends under foreign-tax law (+41 bps) and stock sampling/futures (-14 bps).

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

6    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


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FlexShares® iBoxx   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund Ticker:   TDTT

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

     1 Year     Since
Inception
9/19/2011
 
  

 

 

 

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

     (1.41 )%      0.62

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

     (1.45 )%      0.62

iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index

     (1.23 )%      0.72

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.22% and the net expense ratio is 0.20%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the performance of the iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index reflects the performance of a selection of inflation protected public obligations of the U.S. Treasury, commonly known as “TIPS,” with a targeted average modified adjusted duration of approximately three years. The Underlying Index includes publicly issued TIPS having maturity dates of at least one year but not more than ten years, measured from the most recent rebalancing date. As of October 31, 2013, there were seven issues in the Underlying Index. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) uses replication to manage the Fund, but may use representative sampling in certain circumstances. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

Throughout the 12 months ended October 31, 2013, the Treasury market rate structure was influenced by concerns over the government’s fiscal issues and the Federal Reserve’s future plans regarding its accommodative monetary policy actions. Negotiations over the 2012 year-end “fiscal cliff”, as well as the late 2013 standoff over the debt ceiling and 2014 U.S. budget, helped drive investor demand for high quality, short duration securities. The performance of TIPS securities was specifically influenced by Chairman Bernanke’s statements in May and June regarding a possible 2013 curtailment in the Fed’s $85 billion monthly purchases of U.S. Treasuries and mortgage back securities (MBS). This caused interest rates, especially longer dated maturities, to rise in the second quarter of 2013 thereby steepening the yield curve.

 

Ultimately, a September tapering of monetary policy via the Fed’s asset purchase program did not occur. However, real interest rates remained elevated versus pre-May levels as investors continued to position portfolios for an eventual move by the Federal Reserve to taper its asset purchases. Over the fiscal year, 5-year real yields* on TIPS (the yields investors are currently demanding for holding TIPS, plus a premium/discount for future inflation/deflation) increased to -0.64% from

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      7   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® iBoxx   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

-1.45%, while 2-year TIPS real yields* were 16 bps higher, -0.93% from -1.09%.

 

Inflationary pressures eased with the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) falling to 1.2% from 2.0% during the fiscal year. A still sluggish labor market kept wage inflation in check while commodity prices, in general, were lower. Well-anchored inflation expectations were reflected in declining TIPS inflation breakeven rates.

 

For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was (1.41)%, and the total return for the Underlying Index was (1.23)%. Higher interest rates, combined with lower actual inflation and expected inflation, resulted in negative total return performance in both the Underlying Index and the Fund during the period. Modest yet positive net inflation accruals (the change in the CPI) offset some, but not all of the negative factors impacting the Fund’s performance results. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the 12-month period was -17 basis points (bps), reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-20 bps), intra-day trading and returns (-4.5 bps), pricing differences** (+9 bps) and other factors (-0.5 bps).

 

* Source: Bloomberg

 

** Pricing differences refer to the differences in the valuation of a security at the time the NAV is struck versus the time the value of the Underlying Index is determined.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

8    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® iBoxx   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund Ticker:   TDTF

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

     1 Year     Since
Inception
9/19/2011
 
  

 

 

 

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

     (3.17 )%      1.39

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

     (3.32 )%      1.37

iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index

     (2.84 )%      1.58

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.22% and the net expense ratio is 0.20%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the performance of the iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index reflects the performance of a selection of inflation protected public obligations of the U.S. Treasury, commonly known as “TIPS,” with a targeted average modified adjusted duration of approximately five years. The Underlying Index includes publicly issued TIPS having maturity dates of at least three years but not more than twenty years, measured from the most recent rebalancing date. As of October 31, 2013, there were eleven issues in the Underlying Index. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) uses replication to manage the Fund, but may use representative sampling in certain circumstances. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

Throughout the 12 months ended October 31, 2013, the Treasury market rate structure was influenced by concerns over the government’s fiscal issues and the Federal Reserve’s future plans regarding its accommodative monetary policy actions. Negotiations over the 2012 year-end “fiscal cliff”, as well as the late 2013 standoff over the debt ceiling and 2014 U.S. budget, helped drive investor demand for high quality, short duration securities.

 

The performance of TIPS securities was specifically influenced by Chairman Bernanke’s statements in May and June regarding a possible 2013 curtailment in the Fed’s $85 billion monthly Fed purchases of U.S. Treasuries and mortgage backed securities (MBS). This caused interest rates, especially longer dated maturities, to rise in the second quarter of 2013, steepening the yield curve.

 

Ultimately, a September tapering of monetary policy via the Fed’s asset purchase program did not occur. However, real interest rates remained elevated versus pre-May levels as investors continued to position portfolios for an eventual move by the Federal Reserve to taper asset purchases. Over the fiscal year, 10-year real yields* on TIPS (the yields investors are currently demanding for hold-

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      9   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® iBoxx   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

ing TIPS, plus a premium/discount for future inflation/deflation) increased 120 bps from -0.81% to +0.39%, while 5-year real yields* rose to -0.64% from -1.45%.

 

Inflationary pressures eased with the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) falling to 1.2% from 2.0% during the fiscal year as a still sluggish labor market kept wage inflation in check while commodity prices, in general, were weaker over the past 12 months. Well-anchored inflation expectations were reflected in declining TIPS inflation breakeven rates.

 

For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was (3.17)%, and the total return for the Underlying Index was (2.84)%. Higher interest rates, combined with lower actual inflation and expected inflation resulted in negative total return performance in both the Underlying Index and the Fund during the period. Modest, yet still positive net inflation accruals (the change in the CPI) offset some, but not all of the negative factors impacting the Fund’s performance results. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the 12-month period was -31 basis points (bps), reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-20 bps), intra-day trading and returns (-8 bps) and pricing differences** (-3 bps).

 

* Source: Bloomberg

 

** Pricing differences refer to the differences in the valuation of a security at the time the NAV is struck versus at the time the value of the Underlying Index is determined.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

10    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Morningstar   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund Ticker:   TILT

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

     1 Year     Since
Inception
9/16/2011
 
  

 

 

 

FlexShares Morningstar US Market Factor TILT Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

     31.88     23.00

FlexShares Morningstar US Market Factor TILT Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

     28.39     23.06

Morningstar® U.S. Market Factor Tilt Index

     32.15     23.20

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.29% and the net expense ratio is 0.27%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Morningstar® U.S. Market Factor Tilt IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index reflects the performance of a selection of U.S. equity securities that is designed to provide broad exposure to the overall U.S. equities market, with increased exposure (or a “tilt”) to small-capitalization stocks and value stocks. As of October 31, 2013, there were 2,611 issues in the Underlying Index. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) uses a representative sampling methodology to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

During the 12 months ended October 31, 2013, prices on domestic risk assets generally traded higher. In Q4 of 2012 investors chose to look past the U.S. fiscal cliff standoff and instead focused on improving economic data as the Federal Reserve’s accommodative monetary policy appeared to gain traction. The U.S. economy continued to exhibit signs of firming growth in Q1 of 2013 and into Q2, as both housing and employment data were stronger than expected. However, by the middle of 2013 investors began to speculate that the Fed’s policy of continued quantitative easing would slow, causing price volatility to return to the market. Tepid economic data and clarifying statements from the Fed quelled speculation for the time being and the investor focus shifted back to the slow, but positive growth of the U.S. economy. Driven by this optimism and increased appetite for risk, small cap stocks outperformed large cap stocks over the course of the 12 months ended October 31, 2013. While in general growth stocks outperformed value stocks, the majority of that outperformance came from the small cap universe as value exposure was neutral in large caps.

 

For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was 31.88%, and the total return for the Underlying Index was 32.15%. Overall, the increased exposure to small-cap stocks outweighed the negative impact of value exposure, and the Fund outperformed the

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      11   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Morningstar   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

market as measured by the Russell 3000 Index, which returned 28.98% during the period. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the 12-month period was -27 basis points, which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee charged during the year.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

12    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Morningstar   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund Ticker:   TLTD

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

     1 Year     Since
Inception
9/25/2012
 
  

 

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

     25.93     21.78

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

     0.62     22.30

Morningstar® Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index

     26.27     22.07

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.43% and the net expense ratio is 0.42%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Morningstar® Developed Markets ex-U.S. Market Factor Tilt IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index reflects the performance of a selection of equity securities that is designed to provide broad exposure to the global developed equities markets, excluding the U.S., with increased exposure (or a “tilt”) to small-capitalization stocks and value stocks. As of October 31, 2013, there were 2,978 issues in the Underlying Index. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) uses a representative sampling strategy to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

During the 12 months ended October 31, 2013, prices on developed international markets generally trended higher. Fears of a possible Eurozone breakup receded in Q4 of 2012, removing investors’ concern about tail risk. Japanese equity markets responded positively to the election of a new prime minister who had advocated accommodative monetary policy similar to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program during his election campaign. While economic and fundamental data remained weak for the first half of 2013 in most European developed markets, investors reacted favorably to attractive valuations and strong monetary easing by the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. Investors were rewarded for the faith in the aggressive monetary policies in Q3 of 2013 as developed markets showed signs of growth and Europe officially emerged from the global recession. Overall, Japan and European markets led the aggregate market higher while the rest of developed Asian markets and Canada lagged with more modest gains. Driven by this increased appetite for risk, small cap stocks outperformed large cap stocks over the course of the 12 months ended October 31, 2013. Value exposure was also a positive driver of performance over the 12 months as value stocks in developed markets significantly outperformed growth stocks.

 

For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2013, the total return based on

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      13   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Morningstar   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was 25.93%, and the total return for the Underlying Index was 26.27%. Overall, the performance of the Underlying Index and Fund were positively impacted by increased exposure to small-cap stocks and increased value exposure contributed to the Fund’s outperformance against the international market as measured by MSCI World ex-USA IMI Index, which returned 25.55% during the period. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the 12-month period was -34 basis points, which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-42 bps), comparatively favorable tax treatments of foreign dividends under foreign-tax law (+12 bps) and stock sampling/futures (-4 bps).

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

14    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Morningstar   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund Ticker:   TLTE

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

     1 Year     Since
Inception
9/25/2012
 
  

 

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

     6.80     5.40

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

     (14.20 )%      5.43

Morningstar® Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index

     7.52     6.43

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.67% and the net expense ratio is 0.65%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Morningstar® Emerging Markets Factor Tilt IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index reflects the performance of a selection of equity securities that is designed to provide broad exposure to the global emerging equities markets, with increased exposure (or a “tilt”) to small-capitalization stocks and value stocks. As of October 31, 2013, there were 2,188 issues in the Underlying Index. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) uses a representative sampling strategy to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

During the 12 months ended October 31, 2013 emerging markets experienced significant volatility, but generally ended positive for the time period. In Q4 of 2012 various emerging market central banks cut rates in an attempt to spur economic growth. Additionally, China introduced new leadership, bringing clarity to the political situation in the world’s largest emerging economy. However, the positive sentiment was short-lived as renewed concerns over a slowdown in China’s economy as well as the country’s “shadow banking” system led markets lower throughout the first half of 2013. In Q2 strife in Brazil compounded the uncertainty surrounding emerging markets. The situation began to rebound in Q3 as Europe officially emerged from the global recession and Eastern European nations reaped some of the benefits. At the end of the 12 month period ended October 31, 2013, both emerging Asian and European markets were positive with only emerging Latin American economies finishing the time period in negative territory.

 

For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was 6.80%, and the total return for the Underlying Index was 7.52%. Despite the increased volatility in emerging markets, the increased exposure to small-cap stocks was a positive driver of performance for the Underlying Index and Fund, as small-cap stocks outperformed large-cap stocks in emerging

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      15   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Morningstar   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

markets. Exposure to value stocks was also a positive driver of performance over the 12 months as value stocks in emerging economies outperformed growth stocks. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the 12-month period was -72 basis points, which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-65 bps) and stock sampling/futures (-7 bps).

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

16    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Quality Dividend Index Fund Ticker:   QDF

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

    Since
Inception
12/14/2012
 
 

 

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

    30.67

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

    30.79

Dow Jones US Select Dividend Total Return Index

    26.00 % 

Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index

   
31.12

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.38% and the net expense ratio is 0.37%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Northern Trust Quality Dividend IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is designed to provide exposure to a high-quality, income-oriented portfolio of U.S. equity securities, with an emphasis on long-term capital growth and targeted overall volatility similar to that of the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM* Companies included in the Underlying Index are a subset of the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM, and are selected based on expected dividend payments and fundamental factors such as profitability, management expertise and cash flow, as determined by Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) in its capacity as the index provider (the “Index Provider”) pursuant to its index methodology. The Underlying Index begins with the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM, and then follows a rules-based methodology to calculate optimal weights for securities in the Underlying Index based upon a targeted overall beta similar to the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM, dividend yield, quality factors and lower total risk. As of October 31, 2013, there were 214 issues in the Underlying Index. NTI uses a representative sampling strategy to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

During the 10-months ended October 31, 2013**, prices on domestic risk assets generally traded higher. The U.S. economy continued to exhibit signs of firming growth in Q1 of 2013 and into Q2 as both housing and employment data were stronger than expected. However, by the middle of 2013 investors began to focus on and speculate that the Fed’s policy of continued bond-buying would slow, causing price volatility to return to the market, particularly to those sectors sensitive to changes in interest rates. Exposure to higher yielding securities had a negative impact as non-dividend paying U.S. equities outperformed the top yielding domestic equities

 

Since inception through October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was 30.67%, and the

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      17   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

total return for the Underlying Index was 31.12%. The quality focus of the Fund’s Underlying Index was a positive driver of performance during the first 10 months of 2013. The companies considered to be the highest quality outperformed those domestic equities deemed to be lower quality. Overall, the Underlying Index’s focus on quality stocks led to the Fund’s strong performance versus the market as measured by the Dow Jones US Select Dividend Total Return Index, which returned 26.00% during the period. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return was -45 basis points (bps) for the reporting period, which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-33 bps) and stock sampling/futures (-13 bps).

 

*

Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM is a float-adjusted market-capitalization weighted index comprised of the 1250 largest U.S. domiciled companies by market capitalization.

 

** The Fund commenced investment operations on December 14, 2012.

 

Beta is a statistical measure of the volatility, or sensitivity, of rates of return on a portfolio or security compared to a market index. The beta for an ETF measures the expected change in return of the ETF relative to the return of a designated index. For example, the beta of the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index is 1.00. Accordingly, a fund with a 1.10 beta is expected to perform 10% better than the S&P 500 Index in rising markets and 10% worse in falling markets.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

18    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund Ticker:   QDYN

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

    Since
Inception
12/14/2012
 
 

 

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

    30.69

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

    30.74

Dow Jones US Select Dividend Total Return Index

    26.00 % 

Northern Trust Quality Dividend Dynamic Index

    30.99

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.38% and the net expense ratio is 0.37%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Dynamic Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is designed to provide exposure to a high-quality, income-oriented portfolio of U.S. equity securities, with an emphasis on long-term capital growth and targeted overall volatility that is greater than that of the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM Companies included in the Underlying Index are a subset of the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM, and are selected based on expected dividend payments and fundamental factors such as profitability, management expertise and cash flow, as determined by Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) in its capacity as the index provider (the “Index Provider”) pursuant to its index methodology. The Underlying Index begins with the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM, and then follows a rules-based methodology to calculate optimal weights for securities in the Underlying Index based upon a targeted overall beta generally between 1.0 and 1.5 times that of the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM, dividend yield, quality factors and lower total risk. As of October 31, 2013, there were 221 issues in the Underlying Index. NTI uses a representative sampling strategy to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

During the 10-months ended October 31, 2013*, prices on domestic risk assets generally traded higher. The U.S. economy continued to exhibit signs of firming growth in Q1 of 2013 and into Q2 as both housing and employment data were stronger than expected. However, by the middle of 2013 investors began to focus on and speculate that the Fed’s policy of continued bond-buying would slow causing volatility to return to the market, particularly to those sectors sensitive to changes in interest rates. Exposure to higher yielding securities had a negative impact as non-dividend paying U.S. equities outperformed the top yielding domestic equities.

 

Since inception through October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was 30.69%, and the

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      19   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

total return for the Underlying Index was 30.99%. The quality focus of the Fund’s Underlying Index was a positive driver of performance for the first 10 months of 2013 as the companies considered to be the highest quality outperformed those deemed to be lower quality. The Underlying Index’s higher beta target relative to the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM did not have a meaningful impact on performance. Overall, the Underlying Index’s focus on quality stocks contributed to the Fund’s strong performance versus the market as measured by the Dow Jones US Select Dividend Total Return Index, which returned 26.00% during the period. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the reporting period was -30 basis points, which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-33 bps) and stock sampling/futures (+3 bps).

 

* The Fund commenced investment operations on December 14, 2012.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

20    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund Ticker:   QDEF

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

    Since
Inception
12/14/2012
 
 

 

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

    27.54

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

    27.79

Dow Jones US Select Dividend Total Return Index

    26.00 % 

Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index

    27.85

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.38% and the net expense ratio is 0.37%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is designed to provide exposure to a high-quality, income-oriented portfolio of U.S. equity securities, with an emphasis on long-term capital growth and targeted overall volatility that is lower than that of the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM Companies included in the Underlying Index are a subset of the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM, and are selected based on expected dividend payments and fundamental factors such as profitability, management expertise and cash flow, as determined by Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) in its capacity as the index provider (the “Index Provider”) pursuant to its index methodology. The Underlying Index begins with the Parent Index Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM, and then follows a rules-based methodology to calculate optimal weights for securities in the Underlying Index based upon a targeted overall beta generally between 0.5 and 1.0 times that of the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM, dividend yield, quality factors and lower total risk. As of October 31, 2013, there were 190 issues in the Underlying Index. NTI uses a representative sampling strategy to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

During the 10-months ended October 31, 2013*, prices on domestic risk assets generally traded higher. The U.S. economy continued to exhibit signs of firming growth in Q1 of 2013 and into Q2 as both housing and employment data were stronger than expected. However, by the middle of 2013 investors began to focus on and speculate that the Fed’s policy of continued bond-buying would slow causing volatility to return to the market, particularly to those sectors sensitive to changes in interest rates. Exposure to higher yielding securities had a negative impact as non-dividend paying U.S. equities outperformed the top yielding domestic equities.

 

Since inception through October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      21   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

(NAV) for the Fund was 27.54%, and the total return for the Underlying Index was 27.85%. The quality focus of the Fund’s Underlying Index was a positive driver of performance for the first 10 months of 2013 as companies considered to be the highest quality outperformed those deemed to be lower quality. The lower beta target of the Underlying Index relative to the Northern Trust 1250 IndexSM had a negative impact on Fund performance as domestic risk assets generally traded higher for the 10-month period. Overall, the Underlying Index’s focus on quality stocks led to the Fund’s slightly outperforming the market as measured by the Dow Jones US Select Dividend Total Return Index, which returned 26.00% during the period. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the reporting period was -31 basis points, which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-33 bps) and stock sampling/futures (+2 bps).

 

* The Fund commenced investment operations on December 14, 2012.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

22    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

International Quality Dividend Index Fund Ticker:   IQDF

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

    Since
Inception
4/12/2013
 
 

 

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

    9.22

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

    9.58

Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Total Return Index

    11.63

Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Index

    9.49

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.48% and the net expense ratio is 0.47%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is designed to provide exposure to a high-quality, income-oriented portfolio of international equity securities issued by non-U.S.-based companies, with an emphasis on long-term capital growth and targeted overall volatility similar to that of the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM*, Companies included in the Underlying Index are a subset of the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM, and are selected based on expected dividend payments and fundamental factors such as profitability, management expertise and cash flow, as determined by Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) in its capacity as the index provider (the “Index Provider”) pursuant to its index methodology. The Underlying Index begins with the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM, and then follows a rules-based methodology to calculate optimal weights for securities in the Underlying Index based upon a targeted overall beta similar to the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM, dividend yield, quality factors and lower total risk. As of October 31, 2013, there were 216 issues in the Underlying Index. NTI uses a representative sampling strategy to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

During the 6 months ended October 31, 2013**, prices on international risk assets were volatile but upward trending. International markets were negative in Q2 as concerns surrounding an economic slowdown in China, austerity issues in the Eurozone and political strife in Brazil weighed on investor sentiment. However, international markets improved in Q3 as developed markets showed signs of growth and Europe officially emerged from recession.

 

Since inception through October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was 9.22%, and the total net return for the Underlying Index was 9.49%. Exposure to higher yielding securities

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      23   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

International Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

had a negative impact on the Fund during this time period as non-dividend payers outperformed high yielding equities in the international marketplace. Quality exposure was also a negative driver of performance in the risk rally as lower quality companies outperformed companies considered higher quality. Overall, the Fund underperformed the market as measured by the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Total Return Index, which returned 11.63% during this period. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the period was -27 basis points, which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-26 bps), comparatively favorable tax treatments of foreign dividends under foreign-tax law (+13 bps) and stock sampling/futures (-14 bps).

 

*

The Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM is a float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index comprised of eligible large capitalization securities of developed or emerging market countries as determined by the Index Provider.

 

** The Fund commenced investment operations on April 12, 2013.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

24    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund Ticker:   IQDY

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

    Since
Inception
4/12/2013
 
 

 

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

    11.59

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

    11.64

Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Total Return Index

    11.63

Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index

    11.70

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.48% and the net expense ratio is 0.47%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is designed to provide exposure to a high-quality, income-oriented portfolio of international equity securities issued by non-U.S.-based companies, with an emphasis on long-term capital growth and targeted overall volatility that is greater than that of the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM Companies included in the Underlying Index are a subset of the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM and are selected based on expected dividend payments and fundamental factors such as profitability, management expertise and cash flow, as determined by Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) in its capacity as the index provider (the “Index Provider”) pursuant to its index methodology. The Underlying Index begins with the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM, and then follows a rules-based methodology to calculate optimal weights for securities in the Underlying Index based upon a targeted overall beta generally between 1.0 and 1.5 times that of the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM, dividend yield, quality factors and lower total risk. As of October 31, 2013, there were 220 issues in the Underlying Index. NTI uses a representative sampling strategy to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

During the 6 months ended October 31, 2013*, prices on international risk assets were volatile but upward trending. International markets were negative in Q2 as concerns surrounding an economic slowdown in China, austerity issues in the Eurozone and political strife in Brazil weighed on investor sentiment. However, international markets improved in Q3 as developed markets showed signs of growth and Europe officially emerged from recession.

 

Since inception through October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was 11.59%, and the total net return for the Underlying Index was

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      25   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

11.70%. Exposure to higher yielding securities had a negative impact on the Fund during this time period as non-dividend payers outperformed high yielding equities in the international marketplace. Quality exposure was also a negative driver of performance in the risk rally as lower quality companies outperformed companies considered higher quality. However, the higher beta target of the Underlying Index relative to the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM had a positive impact on performance of the Fund and led to almost matching the performance of the market as measured by the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Total Return Index, which returned 11.63% for the reporting period. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the reporting period was -10 basis points (bps), which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-26 bps), comparatively favorable tax treatments of foreign dividends under foreign-tax law (+5 bps) and stock sampling/futures (+11 bps).

 

* The Fund commenced investment operations on April 12, 2013.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

26    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund Ticker:   IQDE

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

    Since
Inception
4/12/2013
 
 

 

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

    8.20

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (Based on Market Price)

    8.85

Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Total Return Index

    11.63

Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Defensive Index

    8.21

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.48% and the net expense ratio is 0.47%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Defensive Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is designed to provide exposure to a high-quality, income-oriented portfolio of international equity securities issued by non-U.S.-based companies, with an emphasis on long-term capital growth and targeted overall volatility that is lower than that of the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM Companies included in the Underlying Index are a subset of the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM , and are selected based on expected dividend payments and fundamental factors such as profitability, management expertise and cash flow, as determined by Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) in its capacity as the index provider (the “Index Provider”) pursuant to its index methodology. The Underlying Index begins with the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM, and then follows a rules-based methodology to calculate optimal weights for securities in the Underlying Index based upon a targeted overall beta generally between 0.5 and 1.0 times that of the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM, dividend yield, quality factors and lower total risk. As of October 31, 2013, there were 213 issues in the Underlying Index. NTI uses a representative sampling strategy to manage the Fund. This means the Fund may not hold all of the issues that are included in the Underlying Index.

 

During the 6 months ended October 31, 2013*, prices on international risk assets were volatile but upward trending. International markets were negative in Q2 as concerns surrounding an economic slowdown in China, austerity issues in the Eurozone and political strife in Brazil weighed on investor sentiment. However, international markets improved in Q3 as developed markets showed signs of growth and Europe officially emerged from recession.

 

Since inception through October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was 8.20%, and the total net return for the Underlying Index was

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      27   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

8.21%. Exposure to higher yielding securities had a negative impact on the Fund during this time period as non-dividend payers outperformed high yielding equities in the international marketplace. Quality exposure was also a negative driver of performance in the risk rally as lower quality companies outperformed companies considered higher quality. In addition, the lower beta target of the Underlying Index relative to the Northern Trust International Large Cap IndexSM had a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. This further contributed to underperformance relative to the market as measured by the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Total Return Index, which returned 11.63% during the period. The difference between the Fund’s total return based on NAV and the Underlying Index’s total return for the reporting period was 1 basis point (bps), which is reflective of the Fund’s management fee (-26 bps), comparatively favorable tax treatments of foreign dividends under foreign-tax law (+10 bps) and stock sampling/futures (+16 bps).

 

* The Fund commenced investment operations on April 12, 2013.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

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Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Ready Access Variable Income Fund Ticker:   RAVI

 

 

CUMULATIVE PERFORMANCE

Through October 31, 2013

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

For the period ended October 31, 2013

 

     1 Year     Since
Inception
10/9/2012
 
  

 

 

 

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund (Based on Net Asset Value)

     0.84     0.76

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund (Based on Market Price)

     4.97     0.77

Barclays Capital 1-3 Month US Treasury Bill Index

     0.06     0.06

 

All data as of 10/31/13. Total returns based on market price do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, these returns would be lower. Total returns based on market price and net asset value (NAV) assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at market price and NAV, respectively. NAV is a fund’s net asset value per share, which is calculated by dividing the total value of all the securities in the fund’s portfolio plus cash, interest and receivables less any liabilities by the number of fund shares outstanding. Market price is determined by the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market price returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption or sale of Fund shares. Unlike the Index, the Fund’s total returns are reduced by operating expenses, such as transaction costs and management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Performance reflects contractual reimbursements in effect until March 1, 2014. In the absence of such reimbursements, performance would be reduced. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 0.27% and the net expense ratio is 0.25%. The gross expense ratio disclosed is as reported in the Fund’s prospectus, which may differ from the gross expense ratio presented in the Fund’s financial reports. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance shown. Investment return and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original cost when redeemed or sold in the market.

 

FlexShares ETFs’ performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.flexshares.com.

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS

 

The Fund seeks maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing under normal circumstances at least 65% of its total assets in a non-diversified portfolio of fixed-income instruments, including bonds, debt securities and other similar instruments issued by U.S. and non-U.S. public and private sector entities. Such issuers include U.S. and non-U.S. governments and their agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, U.S. state and local governments and U.S. and non-U.S. private-sector entities, such as corporations and banks. The average portfolio duration of the Fund will vary based on The Northern Trust Company Investment Policy Committee’s forecast for interest rates and will normally not exceed one year. The dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of the Fund is normally not expected to exceed two years.

 

U.S. regulatory, fiscal and monetary policy developments significantly impacted the short duration Treasury and credit fixed income markets during the fiscal year. Congressional budget negotiations going into year-end 2012 resulted in the yield curve steepening as 2-year and shorter interest rates fell while longer rates were modestly higher. This environment generally held until May 2013 when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments regarding the potential for changes to the Fed’s bond buying programs caused interest rates beyond two years to substantially increase. Treasury yields remained at elevated levels until the Fed’s September meeting when the Federal Open Market Committee elected to maintain the current $85 billion in monthly Treasury and Agency mortgage backed securities (MBS) asset purchases.

 

In response to the continuation of accommodative monetary policy, U.S. Treasury yields (2-years and longer) rallied and led to increased demand for shorter duration securities. Investors took advantage of lower yields to shorten duration exposures in anticipation that the Fed had merely postponed an inevitable tapering of asset purchases. As investors continued to balance the search for yield with an eye towards higher

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      29   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares®   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Ready Access Variable Income Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS (cont.)

 

future interest rates, corporate credit spreads on both fixed and floating rate securities with maturities less than 3-years rallied through June 2013. Credit spreads widened during the second quarter’s period of monetary policy uncertainty, yet rallied back to near twelve month lows when the Fed maintained all its current programs. The Federal debt ceiling debate in September and October caused some minor disruptions in the Treasury bill market.

 

For the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2013, the total return based on net asset value (NAV) for the Fund was 0.84%, and the total return for the Barclays Capital 1-3 Month US Treasury Bill Index was 0.06%. The Fund’s performance during the year was highlighted by a series of favorable duration and credit positioning decisions. Anticipating a falling interest rate environment going into calendar year-end 2012, the Fund was positioned at the long end of its duration target of one year, with increased holdings in corporate credit and spread issues. Moving into 2013, the Fund’s duration was shortened in advance of the late spring correction in rates and spreads. The Fund outperformed the Barclays Capital 1-3 Month US Treasury Bill Index by 78 basis points during the period, primarily due to favorable sector and security selection decisions offset by the Fund’s management fee.

 

A basis point is 1/100th of a percent.

 

30    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Trust

Statements of Assets and Liabilities October 31, 2013

 

 

     FlexShares®
Morningstar  Global
Upstream Natural
Resources Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
STOXX®
Global Broad
Infrastructure
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
iBoxx 3-Year Target
Duration TIPS
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
iBoxx 5-Year Target
Duration TIPS
Index Fund
 

ASSETS

        

Securities, at cost

   $ 2,807,682,056     $ 4,003,981     $ 1,975,029,457     $ 387,771,004  

Affiliate securities, at cost

                        

Repurchase Agreements, at cost

                        
  

 

 

 

Securities, at value

     2,753,318,594       4,162,621       1,968,979,734       388,100,278  

Affiliate securities, at value

                        

Repurchase Agreements, at value

                        

Cash

     682,023              1,492,172       131,579  

Foreign cash†

     4,685,421        5,288              

Restricted cash*

     611,795                     

Restricted foreign cash††*

     2,827,166                    

Due from Authorized Participant

                            

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts

     448,077                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     21,378                    

Receivables:

        

Dividends and interest

     3,496,789       1,793       5,992,263       1,268,611  

Capital shares issued

     5,262,553             6,242,461        

Investment adviser

     53,518       124       41,977       17,460  

Securities sold

           36,367       258,800,288       61,439,624  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     2,771,407,314       4,206,193       2,241,548,895       450,957,552  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Cash overdraft

           1,055              

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts

                        

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     74,173                    

Payables:

        

Deferred compensation (Note 7)

     42,500             34,187       15,962  

Investment advisory fees

     1,100,328       1,222       328,892       69,701  

Trustee fees (Note 7)

     11,018       124       7,790       1,498  

Securities purchased

     5,100,482        39,260       266,159,787       58,857,935  

Deferred India capital gains tax

                        

Due to Authorized Participant

     529,988                    

Variation margin

                        

Capital shares redeemed

                       2,529,297  

Other

     13,500       2,000              
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     6,871,989        43,661       266,530,656       61,474,393  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 2,764,535,325     $ 4,162,532     $ 1,975,018,239     $ 389,483,159  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

        

Paid-in capital

   $ 2,780,267,400     $ 4,004,164     $ 1,999,506,081     $ 396,895,759  

Undistributed (accumulated) net investment income (loss)

     46,891,234       820             156,052  

Undistributed (accumulated) net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (8,818,469     (1,024     (18,438,119     (7,897,926

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

        

Investments

     (54,363,462     158,640       (6,049,723     329,274  

Futures contracts

     448,077                    

Forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency translations

     110,545       (68            
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 2,764,535,325     $ 4,162,532     $ 1,975,018,239     $ 389,483,159  
  

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, $0.0001 par value)

     79,650,001       100,001       79,104,000       15,400,001  

Net Asset Value

   $ 34.71     $ 41.62     $ 24.97     $ 25.29  

†   Cost of foreign cash

   $ 4,591,130     $ 5,295     $  —     $  —  

†† Cost of restricted foreign cash

   $ 2,797,556     $  —     $  —     $  —  

 

* Restricted cash includes both cash pledged by the Fund to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of 10/31 as well as cash pledged by an Authorized Participant for missing deposit securities required to secure Creation Units.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      31   


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (cont.)

 

 

     FlexShares®
Morningstar  US
Market Factor Tilt
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
Morningstar
Developed
Markets ex-US
Factor Tilt
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
Morningstar
Emerging
Markets
Factor Tilt
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
Quality  Dividend
Index Fund
 

ASSETS

        

Securities, at cost

   $ 362,075,784     $ 282,271,643     $ 154,117,868     $ 265,639,270   

Affiliate securities, at cost

     178,446                    

Repurchase Agreements, at cost

                        
  

 

 

 

Securities, at value

     442,454,345       307,731,646       156,604,028       282,626,530  

Affiliate securities, at value

     198,034                    

Repurchase Agreements, at value

                        

Cash

     4,466,872       754,613       4,362,320       1,172,262  

Foreign cash†

           539,999       2,385,802        

Restricted cash*

                 4,695       66,001   

Restricted foreign cash††*

           238,713       211,408        

Due from Authorized Participant

                        

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts

           67,298       60,852       13,681   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

           924       286,492        

Receivables:

        

Dividends and interest

     276,690       584,429       110,234       239,794  

Capital shares issued

     3,828,150       30,967             106,099,306  

Investment adviser

     9,503       3,224       2,171       1,748  

Securities sold

     593,171       20,836       1,839        
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     451,826,765       309,972,649       164,029,841       390,219,322   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Cash overdraft

                        

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts

           86              

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

           182       186,120        

Payables:

        

Deferred compensation (Note 7)

     7,720       1,976       1,580       1,085  

Investment advisory fees

     99,155       100,963       81,072       52,700  

Trustee fees (Note 7)

     1,783       1,248       591       663  

Securities purchased

     3,781,308       23,502       4,867,519       107,231,745  

Deferred India capital gains tax

                 53,928        

Due to Authorized Participant

                 4,695        

Variation margin

     31,572                     

Capital shares redeemed

                        

Other

     12,000       100,000       75,000       3,000  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     3,933,538       227,957       5,270,505       107,289,193   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 447,893,227     $ 309,744,692     $ 158,759,336     $ 282,930,129  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

        

Paid-in capital

   $ 364,715,385     $ 282,494,060     $ 157,004,687     $ 265,899,259  

Undistributed (accumulated) net investment income (loss)

     3,625,358       2,807,922       1,142,969       916,943   

Undistributed (accumulated) net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (1,019,563     (1,100,389     (2,013,302     (887,014

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

        

Investments

     80,398,149       25,460,003       2,432,232       16,987,260  

Futures contracts

     173,898       67,212       60,852       13,681  

Forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency translations

           15,884       131,898        
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 447,893,227     $ 309,744,692     $ 158,759,336     $ 282,930,129  
  

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized,
$0.0001 par value)

     5,850,001       5,000,001       3,000,001       8,800,001  

Net Asset Value

   $ 76.56     $ 61.95     $ 52.92     $ 32.15  

†   Cost of foreign cash

   $  —     $ 529,781     $ 2,377,469     $   

†† Cost of restricted foreign cash

   $  —     $ 238,565     $ 211,524     $  —  

 

* Restricted cash includes both cash pledged by the Fund to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of 10/31 as well as cash pledged by an Authorized Participant for missing deposit securities required to secure Creation Units.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

32    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (cont.)

 

 

     FlexShares®
Quality  Dividend
Dynamic Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
Quality  Dividend
Defensive Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
International
Quality Dividend
Index Fund
 

ASSETS

      

Securities, at cost

   $ 11,506,853     $ 40,605,205      $ 71,184,714  

Affiliate securities, at cost

                  

Repurchase Agreements, at cost

                  
  

 

 

 

Securities, at value

     12,809,667       43,704,452       75,244,755  

Affiliate securities, at value

                  

Repurchase Agreements, at value

                  

Cash

     89,088       198,306        

Foreign cash†

                 218,434  

Restricted cash*

           21,821       8,251,154  

Restricted foreign cash††*

                 36,176  

Due from Authorized Participant

                   

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts

           12,246       9,949  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

                  

Receivables:

      

Dividends and interest

     15,908       61,286       129,284  

Capital shares issued

                 941,214  

Investment adviser

     137       426       470  

Securities sold

                  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     12,914,800       43,998,537       84,831,436  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

      

Cash overdraft

                 359,841  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts

                 2,104  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

                  

Payables:

      

Deferred compensation (Note 7)

     86       264       210  

Investment advisory fees

     3,941       12,640       23,691  

Trustee fees (Note 7)

     51       162       260  

Securities purchased

     84,774             554,136  

Deferred India capital gains tax

                  

Due to Authorized Participant

                 8,251,154  

Variation margin

                  

Capital shares redeemed

                  

Other

     1,000       2,000       30,000  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     89,852       15,066       9,221,396  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 12,824,948     $ 43,983,471     $ 75,610,040  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

      

Paid-in capital

   $ 11,524,273     $ 40,741,929     $ 71,633,937  

Undistributed (accumulated) net investment income (loss)

     64,620       206,296       153,205  

Undistributed (accumulated) net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (66,759     (76,247     (292,543

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

      

Investments

     1,302,814       3,099,247       4,060,041  

Futures contracts

           12,246       7,845  

Forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency translations

                 47,555  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 12,824,948     $ 43,983,471     $ 75,610,040  
  

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, $0.0001 par value)

     400,001       1,400,001       2,800,001  

Net Asset Value

   $ 32.06     $ 31.42     $ 27.00  

†  Cost of foreign cash

   $     $     $ 216,970  

††Cost of restricted foreign cash

   $     $     $ 36,172  

 

* Restricted cash includes both cash pledged by the Fund to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of 10/31 as well as cash pledged by an Authorized Participant for missing deposit securities required to secure Creation Units.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      33   


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (cont.)

 

 

     FlexShares®
International
Quality Dividend
Dynamic
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
International
Quality Dividend
Defensive Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
Ready  Access
Variable
Income Fund
 

ASSETS

      

Securities, at cost

   $ 7,715,488     $ 15,013,831     $ 37,018,632  

Affiliate securities, at cost

                  

Repurchase Agreements, at cost

                 8,200,000  
  

 

 

 

Securities, at value

     8,186,917       15,843,509       37,104,005  

Affiliate securities, at value

                  

Repurchase Agreements, at value

                 8,200,000  

Cash

     2,716       31,014       78,432  

Foreign cash†

     12,384       94,708        

Restricted cash*

           187,197        

Restricted foreign cash††*

           14,822        

Due from Authorized Participant

                  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts

           2,723        

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

           4,343        

Receivables:

      

Dividends and interest

     9,123       26,229       51,586  

Capital shares issued

                  

Investment adviser

     49       95       459  

Securities sold

           1,812       2,998  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     8,211,189       16,206,452       45,437,480  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

      

Cash overdraft

                  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts

                  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

                  

Payables:

      

Deferred compensation (Note 7)

     16       31       294  

Investment advisory fees

     2,681       6,085       8,785  

Trustee fees (Note 7)

     33       64       165  

Securities purchased

           9,502       4,003,860  

Deferred India capital gains tax

                  

Due to Authorized Participant

           187,197        

Variation margin

                  

Capital shares redeemed

                  

Other

     5,000       5,000       1,050  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     7,730       207,879       4,014,154  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 8,203,459     $ 15,998,573     $ 41,423,326  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

      

Paid-in capital

   $ 7,749,548     $ 15,160,987     $ 41,326,508  

Undistributed (accumulated) net investment income (loss)

     10,825       50,400       21,632  

Undistributed (accumulated) net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (28,509     (49,970     (10,187

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

      

Investments

     471,429       829,678       85,373  

Futures contracts

           2,723        

Forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency translations

     166       4,755        
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 8,203,459     $ 15,998,573     $ 41,423,326  
  

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, $0.0001 par value)

     300,001       600,001       550,001  

Net Asset Value

   $ 27.34     $ 26.66     $ 75.32  

†   Cost of foreign cash

   $ 12,280     $ 94,302     $  —  

†† Cost of restricted foreign cash

   $  —     $ 14,822     $  —  

 

* Restricted cash includes both cash pledged by the Fund to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of 10/31 as well as cash pledged by an Authorized Participant for missing deposit securities required to secure Creation Units.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

34    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Trust

Statements of Operations

For the year or period ended October 31, 2013

 

 

     FlexShares®
Morningstar Global
Upstream Natural
Resources Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
STOXX®
Global Broad
Infrastructure
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
iBoxx 3-Year Target
Duration TIPS Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
iBoxx 5-Year Target
Duration TIPS Index
Fund
 
       October 8,
2013* through
October 31, 2013
     

INVESTMENT INCOME

        

Dividend income

   $ 61,068,097      $ 2,310     $     $  

Dividend income received from affiliate

                        

Interest income

     11,831             4,312,480       2,342,601  

Foreign withholding tax on dividends

     (3,405,816     (127            
  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

     57,674,112        2,183       4,312,480       2,342,601  
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

        

Deferred compensation (Note 7)

     3,935             2,716       903  

Investment advisory fees

     9,103,822       1,222       2,771,962       933,817  

Trustee fees (Note 7)

     81,585       124       57,887       12,363  
  

 

 

 

Total Gross Expenses Before Fees Reimbursed

     9,189,342       1,346       2,832,565       947,083  
  

 

 

 

Less:

        

Deferred compensation reimbursed (Note 7)

     (3,935           (2,716     (903

Trustee fees reimbursed (Note 7)

     (81,585     (124     (57,887     (12,363
  

 

 

 

Total Net Expenses

     9,103,822       1,222       2,771,962       933,817  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     48,570,290       961       1,540,518       1,408,784  
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON:

        

Investments in securities

     (8,447,140     (1,024     (18,026,609     (7,820,817

In-kind redemptions of investments

     4,722,846             (210,389     (3,234,240

Futures contracts

     791,521                    

Foreign currency transactions

     434,453       (141            
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

     (2,498,320     (1,165     (18,236,998     (11,055,057
  

 

 

 

NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON:

        

Investments in securities

     (71,745,557     158,640       (10,313,487     (8,274,592

Futures contracts

     445,122                    

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (46,003                  

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     128,676       (68            
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (71,217,762     158,572       (10,313,487     (8,274,592
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

     (73,716,082     157,407       (28,550,485     (19,329,649
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ (25,145,792   $ 158,368      $ (27,009,967   $ (17,920,865
  

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      35   


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Operations (cont.)

 

 

     FlexShares®
Morningstar US
Market Factor Tilt
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
Morningstar
Developed
Markets ex-US
Factor Tilt
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
Morningstar
Emerging
Markets Factor
Tilt Index Fund
    FlexShares®
Quality
Dividend Index
Fund
 
           December 14,
2012* through
October 31,
2013
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

        

Dividend income

   $ 5,390,022     $ 3,647,266     $ 2,890,880     $ 2,667,364   

Dividend income received from affiliate

     2,586                    

Interest income

     221       560              

Foreign withholding tax on dividends

     (450     (311,196     (334,920      
  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

     5,392,379       3,336,630       2,555,960       2,667,364   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

        

Deferred compensation (Note 7)

     595       251       200       142  

Investment advisory fees

     782,200       500,802       624,371       278,963  

Trustee fees (Note 7)

     13,155       8,499       4,447       4,927  
  

 

 

 

Total Gross Expenses Before Fees Reimbursed

     795,950       509,552       629,018       284,032  
  

 

 

 

Less:

        

Deferred compensation reimbursed (Note 7)

     (595     (251     (200     (142

Trustee fees reimbursed (Note 7)

     (13,155     (8,499     (4,447     (4,927
  

 

 

 

Total Net Expenses

     782,200       500,802       624,371       278,963  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     4,610,179       2,835,828       1,931,589       2,388,401   
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON:

        

Investments in affiliated securities

     488                    

Investments in securities

     (1,424,039     (1,193,977     (1,987,254     (901,515

In-kind redemptions of investments

     1,050,331                    

Futures contracts

     462,346       114,980       (21,216     14,501  

Foreign currency transactions

           26,265       (740,326      
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

     89,126        (1,052,732     (2,748,796     (887,014
  

 

 

 

NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON:

        

Investments in securities

     73,778,740 (1)      25,626,310       2,467,497 (2)      16,987,260  

Futures contracts

     180,824       69,768       66,099       13,681  

Forward foreign currency contracts

           728       107,127        

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies

           15,832       31,957        
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     73,959,564       25,712,638       2,672,680       17,000,941  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

     74,048,690       24,659,906       (76,116     16,113,927  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 78,658,869      $ 27,495,734      $ 1,855,473      $ 18,502,328   
  

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

(1)

Includes $14,604 change in unrealized appreciation on investments in affiliates.

 

(2) 

Net of deferred India capital gains tax of $53,928.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

36    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Operations (cont.)

 

 

     FlexShares®
Quality
Dividend
Dynamic Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
Quality
Dividend
Defensive
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
International
Quality
Dividend Index
Fund
 
     December 14,
2012* through
October 31, 2013
    December 14,
2012* through
October 31, 2013
    April 12,
2013* through
October 31, 2013
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

      

Dividend income

   $ 178,589     $ 567,351     $ 648,708  

Dividend income received from affiliate

                  

Foreign withholding tax on dividends

                 (62,527
  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

     178,589       567,351       586,181  
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

      

Deferred compensation (Note 7)

     12       34       27  

Investment advisory fees

     18,334       61,691       73,963  

Trustee fees (Note 7)

     381       1,204       1,774  
  

 

 

 

Total Gross Expenses Before Fees Reimbursed

     18,727       62,929       75,764  
  

 

 

 

Less:

      

Deferred compensation reimbursed (Note 7)

     (12     (34     (27

Trustee fees reimbursed (Note 7)

     (381     (1,204     (1,774
  

 

 

 

Total Net Expenses

     18,334       61,691       73,963  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     160,255       505,660       512,218  
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON:

      

Investments in securities

     (66,174     (77,068     (291,745

In-kind redemptions of investments

                  

Futures contracts

     (585     821       (798

Foreign currency transactions

                 (59,626
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

     (66,759     (76,247     (352,169
  

 

 

 

NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON:

      

Investments in securities

     1,302,814       3,099,247       4,060,041  

Futures contracts

           12,246       7,845  

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

                 47,555  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     1,302,814       3,111,493       4,115,441  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

     1,236,055       3,035,246       3,763,272  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 1,396,310      $ 3,540,906      $ 4,275,490   
  

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      37   


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Operations (cont.)

 

 

     FlexShares®
International
Quality
Dividend
Dynamic Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
International
Quality
Dividend
Defensive
Index Fund
       
     April 12,
2013* through
October 31,
2013
    April 12,
2013* through
October 31,
2013
    FlexShares®
Ready  Access
Variable
Income Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

      

Dividend income

   $ 78,128     $ 123,262     $  

Dividend income received from affiliate

                  

Interest income

                 128,324  

Foreign withholding tax on dividends

     (8,200     (13,155     (88
  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

     69,928       110,107       128,236  
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

      

Deferred compensation (Note 7)

     2       3       35  

Investment advisory fees

     8,167       14,180       44,329  

Trustee fees (Note 7)

     246       478       1,235  
  

 

 

 

Total Gross Expenses Before Fees Reimbursed

     8,415       14,661       45,599  
  

 

 

 

Less:

      

Deferred compensation reimbursed (Note 7)

     (2     (3     (35

Trustee fees reimbursed (Note 7)

     (246     (478     (1,235
  

 

 

 

Total Net Expenses

     8,167       14,180       44,329  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     61,761       95,927       83,907  
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON:

      

Investments in securities

     (28,429     (60,292     (10,156

In-kind redemptions of investments

                  

Futures contracts

           10,322        

Foreign currency transactions

     (237     8,785        
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

     (28,666     (41,185     (10,156
  

 

 

 

NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON:

      

Investments in securities

     471,429       829,678       89,057  

Futures contracts

           2,723        

Forward foreign currency contracts

           4,343        

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     166       412        
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     471,595       837,156       89,057  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

     442,929       795,971       78,901  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 504,690      $ 891,898      $ 162,808   
  

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

38    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Trust

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     FlexShares®  Morningstar Global
Upstream Natural Resources
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
STOXX® Global
Broad
Infrastructure
Index Fund
 
     Year Ended
October 31,
2013
    Year Ended
October 31,
2012
    October 8,
2013*
through
October 31,
2013
 

OPERATIONS

      

Net investment income

   $ 48,570,290     $ 6,322,940     $ 961  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (2,498,320     536,629       (1,165

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (71,217,762     8,096,961       158,572  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

      

Resulting from Operations

     (25,145,792     14,956,530       158,368  
  

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

      

Net investment income

     (7,891,756     (402,120      

Net realized gain

                  
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (7,891,756     (402,120      
  

 

 

 

CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS(3)

      

Proceeds from shares issued

     2,262,008,688       460,648,576        

Cost of shares redeemed

     (30,967,920     (11,938,905      
  

 

 

 

Net Increase from Capital Transactions

     2,231,040,768       448,709,671        
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     2,198,003,220       463,264,081       158,368  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

      

Beginning of Period

   $ 566,532,105     $ 103,268,024     $ 4,004,164 (4)  
  

 

 

 

End of Period

   $ 2,764,535,325     $ 566,532,105     $ 4,162,532  
  

 

 

 

Undistributed (accumulated) net investment income (loss) included in end of period net assets

   $ 46,891,234     $ 5,778,247     $ 820  
  

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS

      

Beginning of period

     16,100,001       2,950,001       100,001 (4)

Shares issued

           400,000        

Shares issued in-kind

     64,500,000       13,100,000        

Shares redeemed

                  

Shares redeemed in-kind

     (950,000     (350,000      
  

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding, End of Period

     79,650,001       16,100,001       100,001  
  

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

(3)

Capital share transactions may include transaction fees associated with creation and redemption transactions which occurred during the period. See Note 9 to the Financial Statements.

 

(4) 

Amount includes the initial subscription.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      39   


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont.)

 

 

 

     FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target
Duration TIPS Index Fund
    FlexShares®  iBoxx 5-Year Target
Duration TIPS Index Fund
 
     Year Ended
October 31,
2013
     Year Ended
October 31,
2012
    Year Ended
October 31,
2013
    Year Ended
October 31,
2012
 

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

   $ 1,540,518      $ 1,700,307     $ 1,408,784     $ 1,917,466  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (18,236,998      503,743       (11,055,057     2,026,671  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (10,313,487      3,183,569       (8,274,592     7,783,227  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

         

Resulting from Operations

     (27,009,967      5,387,619       (17,920,865     11,727,364  
  

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

         

Net investment income

     (1,789,702      (2,141,001     (1,401,507     (2,106,998

Net realized gain

     (208,480      (198,119     (1,526,604     (56,248

Tax return of capital

     (2,721,443                   
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (4,719,625      (2,339,120     (2,928,111     (2,163,246
  

 

 

 

CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS(3)

         

Proceeds from shares issued

     1,340,163,154        551,443,939       179,085,636       256,981,090  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (17,449,678      (11,369,874     (143,483,668     (37,009,292
  

 

 

 

Net Increase from Capital Transactions

     1,322,713,476        540,074,065       35,601,968       219,971,798  
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     1,290,983,884        543,122,564       14,752,992       229,535,916  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Beginning of Period

   $ 684,034,355      $ 140,911,791     $ 374,730,167     $ 145,194,251  
  

 

 

 

End of Period

   $ 1,975,018,239      $ 684,034,355     $ 389,483,159     $ 374,730,167  
  

 

 

 

Undistributed (accumulated) net investment income (loss) included in end of period net assets

   $  —      $  —     $ 156,052     $ 107,501  
  

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

Beginning of period

     26,904,000        5,604,000       14,250,001       5,800,001  

Shares issued

            300,000              

Shares issued in-kind

     52,900,000        21,450,000       6,850,000       9,900,000  

Shares redeemed

                         

Shares redeemed in-kind

     (700,000      (450,000     (5,700,000     (1,450,000
  

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding, End of Period

     79,104,000        26,904,000       15,400,001       14,250,001  
  

 

 

 

 

(3) 

Capital share transactions may include transaction fees associated with creation and redemption transactions which occurred during the period. See Note 9 to the Financial Statements.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

40    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont.)

 

 

 

     FlexShares®  Morningstar US
Market Factor Tilt Index Fund
    FlexShares® Morningstar
Developed Markets ex-US Factor
Tilt Index Fund
 
     Year Ended
October 31,
2013
    Year Ended
October 31,
2012
    Year Ended
October 31,
2013
    September 25,
2012*
through
October 31,
2012
 

OPERATIONS

        

Net investment income

   $ 4,610,179     $ 1,116,112     $ 2,835,828     $ 24,170  

Net realized gain (loss)

     89,126        (76,180     (1,052,732     (9,085

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     73,959,564        6,131,777       25,712,638       (169,539
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

        

Resulting from Operations

     78,658,869       7,171,709       27,495,734       (154,454
  

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

        

Net investment income

     (2,015,968     (59,483     (90,648      

Net realized gain

                        
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (2,015,968     (59,483     (90,648      
  

 

 

 

CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS(3)

        

Proceeds from shares issued

     224,871,059       134,804,108       272,477,904        

Cost of shares redeemed

     (3,297,597                  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase from Capital Transactions

     221,573,462       134,804,108       272,477,904        
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     298,216,363       141,916,334       299,882,990       (154,454
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

        

Beginning of Period

   $ 149,676,864     $ 7,760,530     $ 9,861,702     $ 10,016,156 (4)  
  

 

 

 

End of Period

   $ 447,893,227     $ 149,676,864     $ 309,744,692     $ 9,861,702  
  

 

 

 

Undistributed (accumulated) net investment income (loss) included in end of period net assets

   $ 3,625,358     $ 1,065,218     $ 2,807,922     $ 21,784  
  

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS

        

Beginning of period

     2,550,001       150,001       200,001       200,001 (4)

Shares issued

                 3,800,000        

Shares issued in-kind

     3,350,000       2,400,000       1,000,000        

Shares redeemed

                        

Shares redeemed in-kind

     (50,000                  
  

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding, End of Period

     5,850,001       2,550,001       5,000,001       200,001  
  

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

(3) 

Capital share transactions may include transaction fees associated with creation and redemption transactions which occurred during the period. See Note 9 to the Financial Statements.

 

(4) 

Amount includes the initial subscription.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      41   


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont.)

 

 

     FlexShares® Morningstar
Emerging Markets Factor Tilt
Index Fund
    FlexShares®
Quality
Dividend Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
Quality
Dividend

Dynamic Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
Quality
Dividend

Defensive Index
Fund
 
     Year Ended
October 31,
2013
    September 25,
2012*
through
October 31,
2012
   

December 14,
2012*

through
October 31,
2013

   

December 14,
2012*

through
October 31,
2013

   

December 14,
2012*

through
October 31,

2013

 

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

   $ 1,931,589     $ 3,703     $ 2,388,401     $ 160,255     $ 505,660  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (2,748,796     (21,586     (887,014     (66,759     (76,247

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     2,672,680       (47,698     17,000,941       1,302,814       3,111,493  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

          

Resulting from Operations

     1,855,473       (65,581     18,502,328       1,396,310       3,540,906  
  

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

          

Net investment income

     (46,755           (1,471,458     (95,641     (299,364

Net realized gain

                              
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (46,755           (1,471,458     (95,641     (299,364
  

 

 

 

CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS(3)

          

Proceeds from shares issued

     147,030,274       4,979,625       263,399,234       9,024,254       38,241,904  

Cost of shares redeemed

                              
  

 

 

 

Net Increase from Capital Transactions

     147,030,274       4,979,625       263,399,234       9,024,254       38,241,904  
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     148,838,992       4,914,044       280,430,104       10,324,923       41,483,446  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Beginning of Period

   $ 9,920,344     $ 5,006,300 (4)   $ 2,500,025 (4)   $ 2,500,025 (4)   $ 2,500,025 (4)
  

 

 

 

End of Period

   $ 158,759,336     $ 9,920,344     $ 282,930,129     $ 12,824,948     $ 43,983,471  
  

 

 

 

Undistributed (accumulated) net investment income (loss) included in end of period net assets

   $ 1,142,969     $ (1,076   $ 916,943     $ 64,620     $ 206,296  
  

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Beginning of period

     200,001       100,001 (4)     100,001 (4)     100,001 (4)     100,001 (4)

Shares issued

     2,200,000       100,000                    

Shares issued in-kind

     600,000             8,700,000       300,000       1,300,000  

Shares redeemed

                              

Shares redeemed in-kind

                              
  

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding, End of Period

     3,000,001       200,001       8,800,001       400,001       1,400,001  
  

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

(3)

Capital share transactions may include transaction fees associated with creation and redemption transactions which occurred during the period. See Note 9 to the Financial Statements.

 

(4) 

Amount includes the initial subscription.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

42    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont.)

 

 

 

     FlexShares®
International
Quality
Dividend Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
International
Quality
Dividend
Dynamic Index
Fund
    FlexShares®
International
Quality
Dividend
Defensive Index
Fund
    FlexShares® Ready Access
Variable Income Fund
 
     April 12, 2013*
through
October 31,
2013
    April 12, 2013*
through
October 31,
2013
    April 12, 2013*
through
October 31,
2013
    Year Ended
October 31,
2013
   

October 9, 2012*
through
October 31,

2012

 

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

   $ 512,218     $ 61,761     $ 95,927     $ 83,907     $ 736  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (352,169     (28,666     (41,185     (10,156     (31

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     4,115,441       471,595       837,156       89,057       (3,684
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

          

Resulting from Operations

     4,275,490       504,690       891,898       162,808       (2,979
  

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

          

Net investment income

     (299,387     (50,779     (54,312     (63,011      

Net realized gain

                              
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (299,387     (50,779     (54,312     (63,011      
  

 

 

 

CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS(3)

          

Proceeds from shares issued

     69,144,645       5,249,523       12,660,962       33,826,433        

Cost of shares redeemed

     (10,733                        
  

 

 

 

Net Increase from Capital Transactions

     69,133,912       5,249,523       12,660,962       33,826,433        
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     73,110,015       5,703,434       13,498,548       33,926,230       (2,979
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Beginning of Period

   $ 2,500,025 (4)   $ 2,500,025 (4)   $ 2,500,025 (4)   $ 7,497,096     $ 7,500,075 (4) 
  

 

 

 

End of Period

   $ 75,610,040     $ 8,203,459     $ 15,998,573     $ 41,423,326     $ 7,497,096  
  

 

 

 

Undistributed (accumulated) net investment income (loss) included in end of period net assets

   $ 153,205     $ 10,825     $ 50,400     $ 21,632     $ 736  
  

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Beginning of period

     100,001 (4)     100,001 (4)     100,001 (4)     100,001       100,001 (4)

Shares issued

     1,200,000             200,000       450,000        

Shares issued in-kind

     1,500,000       200,000       300,000              

Shares redeemed

                              

Shares redeemed in-kind

                              
  

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding, End of Period

     2,800,001       300,001       600,001       550,001       100,001  
  

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

(3)

Capital share transactions may include transaction fees associated with creation and redemption transactions which occurred during the period. See Note 9 to the Financial Statements.

 

(4)

Amount includes the initial subscription.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      43   


Table of Contents

 

FlexShares® Trust

Financial Highlights

 

 

          PER SHARE  
          Investment Operations     Distributions  
    Net Asset
Value,
beginning of
period
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Total  from
Operations
(b)(c)
    Net
Investment
Income
    From Net
Realized
Gains
    Tax return of
capital
    Total  

Flexshares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund

               

Year ended October 31, 2013

  $ 35.19      $ 0.87 (a)    $ (0.98   $ (0.11   $ (0.37   $      $      $ (0.37

Year ended October 31, 2012

    35.01        0.44        (0.17 )(g)      0.27        (0.09                   (0.09

For the period 09/16/11* through 10/31/11

    35.00        0.03 (a)      (0.02 )(g)      0.01                               

Flexshares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund

               

For the period 10/08/13* through 10/31/13

    40.00        0.01 (a)      1.61        1.62                               

Flexshares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

               

Year ended October 31, 2013

    25.43        0.03 (a)      (0.38     (0.35     (0.05     (0.01     (0.05     (0.11

Year ended October 31, 2012

    25.14        0.15 (a)      0.39        0.54        (0.22     (0.03            (0.25

For the period 09/19/11* through 10/31/11

    25.00        0.06 (a)      0.08        0.14                               

Flexshares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

               

Year ended October 31, 2013

    26.30        0.08 (a)      (0.91     (0.83     (0.08     (0.10            (0.18

Year ended October 31, 2012

    25.03        0.24 (a)      1.31        1.55        (0.27     (0.01            (0.28

For the period 09/19/11* through 10/31/11

    25.00        0.07 (a)      (0.04 )(g)      0.03                               

Flexshares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund

               

Year ended October 31, 2013

    58.70        1.09 (a)      17.43        18.52        (0.66                   (0.66

Year ended October 31, 2012

    51.74        0.91 (a)      6.17        7.08        (0.12                   (0.12

For the period 09/16/11* through 10/31/11

    50.00        0.07 (a)      1.67        1.74                               

Flexshares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund

               

Year ended October 31, 2013

    49.31        1.35 (a)      11.40        12.75        (0.11                   (0.11

For the period 09/25/12* through 10/31/12

    50.00        0.12 (a)      (0.81     (0.69                            

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

(a) Net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(c) Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(d) Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period at adjusted net asset value.

 

(e) Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the mid point of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market value returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

(f) In-kind transactions are not included in portfolio turnover calculations.

 

(g) The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period is not in accordance with the aggregate net realized and unrealized gain (loss) for that period because of the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market value of the investments in the Fund.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

44    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

  

 

 

 

    RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA  
      Total Return(b)     Ratios to Average Net Assets(c)     Supplemental Data  
Net Asset
Value,
end of
period
    Net  Asset
Value
(d)
    Market  Value
(Unaudited)
(e)
    Expenses     Expenses net of
reimbursements
    Net Investment
Income before
reimbursements
    Net investment
income net of
reimbursements
    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
(b)(f)
    Net Assets, end
of period
(thousands)
 
               
$ 34.71        (0.33 )%      (0.61 )%      0.48     0.48     2.56     2.56     8   $ 2,764,535   
  35.19        0.79        1.71        0.50        0.48        2.02        2.03        5        566,532   
  35.01        0.03        (0.57     0.77        0.48        0.53        0.82        1        103,268   
               
  41.62        4.05        4.20        0.52        0.47        0.32        0.37        1        4,163   
               
  24.97        (1.41     (1.45     0.20        0.20        0.11        0.11        125        1,975,018   
  25.43        2.15        1.94        0.22        0.20        0.57        0.59        55        684,034   
  25.14        0.56        0.82        0.51        0.20        1.72        2.03        23        140,912   
               
  25.29        (3.17     (3.32     0.20        0.20        0.30        0.30        151        389,483   
  26.30        6.13        5.87        0.22        0.20        0.90        0.92        60        374,730   
  25.03        0.12        0.56        0.50        0.20        2.03        2.34        10        145,194   
               
  76.56        31.88        28.39        0.27        0.27        1.59        1.59        20        447,893   
  58.70        13.71        16.86        0.29        0.27        1.57        1.59        15        149,677   
  51.74        3.48        3.56        0.49        0.27        1.02        1.24        1        7,761   
               
  61.95        25.93        0.62        0.43        0.42        2.37        2.38        7        309,745   
  49.31        (1.40     23.98        0.43        0.42        2.47        2.49        1        9,862   

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      45   


Table of Contents

 

 

Financial Highlights (cont.)

 

 

          PER SHARE  
          Investment Operations     Distributions  
    Net Asset
Value,
beginning of
period
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Total  from
Operations
(b)(c)
    Net
Investment
Income
    From Net
Realized
Gains
    Tax return of
capital
    Total  

Flexshares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

               

Year ended October 31, 2013

  $ 49.60      $ 1.03 (a)    $ 2.34      $ 3.37      $ (0.05   $      $      $ (0.05

For the period 09/25/12* through 10/31/12

    50.00        0.03 (a)      (0.43     (0.40                            

Flexshares® Quality Dividend Index Fund

               

For the period 12/14/12* through 10/31/13

    25.00        0.83 (a)      6.78        7.61        (0.46                   (0.46

Flexshares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

               

For the period 12/14/12* through 10/31/13

    25.00        0.84 (a)      6.77        7.61        (0.55                   (0.55

Flexshares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

               

For the period 12/14/12* through 10/31/13

    25.00        0.79 (a)      6.05        6.84        (0.42                   (0.42

Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund

               

For the period 04/12/13* through 10/31/13

    25.00        0.46 (a)      1.82        2.28        (0.28                   (0.28

Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

               

For the period 04/12/13* through 10/31/13

    25.00        0.50 (a)      2.35        2.85        (0.51                   (0.51

Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

               

For the period 04/12/13* through 10/31/13

    25.00        0.44 (a)      1.58        2.02        (0.36                   (0.36

Flexshares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund

               

Year ended October 31, 2013

    74.97        0.36 (a)      0.27        0.63        (0.28                   (0.28

For the period 10/09/12* through 10/31/12

    75.00        0.01 (a)      (0.04     (0.03                            

 

* Commencement of investment operations.

 

(a) Net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) Not annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(c) Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(d) Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period at adjusted net asset value.

 

(e) Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the mid point of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time from the primary listing exchange. Market value returns may vary from net asset value returns.

 

(f) In-kind transactions are not included in portfolio turnover calculations.

 

(g) The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period is not in accordance with the aggregate net realized and unrealized gain (loss) for that period because of the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market value of the investments in the Fund.

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

46    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

  

 

 

 

    RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA  
      Total Return(b)     Ratios to Average Net Assets(c)     Supplemental Data  
Net Asset
Value,
end of
period
    Net  Asset
Value
(d)
    Market  Value
(Unaudited)
(e)
    Expenses     Expenses net of
reimbursements
    Net Investment
Income before
reimbursements
    Net investment
income net of
reimbursements
    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
(b)(f)
    Net Assets, end
of period
(thousands)
 
               
$ 52.92        6.80     (14.20 )%      0.65     0.65     2.01     2.01     20   $ 158,759   
  49.60        (0.80     23.52        0.67        0.65        0.50        0.52        1        9,920   
               
  32.15        30.67        30.79        0.38        0.37        3.16        3.17        54        282,930   
               
  32.06        30.69        30.74        0.38        0.37        3.22        3.23        67        12,825   
               
  31.42        27.54        27.79        0.38        0.37        3.02        3.03        54        43,983   
               
  27.00        9.22        9.58        0.48        0.47        3.24        3.25        26        75,610   
               
  27.34        11.59        11.64        0.48        0.47        3.54        3.55        31        8,203   
               
  26.66        8.20        8.85        0.49        0.47        3.16        3.18        27        15,999   
               
  75.32        0.84        4.97        0.26        0.25        0.47        0.47        76        41,423   
  74.97        (0.04     (3.96     0.27        0.25        0.14        0.16        2        7,497   

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      47   


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 99.6%

  

Beverages – 0.1%

  

Tibet 5100 Water Resources Holdings Ltd.

    3,947,000      $ 1,532,361  

Chemicals – 20.9%

  

Agrium, Inc.

    512,946        43,776,376  

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    203,904        43,961,702  

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

    4,814,046        12,126,037  

Israel Chemicals Ltd.

    1,412,991        11,716,203  

K+S AG (Registered)

    575,073        14,690,243  

Monsanto Co.

    1,577,070        165,403,102  

The Mosaic Co.

    849,069        38,929,814  

Phosagro OAO (GDR)

    305,424        3,167,247  

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.

    2,724,030        84,632,087  

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., Class A

    136,998        8,044,523  

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (ADR)

    320,193        8,840,529  

Syngenta AG

    283,554        114,761,792  

Taiwan Fertilizer Co. Ltd.

    2,007,000        4,781,906  

Yara International ASA

    530,469        22,921,362  
              577,752,923  

Containers & Packaging – 0.4%

  

MeadWestvaco Corp.

    313,821        10,936,662  

Food Products – 8.2%

  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    2,091,609        85,546,808  

Bunge Ltd.

    457,191        37,549,097  

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL

    10,195,200        7,959,626  

Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT

    22,302,000        7,715,928  

Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd

    3,808,300        5,418,792  

GrainCorp Ltd., Class A

    729,594        8,525,570  

IOI Corp. Bhd

    9,558,005        16,477,491  

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd

    1,593,072        11,661,981  

Nutreco N.V.

    210,359        10,328,278  

PPB Group Bhd

    1,614,300        7,520,150  

Suedzucker AG

    207,090        6,680,917  

Tongaat Hulett Ltd.

    372,762        4,712,847  
    Shares     Value  

Food Products – (continued)

  

Wilmar International Ltd.

    5,757,126      $ 16,059,706  
              226,157,191  

Household Durables – 0.1%

  

Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd.

    318,600        3,698,761  

Machinery – 0.3%

  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

    355,510        7,754,473  

Metals & Mining – 24.3%

  

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

    243,743        7,236,212  

Alcoa, Inc.

    1,398,654        12,965,523  

Anglo American PLC

    1,890,891        45,112,896  

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.

    544,806        8,314,615  

Antofagasta PLC

    477,900        6,564,640  

Barrick Gold Corp.

    1,572,291        30,575,885  

BHP Billiton Ltd.

    3,714,876        132,480,409  

Cia de Minas Buenaventura SAA (ADR)

    263,736        3,824,172  

Eldorado Gold Corp.

    1,064,124        7,173,411  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

    673,839        12,780,875  

Franco-Nevada Corp.

    187,974        8,455,540  

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

    1,516,536        55,747,863  

Glencore Xstrata PLC

    12,944,718        70,709,745  

Gold Fields Ltd.

    1,006,776        4,739,308  

Goldcorp, Inc.

    1,319,004        33,593,274  

Grupo Mexico SAB de CV

    4,681,808        14,842,188  

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.

    665,874        8,119,197  

Industrias Penoles SAB de CV

    167,668        4,923,919  

KGHM Polska Miedz S.A.

    149,742        6,061,611  

Kinross Gold Corp.

    1,561,140        7,934,067  

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC (ADR)

    544,127        8,238,083  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    1,131,030        11,031,597  

Newmont Mining Corp.

    821,988        22,407,393  

Randgold Resources Ltd.

    143,370        10,687,694  

Rio Tinto PLC

    1,658,313        84,136,878  

Sibanye Gold Ltd.

    971,730        1,377,156  

Silver Wheaton Corp.

    519,318        11,782,197  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    633,031        8,762,166  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

48    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

    692,955      $ 18,539,046  

Yamana Gold, Inc.

    1,161,297        11,514,418  
              670,631,978  

Multi-Utilities – 1.1%

  

Suez Environnement Co.

    791,721        13,836,411  

Veolia Environnement S.A.

    945,991        16,230,263  
              30,066,674  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 34.1%

  

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    224,613        21,403,373  

Apache Corp.

    208,683        18,531,050  

BG Group PLC

    1,811,241        37,058,083  

BP PLC

    9,542,070        73,999,308  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    544,806        17,286,887  

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

    396,657        11,783,511  

Chevron Corp.

    984,474        118,097,501  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H

    9,683,400        7,906,040  

CNOOC Ltd.

    7,357,112        15,106,987  

ConocoPhillips

    594,189        43,554,054  

Cosan Ltd., Class A

    506,241        7,978,358  

Cosan S.A. Industria e Comercio

    338,990        6,848,868  

Devon Energy Corp.

    207,090        13,092,230  

Encana Corp.

    393,179        7,042,800  

Eni SpA

    1,151,739        29,201,968  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    129,033        23,019,487  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1,593,000        142,764,660  

Gazprom OAO (ADR)

    2,815,220        26,350,459  

Hess Corp.

    146,556        11,900,347  

Lukoil OAO (ADR)

    253,287        16,615,627  

Marathon Oil Corp.

    345,681        12,188,712  

Noble Energy, Inc.

    164,079        12,294,440  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    414,180        39,794,414  

PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class H

    10,044,018        11,503,973  

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., Class A (ADR)

    1,083,240        19,671,638  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    1,803,276        60,222,417  

Sasol Ltd.

    286,740        14,698,810  

Statoil ASA

    501,795        11,895,775  
    Shares     Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    798,093      $ 28,997,213  

Total S.A.

    1,032,264        63,523,222  

Tullow Oil PLC

    508,167        7,694,769  

Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

    321,786        11,829,045  
              943,856,026  

Paper & Forest Products – 3.4%

  

Canfor Corp.*

    157,707        3,268,014  

Deltic Timber Corp.

    19,116        1,221,130  

Duratex S.A.

    578,309        3,633,696  

Empresas CMPC S.A.

    2,126,655        6,330,122  

International Paper Co.

    777,384        34,679,100  

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.*

    242,136        4,118,733  

Mondi PLC

    748,710        13,400,055  

Stora Enso Oyj, Class R

    978,102        9,108,648  

UPM-Kymmene Oyj

    880,929        14,024,165  

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

    49,383        4,525,611  
              94,309,274  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 2.0%

  

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

    312,228        14,175,151  

Rayonier, Inc.

    226,206        10,636,206  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    1,021,113        31,041,835  
              55,853,192  

Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.4%

  

Noble Group Ltd.

    14,337,031        11,905,625  

Water Utilities – 4.3%

  

Aguas Andinas S.A., Class A

    6,740,009        4,567,936  

American Water Works Co., Inc.

    522,504        22,399,746  

Aqua America, Inc.

    532,062        13,397,321  

Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo

    2,418        25,818  

Cia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais-COPASA

    173,072        2,816,356  

Cia Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paolo (ADR)

    1,077,948        11,437,028  

Hyflux Ltd.

    3,186,000        2,979,611  

Inversiones Aguas Metropolitanas S.A.

    1,300,095        2,412,286  

Manila Water Co., Inc.

    1,593,000        921,662  

Pennon Group PLC

    1,256,877        13,751,423  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      49   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Water Utilities – 4.3%

  

Severn Trent PLC

    731,187      $ 21,814,644  

United Utilities Group PLC

    1,973,727        22,339,623  
              118,863,454  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $2,807,682,056)
            2,753,318,594  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $2,807,682,056) – 99.6%
        2,753,318,594   

Other assets less liabilities – 0.4%

  

    11,216,731   
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 2,764,535,325  
* Non-income producing security.

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviations:

 

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

GDR – Global Depositary Receipt

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 158,860,931   

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (213,801,742

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (54,940,811

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 2,808,259,405  
 

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund had the following open long futures contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

    Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional Amount
at Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 

E-Mini S&P 500® Futures Contracts

    31        12/20/13      $ 2,714,050     $ 134,815  

EURO STOXX 50® Index Futures Contracts

    16        12/20/13        665,394       45,907  

FTSE 100® Index Futures Contracts

    19        12/20/13        2,047,796       61,457  

Hang Seng Index Futures Contracts

    4        11/28/13        599,557       12,359  

S&P Toronto Stock Exchange 60® Index Futures Contracts

    26        12/19/13        3,820,032       169,165  

SPI 200® Futures Contracts

    6        12/19/13        769,302       24,374  
                            $ 448,077  

 

Cash collateral in the amount of $2,827,165 was pledged to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of October 31, 2013.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund had the following outstanding contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

Contracts to Deliver        Counterparty   In Exchange For     Delivery Date     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

AUD

    9,790         Citibank N.A.     USD        9,000        12/18/13      $ 243  

GBP

    1,198,428         Morgan Stanley     USD 1,909,000        12/18/13        15,742  

CAD

    2,766,873         Citibank N.A.     USD 2,670,000        12/18/13        (19,811

CHF

    194,976         Citibank N.A.     USD    210,000        12/18/13        5,393  
                                   $ 1,567  

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

50    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

Contracts to Receive   Counterparty   In Exchange For     Receipt Date     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

USD 2,172,000

  Morgan Stanley     EUR 1,624,660        12/18/13      $ (36,891

USD      90,000

  Morgan Stanley     JPY  8,883,450        12/18/13        (571

USD    750,000

  Citibank N.A.     SGD   951,200        12/18/13        (16,900
                        $ (54,362

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund invested, as a percentage of net assets, companies domiciled in the following countries as of October 31, 2013:

 

Australia

    6.4

Brazil

    1.9  

Canada

    12.7  

Chile

    0.8  

China

    1.3  

Finland

    0.8  

France

    3.4  

Germany

    0.8  

Indonesia

    0.3  

Israel

    0.4  

Italy

    1.1  

Japan

    0.7  

Malaysia

    1.5  

Mexico

    0.7  

Netherlands

    0.4  

Norway

    1.3  

Peru

    0.1  

Philippines

    0.0  

Poland

    0.2  

Russia

    2.0  

Singapore

    1.1  

South Africa

    1.5  

Switzerland

    4.1  

Taiwan

    0.2  

Thailand

    0.3  

United Kingdom

    16.9  

United States

    38.7  

Other1

    0.4  
      100.0

 

1 

Includes any non-equity securities and net other assets (liabilities).

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      51   


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 100.0%

  

Air Freight & Logistics – 3.1%

  

Deutsche Post AG (Registered)

    3,122      $ 105,791  

Oesterreichische Post AG

    106        4,988  

POS Malaysia Bhd

    1,800        3,257  

PostNL N.V.*

    1,408        7,392  

Singapore Post Ltd.

    6,000        6,337  
              127,765  

Commercial Services & Supplies – 2.6%

  

Clean Harbors, Inc.

    96        5,928  

Daiseki Co. Ltd.

    200        3,924  

Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.

    372        9,991  

Republic Services, Inc.

    500        16,735  

Shanks Group PLC

    1,332        2,258  

Stericycle, Inc.

    158        18,360  

Transpacific Industries Group Ltd.*

    3,354        3,637  

Waste Connections, Inc.

    214        9,146  

Waste Management, Inc.

    854        37,183  
              107,162  

Construction & Engineering – 0.0%

  

Interchina Holdings Co.*

    10,000        709  

Diversified Financial Services – 0.1%

  

Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

    42,000        4,743  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 15.5%

  

AT&T, Inc.

    5,036        182,303  

BCE, Inc.

    738        32,107  

BT Group PLC

    7,606        46,069  

CenturyLink, Inc.

    578        19,571  

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. (ADR)

    460        14,646  

Deutsche Telekom AG (Registered)

    2,836        44,724  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    800        41,505  

Telefonica S.A.

    3,738        65,987  

Telstra Corp. Ltd.

    11,792        57,842  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    2,754        139,105  
              643,859  

Electric Utilities – 11.3%

  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    762        35,692  

CLP Holdings Ltd.

    2,000        16,097  
    Shares     Value  

Electric Utilities – (continued)

  

Duke Energy Corp.

    1,100      $ 78,903  

Enel SpA

    10,208        45,103  

Exelon Corp.

    1,156        32,992  

FirstEnergy Corp.

    650        24,615  

Iberdrola S.A.

    8,926        56,160  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    662        56,105  

PPL Corp.

    998        30,569  

The Southern Co.

    1,460        59,729  

SSE PLC

    1,544        35,125  
              471,090  

Gas Utilities – 1.2%

  

APA Group

    1,410        8,091  

Enagas S.A.

    326        8,727  

ONEOK, Inc.

    322        18,193  

Snam SpA

    3,334        17,206  
              52,217  

Health Care Providers & Services – 3.6%

  

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL

    2,200        9,472  

Community Health Systems, Inc.

    174        7,592  

HCA Holdings, Inc.

    498        23,476  

Health Management Associates, Inc., Class A*

    476        6,102  

HealthSouth Corp.

    176        6,179  

IHH Healthcare Bhd*

    8,200        10,732  

Life Healthcare Group Holdings Ltd.

    2,824        11,572  

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.

    92        4,751  

Mediclinic International Ltd.

    1,614        12,203  

Netcare Ltd.

    4,038        10,057  

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

    416        15,285  

Rhoen Klinikum AG

    328        9,170  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.*

    192        9,060  

Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B

    168        13,534  
              149,185  

Industrial Conglomerates – 0.2%

  

Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd.

    1,000        8,210  

Internet Software & Services – 0.2%

  

Equinix, Inc.

    46        7,428  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

52    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares®  STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Internet Software & Services – (continued)

  

Telecity Group PLC

    196      $ 2,401  
              9,829  

Media – 4.6%

  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    2,076        98,776  

DIRECTV*

    450        28,121  

DISH Network Corp., Class A

    204        9,833  

SES S.A.

    294        8,569  

Shaw Communications, Inc., Class B

    390        9,327  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.

    1,666        6,281  

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

    268        32,200  
              193,107  

Multi-Utilities – 10.9%

  

Centrica PLC

    7,640        43,378  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

    478        27,829  

Dominion Resources, Inc.

    922        58,778  

E.ON SE

    2,970        54,327  

GDF Suez

    2,276        56,748  

National Grid PLC

    6,348        80,009  

PG&E Corp.

    712        29,797  

RWE AG

    766        28,315  

Sempra Energy

    364        33,175  

Suez Environnement Co.

    950        16,603  

Veolia Environnement S.A.

    1,410        24,191  
              453,150  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 6.7%

  

AltaGas Ltd.

    196        7,255  

Enbridge, Inc.

    1,398        60,593  

Inter Pipeline Ltd.

    444        11,159  

Keyera Corp.

    124        7,336  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    1,136        40,112  

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

    496        16,271  

Spectra Energy Corp.

    1,050        37,349  

TransCanada Corp.

    1,212        54,612  

Veresen, Inc.

    350        4,330  

The Williams Cos., Inc.

    1,068        38,138  
              277,155  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 1.2%

  

American Tower Corp.

    368        29,201  

Corrections Corp. of America

    196        7,252  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    118        5,624  

DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc.

    68        1,690  
    Shares     Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

The Geo Group, Inc.

    146      $ 5,149  
              48,916  

Road & Rail – 20.4%

  

Asciano Ltd.

    3,164        17,437  

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

    6,314        28,640  

Canadian National Railway Co.

    1,246        136,865  

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

    570        81,462  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    600        77,668  

CSX Corp.

    1,960        51,078  

East Japan Railway Co.

    1,300        112,761  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.

    4,000        22,424  

Kansas City Southern

    198        24,061  

Kintetsu Corp.

    6,000        22,077  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    584        50,236  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    2,000        19,284  

Tobu Railway Co. Ltd.

    4,000        20,711  

Tokyu Corp.

    4,000        27,194  

Union Pacific Corp.

    860        130,204  

West Japan Railway Co.

    600        26,878  
              848,980  

Transportation Infrastructure – 6.2%

  

Abertis Infraestructuras S.A.

    1,178        25,304  

Aeroports de Paris

    108        11,555  

Atlantia SpA

    1,036        22,746  

Auckland International Airport Ltd.

    3,592        10,198  

CCR S.A.

    3,200        26,814  

China Merchants Holdings International Co. Ltd.

    4,000        14,188  

COSCO Pacific Ltd.

    8,000        11,660  

Flughafen Zuerich AG (Registered)

    14        7,777  

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide

    114        8,845  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, Class B

    1,000        5,222  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, Class B

    800        9,597  

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

    82        2,062  

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

    5,940        14,297  

Jasa Marga Persero Tbk PT

    8,000        3,726  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      53   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares®  STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Transportation Infrastructure – (continued)

  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    4,000      $ 5,035  

Koninklijke Vopak N.V.

    96        5,918  

OHL Mexico SAB de CV*

    4,800        12,381  

Sydney Airport

    5,180        20,553  

Transurban Group

    4,870        32,743  

Westshore Terminals Investment Corp.

    210        6,913  
              257,534  

Water Utilities – 3.0%

  

American Water Works Co., Inc.

    340        14,576  

Aqua America, Inc.

    336        8,460  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    12,000        5,340  

California Water Service Group

    130        2,834  

Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo

    1,200        12,813  

Cia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais-COPASA

    200        3,255  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

    12,000        10,324  

Manila Water Co., Inc.

    4,600        2,661  

Pennon Group PLC

    1,234        13,501  

Severn Trent PLC

    776        23,152  

Thai Tap Water Supply PCL

    6,800        2,250  

United Utilities Group PLC

    2,258        25,557  
              124,723  

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 9.2%

  

America Movil SAB de CV

    34,000        36,618  

China Mobile Ltd.

    4,500        47,246  

Crown Castle International Corp.

    352        26,759  

MTN Group Ltd.

    1,286        25,647  

SBA Communications Corp., Class A

    120        10,496  

Softbank Corp.

    1,000        74,406  

Vodafone Group PLC

    45,224        163,115  
              384,287  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $4,003,981)
            4,162,621  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $4,003,981) – 100.0%
            4,162,621   

Liabilities in excess of other assets – 0.0%

  

    (89
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 4,162,532  
* Non-income producing security.

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviations:

 

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 175,452   

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (17,679

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 157,773  

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 4,004,848  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

54    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares®  STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund invested, as a percentage of net assets, companies domiciled in the following countries as of October 31, 2013:

 

Australia

    4.4

Austria

    0.1  

Bermuda

    0.1  

Brazil

    1.0  

Canada

    10.5  

China

    2.3  

France

    2.6  

Germany

    6.1  

Hong Kong

    0.4  

Indonesia

    0.1  

Italy

    2.1  

Japan

    10.8  

Luxembourg

    0.2  

Malaysia

    0.3  

Mexico

    1.5  

Netherlands

    0.3  

New Zealand

    0.3  

Philippines

    0.5  

Singapore

    0.2  

South Africa

    1.4  

Spain

    3.8  

Switzerland

    0.2  

Taiwan

    0.4  

Thailand

    0.3  

United Kingdom

    10.4  

United States

    39.7  

Other1

    0.0  
      100.0

 

1 

Includes any non-equity securities and net other assets (liabilities).

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      55   


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Principal
Amount
    Value  

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS – 99.7%

  

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Notes

   

1.63%, due 01/15/15

  $ 71,105,637     $ 73,393,345  

0.50%, due 04/15/15

    316,957,502       323,743,429  

1.88%, due 07/15/15

    404,574,175       426,400,819  

2.00%, due 01/15/16

    396,509,891       423,932,198  

0.13%, due 04/15/16

    560,850,537       576,521,745  

2.50%, due 07/15/16

    70,267,662       77,550,754  

2.38%, due 01/15/17

    60,724,623       67,437,444  
              1,968,979,734  
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations
(Cost $1,975,029,457)
        1,968,979,734  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $1,975,029,457) – 99.7%
        1,968,979,734  

Other assets less liabilities – 0.3%

  

    6,038,505  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%      $ 1,975,018,239  

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (6,234,027

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (6,234,027

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 1,975,213,761  

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

56    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Principal
Amount
    Value  

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS – 99.6%

  

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Notes

   

2.38%, due 01/15/17

  $ 11,003,518     $ 12,219,905  

0.13%, due 04/15/17

    25,102,027       25,975,974  

2.63%, due 07/15/17

    40,858,556       46,452,580  

1.63%, due 01/15/18

    47,397,029       52,277,037  

0.13%, due 04/15/18

    89,000,612       92,129,613  

1.38%, due 07/15/18

    41,994,550       46,302,957  

2.13%, due 01/15/19

    41,725,313       47,575,333  

1.88%, due 07/15/19

    9,137,410       10,401,609  

1.38%, due 01/15/20

    11,291,173       12,442,050  

1.25%, due 07/15/20

    19,041,712       20,937,792  

0.63%, due 07/15/21

    20,442,296       21,385,428  
              388,100,278  
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations
(Cost $387,771,004)
        388,100,278  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $387,771,004) – 99.6%
        388,100,278  

Other assets less liabilities – 0.4%

  

    1,382,881  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%      $ 389,483,159  

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 524,721   

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (539,435

Net unrealized depreciation

   $ (14,714

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 388,114,992  

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      57   


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 98.8%

  

Aerospace & Defense – 2.6%

  

AAR Corp.

    8,073      $ 236,377  

Aerovironment, Inc.*

    1,404        38,062  

Alliant Techsystems, Inc.

    5,616        611,414  

American Science & Engineering, Inc.

    702        46,178  

Astronics Corp.*

    702        34,440  

Astronics Corp., Class B*

    1        39  

B/E Aerospace, Inc.*

    1,287        104,453  

The Boeing Co.

    9,828        1,282,554  

Cubic Corp.

    3,744        196,560  

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

    8,541        425,171  

DigitalGlobe, Inc.*

    5,733        182,424  

Ducommun, Inc.*

    1,521        37,812  

Engility Holdings, Inc.*

    2,925        90,587  

Esterline Technologies Corp.*

    5,733        459,557  

Exelis, Inc.

    34,515        569,152  

GenCorp, Inc.*

    3,510        58,968  

General Dynamics Corp.

    3,744        324,343  

HEICO Corp.

    3,948        211,534  

Hexcel Corp.*

    7,254        306,917  

Honeywell International, Inc.

    11,232        974,151  

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

    5,499        393,453  

The KEYW Holding Corp.*

    1,170        13,455  

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.*

    8,775        74,412  

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

    1,170        117,526  

LMI Aerospace, Inc.*

    1,755        27,553  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    2,925        390,020  

Moog, Inc., Class A*

    7,956        475,212  

National Presto Industries, Inc.

    702        49,526  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    2,808        301,888  

Orbital Sciences Corp.*

    4,329        99,870  

Precision Castparts Corp.

    2,106        533,766  

Raytheon Co.

    3,627        298,756  

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

    2,106        147,062  

Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc., Class A*

    18,720        499,637  

Taser International, Inc.*

    4,680        83,164  

Teledyne Technologies, Inc.*

    2,808        249,407  

Textron, Inc.

    3,276        94,316  
    Shares     Value  

Aerospace & Defense – (continued)

  

TransDigm Group, Inc.

    702      $ 102,078  

Triumph Group, Inc.

    585        41,915  

United Technologies Corp.

    11,934        1,267,988  
              11,451,697  

Air Freight & Logistics – 0.6%

  

Air Transport Services Group, Inc.*

    9,945        72,002  

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.*

    4,680        173,300  

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

    2,223        132,802  

Echo Global Logistics, Inc.*

    1,053        19,386  

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

    2,691        121,875  

FedEx Corp.

    4,212        551,772  

Forward Air Corp.

    2,340        94,723  

Hub Group, Inc., Class A*

    2,691        98,840  

Pacer International, Inc.*

    3,276        26,143  

Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.*

    1,521        62,985  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    10,179        999,985  

UTi Worldwide, Inc.

    6,552        99,590  

XPO Logistics, Inc.*

    2,106        42,499  
              2,495,902  

Airlines – 0.5%

  

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

    2,340        165,344  

Allegiant Travel Co.

    1,053        109,796  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    9,243        243,830  

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.*

    8,892        73,359  

JetBlue Airways Corp.*

    40,248        285,358  

Republic Airways Holdings, Inc.*

    7,956        93,722  

SkyWest, Inc.

    9,243        139,015  

Southwest Airlines Co.

    10,062        173,268  

Spirit Airlines, Inc.*

    5,616        242,330  

United Continental Holdings, Inc.*

    3,627        123,137  

US Airways Group, Inc.*

    35,451        778,859  
              2,428,018  

Auto Components – 0.9%

  

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

    702        17,094  

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.*

    12,051        224,269  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

58    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Auto Components – (continued)

  

Autoliv, Inc.

    1,053      $ 93,959  

BorgWarner, Inc.

    1,404        144,795  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

    10,764        279,972  

Dana Holding Corp.

    26,559        520,556  

Delphi Automotive PLC

    3,042        174,002  

Dorman Products, Inc.

    1,872        90,998  

Drew Industries, Inc.

    1,404        70,565  

Federal-Mogul Corp.*

    6,084        124,661  

Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc.*

    1,170        21,013  

Gentex Corp.

    3,510        103,334  

Gentherm, Inc.*

    2,457        57,371  

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

    3,510        73,640  

Johnson Controls, Inc.

    8,541        394,167  

Lear Corp.

    1,170        90,546  

Modine Manufacturing Co.*

    6,669        88,831  

Spartan Motors, Inc.

    2,457        16,683  

Standard Motor Products, Inc.

    3,042        109,999  

Stoneridge, Inc.*

    4,680        59,717  

Superior Industries International, Inc.

    4,212        78,975  

Tenneco, Inc.*

    10,764        571,246  

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.*

    1,170        87,879  

Visteon Corp.*

    9,243        712,543  
              4,206,815  

Automobiles – 0.5%

  

Ford Motor Co.

    45,630        780,729  

General Motors Co.*

    10,530        389,083  

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    3,393        217,288  

Tesla Motors, Inc.*

    1,170        187,130  

Thor Industries, Inc.

    7,956        461,528  

Winnebago Industries, Inc.*

    2,223        65,934  
              2,101,692  

Beverages – 1.1%

  

Beam, Inc.

    2,223        149,608  

The Boston Beer Co., Inc., Class A*

    702        161,172  

Brown-Forman Corp., Class B

    2,223        162,235  

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

    351        22,225  

The Coca-Cola Co.

    52,416        2,074,101  
    Shares     Value  

Beverages – (continued)

  

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

    4,095      $ 170,884  

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A*

    1,989        129,882  

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    2,574        121,879  

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

    1,989        107,406  

Monster Beverage Corp.*

    1,989        113,830  

National Beverage Corp.

    702        12,854  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    21,528        1,810,290  
              5,036,366  

Biotechnology – 2.5%

  

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    5,616        127,652  

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    7,722        19,382  

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.*

    2,925        89,534  

Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    1,872        155,039  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    2,808        345,244  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,861        222,432  

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    1,521        41,037  

Amgen, Inc.

    10,764        1,248,624  

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.*

    1,404        2,977  

Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,042        39,576  

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    18,252        80,126  

Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,276        7,207  

Arqule, Inc.*

    351        790  

Array BioPharma, Inc.*

    8,892        44,638  

AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,159        6,539  

Biogen Idec, Inc.*

    3,393        828,537  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*

    1,989        124,949  

Biotime, Inc.*

    3,393        12,317  

Celgene Corp.*

    5,733        851,293  

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.*

    6,201        142,065  

Cepheid, Inc.*

    5,148        209,627  

ChemoCentryx, Inc.*

    2,106        10,425  

Chimerix, Inc.*

    585        8,863  

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    5,148        319,176  

Curis, Inc.*

    5,616        22,408  

Cytokinetics, Inc.*

    1,232        7,404  

Cytori Therapeutics, Inc.*

    3,627        7,472  

Dendreon Corp.*

    13,104        33,677  

Dyax Corp.*

    9,711        79,824  

Dynavax Technologies Corp.*

    11,583        14,247  

Emergent Biosolutions, Inc.*

    1,755        34,275  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      59   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Biotechnology – (continued)

               

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    6,201      $ 9,177  

Exact Sciences Corp.*

    4,914        54,152  

Exelixis, Inc.*

    12,519        61,719  

Galena Biopharma, Inc.*

    2,223        4,957  

Genomic Health, Inc.*

    1,287        38,507  

Geron Corp.*

    8,775        34,661  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.*

    21,411        1,519,967  

GTx, Inc.*

    234        400  

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.*

    6,318        73,605  

Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    7,488        24,636  

ImmunoGen, Inc.*

    6,435        105,920  

Immunomedics, Inc.*

    4,914        18,624  

Incyte Corp. Ltd.*

    10,764        419,796  

Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,393        45,975  

Insmed, Inc.*

    2,340        33,322  

Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    468        25,384  

InterMune, Inc.*

    6,786        95,615  

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    7,839        75,333  

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    9,126        303,622  

KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    1,521        6,099  

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    6,435        66,602  

KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    702        31,386  

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    21,762        52,229  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class B*

    1,989        102,951  

MannKind Corp.*

    12,402        60,646  

Medivation, Inc.*

    1,053        63,033  

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    7,371        19,754  

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,042        49,858  

Myriad Genetics, Inc.*

    6,201        151,180  

Nanosphere, Inc.*

    819        1,597  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.*

    4,797        45,284  

NewLink Genetics Corp.*

    1,755        29,396  

Novavax, Inc.*

    11,934        36,995  

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    7,137        205,403  

OncoGenex Pharmaceutical, Inc.*

    936        6,580  

Opko Health, Inc.*

    14,833        148,629  

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc.*

    6,435        31,403  

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.*

    1,755        23,359  

PDL BioPharma, Inc.

    23,751        192,146  
    Shares     Value  

Biotechnology – (continued)

               

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    6,903      $ 8,905  

Pharmacyclics, Inc.*

    1,287        152,690  

Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc.*

    1,872        6,140  

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,627        13,202  

Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.*

    1,521        6,677  

Puma Biotechnology, Inc.*

    1,404        53,787  

Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp.*

    4,095        58,886  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    1,053        302,843  

Repligen Corp.*

    1,521        16,640  

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    4,680        14,461  

Sangamo Biosciences, Inc.*

    4,563        42,755  

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.*

    2,574        100,232  

Seattle Genetics, Inc.*

    3,159        122,032  

SIGA Technologies, Inc.*

    2,925        10,033  

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    8,190        70,352  

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,276        16,413  

Synageva BioPharma Corp.*

    1,404        71,323  

Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    6,786        27,415  

Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp.*

    4,095        18,591  

Targacept, Inc.*

    2,457        11,671  

Theravance, Inc.*

    1,521        55,729  

Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,042        13,202  

United Therapeutics Corp.*

    2,223        196,780  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,276        233,710  

Vical, Inc.*

    4,914        6,143  

XOMA Corp.*

    7,371        33,243  
              11,071,113  

Building Products – 0.4%

               

A.O. Smith Corp.

    4,212        217,550  

AAON, Inc.

    2,270        61,313  

American Woodmark Corp.*

    1,404        47,624  

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

    2,106        65,876  

Armstrong World Industries, Inc.*

    585        31,257  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.

    1,872        13,871  

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

    2,106        90,726  

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.*

    1,287        20,605  

Griffon Corp.

    4,914        61,572  

Insteel Industries, Inc.

    585        9,705  

Lennox International, Inc.

    3,744        292,257  

Masco Corp.

    5,148        108,777  

NCI Building Systems, Inc.*

    702        10,130  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

60    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Building Products – (continued)

  

Nortek, Inc.*

    936      $ 65,679  

Owens Corning*

    1,170        42,038  

Patrick Industries, Inc.*

    1,638        51,237  

PGT, Inc.*

    1,170        12,226  

Quanex Building Products Corp.

    2,691        47,846  

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

    2,925        103,691  

Trex Co., Inc.*

    1,053        73,942  

Universal Forest Products, Inc.

    1,404        74,300  

USG Corp.*

    6,669        182,130  
              1,684,352  

Capital Markets – 2.2%

  

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.*

    702        138,603  

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

    2,574        258,790  

Arlington Asset Investment Corp., Class A

    2,808        69,273  

Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc.

    585        35,024  

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

    17,199        546,928  

BGC Partners, Inc., Class A

    21,762        115,774  

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corp.

    14,391        135,131  

BlackRock, Inc.

    1,755        527,922  

Calamos Asset Management, Inc., Class A

    4,680        45,958  

Capital Southwest Corp.

    936        30,766  

The Charles Schwab Corp.

    17,316        392,207  

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

    1,287        49,369  

Cowen Group, Inc., Class A*

    16,146        64,100  

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.

    234        25,803  

E*TRADE Financial Corp.*

    23,166        391,737  

Eaton Vance Corp.

    1,404        58,701  

Evercore Partners, Inc., Class A

    2,223        112,195  

FBR & Co.*

    351        9,301  

Federated Investors, Inc., Class B

    17,082        463,264  

Fidus Investment Corp.

    1,989        40,397  

Financial Engines, Inc.

    3,510        196,104  

Franklin Resources, Inc.

    5,850        315,081  

FXCM, Inc., Class A

    4,446        72,870  

GAMCO Investors, Inc., Class A

    351        25,100  

GFI Group, Inc.

    12,285        42,629  
    Shares     Value  

Capital Markets – (continued)

  

Gladstone Capital Corp.

    5,499      $ 48,501  

Gladstone Investment Corp.

    4,329        30,606  

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    4,914        790,466  

Golub Capital BDC, Inc.

    7,371        129,730  

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

    1,989        102,036  

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.

    936        11,466  

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

    10,647        164,390  

HFF, Inc., Class A

    2,223        54,575  

ICG Group, Inc.*

    2,691        43,890  

INTL. FCStone, Inc.*

    2,808        57,452  

Invesco Ltd.

    5,733        193,489  

Investment Technology Group, Inc.*

    5,382        86,220  

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

    28,197        278,304  

KCAP Financial, Inc.

    3,276        27,617  

KCG Holdings, Inc., Class A*

    18,018        157,477  

Legg Mason, Inc.

    1,638        63,014  

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

    1,053        42,899  

Manning & Napier, Inc.

    2,340        38,844  

MCG Capital Corp.

    11,817        55,658  

Medallion Financial Corp.

    3,276        49,730  

Morgan Stanley

    15,561        447,067  

MVC Capital, Inc.

    3,159        43,689  

New Mountain Finance Corp.

    7,137        101,203  

Northern Trust Corp.

    3,510        198,034  

Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc., Class A

    1,989        39,442  

PennantPark Investment Corp.

    12,636        142,281  

Piper Jaffray Cos.*

    2,691        96,580  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    1,404        64,093  

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.*

    2,106        36,750  

SEI Investments Co.

    2,106        69,898  

State Street Corp.

    6,084        426,306  

Stifel Financial Corp.*

    10,881        445,578  

SWS Group, Inc.*

    2,574        14,492  

T Rowe Price Group, Inc.

    3,510        271,709  

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

    3,159        86,114  

TICC Capital Corp.

    9,711        97,110  

Triangle Capital Corp.

    4,914        146,241  

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.*

    468        95,247  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      61   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Capital Markets – (continued)

  

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A

    1,170      $ 72,247  

Walter Investment Management Corp.*

    6,903        260,726  

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

    468        24,958  

WisdomTree Investments, Inc.*

    7,605        105,709  
              9,874,865  

Chemicals – 2.4%

  

A Schulman, Inc.

    5,499        182,127  

Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.*

    585        22,096  

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    2,925        318,854  

Airgas, Inc.

    936        102,090  

Albemarle Corp.

    819        54,210  

American Pacific Corp.*

    351        15,978  

American Vanguard Corp.

    2,223        58,020  

Ashland, Inc.

    819        75,799  

Axiall Corp.

    1,404        54,602  

Balchem Corp.

    2,223        127,289  

Cabot Corp.

    11,115        518,070  

Calgon Carbon Corp.*

    4,329        86,364  

Celanese Corp.

    1,521        85,191  

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    702        151,351  

Chemtura Corp.*

    17,901        438,575  

Cytec Industries, Inc.

    1,170        97,215  

The Dow Chemical Co.

    14,391        568,013  

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    12,753        780,484  

Eastman Chemical Co.

    2,223        175,150  

Ecolab, Inc.

    4,212        446,472  

Ferro Corp.*

    10,062        129,096  

Flotek Industries, Inc.*

    3,744        80,047  

FMC Corp.

    1,872        136,207  

FutureFuel Corp.

    3,393        59,072  

Hawkins, Inc.

    702        25,279  

HB Fuller Co.

    3,276        156,822  

Huntsman Corp.

    2,223        51,618  

Innophos Holdings, Inc.

    3,744        187,649  

Innospec, Inc.

    2,691        123,948  

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

    819        67,690  

Intrepid Potash, Inc.

    2,925        43,436  

KMG Chemicals, Inc.

    468        9,351  
    Shares     Value  

Chemicals – (continued)

               

Koppers Holdings, Inc.

    3,510      $ 156,230  

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.*

    6,435        136,872  

Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

    1,287        19,961  

Landec Corp.*

    2,340        27,401  

LSB Industries, Inc.*

    3,276        120,295  

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

    2,340        132,514  

Monsanto Co.

    7,488        785,341  

The Mosaic Co.

    5,148        236,036  

NewMarket Corp.

    117        36,429  

Olin Corp.

    13,104        294,971  

OM Group, Inc.*

    3,159        107,406  

Omnova Solutions, Inc.*

    7,839        68,199  

PolyOne Corp.

    7,956        241,067  

PPG Industries, Inc.

    2,223        405,875  

Praxair, Inc.

    4,212        525,279  

Quaker Chemical Corp.

    1,872        142,104  

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.

    1,053        66,602  

RPM International, Inc.

    1,521        58,893  

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., Class A

    3,042        178,626  

Sensient Technologies Corp.

    9,594        500,135  

The Sherwin-Williams Co.

    1,170        219,960  

Sigma-Aldrich Corp.

    1,287        111,235  

Stepan Co.

    3,393        199,746  

Taminco Corp.*

    1,053        21,028  

Tredegar Corp.

    2,574        75,212  

Tronox Ltd., Class A

    5,148        118,867  

The Valspar Corp.

    936        65,492  

W.R. Grace & Co.*

    936        85,794  

Westlake Chemical Corp.

    351        37,704  

Zep, Inc.

    1,755        34,907  

Zoltek Cos., Inc.*

    2,223        37,124  
              10,675,470  

Commercial Banks – 5.3%

  

1st Source Corp.

    2,340        73,429  

Ameris Bancorp.*

    3,159        57,810  

Arrow Financial Corp.

    1,907        49,220  

Associated Banc-Corp

    31,590        513,653  

Bancfirst Corp.

    1,287        71,519  

Bancorp Inc./DE*

    2,457        39,730  

BancorpSouth, Inc.

    6,435        142,213  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

62    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    3,627      $ 210,293  

Bank of Marin Bancorp

    585        24,892  

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.

    2,457        121,572  

BankUnited, Inc.

    12,051        370,809  

Banner Corp.

    2,457        94,005  

BB&T Corp.

    8,658        294,112  

BBCN Bancorp, Inc.

    14,976        222,094  

BOK Financial Corp.

    234        14,328  

Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc.

    5,733        65,299  

Bryn Mawr Bank Corp.

    2,340        65,192  

Camden National Corp.

    1,521        61,372  

Capital Bank Financial Corp., Class A*

    3,744        83,192  

CapitalSource, Inc.

    20,358        266,283  

Cardinal Financial Corp.

    5,499        90,733  

Cathay General Bancorp

    5,733        141,204  

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

    2,574        47,413  

Chemical Financial Corp.

    5,265        154,212  

CIT Group, Inc.*

    2,808        135,233  

City Holding Co.

    2,808        127,764  

City National Corp./CA

    1,404        101,242  

CoBiz Financial, Inc.

    5,499        59,664  

Columbia Banking Systems, Inc.

    9,009        231,441  

Comerica, Inc.

    2,106        91,190  

Commerce Bancshares, Inc./MO

    819        37,682  

Community Bank System, Inc.

    7,020        254,896  

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

    2,457        104,644  

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

    702        49,695  

CVB Financial Corp.

    17,433        253,476  

Eagle Bancorp, Inc.*

    1,638        43,325  

East West Bancorp, Inc.

    2,106        70,951  

Fifth Third Bancorp

    10,179        193,706  

First BanCorp*

    7,722        42,857  

First Bancorp/NC

    1,404        21,032  

First Busey Corp.

    10,764        55,650  

First Citizens BancShares, Inc./NC, Class A

    819        173,407  

First Commonwealth Financial Corp.

    8,892        77,271  

First Community Bancshares, Inc./VA

    2,808        46,866  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

First Connecticut Bancorp, Inc./CT

    1,170      $ 17,176  

First Financial Bancorp

    11,700        181,584  

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

    2,106        129,540  

First Financial Corp./IN

    1,989        68,700  

First Financial Holdings, Inc.

    1,835        109,972  

First Horizon National Corp.

    43,875        467,269  

First Interstate Bancsystem, Inc.

    3,159        79,322  

First Merchants Corp.

    5,265        98,982  

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc./IL

    6,318        105,068  

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.

    5,148        56,782  

The First of Long Island Corp.

    1,170        46,039  

First Republic Bank/CA

    1,053        53,777  

FirstMerit Corp.

    30,654        688,489  

Flushing Financial Corp.

    5,616        112,825  

FNB Corp./PA

    27,612        345,426  

Fulton Financial Corp.

    36,972        451,428  

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

    5,265        145,472  

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

    1,755        49,280  

Hancock Holding Co.

    15,561        510,090  

Hanmi Financial Corp.

    2,457        42,948  

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

    2,691        71,285  

Home BancShares, Inc./AR

    3,744        126,847  

HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.*

    1,053        17,006  

Hudson Valley Holding Corp.

    1,287        23,797  

Huntington Bancshares, Inc./HO

    9,360        82,368  

Iberiabank Corp.

    5,382        314,470  

Independent Bank Corp./MA

    3,978        142,731  

International Bancshares Corp.

    10,998        251,304  

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

    3,393        80,448  

KeyCorp

    9,243        115,815  

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.

    6,435        73,359  

Lakeland Financial Corp.

    2,808        99,937  

M&T Bank Corp.

    1,521        171,158  

MainSource Financial Group, Inc.

    3,159        51,239  

MB Financial, Inc.

    9,477        281,467  

Metro Bancorp, Inc.*

    351        7,490  

National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A

    3,861        81,081  

National Penn Bancshares, Inc.

    21,411        222,032  

NBT Bancorp, Inc.

    8,307        202,442  

OFG Bancorp

    6,786        100,501  

Old National Bancorp/IN

    18,837        273,890  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      63   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

OmniAmerican Bancorp, Inc.*

    702      $ 15,388  

Pacific Continental Corp.

    702        9,674  

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.*

    585        8,137  

PacWest Bancorp

    7,020        267,111  

Park National Corp.

    2,340        185,375  

Park Sterling Corp.

    5,148        33,513  

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.*

    2,457        76,167  

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

    6,435        473,166  

Popular, Inc.*

    19,071        481,543  

PrivateBancorp, Inc.

    5,148        125,405  

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.

    10,179        635,679  

Regions Financial Corp.

    17,316        166,753  

Renasant Corp.

    3,744        107,378  

Republic Bancorp, Inc./KY, Class A

    2,340        53,867  

S&T Bancorp, Inc.

    4,914        120,491  

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

    4,329        106,017  

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida*

    3,861        8,803  

Signature Bank/NY*

    1,287        131,042  

Simmons First National Corp., Class A

    1,170        38,306  

Southside Bancshares, Inc.

    3,159        86,241  

Southwest Bancorp, Inc./OK*

    1,287        20,605  

State Bank Financial Corp.

    2,574        43,912  

StellarOne Corp.

    1,638        38,133  

Sterling Bancorp./NY

    5,499        81,110  

Sterling Financial Corp./WA

    5,148        149,086  

Suffolk Bancorp*

    936        18,299  

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

    6,903        232,217  

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

    35,100        413,653  

SVB Financial Group*

    1,521        145,681  

SY Bancorp, Inc.

    2,223        66,712  

Synovus Financial Corp.

    79,911        259,711  

Taylor Capital Group, Inc.*

    2,808        64,584  

TCF Financial Corp.

    31,590        479,536  

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

    3,393        176,606  

Tompkins Financial Corp.

    2,340        115,409  

TowneBank/VA

    6,084        88,583  

Trico Bancshares

    2,106        53,261  

Trustmark Corp.

    13,104        355,905  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

U.S. Bancorp/MN

    22,230      $ 830,513  

UMB Financial Corp.

    2,808        165,447  

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

    20,241        331,345  

Union First Market Bankshares Corp.

    3,978        95,949  

United Bankshares, Inc./WV

    8,541        252,643  

United Community Banks, Inc./GA*

    3,510        54,721  

Univest Corp of Pennsylvania

    3,159        63,085  

Valley National Bancorp

    37,206        362,759  

ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc.

    3,042        66,346  

Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc.*

    1,170        18,755  

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.

    2,340        76,963  

Webster Financial Corp.

    17,199        479,680  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    56,511        2,412,455  

WesBanco, Inc.

    4,797        141,032  

Westamerica Bancorp.

    2,223        114,440  

Western Alliance Bancorp*

    5,967        126,202  

Wilshire Bancorp, Inc.

    11,583        98,108  

Wintrust Financial Corp.

    3,393        147,629  

Zions Bancorp.

    2,340        66,386  
              23,834,924  

Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.5%

  

ABM Industries, Inc.

    9,126        251,056  

ACCO Brands Corp.*

    22,698        132,783  

The ADT Corp.

    2,457        106,560  

ARC Document Solutions, Inc.*

    4,446        27,743  

The Brink’s Co.

    9,126        286,556  

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Class A*

    2,574        15,212  

Cintas Corp.

    1,638        88,075  

Clean Harbors, Inc.*

    702        43,349  

Consolidated Graphics, Inc.*

    1,638        104,980  

Copart, Inc.*

    1,404        45,251  

Courier Corp.

    2,223        37,769  

Covanta Holding Corp.

    10,530        180,800  

Deluxe Corp.

    9,360        440,762  

EnerNOC, Inc.*

    2,340        38,914  

Ennis, Inc.

    4,563        80,993  

G&K Services, Inc., Class A

    1,404        87,610  

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

    5,265        144,208  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

64    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Commercial Services & Supplies – (continued)

  

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.*

    585      $ 10,337  

Herman Miller, Inc.

    6,201        188,138  

HNI Corp.

    2,925        113,636  

InnerWorkings, Inc.*

    3,042        29,112  

Interface, Inc.

    4,212        85,293  

Intersections, Inc.

    1,287        11,030  

Iron Mountain, Inc.

    2,574        68,314  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

    5,031        149,521  

Kimball International, Inc., Class B

    6,318        73,921  

Knoll, Inc.

    3,510        57,634  

McGrath RentCorp

    1,755        62,601  

Mine Safety Appliances Co.

    2,340        112,694  

Mobile Mini, Inc.*

    2,808        101,425  

Multi-Color Corp.

    2,340        81,502  

Performant Financial Corp.*

    2,106        20,997  

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

    36,972        788,983  

Quad/Graphics, Inc.

    4,446        155,254  

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

    34,398        638,771  

Republic Services, Inc.

    2,808        93,984  

Rollins, Inc.

    1,053        29,105  

Standard Parking Corp.*

    1,170        30,970  

Steelcase, Inc., Class A

    12,636        207,104  

Stericycle, Inc.*

    1,170        135,954  

Swisher Hygiene, Inc.*

    20,592        12,434  

Team, Inc.*

    1,404        52,355  

Tetra Tech, Inc.*

    4,563        119,231  

Tyco International Ltd.

    6,669        243,752  

UniFirst Corp.

    1,404        144,359  

United Stationers, Inc.

    7,254        322,368  

US Ecology, Inc.

    1,287        45,753  

Viad Corp.

    1,521        40,611  

Waste Connections, Inc.

    1,638        70,008  

Waste Management, Inc.

    5,733        249,615  
              6,659,387  

Communications Equipment – 1.7%

  

ADTRAN, Inc.

    3,861        90,656  

Anaren, Inc.*

    1,404        35,072  

ARRIS Group, Inc.*

    8,658        154,632  

Aruba Networks, Inc.*

    8,658        162,424  

Aviat Networks, Inc.*

    4,095        8,436  

Black Box Corp.

    3,042        76,172  
    Shares     Value  

Communications Equipment – (continued)

  

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.*

    82,836      $ 664,345  

CalAmp Corp.*

    1,755        41,295  

Calix, Inc.*

    2,925        29,747  

Ciena Corp.*

    7,839        182,414  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    60,957        1,371,532  

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

    1,521        45,660  

Digi International, Inc.*

    1,872        18,870  

EchoStar Corp., Class A*

    2,223        106,615  

Emulex Corp.*

    15,912        119,817  

Extreme Networks, Inc.*

    15,093        80,898  

F5 Networks, Inc.*

    1,170        95,367  

Finisar Corp.*

    7,722        177,683  

Globecomm Systems, Inc.*

    1,638        22,981  

Harmonic, Inc.*

    15,912        116,317  

Harris Corp.

    1,404        86,992  

Infinera Corp.*

    8,892        90,787  

InterDigital, Inc.

    3,276        126,945  

Ixia*

    4,329        61,385  

JDS Uniphase Corp.*

    18,486        241,982  

Juniper Networks, Inc.*

    6,903        128,672  

KVH Industries, Inc.*

    585        8,038  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    3,627        226,760  

NETGEAR, Inc.*

    6,201        178,341  

Numerex Corp., Class A*

    1,170        13,818  

Oplink Communications, Inc.*

    1,521        27,758  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*

    585        24,664  

Parkervision, Inc.*

    7,722        21,158  

Plantronics, Inc.

    3,159        135,647  

Polycom, Inc.*

    13,221        137,498  

Procera Networks, Inc.*

    1,287        18,211  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    24,804        1,723,134  

Riverbed Technology, Inc.*

    12,285        182,064  

Ruckus Wireless, Inc.*

    3,861        55,985  

ShoreTel, Inc.*

    10,647        84,644  

Sonus Networks, Inc.*

    22,698        68,094  

Symmetricom, Inc.*

    5,967        42,783  

Tellabs, Inc.

    61,893        151,019  

Tessco Technologies, Inc.

    819        29,017  

Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.

    1,053        40,625  

ViaSat, Inc.*

    3,159        208,873  
              7,715,827  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      65   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Computers & Peripherals – 2.0%

  

3D Systems Corp.*

    2,457      $ 152,924  

Apple, Inc.

    10,296        5,378,116  

Avid Technology, Inc.*

    4,914        36,609  

Cray, Inc.*

    3,042        68,019  

Datalink Corp.*

    3,276        33,645  

Diebold, Inc.

    10,764        322,489  

Electronics For Imaging, Inc.*

    3,393        116,414  

EMC Corp.

    30,186        726,577  

Fusion-io, Inc.*

    7,137        76,723  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    21,177        516,083  

Imation Corp.*

    9,711        45,156  

Immersion Corp.*

    2,106        26,788  

Lexmark International, Inc., Class A

    11,466        407,616  

NCR Corp.*

    1,755        64,145  

NetApp, Inc.

    5,031        195,253  

QLogic Corp.*

    7,137        88,142  

Quantum Corp.*

    31,824        39,462  

SanDisk Corp.

    3,510        243,945  

Seagate Technology PLC

    3,627        176,562  

Silicon Graphics International Corp.*

    2,574        32,870  

Super Micro Computer, Inc.*

    2,691        37,459  

Synaptics, Inc.*

    2,457        114,251  

Western Digital Corp.

    2,340        162,934  
              9,062,182  

Construction & Engineering – 0.5%

  

AECOM Technology Corp.*

    17,901        568,894  

Aegion Corp.*

    6,669        136,714  

Ameresco, Inc., Class A*

    1,404        14,686  

Argan, Inc.

    1,755        39,049  

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

    2,808        52,313  

Dycom Industries, Inc.*

    2,457        72,850  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    5,499        203,793  

Fluor Corp.

    2,457        182,359  

Furmanite Corp.*

    2,691        30,274  

Granite Construction, Inc.

    2,574        83,269  

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.

    3,276        26,601  

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.*

    1,755        106,739  

KBR, Inc.

    1,521        52,535  
    Shares     Value  

Construction & Engineering – (continued)

  

Layne Christensen Co.*

    1,404      $ 27,153  

MasTec, Inc.*

    5,031        160,841  

MYR Group, Inc.*

    1,521        40,230  

Northwest Pipe Co.*

    1,170        42,155  

Orion Marine Group, Inc.*

    2,925        36,563  

Pike Electric Corp.

    1,638        17,707  

Primoris Services Corp.

    3,510        91,400  

Quanta Services, Inc.*

    2,925        88,364  

Sterling Construction Co., Inc.*

    2,106        20,218  

Tutor Perini Corp.*

    6,318        144,998  

URS Corp.

    819        44,406  
              2,284,111  

Construction Materials – 0.1%

  

Eagle Materials, Inc.

    1,872        140,419  

Headwaters, Inc.*

    5,616        49,028  

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

    585        57,382  

Texas Industries, Inc.*

    1,404        75,395  

Vulcan Materials Co.

    1,638        87,715  
              409,939  

Consumer Finance – 0.8%

  

American Express Co.

    12,987        1,062,337  

Capital One Financial Corp.

    6,552        449,926  

Cash America International, Inc.

    5,031        198,473  

Credit Acceptance Corp.*

    1,755        207,616  

DFC Global Corp.*

    4,914        59,459  

Discover Financial Services

    5,967        309,568  

Encore Capital Group, Inc.*

    3,978        194,325  

Ezcorp, Inc., Class A*

    10,179        160,116  

First Cash Financial Services, Inc.*

    2,106        127,392  

Green Dot Corp., Class A*

    3,510        75,325  

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

    3,276        139,656  

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.*

    5,265        313,004  

Regional Management Corp.*

    351        11,235  

SLM Corp.

    5,616        142,478  

World Acceptance Corp.*

    2,223        231,459  
              3,682,369  

Containers & Packaging – 0.3%

  

AEP Industries, Inc.*

    351        20,856  

Aptargroup, Inc.

    819        52,547  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

66    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Containers & Packaging – (continued)

  

Avery Dennison Corp.

    1,287      $ 60,643  

Ball Corp.

    1,521        74,362  

Bemis Co., Inc.

    819        32,678  

Berry Plastics Group, Inc.*

    6,318        126,865  

Crown Holdings, Inc.*

    1,638        71,417  

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.*

    17,667        148,403  

Greif, Inc., Class A

    5,850        312,917  

MeadWestvaco Corp.

    1,872        65,239  

Myers Industries, Inc.

    6,084        108,417  

Owens-Illinois, Inc.*

    1,755        55,791  

Packaging Corp of America

    1,170        72,868  

Rock Tenn Co., Class A

    819        87,641  

Sealed Air Corp.

    1,872        56,497  

Silgan Holdings, Inc.

    468        21,093  

Sonoco Products Co.

    1,170        47,549  
              1,415,783  

Distributors – 0.2%

  

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.

    1,989        140,682  

Genuine Parts Co.

    2,106        166,016  

LKQ Corp.*

    4,212        139,122  

Pool Corp.

    3,510        190,874  

VOXX International Corp.*

    4,212        65,328  
              702,022  

Diversified Consumer Services – 0.8%

  

American Public Education, Inc.*

    1,287        51,519  

Apollo Group, Inc., Class A*

    17,784        474,655  

Ascent Capital Group, Inc., Class A*

    1,287        108,648  

Bridgepoint Education, Inc.*

    3,159        61,916  

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.*

    1,287        47,941  

Capella Education Co.*

    1,638        99,787  

Career Education Corp.*

    10,881        59,628  

Carriage Services, Inc.

    1,989        39,959  

Corinthian Colleges, Inc.*

    14,508        31,047  

DeVry, Inc.

    10,413        373,827  

Education Management Corp.*

    5,382        82,345  

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.*

    3,861        182,509  

H&R Block, Inc.

    2,691        76,532  

Hillenbrand, Inc.

    10,062        283,950  
    Shares     Value  

Diversified Consumer Services – (continued)

  

ITT Educational Services, Inc.*

    3,276      $ 131,433  

K12, Inc.*

    2,574        47,053  

LifeLock, Inc.*

    4,329        69,654  

Matthews International Corp., Class A

    3,510        142,506  

Outerwall, Inc.*

    5,382        349,722  

Regis Corp.

    819        11,875  

Service Corp. International

    7,254        130,645  

Sotheby’s

    5,148        267,181  

Steiner Leisure Ltd.*

    2,106        117,978  

Stewart Enterprises, Inc., Class A

    8,775        115,918  

Strayer Education, Inc.

    1,989        78,625  

Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

    468        6,220  

Weight Watchers International, Inc.

    5,148        165,302  
              3,608,375  

Diversified Financial Services – 1.9%

  

Bank of America Corp.

    151,866        2,120,049  

CBOE Holdings, Inc.

    3,978        192,933  

Citigroup, Inc.

    34,866        1,700,764  

CME Group, Inc.

    4,563        338,620  

ING US, Inc.

    468        14,517  

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

    8,307        171,373  

IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.*

    1,053        202,945  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    43,524        2,243,227  

Leucadia National Corp.

    3,159        89,532  

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

    3,276        213,694  

Marlin Business Services Corp.

    585        16,128  

McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.

    3,744        260,882  

Moody’s Corp.

    2,925        206,681  

MSCI, Inc.*

    1,638        66,781  

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

    1,170        41,453  

NewStar Financial, Inc.*

    2,340        40,739  

NYSE Euronext

    2,925        128,759  

PHH Corp.*

    10,062        241,991  

PICO Holdings, Inc.*

    1,638        38,460  
              8,329,528  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.3%

  

8x8, Inc.*

    4,680        53,633  

AT&T, Inc.

    61,074        2,210,879  

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

    1,872        103,746  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      67   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – (continued)

  

Cbeyond, Inc.*

    6,084      $ 39,181  

CenturyLink, Inc.

    4,212        142,618  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.*

    16,263        46,512  

Cogent Communications Group, Inc.

    3,393        119,196  

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

    2,574        47,954  

Fairpoint Communications, Inc.*

    4,446        41,526  

Frontier Communications Corp.

    15,093        66,560  

General Communication, Inc., Class A*

    2,925        27,817  

Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc.*

    819        21,769  

IDT Corp., Class B

    2,925        64,028  

inContact, Inc.*

    4,095        31,081  

Intelsat S.A.*

    3,744        76,340  

Iridium Communications, Inc.*

    10,179        61,379  

Level 3 Communications, Inc.*

    2,223        67,913  

Lumos Networks Corp.

    2,691        59,229  

ORBCOMM, Inc.*

    2,574        15,521  

Premiere Global Services, Inc.*

    3,042        27,408  

PTGi Holding, Inc.

    585        2,059  

Towerstream Corp.*

    4,563        10,951  

tw telecom inc*

    2,106        66,381  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    40,248        2,032,927  

Vonage Holdings Corp.*

    31,824        118,704  

Windstream Holdings, Inc.

    6,201        53,019  
              5,608,331  

Electric Utilities – 1.5%

  

ALLETE, Inc.

    3,744        189,184  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    5,850        274,014  

Cleco Corp.

    4,329        200,606  

Duke Energy Corp.

    10,179        730,140  

Edison International

    4,095        200,778  

El Paso Electric Co.

    7,371        259,238  

The Empire District Electric Co.

    4,212        94,728  

Entergy Corp.

    2,223        143,873  

Exelon Corp.

    9,945        283,830  

FirstEnergy Corp.

    4,680        177,232  

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

    1,521        35,652  

Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.

    7,722        205,174  

IDACORP, Inc.

    8,775        452,790  
    Shares     Value  

Electric Utilities – (continued)

  

ITC Holdings Corp.

    585      $ 58,845  

MGE Energy, Inc.

    1,638        92,236  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    5,733        485,872  

Northeast Utilities

    3,861        165,598  

NV Energy, Inc.

    2,574        61,107  

OGE Energy Corp.

    2,808        103,615  

Otter Tail Corp.

    2,574        76,782  

Pepco Holdings, Inc.

    2,457        47,371  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    1,170        65,555  

PNM Resources, Inc.

    13,221        316,246  

Portland General Electric Co.

    14,157        406,306  

PPL Corp.

    7,488        229,357  

The Southern Co.

    12,987        531,298  

UIL Holdings Corp.

    4,797        184,780  

Unitil Corp.

    1,053        31,822  

UNS Energy Corp.

    4,095        202,621  

Westar Energy, Inc.

    1,287        40,682  

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    7,605        219,480  
              6,566,812  

Electrical Equipment – 0.9%

  

Acuity Brands, Inc.

    1,872        188,155  

American Superconductor Corp.*

    6,318        13,773  

AMETEK, Inc.

    3,276        156,691  

AZZ, Inc.

    1,872        84,053  

The Babcock & Wilcox Co.

    1,638        52,760  

Brady Corp., Class A

    3,510        102,457  

Capstone Turbine Corp.*

    18,837        23,923  

Coleman Cable, Inc.

    1,287        31,660  

Eaton Corp. PLC

    5,382        379,754  

Emerson Electric Co.

    10,530        705,194  

Encore Wire Corp.

    1,404        69,540  

EnerSys, Inc.

    8,541        566,695  

Enphase Energy, Inc.*

    1,755        13,250  

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

    2,808        106,283  

FuelCell Energy, Inc.*

    8,307        11,131  

Generac Holdings, Inc.

    5,031        248,280  

General Cable Corp.

    8,190        269,697  

Global Power Equipment Group, Inc.

    585        11,911  

GrafTech International Ltd.*

    9,477        84,345  

Hubbell, Inc., Class B

    702        75,493  

II-VI, Inc.*

    4,446        75,849  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

68    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Electrical Equipment – (continued)

  

Polypore International, Inc.*

    4,095      $ 185,094  

Powell Industries, Inc.*

    702        44,107  

PowerSecure International, Inc.*

    702        12,692  

Preformed Line Products Co.

    468        39,321  

Regal-Beloit Corp.

    351        25,739  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    1,989        219,606  

Roper Industries, Inc.

    1,404        178,041  

Sensata Technologies Holding N.V.*

    1,755        66,041  

SolarCity Corp.*

    2,457        130,909  

Thermon Group Holdings, Inc.*

    2,457        57,764  

Vicor Corp.*

    1,404        12,369  
              4,242,577  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 1.6%

  

Aeroflex Holding Corp.*

    1,404        10,881  

Amphenol Corp., Class A

    2,223        178,485  

Anixter International, Inc.*

    4,680        400,093  

Arrow Electronics, Inc.*

    1,287        61,802  

Audience, Inc.*

    936        10,689  

Avnet, Inc.

    2,340        92,898  

AVX Corp.

    8,541        113,168  

Badger Meter, Inc.

    1,053        54,766  

Belden, Inc.

    3,510        236,083  

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.*

    10,530        239,347  

Checkpoint Systems, Inc.*

    3,393        57,749  

Cognex Corp.

    6,084        190,125  

Coherent, Inc.

    1,872        123,908  

Corning, Inc.

    16,380        279,934  

CTS Corp.

    6,084        113,284  

Daktronics, Inc.

    2,808        33,584  

Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Class A

    468        16,726  

DTS, Inc.*

    1,404        28,080  

Electro Rent Corp.

    3,393        61,549  

Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.

    2,691        32,238  

Fabrinet*

    2,925        48,964  

FARO Technologies, Inc.*

    1,170        55,575  

FEI Co.

    3,159        281,404  

Flextronics International Ltd.*

    6,552        51,695  

FLIR Systems, Inc.

    2,925        83,304  

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A*

    28,314        656,035  

Insight Enterprises, Inc.*

    7,722        162,702  
    Shares     Value  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – (continued)

  

InvenSense, Inc.*

    9,594      $ 162,043  

IPG Photonics Corp.

    351        23,261  

Itron, Inc.*

    7,137        304,536  

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

    2,106        43,931  

Kemet Corp.*

    9,243        52,408  

Littelfuse, Inc.

    1,521        129,331  

Maxwell Technologies, Inc.*

    2,340        17,550  

Measurement Specialties, Inc.*

    1,053        58,684  

Mercury Systems, Inc.*

    2,691        24,811  

Mesa Laboratories, Inc.

    117        8,147  

Methode Electronics, Inc.

    2,691        68,836  

Molex, Inc.

    1,521        58,711  

MTS Systems Corp.

    1,170        76,424  

Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc.*

    468        6,276  

National Instruments Corp.

    1,287        37,387  

Neonode, Inc.*

    1,755        9,495  

Newport Corp.*

    2,925        46,420  

OSI Systems, Inc.*

    1,521        110,790  

Park Electrochemical Corp.

    1,287        36,100  

PC Connection, Inc.

    2,808        56,132  

Plexus Corp.*

    5,850        223,938  

RealD, Inc.*

    4,446        30,766  

Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc.*

    1,989        52,211  

Rogers Corp.*

    1,170        71,323  

Sanmina Corp.*

    14,742        214,643  

ScanSource, Inc.*

    5,382        206,992  

SYNNEX Corp.*

    4,797        294,056  

Tech Data Corp.*

    7,020        365,461  

Trimble Navigation Ltd.*

    3,978        113,651  

TTM Technologies, Inc.*

    10,413        91,114  

Uni-Pixel, Inc.*

    819        13,473  

Universal Display Corp.*

    3,393        108,237  

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.*

    12,636        155,044  

Vishay Precision Group, Inc.*

    936        15,350  

Zygo Corp.*

    3,627        56,001  
              7,018,601  

Energy Equipment & Services – 2.1%

  

Atwood Oceanics, Inc.*

    585        31,081  

Baker Hughes, Inc.

    6,318        367,013  

Basic Energy Services, Inc.*

    3,978        58,357  

Bristow Group, Inc.

    2,574        207,130  

C&J Energy Services, Inc.*

    8,658        199,480  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      69   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Energy Equipment & Services – (continued)

  

Cal Dive International, Inc.*

    8,658      $ 17,056  

Cameron International Corp.*

    3,159        173,303  

CARBO Ceramics, Inc.

    1,521        190,642  

Core Laboratories N.V.

    702        131,428  

Dawson Geophysical Co.*

    1,287        37,632  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

    468        28,983  

Dresser-Rand Group, Inc.*

    1,170        71,101  

Dril-Quip, Inc.*

    468        54,953  

Era Group, Inc.*

    1,170        36,972  

Exterran Holdings, Inc.*

    5,499        156,996  

FMC Technologies, Inc.*

    3,510        177,430  

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.*

    3,393        99,279  

Geospace Technologies Corp.*

    936        91,185  

Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.

    1,170        29,507  

Gulfmark Offshore, Inc., Class A

    1,989        99,012  

Halliburton Co.

    12,051        639,065  

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*

    9,828        232,530  

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    1,287        99,807  

Hercules Offshore, Inc.*

    11,232        76,378  

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.*

    2,340        129,332  

ION Geophysical Corp.*

    23,166        107,490  

Key Energy Services, Inc.*

    21,294        166,519  

Matrix Service Co.*

    3,042        63,243  

McDermott International, Inc.*

    43,407        306,887  

Mitcham Industries, Inc.*

    2,691        44,778  

Nabors Industries Ltd.

    2,808        49,084  

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    6,201        503,397  

Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.*

    936        26,199  

Newpark Resources, Inc.*

    15,210        193,928  

Noble Corp.

    2,691        101,451  

Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc.*

    14,391        35,114  

Oceaneering International, Inc.

    1,404        120,576  

Oil States International, Inc.*

    702        76,258  

Pacific Drilling S.A.*

    6,903        78,487  

Parker Drilling Co.*

    21,528        155,002  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

    25,857        627,291  

PHI, Inc.*

    2,340        93,179  

Pioneer Energy Services Corp.*

    4,914        41,278  

RigNet, Inc.*

    585        21,563  
    Shares     Value  

Energy Equipment & Services – (continued)

  

Rowan Cos., PLC, Class A*

    1,638      $ 59,099  

RPC, Inc.

    11,115        203,849  

Schlumberger Ltd.

    19,188        1,798,299  

SEACOR Holdings, Inc.

    1,287        125,869  

Seadrill Partners LLC

    585        19,305  

Superior Energy Services, Inc.*

    2,106        56,504  

Tesco Corp.*

    5,382        92,463  

TETRA Technologies, Inc.*

    14,274        185,134  

TGC Industries, Inc.

    2,457        18,108  

Tidewater, Inc.

    4,797        288,875  

Unit Corp.*

    7,722        396,988  

Willbros Group, Inc.*

    4,914        47,961  
              9,539,830  

Food & Staples Retailing – 1.7%

  

The Andersons, Inc.

    3,276        243,014  

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

    2,925        213,174  

The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc*

    936        22,427  

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    6,201        731,718  

CVS Caremark Corp.

    17,784        1,107,232  

Fairway Group Holdings Corp.*

    702        17,150  

The Fresh Market, Inc.*

    3,159        160,825  

Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc.

    4,329        213,506  

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

    2,340        60,395  

The Kroger Co.

    5,499        235,577  

Nash Finch Co.

    2,340        65,660  

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.*

    585        23,342  

The Pantry, Inc.*

    1,755        23,500  

PriceSmart, Inc.

    1,287        146,448  

Rite Aid Corp.*

    68,094        362,941  

Roundy’s, Inc.

    4,329        40,260  

Safeway, Inc.

    2,808        97,999  

Spartan Stores, Inc.

    4,095        96,355  

SUPERVALU, Inc.*

    34,515        242,641  

Susser Holdings Corp.*

    1,287        70,579  

Sysco Corp.

    8,307        268,648  

United Natural Foods, Inc.*

    3,861        275,868  

Village Super Market, Inc., Class A

    1,053        38,603  

Walgreen Co.

    10,062        596,073  

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    22,932        1,760,031  

Weis Markets, Inc.

    1,872        95,790  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

70    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Food & Staples Retailing – (continued)

  

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

    5,265      $ 332,379  
              7,542,135  

Food Products – 1.5%

  

Amira Nature Foods Ltd.*

    1,638        23,325  

Annie’s, Inc.*

    1,170        55,283  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    7,488        306,259  

B&G Foods, Inc.

    4,095        138,616  

Boulder Brands, Inc.*

    4,329        70,952  

Bunge Ltd.

    1,638        134,529  

Calavo Growers, Inc.

    1,170        34,737  

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

    2,808        142,450  

Campbell Soup Co.

    2,106        89,652  

Chiquita Brands International, Inc.*

    8,073        83,556  

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

    6,318        200,976  

Darling International, Inc.*

    12,051        280,427  

Dean Foods Co.*

    2,457        47,912  

Diamond Foods, Inc.*

    2,340        57,119  

Dole Food Co., Inc.*

    85        1,152  

Flowers Foods, Inc.

    1,872        47,437  

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.

    7,020        186,662  

General Mills, Inc.

    8,775        442,436  

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.*

    1,755        110,232  

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.*

    3,744        311,613  

The Hershey Co.

    2,106        208,999  

Hillshire Brands Co.

    1,521        49,934  

Hormel Foods Corp.

    1,989        86,442  

Ingredion, Inc.

    819        53,857  

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

    1,053        90,105  

The JM Smucker Co.

    1,638        182,162  

John B Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

    819        20,131  

Kellogg Co.

    3,627        229,408  

Kraft Foods Group, Inc.

    8,424        458,097  

Lancaster Colony Corp.

    1,521        126,228  

Limoneira Co.

    468        12,327  

McCormick & Co., Inc.

    1,989        137,539  

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.

    2,808        229,301  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    25,272        850,150  

Omega Protein Corp.*

    3,393        31,758  
    Shares     Value  

Food Products – (continued)

  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.*

    10,998      $ 155,842  

Pinnacle Foods, Inc.

    2,223        60,221  

Post Holdings, Inc.*

    2,457        105,528  

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

    1,989        125,725  

Seneca Foods Corp., Class A*

    936        27,444  

Snyders-Lance, Inc.

    3,978        119,300  

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

    1,755        56,160  

TreeHouse Foods, Inc.*

    2,808        205,714  

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

    3,393        93,884  

WhiteWave Foods Co., Class A*

    13,806        276,258  
              6,757,839  

Gas Utilities – 0.4%

  

AGL Resources, Inc.

    1,521        72,795  

Atmos Energy Corp.

    936        41,437  

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

    1,521        82,758  

The Laclede Group, Inc.

    5,265        247,824  

National Fuel Gas Co.

    1,053        75,342  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

    2,925        134,638  

Northwest Natural Gas Co.

    2,457        106,707  

ONEOK, Inc.

    2,808        158,652  

Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc.

    5,616        191,730  

Questar Corp.

    1,521        35,987  

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

    2,223        132,380  

Southwest Gas Corp.

    4,212        228,543  

UGI Corp.

    1,170        48,403  

WGL Holdings, Inc.

    4,446        200,114  
              1,757,310  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 2.3%

  

Abaxis, Inc.

    1,638        58,526  

Abbott Laboratories

    21,762        795,401  

ABIOMED, Inc.*

    2,457        58,919  

Accuray, Inc.*

    4,563        30,800  

Alere, Inc.*

    13,806        465,676  

Align Technology, Inc.*

    5,382        307,097  

Analogic Corp.

    936        86,327  

AngioDynamics, Inc.*

    2,457        38,624  

Anika Therapeutics, Inc.*

    819        24,464  

Antares Pharma, Inc.*

    10,530        42,120  

ArthroCare Corp.*

    1,989        74,468  

AtriCure, Inc.*

    936        12,964  

Baxter International, Inc.

    7,605        500,941  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      71   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – (continued)

  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    2,925      $ 307,505  

Biolase, Inc.*

    3,174        5,935  

Boston Scientific Corp.*

    21,528        251,662  

C.R. Bard, Inc.

    1,053        143,440  

Cantel Medical Corp.

    2,106        73,921  

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.*

    1,287        39,060  

CareFusion Corp.*

    2,925        113,402  

Cerus Corp.*

    4,563        28,793  

CONMED Corp.

    5,148        186,718  

The Cooper Cos., Inc.

    702        90,705  

Covidien PLC

    6,786        435,050  

CryoLife, Inc.

    2,340        21,037  

Cutera, Inc.*

    819        8,231  

Cyberonics, Inc.*

    1,755        101,369  

DENTSPLY International, Inc.

    1,989        93,682  

Derma Sciences, Inc.*

    819        9,476  

DexCom, Inc.*

    5,382        154,625  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*

    1,755        114,408  

Endologix, Inc.*

    4,914        88,796  

Exactech, Inc.*

    819        18,591  

GenMark Diagnostics, Inc.*

    2,808        33,977  

Globus Medical, Inc., Class A*

    4,446        85,363  

Greatbatch, Inc.*

    4,095        156,101  

Haemonetics Corp.*

    3,978        161,348  

HeartWare International, Inc.*

    1,287        93,385  

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.

    6,084        251,208  

Hologic, Inc.*

    3,744        83,828  

ICU Medical, Inc.*

    936        57,845  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*

    819        88,337  

Insulet Corp.*

    4,095        159,787  

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.*

    3,861        176,757  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*

    585        217,327  

Invacare Corp.

    2,457        52,752  

MAKO Surgical Corp.*

    3,510        104,633  

Masimo Corp.

    3,978        101,916  

Medtronic, Inc.

    14,157        812,612  

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

    2,925        72,306  

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*

    3,042        48,642  

Natus Medical, Inc.*

    2,106        41,551  

Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    10,413        20,826  
    Shares     Value  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – (continued)

  

Neogen Corp.*

    2,632      $ 121,651  

NuVasive, Inc.*

    3,159        100,393  

NxStage Medical, Inc.*

    4,446        58,998  

OraSure Technologies, Inc.*

    3,744        24,411  

Orthofix International N.V.*

    1,404        28,768  

PhotoMedex, Inc.*

    1,638        20,704  

Quidel Corp.*

    2,106        52,018  

ResMed, Inc.

    2,223        115,018  

Rochester Medical Corp.*

    819        16,364  

RTI Surgical, Inc.*

    4,914        13,710  

Sirona Dental Systems, Inc.*

    819        59,173  

Solta Medical, Inc.*

    3,744        6,926  

Spectranetics Corp.*

    3,159        65,991  

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

    3,861        221,583  

Staar Surgical Co.*

    2,223        29,433  

STERIS Corp.

    4,329        195,627  

Stryker Corp.

    4,212        311,098  

SurModics, Inc.*

    1,170        27,589  

Symmetry Medical, Inc.*

    2,457        19,902  

TearLab Corp.*

    1,872        19,525  

Teleflex, Inc.

    1,989        183,346  

Thoratec Corp.*

    4,329        186,970  

Tornier N.V.*

    2,808        60,400  

Unilife Corp.*

    6,669        20,207  

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*

    1,638        118,886  

Vascular Solutions, Inc.*

    1,638        32,138  

Volcano Corp.*

    4,563        87,473  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    4,914        237,592  

Wright Medical Group, Inc.*

    3,627        98,546  

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

    2,457        214,914  
              10,352,588  

Health Care Providers & Services – 2.3%

  

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*

    2,340        101,462  

Accretive Health, Inc.*

    4,095        33,825  

Aetna, Inc.

    4,680        293,436  

Air Methods Corp.

    2,808        122,766  

Almost Family, Inc.

    1,638        31,499  

Amedisys, Inc.*

    6,084        99,048  

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

    2,808        183,447  

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.*

    2,925        36,270  

Amsurg Corp.*

    3,276        140,508  

Bio-Reference Labs, Inc.*

    1,755        56,880  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

72    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Health Care Providers & Services – (continued)

  

BioScrip, Inc.*

    3,978      $ 27,886  

Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.*

    2,808        76,041  

Capital Senior Living Corp.*

    1,521        33,736  

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    4,914        288,255  

Centene Corp.*

    4,095        229,975  

Chemed Corp.

    1,521        103,154  

Cigna Corp.

    3,510        270,200  

Community Health Systems, Inc.

    2,106        91,885  

Corvel Corp.*

    702        29,203  

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.*

    2,223        13,205  

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc.*

    2,340        131,531  

Emeritus Corp.*

    3,042        58,285  

The Ensign Group, Inc.

    3,276        139,492  

ExamWorks Group, Inc.*

    3,861        99,807  

Express Scripts Holding Co.*

    9,945        621,761  

Five Star Quality Care, Inc.*

    6,786        34,405  

Gentiva Health Services, Inc.*

    5,499        62,964  

Hanger, Inc.*

    2,691        98,760  

HCA Holdings, Inc.

    2,574        121,338  

Health Management Associates, Inc., Class A*

    48,321        619,475  

Health Net, Inc.*

    5,967        181,397  

HealthSouth Corp.

    7,371        258,796  

Healthways, Inc.*

    3,978        38,308  

Henry Schein, Inc.*

    1,287        144,697  

Humana, Inc.

    1,755        161,723  

IPC The Hospitalist Co., Inc.*

    1,404        76,925  

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

    9,477        131,541  

Laboratory Corp of America Holdings*

    1,170        118,053  

Landauer, Inc.

    702        33,977  

LHC Group, Inc.*

    2,574        53,024  

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.*

    8,892        459,183  

Magellan Health Services, Inc.*

    5,148        302,188  

McKesson Corp.

    3,510        548,753  

MEDNAX, Inc.*

    702        76,532  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.*

    3,159        99,951  

MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.*

    936        148,487  

National Healthcare Corp.

    1,521        73,586  

National Research Corp., Class B*

    585        16,374  

Omnicare, Inc.

    1,287        70,978  
    Shares     Value  

Health Care Providers & Services – (continued)

  

Owens & Minor, Inc.

    11,349      $ 424,680  

Patterson Cos., Inc.

    1,404        59,684  

PharMerica Corp.*

    5,265        77,711  

The Providence Service Corp.*

    1,989        59,451  

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

    1,872        112,152  

Select Medical Holdings Corp.

    12,519        106,161  

Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc., Class A*

    3,744        15,949  

Team Health Holdings, Inc.*

    5,148        223,629  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.*

    2,340        110,425  

Triple-S Management Corp., Class B*

    2,808        50,010  

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

    819        26,142  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    12,051        822,601  

Universal American Corp.

    6,669        49,484  

Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B

    936        75,404  

VCA Antech, Inc.*

    6,669        189,733  

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.*

    8,190        546,109  

WellPoint, Inc.

    3,510        297,648  
              10,491,945  

Health Care Technology – 0.3%

  

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.*

    12,402        171,520  

athenahealth, Inc.*

    1,053        140,586  

Cerner Corp.*

    3,978        222,887  

Computer Programs & Systems, Inc.

    819        46,716  

Greenway Medical Technologies*

    936        19,048  

HealthStream, Inc.*

    1,521        54,330  

HMS Holdings Corp.*

    7,371        155,749  

MedAssets, Inc.*

    4,329        99,697  

Medidata Solutions, Inc.*

    1,872        206,500  

Merge Healthcare, Inc.*

    4,329        10,996  

Omnicell, Inc.*

    2,457        56,683  

Quality Systems, Inc.

    3,393        77,428  

Vocera Communications, Inc.*

    1,638        27,567  
              1,289,707  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 2.2%

  

AFC Enterprises, Inc.*

    1,755        78,238  

Bally Technologies, Inc.*

    3,276        239,607  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      73   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – (continued)

  

Biglari Holdings, Inc.*

    139      $ 60,607  

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.*

    2,223        60,154  

Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.*

    3,276        81,998  

Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

    4,446        253,822  

Boyd Gaming Corp.*

    7,839        82,780  

Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc.*

    585        8,734  

Brinker International, Inc.

    5,616        249,463  

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.*

    1,404        200,182  

Caesars Entertainment Corp.*

    3,159        55,030  

Carnival Corp.

    6,084        210,811  

CEC Entertainment, Inc.

    2,925        135,574  

The Cheesecake Factory, Inc.

    3,978        187,960  

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*

    468        246,622  

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

    2,223        103,570  

Churchill Downs, Inc.

    936        80,412  

Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.*

    1,287        48,391  

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

    4,329        475,627  

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

    1,287        66,319  

Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Inc.*

    1,053        19,059  

Denny’s Corp.*

    12,987        82,467  

DineEquity, Inc.

    1,053        86,420  

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

    4,212        282,457  

Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

    2,106        100,414  

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc.

    936        16,698  

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.*

    1,404        59,516  

Hyatt Hotels Corp., Class A*

    585        27,846  

Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc.*

    936        15,032  

International Game Technology

    3,978        74,786  

International Speedway Corp., Class A

    1,989        65,060  

Interval Leisure Group, Inc.

    2,925        70,990  

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.*

    1,755        14,233  

Jack in the Box, Inc.*

    2,925        118,989  

Jamba, Inc.*

    1,053        12,025  

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.*

    4,797        116,375  

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    5,382        377,924  

Life Time Fitness, Inc.*

    2,925        132,853  

The Marcus Corp.

    2,808        40,323  
    Shares     Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – (continued)

  

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    3,393      $ 152,956  

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.*

    2,340        117,187  

McDonald’s Corp.

    14,040        1,355,141  

MGM Resorts International*

    4,095        77,969  

Morgans Hotel Group Co.*

    2,223        15,917  

Multimedia Games Holding Co., Inc.*

    2,106        68,466  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.*

    468        14,985  

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., Class A*

    6,786        90,322  

Panera Bread Co., Class A*

    351        55,430  

Papa John’s International, Inc.

    1,404        106,241  

Penn National Gaming, Inc.*

    936        54,765  

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.*

    4,563        106,774  

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.*

    1,053        80,218  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

    1,521        63,943  

Ruby Tuesday, Inc.*

    5,031        29,834  

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

    2,574        31,377  

Scientific Games Corp., Class A*

    4,446        81,273  

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

    351        10,541  

SHFL Entertainment, Inc.*

    4,212        97,634  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

    2,457        92,408  

Sonic Corp.*

    4,446        85,808  

Starbucks Corp.

    10,530        853,457  

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    2,808        206,725  

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

    4,563        125,117  

Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.

    3,978        51,396  

Vail Resorts, Inc.

    2,691        189,581  

The Wendy’s Co.

    22,815        198,262  

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

    1,755        116,532  

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

    1,053        175,061  

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    6,318        427,223  
              9,771,911  

Household Durables – 0.6%

               

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

    936        13,104  

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.*

    1,872        34,014  

Blyth, Inc.

    819        11,310  

Cavco Industries, Inc.*

    468        27,411  

CSS Industries, Inc.

    1,638        42,408  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

74    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Household Durables – (continued)

  

DR Horton, Inc.

    3,978      $ 75,383  

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

    1,989        52,987  

Garmin Ltd.

    1,287        60,167  

Harman International Industries, Inc.

    819        66,355  

Helen of Troy Ltd.*

    5,850        273,312  

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., Class A*

    8,424        42,626  

iRobot Corp.*

    2,106        71,330  

Jarden Corp.*

    1,170        64,771  

KB Home

    5,850        99,275  

La-Z-Boy, Inc.

    3,861        89,112  

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    1,521        45,235  

Lennar Corp., Class A

    2,223        79,028  

Libbey, Inc.*

    3,510        74,939  

M/I Homes, Inc.*

    1,404        28,740  

MDC Holdings, Inc.

    2,457        71,720  

Meritage Homes Corp.*

    2,457        111,523  

Mohawk Industries, Inc.*

    819        108,452  

NACCO Industries, Inc., Class A

    936        53,324  

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

    3,159        93,601  

NVR, Inc.*

    117        107,327  

PulteGroup, Inc.

    4,563        80,537  

The Ryland Group, Inc.

    3,276        131,695  

Standard Pacific Corp.*

    12,870        102,059  

Tempur Sealy International, Inc.*

    4,563        174,991  

Toll Brothers, Inc.*

    2,106        69,245  

Tupperware Brands Corp.

    819        73,423  

Universal Electronics, Inc.*

    2,808        109,259  

Whirlpool Corp.

    819        119,582  

Zagg, Inc.*

    3,510        16,637  
              2,674,882  

Household Products – 1.2%

               

Central Garden and Pet Co., Class A*

    8,658        63,723  

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

    1,989        129,583  

The Clorox Co.

    1,638        147,731  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    12,519        810,355  

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

    585        57,394  

Harbinger Group, Inc.*

    5,850        63,707  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    5,265        568,620  
    Shares     Value  

Household Products – (continued)

  

The Procter & Gamble Co.

    39,195      $ 3,164,996  

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.

    2,340        154,253  

WD-40 Co.

    1,053        76,332  
              5,236,694  

Independent Power Producers & Energy
Traders – 0.1%

  

The AES Corp.

    6,669        93,966  

Calpine Corp.*

    5,148        103,835  

Dynegy, Inc.*

    5,850        113,666  

Genie Energy Ltd., Class B*

    2,457        25,381  

NRG Energy, Inc.

    4,680        133,520  

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

    1,287        33,552  
              503,920  

Industrial Conglomerates – 1.1%

  

3M Co.

    8,892        1,119,058  

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

    936        68,028  

Danaher Corp.

    8,541        615,721  

General Electric Co.

    119,457        3,122,606  

Raven Industries, Inc.

    2,808        93,675  
              5,019,088  

Insurance – 4.4%

               

ACE Ltd.

    3,978        379,660  

Aflac, Inc.

    5,148        334,517  

Alleghany Corp.*

    234        94,868  

Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings AG

    468        50,680  

The Allstate Corp.

    5,499        291,777  

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

    10,647        221,883  

American Financial Group, Inc.

    936        52,659  

American International Group, Inc.

    21,294        1,099,835  

American National Insurance Co.

    1,287        130,077  

AMERISAFE, Inc.

    1,521        58,559  

Amtrust Financial Services, Inc.

    5,010        192,184  

Aon PLC

    4,680        370,141  

Arch Capital Group Ltd.*

    1,872        108,501  

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

    4,914        206,290  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    1,521        72,171  

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

    12,285        479,238  

Assurant, Inc.

    1,053        61,579  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      75   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Insurance – (continued)

  

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    6,318      $ 129,519  

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

    1,170        55,481  

Baldwin & Lyons, Inc., Class B

    1,287        35,174  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*

    25,623        2,948,695  

Brown & Brown, Inc.

    1,638        52,301  

The Chubb Corp.

    3,510        323,201  

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

    1,755        87,750  

Citizens, Inc.*

    2,925        24,570  

CNA Financial Corp.

    234        9,498  

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

    40,716        634,355  

eHealth, Inc.*

    1,521        64,825  

Employers Holdings, Inc.

    2,691        80,918  

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd.

    8,073        446,356  

Enstar Group Ltd.*

    1,521        206,750  

Erie Indemnity Co., Class A

    351        25,209  

Everest Re Group Ltd.

    585        89,938  

FBL Financial Group, Inc., Class A

    2,457        109,926  

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    1,989        55,990  

First American Financial Corp.

    18,252        471,997  

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A*

    4,446        64,600  

Greenlight Capital Re Ltd., Class A*

    5,148        158,507  

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

    7,605        445,197  

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

    4,680        157,716  

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.

    1,170        53,411  

HCI Group, Inc.

    1,755        77,115  

Hilltop Holdings, Inc.*

    11,466        198,820  

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

    7,020        194,454  

Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.

    2,106        144,429  

Kemper Corp.

    9,243        342,176  

Lincoln National Corp.

    3,042        138,137  

Loews Corp.

    5,031        243,048  

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    10,998        120,428  

Markel Corp.*

    234        123,943  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    8,307        380,461  

MBIA, Inc.*

    27,144        308,627  
    Shares     Value  

Insurance – (continued)

  

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.

    7,020      $ 46,613  

Mercury General Corp.

    3,393        157,978  

MetLife, Inc.

    13,338        631,021  

Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd.

    9,126        251,969  

National Interstate Corp.

    1,404        36,687  

National Western Life Insurance Co., Class A

    468        97,344  

The Navigators Group, Inc.*

    702        39,480  

Old Republic International Corp.

    15,678        263,234  

OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd., Class A

    3,744        59,754  

PartnerRe Ltd.

    585        58,623  

The Phoenix Cos, Inc.*

    936        36,102  

Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd.

    5,148        320,154  

Primerica, Inc.

    9,594        412,062  

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

    3,276        155,479  

ProAssurance Corp.

    1,989        90,141  

The Progressive Corp.

    7,137        185,348  

Protective Life Corp.

    13,806        636,180  

Prudential Financial, Inc.

    5,382        438,041  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    702        49,968  

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

    468        43,856  

RLI Corp.

    1,170        110,542  

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

    2,223        121,576  

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

    9,126        239,740  

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.

    7,722        454,826  

State Auto Financial Corp.

    2,808        53,352  

Stewart Information Services Corp.

    3,510        109,933  

Symetra Financial Corp.

    17,550        328,712  

Torchmark Corp.

    1,170        85,246  

Tower Group International Ltd.

    10,765        39,076  

The Travelers Cos., Inc.

    4,212        363,496  

United Fire Group, Inc.

    3,744        118,685  

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

    5,031        39,443  

Unum Group

    3,042        96,553  

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    1,170        46,192  

W.R. Berkley Corp.

    1,170        51,375  

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.

    117        68,336  

Willis Group Holdings PLC

    2,340        105,464  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

76    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Insurance – (continued)

  

XL Group PLC

    3,042      $ 92,994  
              19,743,716  

Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.9%

  

1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., Class A*

    1,521        8,259  

Amazon.com, Inc.*

    5,265        1,916,618  

Blue Nile, Inc.*

    1,053        43,247  

Expedia, Inc.

    1,521        89,556  

Groupon, Inc.*

    4,563        41,660  

HomeAway, Inc.*

    4,329        128,355  

HSN, Inc.

    1,053        55,177  

Liberty Interactive Corp., Class A*

    7,254        195,568  

Netflix, Inc.*

    819        264,111  

Nutrisystem, Inc.

    3,393        63,788  

Orbitz Worldwide, Inc.*

    1,872        17,297  

Overstock.com, Inc.*

    1,053        24,672  

PetMed Express, Inc.

    1,170        17,363  

priceline.com, Inc.*

    702        739,789  

Shutterfly, Inc.*

    2,691        132,236  

TripAdvisor, Inc.*

    1,755        145,156  

ValueVision Media, Inc., Class A*

    5,265        28,115  

Vitacost.com, Inc.*

    1,287        10,180  
              3,921,147  

Internet Software & Services – 2.6%

  

The Active Network, Inc.*

    4,212        60,821  

Akamai Technologies, Inc.*

    2,574        115,161  

Angie’s List, Inc.*

    3,276        46,159  

AOL, Inc.*

    2,106        76,321  

Bankrate, Inc.*

    3,159        53,198  

Bazaarvoice, Inc.*

    3,276        30,729  

Blucora, Inc.*

    7,371        174,177  

Brightcove, Inc.*

    1,989        30,372  

Carbonite, Inc.*

    1,287        17,040  

comScore, Inc.*

    2,340        62,525  

Constant Contact, Inc.*

    2,106        54,567  

Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.*

    3,276        155,184  

CoStar Group, Inc.*

    2,223        393,449  

Dealertrack Technologies, Inc.*

    3,042        113,467  

Demand Media, Inc.*

    2,808        13,422  

Demandware, Inc.*

    1,521        75,213  

Dice Holdings, Inc.*

    3,744        27,631  
    Shares     Value  

Internet Software & Services – (continued)

  

Digital River, Inc.*

    2,223      $ 39,658  

E2open, Inc.*

    468        10,530  

EarthLink, Inc.

    10,764        54,466  

eBay, Inc.*

    16,731        881,891  

Envestnet, Inc.*

    1,638        59,459  

Equinix, Inc.*

    702        113,359  

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

    23,400        1,176,084  

Global Eagle Entertainment, Inc.*

    3,159        32,159  

Google, Inc., Class A*

    3,978        4,099,647  

IAC/InterActiveCorp

    936        49,973  

Internap Network Services Corp.*

    3,861        28,070  

IntraLinks Holdings, Inc.*

    5,148        53,488  

j2 Global, Inc.

    5,148        283,037  

Limelight Networks, Inc.*

    5,967        11,457  

LinkedIn Corp., Class A*

    1,287        287,863  

Liquidity Services, Inc.*

    2,223        58,043  

LivePerson, Inc.*

    3,510        32,783  

LogMeIn, Inc.*

    1,638        52,907  

Millennial Media, Inc.*

    3,042        21,385  

Monster Worldwide, Inc.*

    16,848        72,783  

Move, Inc.*

    2,808        47,652  

NIC, Inc.

    4,680        115,222  

OpenTable, Inc.*

    1,755        121,937  

Pandora Media, Inc.*

    10,647        267,559  

Perficient, Inc.*

    5,967        107,943  

QuinStreet, Inc.*

    4,446        39,525  

Rackspace Hosting, Inc.*

    1,521        77,921  

RealNetworks, Inc.*

    6,084        46,664  

Responsys, Inc.*

    1,872        30,589  

SciQuest, Inc.*

    1,287        28,108  

Shutterstock, Inc.*

    234        16,567  

SPS Commerce, Inc.*

    1,053        71,762  

Stamps.com, Inc.*

    1,053        47,848  

support.com, Inc.*

    4,446        19,829  

Travelzoo, Inc.*

    585        12,595  

Trulia, Inc.*

    2,457        98,206  

United Online, Inc.

    15,561        134,447  

Unwired Planet, Inc.*

    7,605        12,320  

ValueClick, Inc.*

    5,616        107,883  

VeriSign, Inc.*

    2,223        120,664  

VistaPrint N.V.*

    2,340        126,477  

Vocus, Inc.*

    1,404        12,145  

Web.com Group, Inc.*

    7,605        204,955  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      77   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Internet Software & Services – (continued)

  

WebMD Health Corp.*

    3,510      $ 123,622  

XO Group, Inc.*

    2,223        30,855  

Xoom Corp.*

    585        17,404  

Yahoo!, Inc.*

    13,923        458,484  

Yelp, Inc.*

    2,574        174,389  

Zillow, Inc., Class A*

    1,638        130,434  

Zix Corp.*

    4,212        17,185  
              11,739,669  

IT Services – 3.0%

  

Accenture PLC, Class A

    8,775        644,962  

Acxiom Corp.*

    5,967        198,283  

Alliance Data Systems Corp.*

    585        138,680  

Amdocs Ltd.

    2,106        80,976  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    7,137        535,061  

Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.*

    936        21,397  

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    6,552        129,730  

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

    1,755        61,706  

CACI International, Inc., Class A*

    4,212        303,180  

Cardtronics, Inc.*

    3,393        133,175  

Cass Information Systems, Inc.

    585        33,538  

CIBER, Inc.*

    4,563        14,830  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A*

    4,329        376,320  

Computer Sciences Corp.

    1,638        80,688  

Computer Task Group, Inc.

    702        12,025  

Convergys Corp.

    9,477        187,076  

CoreLogic, Inc.*

    7,020        233,555  

CSG Systems International, Inc.

    5,850        162,981  

DST Systems, Inc.

    3,159        267,788  

EPAM Systems, Inc.*

    1,404        52,608  

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.*

    3,744        162,490  

ExlService Holdings, Inc.*

    2,106        60,884  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    3,393        165,409  

Fiserv, Inc.*

    1,989        208,308  

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.*

    1,287        148,455  

Forrester Research, Inc.

    702        27,245  

Gartner, Inc.*

    1,170        68,972  
    Shares     Value  

IT Services – (continued)

               

Genpact Ltd.*

    1,872      $ 37,122  

Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc.*

    14,157        117,503  

Global Payments, Inc.

    819        48,714  

Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.

    2,691        108,851  

Higher One Holdings, Inc.*

    2,457        19,533  

iGATE Corp.*

    6,435        204,890  

International Business Machines Corp.

    14,508        2,599,979  

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

    1,170        63,894  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    847        39,885  

Lender Processing Services, Inc.

    15,561        537,166  

Lionbridge Technologies, Inc.*

    9,243        40,299  

ManTech International Corp., Class A

    3,861        107,876  

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    1,521        1,090,709  

MAXIMUS, Inc.

    5,148        249,421  

ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc.*

    8,541        35,189  

MoneyGram International, Inc.*

    1,872        39,518  

NeuStar, Inc., Class A*

    4,797        220,278  

Paychex, Inc.

    4,563        192,832  

PRGX Global, Inc.*

    3,510        25,202  

Sapient Corp.*

    8,307        131,334  

ServiceSource International, Inc.*

    4,446        48,106  

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*

    7,488        140,175  

Syntel, Inc.

    1,053        90,390  

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.*

    4,797        126,977  

Teradata Corp.*

    2,223        97,968  

Total System Services, Inc.

    2,457        73,292  

Unisys Corp.*

    8,424        221,972  

Vantiv, Inc., Class A*

    1,521        41,828  

VeriFone Systems, Inc.*

    20,007        453,359  

Virtusa Corp.*

    1,287        40,000  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    7,254        1,426,644  

The Western Union Co.

    6,669        113,506  

WEX, Inc.*

    1,521        141,985  
              13,436,719  

Leisure Equipment & Products – 0.2%

  

Arctic Cat, Inc.

    819        42,915  

Black Diamond, Inc.*

    1,521        22,678  

Brunswick Corp.

    7,371        332,653  

Callaway Golf Co.

    4,797        40,439  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

78    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Leisure Equipment & Products – (continued)

  

Hasbro, Inc.

    1,521      $ 78,560  

JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

    1,638        10,549  

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.*

    5,031        43,065  

Mattel, Inc.

    4,797        212,843  

Nautilus, Inc.*

    1,521        12,107  

Polaris Industries, Inc.

    936        122,569  

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.*

    4,329        46,667  

Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.

    1,404        91,836  
              1,056,881  

Life Sciences Tools & Services – 0.6%

  

Affymetrix, Inc.*

    5,967        42,187  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    4,914        249,435  

Albany Molecular Research, Inc.*

    1,053        13,794  

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A*

    234        28,904  

Bruker Corp.*

    8,190        167,485  

Cambrex Corp.*

    3,744        62,974  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.*

    3,744        184,242  

Covance, Inc.*

    819        73,104  

Fluidigm Corp.*

    1,755        55,282  

Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    585        22,874  

Illumina, Inc.*

    1,755        164,110  

Life Technologies Corp.*

    2,223        167,414  

Luminex Corp.*

    2,808        54,756  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*

    468        115,811  

NeoGenomics, Inc.*

    3,627        13,202  

PAREXEL International Corp.*

    4,212        192,531  

PerkinElmer, Inc.

    1,638        62,310  

Sequenom, Inc.*

    9,360        17,971  

Techne Corp.

    2,574        224,942  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    4,914        480,491  

Waters Corp.*

    1,287        129,884  
              2,523,703  

Machinery – 2.8%

               

Accuride Corp.*

    6,669        30,010  

Actuant Corp., Class A

    5,733        215,331  

AGCO Corp.

    1,053        61,474  

Alamo Group, Inc.

    1,404        66,255  
    Shares     Value  

Machinery – (continued)

  

Albany International Corp., Class A

    3,276      $ 120,590  

Altra Holdings, Inc.

    1,521        46,193  

American Railcar Industries, Inc.

    1,755        71,885  

Astec Industries, Inc.

    1,170        39,558  

Barnes Group, Inc.

    8,541        303,547  

Blount International, Inc.*

    1,053        12,826  

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

    7,605        139,476  

Caterpillar, Inc.

    7,137        594,940  

Chart Industries, Inc.*

    2,340        251,480  

CIRCOR International, Inc.

    2,106        155,360  

CLARCOR, Inc.

    3,510        205,265  

Colfax Corp.*

    2,691        150,588  

Columbus McKinnon Corp.*

    3,393        88,252  

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.*

    2,925        23,020  

Crane Co.

    7,839        497,777  

Cummins, Inc.

    2,223        282,365  

Deere & Co.

    3,978        325,560  

Donaldson Co., Inc.

    1,521        60,247  

Douglas Dynamics, Inc.

    1,404        21,299  

Dover Corp.

    1,989        182,570  

Dynamic Materials Corp.

    936        20,686  

Energy Recovery, Inc.*

    2,925        17,082  

EnPro Industries, Inc.*

    1,521        90,758  

ESCO Technologies, Inc.

    1,989        71,763  

The ExOne Co.*

    702        36,034  

Federal Signal Corp.*

    4,563        62,467  

Flow International Corp.*

    2,223        8,870  

Flowserve Corp.

    5,616        390,144  

FreightCar America, Inc.

    702        15,612  

The Gorman-Rupp Co.

    1,287        52,432  

Graco, Inc.

    819        63,276  

Graham Corp.

    702        25,841  

The Greenbrier Cos., Inc.*

    3,978        105,576  

Hardinge, Inc.

    1,404        20,765  

Harsco Corp.

    14,157        394,697  

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.

    1,872        146,840  

IDEX Corp.

    1,170        80,906  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    5,616        442,485  

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

    4,563        308,139  

ITT Corp.

    7,839        311,443  

John Bean Technologies Corp.

    4,563        124,022  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      79   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Machinery – (continued)

  

Joy Global, Inc.

    936      $ 53,118  

Kadant, Inc.

    2,340        83,772  

Kennametal, Inc.

    1,170        53,820  

L.B. Foster Co., Class A

    1,053        49,228  

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

    1,872        129,617  

Lindsay Corp.

    936        71,145  

Lydall, Inc.*

    3,393        61,820  

The Manitowoc Co., Inc.

    9,477        184,422  

Meritor, Inc.*

    12,402        85,202  

The Middleby Corp.*

    1,404        319,621  

Miller Industries, Inc.

    1,287        24,118  

Mueller Industries, Inc.

    2,223        134,025  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

    11,349        97,261  

Navistar International Corp.*

    12,636        456,918  

NN, Inc.

    2,808        45,153  

Nordson Corp.

    819        59,042  

Oshkosh Corp.*

    4,095        194,881  

PACCAR, Inc.

    5,148        286,229  

Pall Corp.

    1,638        131,892  

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    1,989        232,156  

Pentair Ltd.

    2,574        172,690  

Proto Labs, Inc.*

    1,521        127,551  

RBC Bearings, Inc.*

    1,638        112,678  

Rexnord Corp.*

    2,925        68,796  

Snap-on, Inc.

    819        85,233  

SPX Corp.

    585        53,065  

Standex International Corp.

    1,287        79,163  

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

    1,755        138,803  

Sun Hydraulics Corp.

    1,521        60,353  

Tennant Co.

    1,287        78,108  

Terex Corp.*

    19,773        691,066  

Timken Co.

    819        43,251  

Titan International, Inc.

    9,945        144,203  

The Toro Co.

    4,446        262,047  

Trimas Corp.*

    3,042        115,170  

Trinity Industries, Inc.

    3,978        201,406  

Twin Disc, Inc.

    1,053        27,241  

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    468        65,754  

Wabash National Corp.*

    11,700        136,422  

WABCO Holdings, Inc.*

    936        80,196  

Wabtec Corp.

    1,404        91,527  
    Shares     Value  

Machinery – (continued)

  

Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A

    2,223      $ 128,445  

Woodward, Inc.

    4,212        168,859  

Xylem, Inc.

    2,340        80,730  
              12,701,903  

Marine – 0.0%

  

Kirby Corp.*

    819        72,473  

Matson, Inc.

    3,744        101,425  
              173,898  

Media – 3.0%

  

AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*

    702        49,203  

Belo Corp., Class A

    15,678        215,259  

Cablevision Systems Corp., Class A

    2,574        40,026  

Carmike Cinemas, Inc.*

    3,744        85,700  

CBS Corp., Class B

    8,541        505,115  

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A*

    1,053        141,355  

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

    3,978        130,518  

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., Class A*

    3,276        27,846  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    37,323        1,775,828  

Cumulus Media, Inc., Class A*

    12,285        73,464  

Digital Generation, Inc.*

    1,755        22,201  

DIRECTV*

    6,318        394,812  

Discovery Communications, Inc., Class A*

    3,042        270,495  

DISH Network Corp., Class A

    2,574        124,067  

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., Class A*

    5,382        184,280  

E.W. Scripps Co., Class A*

    2,340        46,379  

Entercom Communications Corp., Class A*

    3,627        31,809  

Entravision Communications Corp., Class A

    3,042        20,503  

Gannett Co., Inc.

    2,223        61,510  

Gray Television, Inc.*

    1,989        16,807  

Harte-Hanks, Inc.

    7,137        56,882  

The Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.

    6,552        110,074  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A

    8,775        441,295  

Journal Communications, Inc., Class A*

    7,254        60,571  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

80    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Media – (continued)

  

Lamar Advertising Co., Class A*

    1,170      $ 53,481  

Liberty Global PLC, Class A*

    5,265        412,618  

Liberty Media Corp., Class A*

    1,287        196,795  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.*

    4,095        141,605  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.*

    26,091        507,209  

Loral Space & Communications, Inc.

    819        58,452  

The Madison Square Garden Co., Class A*

    1,989        120,374  

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., Class A*

    5,967        15,276  

The McClatchy Co., Class A*

    3,861        10,888  

Media General, Inc., Class A*

    1,404        20,470  

Meredith Corp.

    6,435        330,115  

Morningstar, Inc.

    351        28,182  

National CineMedia, Inc.

    3,978        69,695  

The New York Times Co., Class A

    11,700        161,811  

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., Class A

    1,755        77,904  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    3,276        223,128  

ReachLocal, Inc.*

    585        7,190  

Regal Entertainment Group, Class A

    9,126        173,485  

Rentrak Corp.*

    585        21,932  

Scholastic Corp.

    4,563        130,912  

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., Class A

    1,287        103,604  

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., Class A

    6,201        198,804  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.

    49,491        186,581  

Starz, Class A*

    8,073        243,401  

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

    4,095        492,014  

Time Warner, Inc.

    12,519        860,556  

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.

    27,729        945,004  

Valassis Communications, Inc.

    6,552        179,263  

Viacom, Inc., Class B

    6,786        565,206  

The Walt Disney Co.

    23,985        1,645,131  

The Washington Post Co., Class B

    351        225,805  

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Class A

    3,159        40,909  
              13,333,799  
    Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining – 1.3%

  

A.M. Castle & Co.*

    1,872      $ 26,788  

AK Steel Holding Corp.*

    18,252        80,309  

Alcoa, Inc.

    11,934        110,628  

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.

    1,170        38,727  

Allied Nevada Gold Corp.*

    15,210        62,057  

AMCOL International Corp.

    4,680        150,134  

Carpenter Technology Corp.

    9,828        583,095  

Century Aluminum Co.*

    4,329        37,576  

Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.

    1,989        51,078  

Coeur Mining, Inc.*

    16,614        202,857  

Commercial Metals Co.

    20,709        380,217  

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

    2,340        174,260  

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

    12,636        464,499  

General Moly, Inc.*

    4,797        7,867  

Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.

    4,680        82,087  

Gold Resource Corp.

    3,744        19,431  

Haynes International, Inc.

    936        50,450  

Hecla Mining Co.

    54,522        170,109  

Horsehead Holding Corp.*

    3,159        45,837  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

    3,510        236,749  

Materion Corp.

    3,861        115,096  

McEwen Mining, Inc.*

    38,025        81,373  

Molycorp, Inc.*

    25,974        131,688  

Newmont Mining Corp.

    4,563        124,387  

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp.

    7,839        21,322  

Nucor Corp.

    5,148        266,512  

Olympic Steel, Inc.

    1,872        51,237  

Paramount Gold and Silver Corp.*

    10,764        13,024  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

    819        60,025  

Royal Gold, Inc.

    819        39,345  

RTI International Metals, Inc.*

    2,223        75,360  

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A

    5,148        149,498  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    2,340        42,050  

Stillwater Mining Co.*

    9,126        99,565  

SunCoke Energy, Inc.*

    5,967        119,340  

United States Steel Corp.

    26,676        663,966  

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.*

    468        15,126  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      81   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

US Silica Holdings, Inc.

    2,457      $ 85,553  

Walter Energy, Inc.

    11,349        180,336  

Worthington Industries, Inc.

    9,126        369,968  
              5,679,526  

Multiline Retail – 0.5%

  

Big Lots, Inc.*

    10,647        387,125  

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

    1,170        13,396  

Dillard’s, Inc., Class A

    234        19,183  

Dollar General Corp.*

    4,680        270,410  

Dollar Tree, Inc.*

    3,276        191,318  

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

    1,404        96,708  

Fred’s, Inc., Class A

    5,967        96,665  

Gordmans Stores, Inc.

    1,404        13,900  

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.*

    1,872        14,040  

Kohl’s Corp.

    2,457        139,558  

Macy’s, Inc.

    4,797        221,190  

Nordstrom, Inc.

    1,872        113,200  

Saks, Inc.*

    8,307        132,829  

Sears Holdings Corp.*

    702        40,772  

Target Corp.

    8,190        530,630  

Tuesday Morning Corp.*

    6,084        86,089  
              2,367,013  

Multi-Utilities – 0.8%

  

Alliant Energy Corp.

    936        48,878  

Ameren Corp.

    2,340        84,661  

Avista Corp.

    10,998        305,634  

Black Hills Corp.

    5,733        290,778  

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    4,680        115,128  

CMS Energy Corp.

    2,223        61,044  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

    3,861        224,787  

Dominion Resources, Inc.

    7,956        507,195  

DTE Energy Co.

    1,638        113,251  

Integrys Energy Group, Inc.

    819        48,059  

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

    2,574        76,654  

NiSource, Inc.

    3,978        125,386  

NorthWestern Corp.

    6,318        289,617  

PG&E Corp.

    5,616        235,030  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    5,148        172,458  

SCANA Corp.

    1,989        92,747  
    Shares     Value  

Multi-Utilities – (continued)

               

Sempra Energy

    3,042      $ 277,248  

TECO Energy, Inc.

    819        14,062  

Vectren Corp.

    8,892        310,509  

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    2,808        118,245  
              3,511,371  

Office Electronics – 0.1%

  

Xerox Corp.

    14,040        139,558  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A*

    3,978        192,177  
              331,735  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 6.0%

  

Abraxas Petroleum Corp.*

    8,307        24,007  

Alon USA Energy, Inc.

    4,797        57,948  

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.*

    34,398        240,786  

Amyris, Inc.*

    3,627        9,140  

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    7,137        680,085  

Apache Corp.

    4,563        405,194  

Approach Resources, Inc.*

    2,574        72,458  

Arch Coal, Inc.

    30,069        127,493  

Berry Petroleum Co., Class A

    4,095        195,536  

Bill Barrett Corp.*

    3,276        90,647  

Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.*

    1,755        88,698  

BPZ Resources, Inc.*

    7,722        15,521  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    5,850        206,622  

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.*

    7,020        307,757  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.*

    4,212        167,638  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

    6,786        189,737  

Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust

    4,797        58,811  

Chevron Corp.

    22,581        2,708,817  

Cimarex Energy Co.

    936        98,608  

Clayton Williams Energy, Inc.*

    819        63,743  

Clean Energy Fuels Corp.*

    5,148        58,636  

Cloud Peak Energy, Inc.*

    10,881        169,852  

Cobalt International Energy, Inc.*

    3,861        89,614  

Comstock Resources, Inc.

    3,276        56,052  

Concho Resources, Inc.*

    1,404        155,297  

ConocoPhillips

    13,923        1,020,556  

CONSOL Energy, Inc.

    3,276        119,574  

Contango Oil & Gas Co.

    2,457        105,283  

Continental Resources, Inc.*

    819        93,284  

Crosstex Energy, Inc.

    3,978        122,085  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

82    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

CVR Energy, Inc.

    819      $ 32,531  

Delek US Holdings, Inc.

    7,254        185,340  

Denbury Resources, Inc.*

    3,510        66,655  

Devon Energy Corp.

    5,499        347,647  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.*

    2,808        145,033  

Emerald Oil, Inc.*

    4,212        36,644  

Energen Corp.

    1,053        82,471  

Energy XXI Bermuda Ltd.

    14,040        408,002  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    3,978        709,675  

EPL Oil & Gas, Inc.*

    6,201        197,688  

EQT Corp.

    2,340        200,327  

Evolution Petroleum Corp.*

    1,521        18,343  

EXCO Resources, Inc.

    10,881        58,866  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    51,012        4,571,695  

Forest Oil Corp.*

    21,996        104,261  

FX Energy, Inc.*

    3,861        13,436  

GasLog Ltd.

    1,053        15,669  

Goodrich Petroleum Corp.*

    2,340        54,733  

Gran Tierra Energy, Inc.*

    49,842        378,301  

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.

    3,276        52,842  

Gulfport Energy Corp.*

    2,223        130,468  

Halcon Resources Corp.*

    21,411        110,909  

Hess Corp.

    3,393        275,512  

HollyFrontier Corp.

    2,574        118,558  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    9,126        322,239  

KiOR, Inc., Class A*

    2,925        6,815  

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp.*

    49,023        635,828  

Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc.*

    4,563        144,967  

Magnum Hunter Resources Corp.*

    30,303        216,060  

Marathon Oil Corp.

    8,190        288,779  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    3,159        226,374  

Matador Resources Co.*

    4,446        81,851  

Midstates Petroleum Co., Inc.*

    3,042        17,157  

Miller Energy Resources, Inc.*

    2,574        17,400  

Murphy Oil Corp.

    2,106        127,034  

Newfield Exploration Co.*

    1,404        42,752  

Noble Energy, Inc.

    5,616        420,807  

Nordic American Tankers Ltd.

    13,104        106,929  

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.*

    10,998        180,697  
    Shares     Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.*

    1,053      $ 56,072  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    9,360        899,309  

Pacific Coast Oil Trust

    2,925        43,875  

PBF Energy, Inc.

    7,371        194,078  

PDC Energy, Inc.*

    2,691        182,477  

Peabody Energy Corp.

    4,329        84,329  

Penn Virginia Corp.*

    9,360        79,654  

PetroQuest Energy, Inc.*

    4,329        20,433  

Phillips 66

    6,435        414,607  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    1,872        383,348  

QEP Resources, Inc.

    2,457        81,228  

Quicksilver Resources, Inc.*

    23,751        50,827  

Range Resources Corp.

    2,223        168,303  

Renewable Energy Group, Inc.*

    1,755        19,147  

Rentech, Inc.

    16,146        27,610  

Resolute Energy Corp.*

    4,212        39,509  

REX American Resources Corp.*

    819        23,620  

Rex Energy Corp.*

    4,212        90,558  

Rosetta Resources, Inc.*

    11,232        673,246  

Sanchez Energy Corp.*

    5,616        160,112  

SandRidge Energy, Inc.*

    68,445        433,941  

SemGroup Corp., Class A

    3,042        183,706  

Ship Finance International Ltd.

    8,775        145,226  

SM Energy Co.

    702        62,204  

Solazyme, Inc.*

    3,042        31,819  

Southwestern Energy Co.*

    4,797        178,544  

Spectra Energy Corp.

    9,009        320,450  

Stone Energy Corp.*

    9,009        314,054  

Swift Energy Co.*

    3,627        49,762  

Synergy Resources Corp.*

    3,510        36,364  

Targa Resources Corp.

    1,989        154,267  

Teekay Corp.

    3,276        142,277  

Tesoro Corp.

    1,521        74,362  

Triangle Petroleum Corp.*

    10,764        113,776  

Ultra Petroleum Corp.*

    2,106        38,666  

Vaalco Energy, Inc.*

    12,285        64,742  

Valero Energy Corp.

    6,201        255,295  

W&T Offshore, Inc.

    6,435        122,844  

Warren Resources, Inc.*

    13,572        42,480  

Western Refining, Inc.

    9,594        309,598  

Whiting Petroleum Corp.*

    1,521        101,740  

The Williams Cos., Inc.

    9,477        338,424  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      83   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

World Fuel Services Corp.

    13,689      $ 522,235  

WPX Energy, Inc.*

    2,223        49,217  
              26,729,109  

Paper & Forest Products – 0.5%

  

Boise Cascade Co.*

    1,755        44,946  

Clearwater Paper Corp.*

    3,861        201,621  

Deltic Timber Corp.

    585        37,370  

Domtar Corp.

    6,084        515,376  

International Paper Co.

    4,914        219,213  

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp.

    3,744        194,538  

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.*

    10,647        181,105  

Mercer International, Inc.*

    7,020        56,160  

Neenah Paper, Inc.

    2,691        110,708  

PH Glatfelter Co.

    7,254        190,055  

Resolute Forest Products, Inc.*

    17,082        273,141  

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

    5,382        333,038  

Wausau Paper Corp.

    3,744        43,805  
              2,401,076  

Personal Products – 0.2%

  

Avon Products, Inc.

    5,265        92,138  

Coty, Inc., Class A

    1,053        16,195  

Elizabeth Arden, Inc.*

    1,989        71,982  

The Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A

    3,627        257,372  

The Female Health Co.

    1,521        14,480  

Herbalife Ltd.

    1,053        68,255  

Inter Parfums, Inc.

    2,106        74,047  

Lifevantage Corp.*

    10,647        23,317  

Medifast, Inc.*

    1,404        32,727  

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc.

    1,170        22,101  

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A

    819        95,766  

Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.*

    3,744        116,925  

Revlon, Inc., Class A*

    1,872        44,460  

Star Scientific, Inc.*

    9,828        17,789  

USANA Health Sciences, Inc.*

    1,053        71,846  
              1,019,400  
    Shares     Value  

Pharmaceuticals – 3.5%

  

AbbVie, Inc.

    22,581      $ 1,094,049  

AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    1,287        8,649  

Actavis PLC*

    2,299        355,379  

Akorn, Inc.*

    5,499        112,400  

Allergan, Inc.

    4,329        392,251  

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    3,393        58,394  

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A*

    11,817        47,859  

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.*

    5,850        30,712  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    23,166        1,216,678  

Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    4,329        21,342  

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc.*

    6,669        11,271  

Depomed, Inc.*

    3,978        28,642  

Durect Corp.*

    7,254        10,881  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    14,157        705,302  

Endo Health Solutions, Inc.*

    1,170        51,164  

Endocyte, Inc.*

    1,989        20,745  

Forest Laboratories, Inc.*

    3,276        154,070  

Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co., Inc.

    936        40,332  

Horizon Pharma, Inc.*

    7,722        32,355  

Hospira, Inc.*

    2,340        94,817  

Impax Laboratories, Inc.*

    5,616        113,780  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC*

    1,053        95,549  

Johnson & Johnson

    39,429        3,651,520  

Lannett Co., Inc.*

    1,053        24,861  

The Medicines Co.*

    5,031        170,652  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    42,003        1,893,915  

Mylan, Inc.*

    5,148        194,955  

Nektar Therapeutics*

    9,360        89,014  

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    2,340        118,193  

Pain Therapeutics, Inc.*

    2,808        10,277  

Perrigo Co.

    1,404        193,598  

Pfizer, Inc.

    93,951        2,882,417  

Pozen, Inc.*

    1,404        8,824  

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    10,413        639,046  

Repros Therapeutics, Inc.*

    1,521        27,439  

Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    1,638        35,528  

Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.*

    2,340        167,895  

Santarus, Inc.*

    4,095        95,536  

Sciclone Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    9,126        43,166  

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A*

    234        1,451  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

84    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Pharmaceuticals – (continued)

               

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    702      $ 4,963  

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.*

    2,691        210,840  

ViroPharma, Inc.*

    5,148        199,845  

Vivus, Inc.*

    8,190        76,904  

XenoPort, Inc.*

    2,574        13,462  

Zoetis, Inc.

    7,020        222,253  

Zogenix, Inc.*

    4,095        11,998  
              15,685,173  

Professional Services – 0.7%

  

Acacia Research Corp.

    3,978        60,028  

The Advisory Board Co.*

    2,808        192,629  

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

    351        29,228  

CBIZ, Inc.*

    7,722        63,012  

CDI Corp.

    2,457        39,435  

The Corporate Executive Board Co.

    2,574        187,645  

CRA International, Inc.*

    1,872        35,662  

The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.

    585        63,642  

Equifax, Inc.

    1,638        105,929  

Exponent, Inc.

    1,053        79,617  

FTI Consulting, Inc.*

    7,371        299,115  

GP Strategies Corp.*

    1,521        42,618  

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

    1,170        21,668  

Huron Consulting Group, Inc.*

    1,638        95,938  

ICF International, Inc.*

    3,510        121,516  

IHS, Inc., Class A*

    936        102,071  

Insperity, Inc.

    1,755        67,866  

Kelly Services, Inc., Class A

    5,382        112,269  

Kforce, Inc.

    2,925        57,593  

Korn/Ferry International*

    6,201        147,584  

Manpowergroup, Inc.

    1,053        82,239  

Mistras Group, Inc.*

    1,170        21,481  

Navigant Consulting, Inc.*

    8,424        146,156  

Nielsen Holdings N.V.

    3,042        119,976  

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.*

    5,382        11,679  

On Assignment, Inc.*

    3,276        110,696  

Pendrell Corp.*

    8,775        19,568  

Resources Connection, Inc.

    3,276        41,802  
    Shares     Value  

Professional Services – (continued)

  

       

Robert Half International, Inc.

    2,106      $ 81,144  

RPX Corp.*

    4,329        77,316  

Towers Watson & Co., Class A

    585        67,164  

TrueBlue, Inc.*

    2,925        72,247  

Verisk Analytics, Inc., Class A*

    1,755        120,253  

WageWorks, Inc.*

    1,989        101,857  
              2,998,643  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 4.3%

  

Acadia Realty Trust

    4,095        109,214  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc.

    4,680        76,471  

Agree Realty Corp.

    1,287        40,631  

Alexander’s, Inc.

    234        75,292  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    702        46,178  

American Assets Trust, Inc.

    2,223        74,004  

American Campus Communities, Inc.

    1,053        36,392  

American Capital Agency Corp.

    4,446        96,567  

American Capital Mortgage Investment Corp.

    12,168        232,530  

American Tower Corp.

    5,382        427,062  

Annaly Capital Management, Inc.

    10,179        120,010  

Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp.

    14,625        71,809  

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A

    1,755        49,105  

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.

    6,435        103,668  

Apollo Residential Mortgage, Inc.

    7,254        109,245  

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

    3,276        21,785  

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp.

    5,967        74,170  

ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc.

    40,131        165,340  

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

    10,179        132,938  

Associated Estates Realty Corp.

    3,159        48,459  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    1,638        204,832  

Aviv REIT, Inc.

    1,287        32,690  

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

    3,042        60,597  

Boston Properties, Inc.

    2,223        230,080  

Brandywine Realty Trust

    13,338        189,800  

BRE Properties, Inc.

    1,053        57,504  

Camden Property Trust

    1,053        67,603  

Campus Crest Communities, Inc.

    3,978        39,820  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      85   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

CapLease, Inc.

    9,790      $ 83,215  

Capstead Mortgage Corp.

    17,433        206,232  

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

    2,808        55,626  

Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.

    4,914        28,059  

Chatham Lodging Trust

    936        17,653  

Chesapeake Lodging Trust

    3,978        93,761  

Chimera Investment Corp.

    11,349        34,387  

Colony Financial, Inc.

    13,221        267,461  

CommonWealth REIT

    9,360        228,103  

CoreSite Realty Corp.

    2,106        68,319  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    5,616        138,154  

Corrections Corp. of America

    2,457        90,909  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

    14,157        160,399  

CubeSmart

    10,179        185,970  

CyrusOne, Inc.

    1,755        34,205  

CYS Investments, Inc.

    23,166        196,679  

DCT Industrial Trust, Inc.

    27,612        213,993  

DDR Corp.

    3,159        53,545  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

    15,444        175,907  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    1,404        66,915  

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

    1,755        43,752  

Duke Realty Corp.

    4,329        71,731  

DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc.

    4,563        113,390  

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    2,808        178,757  

Education Realty Trust, Inc.

    5,616        51,330  

EPR Properties

    3,978        204,350  

Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.

    936        35,559  

Equity One, Inc.

    4,446        107,193  

Equity Residential

    4,563        238,919  

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

    585        94,185  

Excel Trust, Inc.

    5,031        60,774  

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

    3,510        161,425  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    936        96,970  

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

    8,541        57,395  

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

    7,137        128,966  

First Potomac Realty Trust

    4,095        50,327  

Franklin Street Properties Corp.

    5,382        71,042  

General Growth Properties, Inc.

    10,296        218,584  

The Geo Group, Inc.

    5,031        177,443  

Getty Realty Corp.

    3,042        58,346  

Gladstone Commercial Corp.

    702        13,268  
    Shares     Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

Glimcher Realty Trust

    10,413      $ 106,733  

Government Properties Income Trust

    3,744        91,541  

Hatteras Financial Corp.

    12,987        236,363  

HCP, Inc.

    5,967        247,630  

Health Care REIT, Inc.

    3,861        250,386  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

    6,435        154,504  

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A

    14,976        174,021  

Hersha Hospitality Trust

    13,689        77,617  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    4,563        176,132  

Home Properties, Inc.

    819        49,394  

Hospitality Properties Trust

    1,521        44,687  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    9,945        184,480  

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.

    3,276        67,780  

Inland Real Estate Corp.

    7,020        75,044  

Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc.

    18,603        287,416  

Investors Real Estate Trust

    6,669        57,487  

iStar Financial, Inc.

    6,318        79,796  

JAVELIN Mortgage Investment Corp.

    2,340        27,776  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    1,170        62,197  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    5,733        123,145  

Kite Realty Group Trust

    8,073        51,667  

LaSalle Hotel Properties

    7,371        228,870  

Lexington Realty Trust

    17,199        201,228  

Liberty Property Trust

    1,638        60,917  

LTC Properties, Inc.

    2,457        96,929  

The Macerich Co.

    1,755        103,914  

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

    6,903        141,926  

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    12,753        166,299  

MFA Financial, Inc.

    7,137        52,885  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    5,039        334,590  

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp., Class A

    6,669        61,488  

National Health Investors, Inc.

    1,755        109,723  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    2,457        84,521  

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

    13,104        84,128  

NorthStar Realty Finance Corp.

    41,418        386,430  

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    3,159        105,005  

One Liberty Properties, Inc.

    819        17,314  

Parkway Properties, Inc.

    3,042        55,091  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

86    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

    4,680      $ 141,336  

Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust

    6,084        110,303  

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust

    13,455        310,407  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

    1,989        36,757  

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

    1,989        90,301  

Post Properties, Inc.

    4,797        219,415  

Potlatch Corp.

    2,925        119,428  

Prologis, Inc.

    7,137        285,123  

PS Business Parks, Inc.

    1,404        114,412  

Public Storage

    1,989        332,103  

RAIT Financial Trust

    13,806        104,235  

Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust

    3,861        62,780  

Rayonier, Inc.

    1,521        71,517  

Realty Income Corp.

    2,574        107,213  

Redwood Trust, Inc.

    14,859        260,330  

Regency Centers Corp.

    1,287        66,486  

Resource Capital Corp.

    21,177        130,239  

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

    4,563        67,532  

Retail Properties of America, Inc., Class A

    2,223        31,811  

RLJ Lodging Trust

    9,828        248,255  

Rouse Properties, Inc.

    2,106        42,583  

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.

    3,510        129,554  

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

    2,223        59,799  

Saul Centers, Inc.

    936        43,992  

Select Income REIT

    5,148        141,827  

Senior Housing Properties Trust

    2,106        51,892  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    4,095        632,882  

SL Green Realty Corp.

    1,170        110,647  

Sovran Self Storage, Inc.

    2,223        170,037  

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

    24,921        260,674  

STAG Industrial, Inc.

    4,446        92,966  

Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

    5,967        153,292  

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    13,572        118,076  

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.

    5,733        52,686  

Sun Communities, Inc.

    2,340        104,294  

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

    13,806        182,929  
    Shares     Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

    1,989      $ 69,317  

Taubman Centers, Inc.

    585        38,487  

Terreno Realty Corp.

    2,223        39,525  

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

    7,839        73,138  

UDR, Inc.

    3,393        84,180  

UMH Properties, Inc.

    3,276        32,957  

Universal Health Realty Income Trust

    936        41,109  

Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Class A

    3,393        66,978  

Ventas, Inc.

    3,978        259,525  

Vornado Realty Trust

    2,457        218,820  

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

    3,510        91,997  

Weingarten Realty Investors

    1,287        40,836  

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp.

    3,978        64,086  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    8,073        245,419  

Whitestone REIT

    1,287        17,748  

Winthrop Realty Trust

    1,638        19,279  

WP Carey, Inc.

    819        54,554  

ZAIS Financial Corp.

    1,404        24,430  
              19,284,546  

Real Estate Management & Development – 0.2%

  

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.*

    3,276        121,212  

Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.*

    1,404        220,821  

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A*

    3,393        78,819  

Forest City Enterprises, Inc., Class A*

    5,733        116,151  

Forestar Group, Inc.*

    2,574        57,477  

The Howard Hughes Corp.*

    819        95,864  

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

    468        44,554  

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

    3,861        77,374  

Realogy Holdings Corp.*

    1,755        72,201  

The St. Joe Co.*

    6,435        120,142  

Tejon Ranch Co.*

    1,053        38,982  
              1,043,597  

Road & Rail – 1.2%

  

AMERCO

    1,287        259,884  

Arkansas Best Corp.

    2,808        76,855  

Avis Budget Group, Inc.*

    20,007        626,819  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      87   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Road & Rail – (continued)

               

Celadon Group, Inc.

    3,510      $ 65,075  

Con-way, Inc.

    9,945        409,734  

CSX Corp.

    14,274        371,980  

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Class A*

    1,404        140,175  

Heartland Express, Inc.

    2,457        35,283  

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.*

    3,861        88,649  

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

    1,170        87,785  

Kansas City Southern

    1,404        170,614  

Knight Transportation, Inc.

    4,212        71,478  

Landstar System, Inc.

    3,393        187,599  

Marten Transport Ltd.

    4,095        72,236  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    4,212        362,316  

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.*

    2,457        115,233  

Quality Distribution, Inc.*

    3,744        38,488  

Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc.*

    1,287        34,106  

Ryder System, Inc.

    9,009        593,062  

Saia, Inc.*

    2,223        72,314  

Swift Transportation Co.*

    19,539        425,755  

Union Pacific Corp.

    6,435        974,259  

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

    3,510        81,292  
              5,360,991  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 2.3%

  

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.*

    3,627        75,732  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*

    52,650        175,851  

Altera Corp.

    4,797        161,179  

Amkor Technology, Inc.*

    25,623        136,058  

ANADIGICS, Inc.*

    7,605        15,362  

Analog Devices, Inc.

    4,212        207,652  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    16,263        290,295  

Applied Micro Circuits Corp.*

    4,914        57,297  

Atmel Corp.*

    33,345        242,752  

ATMI, Inc.*

    2,223        60,777  

Avago Technologies Ltd.

    2,691        122,252  

Broadcom Corp., Class A

    7,839        209,458  

Brooks Automation, Inc.

    4,914        47,371  

Cabot Microelectronics Corp.*

    1,755        71,762  

Cavium, Inc.*

    4,212        169,786  

Ceva, Inc.*

    1,755        25,149  

Cirrus Logic, Inc.*

    11,700        262,431  
    Shares     Value  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (continued)

  

Cohu, Inc.

    2,223      $ 21,252  

Cree, Inc.*

    1,521        92,401  

Cypress Semiconductor Corp.*

    10,062        93,375  

Diodes, Inc.*

    2,808        68,010  

Entegris, Inc.*

    11,583        119,884  

Entropic Communications, Inc.*

    8,775        37,557  

Exar Corp.*

    2,808        32,376  

Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc.*

    9,828        124,521  

First Solar, Inc.*

    1,521        76,461  

FormFactor, Inc.*

    5,031        26,262  

Freescale Semiconductor Ltd.*

    2,808        43,356  

GT Advanced Technologies, Inc.*

    20,475        153,562  

Hittite Microwave Corp.*

    2,574        164,453  

Inphi Corp.*

    1,521        22,420  

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.*

    10,647        113,284  

Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc.*

    4,797        51,712  

Intel Corp.

    56,394        1,377,705  

Intermolecular, Inc.*

    1,287        7,465  

International Rectifier Corp.*

    5,148        134,054  

Intersil Corp., Class A

    9,945        110,986  

IXYS Corp.

    1,872        21,771  

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    1,872        122,803  

Kopin Corp.*

    4,914        18,034  

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.*

    14,157        182,625  

Lam Research Corp.*

    2,340        126,898  

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.*

    7,137        36,613  

Linear Technology Corp.

    2,925        120,334  

LSI Corp.

    7,605        64,490  

LTX-Credence Corp.*

    4,095        25,102  

M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.*

    1,053        18,185  

Magnachip Semiconductor Corp.*

    4,212        78,722  

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

    4,797        57,564  

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

    3,978        118,147  

MaxLinear, Inc., Class A*

    1,287        11,145  

Micrel, Inc.

    5,382        49,514  

Microchip Technology, Inc.

    2,457        105,553  

Micron Technology, Inc.*

    11,583        204,787  

Microsemi Corp.*

    17,082        429,271  

MKS Instruments, Inc.

    3,744        110,972  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

88    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (continued)

  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

    2,457      $ 78,231  

Nanometrics, Inc.*

    1,872        34,782  

NVE Corp.*

    702        37,466  

NVIDIA Corp.

    7,839        118,996  

OmniVision Technologies, Inc.*

    9,828        137,690  

ON Semiconductor Corp.*

    7,137        50,387  

PDF Solutions, Inc.*

    1,989        45,687  

Peregrine Semiconductor Corp.*

    2,574        20,952  

Pericom Semiconductor Corp.*

    1,872        15,126  

Photronics, Inc.*

    7,839        65,848  

PLX Technology, Inc.*

    2,340        14,134  

PMC – Sierra, Inc.*

    17,082        100,271  

Power Integrations, Inc.

    2,223        127,689  

Rambus, Inc.*

    8,073        70,558  

RF Micro Devices, Inc.*

    20,826        109,337  

Rubicon Technology, Inc.*

    1,755        15,093  

Rudolph Technologies, Inc.*

    2,691        28,525  

Semtech Corp.*

    5,382        167,434  

Sigma Designs, Inc.*

    1,638        8,911  

Silicon Image, Inc.*

    5,967        31,327  

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*

    3,276        131,761  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.*

    2,457        63,341  

Spansion, Inc., Class A*

    9,243        110,639  

SunEdison, Inc.*

    19,656        182,801  

SunPower Corp.*

    3,510        105,967  

Supertex, Inc.

    819        20,893  

Teradyne, Inc.*

    2,106        36,834  

Tessera Technologies, Inc.

    5,265        100,140  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    16,263        684,347  

TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.*

    14,508        115,048  

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.*

    5,148        47,928  

Ultratech, Inc.*

    2,223        52,885  

Veeco Instruments, Inc.*

    3,042        88,857  

Xilinx, Inc.

    3,744        170,052  
              10,294,727  

Software – 3.1%

  

Accelrys, Inc.*

    3,276        30,631  

ACI Worldwide, Inc.*

    3,159        174,124  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    5,616        93,450  

Actuate Corp.*

    3,510        28,115  

Adobe Systems, Inc.*

    7,020        380,484  
    Shares     Value  

Software – (continued)

               

Advent Software, Inc.

    2,925      $ 98,134  

American Software, Inc., Class A

    2,574        22,522  

ANSYS, Inc.*

    1,287        112,548  

Aspen Technology, Inc.*

    7,020        268,375  

Autodesk, Inc.*

    3,159        126,076  

Blackbaud, Inc.

    3,159        113,724  

Bottomline Technologies de, Inc.*

    3,042        95,580  

BroadSoft, Inc.*

    2,106        68,908  

CA, Inc.

    4,095        130,057  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*

    3,861        50,077  

Callidus Software, Inc.*

    2,457        25,430  

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.*

    2,457        142,555  

Citrix Systems, Inc.*

    2,808        159,438  

CommVault Systems, Inc.*

    1,521        118,760  

Compuware Corp.

    16,029        171,190  

Comverse, Inc.*

    4,563        144,100  

Concur Technologies, Inc.*

    702        73,429  

Digimarc Corp.

    468        9,856  

Ebix, Inc.

    6,084        69,236  

Electronic Arts, Inc.*

    4,212        110,565  

Ellie Mae, Inc.*

    1,989        57,482  

Epiq Systems, Inc.

    5,382        80,515  

ePlus, Inc.

    702        38,161  

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

    468        50,984  

Fair Isaac Corp.

    2,808        160,842  

Fortinet, Inc.*

    10,530        211,758  

Glu Mobile, Inc.*

    4,329        14,719  

Guidance Software, Inc.*

    1,053        9,203  

Guidewire Software, Inc.*

    4,446        225,501  

Imperva, Inc.*

    1,521        58,315  

Infoblox, Inc.*

    3,510        156,020  

Informatica Corp.*

    1,404        54,194  

Interactive Intelligence Group, Inc.*

    1,053        64,707  

Intuit, Inc.

    4,329        309,134  

Jive Software, Inc.*

    3,042        33,127  

Manhattan Associates, Inc.*

    1,521        162,002  

Mentor Graphics Corp.

    6,786        149,835  

MICROS Systems, Inc.*

    1,170        63,473  

Microsoft Corp.

    87,399        3,089,555  

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A*

    819        99,910  

Model N, Inc.*

    585        5,259  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      89   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Software – (continued)

  

Monotype Imaging Holdings, Inc.

    2,574      $ 72,638  

Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc.*

    7,488        88,957  

Netscout Systems, Inc.*

    3,276        92,776  

NetSuite, Inc.*

    819        82,621  

Nuance Communications, Inc.*

    3,510        54,616  

Oracle Corp.

    50,427        1,689,305  

Pegasystems, Inc.

    1,287        48,983  

Progress Software Corp.*

    4,563        118,455  

Proofpoint, Inc.*

    1,170        37,019  

PROS Holdings, Inc.*

    1,755        62,039  

PTC, Inc.*

    9,126        252,973  

Qlik Technologies, Inc.*

    6,669        168,992  

Qualys, Inc.*

    819        17,035  

Rally Software Development Corp.*

    936        25,113  

RealPage, Inc.*

    3,861        94,710  

Red Hat, Inc.*

    2,808        121,502  

Rosetta Stone, Inc.*

    936        14,208  

Rovi Corp.*

    16,146        270,607  

Salesforce.com, Inc.*

    7,488        399,560  

Seachange International, Inc.*

    2,106        29,884  

ServiceNow, Inc.*

    1,404        76,672  

Silver Spring Networks, Inc.*

    585        12,776  

SolarWinds, Inc.*

    819        29,640  

Solera Holdings, Inc.

    702        39,466  

Splunk, Inc.*

    1,053        66,034  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.*

    4,329        170,130  

Symantec Corp.

    9,477        215,507  

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.*

    2,223        76,960  

Synopsys, Inc.*

    2,106        76,764  

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*

    7,488        134,110  

Tangoe, Inc.*

    2,340        44,694  

Telenav, Inc.*

    351        2,545  

TIBCO Software, Inc.*

    2,106        51,723  

TiVo, Inc.*

    10,062        133,724  

Tyler Technologies, Inc.*

    2,340        226,301  

The Ultimate Software Group, Inc.*

    2,340        361,483  

VASCO Data Security International, Inc.*

    1,755        13,180  
    Shares     Value  

Software – (continued)

  

Verint Systems, Inc.*

    3,978      $ 145,277  

VirnetX Holding Corp.*

    2,340        50,872  

VMware, Inc., Class A*

    1,170        95,098  

Vringo, Inc.*

    3,978        11,218  

Workday, Inc., Class A*

    468        35,039  

Zynga, Inc., Class A*

    50,661        181,873  
              13,905,139  

Specialty Retail – 3.0%

  

Aaron’s, Inc.

    5,967        169,284  

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.,
Class A

    468        17,541  

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

    1,053        104,436  

Aeropostale, Inc.*

    5,733        53,260  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    2,340        36,247  

America’s Car-Mart, Inc.*

    1,053        48,164  

ANN, Inc.*

    8,892        314,421  

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.*

    5,382        258,605  

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.*

    2,925        57,886  

AutoNation, Inc.*

    585        28,214  

AutoZone, Inc.*

    468        203,435  

Barnes & Noble, Inc.*

    7,254        102,499  

bebe stores, inc.

    2,691        16,227  

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*

    3,159        244,254  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    3,276        140,213  

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.

    2,808        53,099  

Body Central Corp.*

    936        5,242  

Brown Shoe Co., Inc.

    7,137        160,154  

The Buckle, Inc.

    1,989        97,342  

Cabela’s, Inc.*

    1,287        76,345  

CarMax, Inc.*

    3,159        148,441  

The Cato Corp., Class A

    4,914        147,273  

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

    4,329        74,242  

The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc.*

    1,638        89,418  

Christopher & Banks Corp.*

    2,457        14,177  

Citi Trends, Inc.*

    2,340        34,351  

Conn’s, Inc.*

    1,989        120,215  

Destination Maternity Corp.

    2,340        73,102  

Destination XL Group, Inc.*

    7,605        52,855  

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

    1,287        68,481  

DSW, Inc., Class A

    2,808        246,177  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

90    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Specialty Retail – (continued)

  

Express, Inc.*

    16,146      $ 374,749  

The Finish Line, Inc., Class A

    9,243        231,445  

Five Below, Inc.*

    3,276        158,100  

Foot Locker, Inc.

    1,521        52,779  

Francesca’s Holdings Corp.*

    3,627        65,250  

GameStop Corp., Class A

    1,521        83,381  

The Gap, Inc.

    4,212        155,802  

Genesco, Inc.*

    4,095        278,910  

GNC Holdings, Inc., Class A

    1,404        82,583  

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

    3,744        239,616  

Guess?, Inc.

    10,647        332,719  

Haverty Furniture Cos, Inc.

    1,404        39,045  

hhgregg, Inc.*

    2,925        45,367  

Hibbett Sports, Inc.*

    2,106        122,843  

The Home Depot, Inc.

    19,890        1,549,232  

Jos A Bank Clothiers, Inc.*

    2,223        106,659  

Kirkland’s, Inc.*

    2,340        41,535  

L Brands, Inc.

    3,510        219,761  

Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A

    3,978        250,017  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    15,210        757,154  

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.*

    1,989        227,124  

MarineMax, Inc.*

    1,755        25,851  

Mattress Firm Holding Corp.*

    1,287        38,687  

The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc.

    8,541        361,284  

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

    2,106        96,876  

New York & Co., Inc.*

    1,755        8,986  

Office Depot, Inc.*

    23,049        128,844  

OfficeMax, Inc.

    15,210        227,846  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*

    1,638        202,801  

Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc.*

    3,042        8,183  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

    7,722        305,946  

The Pep Boys-Manny Moe & Jack*

    3,393        43,905  

PetSmart, Inc.

    1,521        110,668  

Pier 1 Imports, Inc.

    7,722        161,235  

RadioShack Corp.*

    18,135        50,959  

Rent-A-Center, Inc.

    9,828        336,511  

Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc.*

    2,223        155,032  

Ross Stores, Inc.

    3,159        244,349  

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.*

    2,340        61,589  
    Shares     Value  

Specialty Retail – (continued)

               

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc.*

    2,223      $ 61,933  

Select Comfort Corp.*

    3,627        66,447  

Shoe Carnival, Inc.

    2,223        57,776  

Signet Jewelers Ltd.

    819        61,146  

Sonic Automotive, Inc., Class A

    6,084        135,551  

Stage Stores, Inc.

    2,223        45,905  

Staples, Inc.

    6,903        111,276  

Stein Mart, Inc.

    4,914        72,580  

Tiffany & Co.

    1,638        129,680  

Tile Shop Holdings, Inc.*

    1,872        41,802  

Tilly’s, Inc., Class A*

    1,170        17,035  

TJX Cos., Inc.

    10,062        611,669  

Tractor Supply Co.

    1,872        133,567  

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.*

    936        120,604  

Urban Outfitters, Inc.*

    1,170        44,320  

Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.*

    2,574        120,746  

West Marine, Inc.*

    1,287        15,714  

The Wet Seal, Inc., Class A*

    8,541        28,271  

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

    1,170        61,355  

Winmark Corp.

    117        8,566  

Zumiez, Inc.*

    1,521        45,082  
              13,230,248  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 1.0%

  

American Apparel, Inc.*

    8,073        10,818  

Carter’s, Inc.

    1,170        80,905  

Coach, Inc.

    4,095        207,535  

Columbia Sportswear Co.

    819        54,767  

Crocs, Inc.*

    16,380        199,508  

Deckers Outdoor Corp.*

    3,042        209,381  

Fifth & Pacific Cos., Inc.*

    9,477        251,046  

Fossil Group, Inc.*

    702        89,112  

G-III Apparel Group Ltd.*

    3,042        172,542  

Hanesbrands, Inc.

    1,053        71,730  

Iconix Brand Group, Inc.*

    7,839        282,909  

The Jones Group, Inc.

    13,806        214,545  

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*

    1,404        96,946  

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.*

    2,574        198,069  

Movado Group, Inc.

    1,287        60,013  

NIKE, Inc., Class B

    10,296        780,025  

Oxford Industries, Inc.

    936        67,177  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      91   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – (continued)

  

Perry Ellis International, Inc.

    2,457      $ 46,708  

PVH Corp.

    1,053        131,172  

Quiksilver, Inc.*

    9,711        80,796  

Ralph Lauren Corp.

    819        135,659  

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A*

    4,212        122,738  

Steven Madden Ltd.*

    4,385        160,842  

Tumi Holdings, Inc.*

    3,276        69,943  

Under Armour, Inc., Class A*

    936        75,956  

Unifi, Inc.*

    585        14,268  

Vera Bradley, Inc.*

    1,755        38,873  

VF Corp.

    1,170        251,550  

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

    3,627        209,423  
              4,384,956  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.7%

  

Astoria Financial Corp.

    13,572        179,286  

Bank Mutual Corp.

    2,223        14,138  

Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc.*

    2,691        26,237  

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

    4,563        115,763  

BofI Holding, Inc.*

    1,170        70,691  

Brookline Bancorp, Inc.

    12,870        114,157  

Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.

    11,232        142,309  

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

    5,148        84,221  

EverBank Financial Corp.

    15,678        237,051  

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C

    1,872        66,812  

First Defiance Financial Corp.

    1,404        36,251  

Flagstar Bancorp, Inc.*

    3,627        58,794  

HomeStreet, Inc.

    2,223        42,281  

Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.

    5,148        46,229  

MGIC Investment Corp.*

    26,325        214,286  

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.*

    585        30,022  

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

    4,680        75,863  

Northfield Bancorp, Inc.

    2,808        36,307  

Northwest Bancshares, Inc.

    6,786        94,936  

OceanFirst Financial Corp.

    2,574        45,277  

Ocwen Financial Corp.*

    2,925        164,473  

Oritani Financial Corp.

    3,276        53,137  

People’s United Financial, Inc.

    4,446        64,156  

Provident Financial Holdings, Inc.

    702        10,642  
    Shares     Value  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – (continued)

  

       

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

    9,477      $ 177,599  

Provident New York Bancorp

    2,808        32,910  

Radian Group, Inc.

    15,210        221,610  

Rockville Financial, Inc.

    936        12,308  

Security National Financial Corp., Class A*

    2,223        13,049  

Territorial Bancorp, Inc.

    234        5,104  

TFS Financial Corp.*

    1,287        15,624  

Tree.com, Inc.

    351        10,358  

TrustCo Bank Corp. NY

    16,380        110,074  

United Financial Bancorp, Inc.

    2,457        38,526  

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.*

    3,744        48,597  

Washington Federal, Inc.

    19,305        439,768  

Westfield Financial, Inc.

    1,404        10,123  

WSFS Financial Corp.

    1,287        90,103  
              3,249,072  

Tobacco – 0.9%

  

Alliance One International, Inc.*

    15,561        46,216  

Altria Group, Inc.

    28,080        1,045,418  

Lorillard, Inc.

    5,265        268,568  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    22,581        2,012,419  

Reynolds American, Inc.

    4,446        228,391  

Universal Corp.

    4,212        223,362  

Vector Group Ltd.

    8,106        131,074  
              3,955,448  

Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.7%

  

Aceto Corp.

    4,446        70,914  

Air Lease Corp.

    5,499        161,671  

Aircastle Ltd.

    7,371        139,091  

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

    3,042        143,917  

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.*

    3,393        117,771  

CAI International, Inc.*

    3,276        71,712  

DXP Enterprises, Inc.*

    702        64,514  

Edgen Group, Inc.*

    7,722        92,432  

Fastenal Co.

    3,627        180,625  

GATX Corp.

    3,042        156,815  

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.*

    1,989        49,785  

Houston Wire & Cable Co.

    3,042        42,192  

Kaman Corp.

    5,499        204,453  

MRC Global, Inc.*

    18,954        529,764  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

92    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Trading Companies & Distributors – (continued)

  

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A

    585      $ 44,676  

Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A*

    6,084        174,124  

TAL International Group, Inc.*

    5,967        288,266  

Textainer Group Holdings Ltd.

    2,808        106,423  

Titan Machinery, Inc.*

    1,638        28,894  

United Rentals, Inc.*

    1,404        90,684  

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

    819        220,286  

Watsco, Inc.

    2,340        222,979  

WESCO International, Inc.*

    819        69,992  
              3,271,980  

Transportation Infrastructure – 0.0%

  

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.

    5,616        55,149  

Wesco Aircraft Holdings, Inc.*

    2,691        49,299  
              104,448  

Water Utilities – 0.1%

  

American States Water Co.

    2,808        79,972  

American Water Works Co., Inc.

    2,457        105,332  

Aqua America, Inc.

    1,989        50,083  

California Water Service Group

    3,744        81,619  

Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

    936        29,999  

Middlesex Water Co.

    1,170        24,254  

SJW Corp.

    936        26,423  

York Water Co.

    1,755        36,346  
              434,028  

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 0.3%

  

Boingo Wireless, Inc.*

    1,287        8,726  

Crown Castle International Corp.*

    4,212        320,196  

Leap Wireless International, Inc.*

    9,711        156,347  

NII Holdings, Inc.*

    32,292        111,084  

NTELOS Holdings Corp.

    2,223        42,326  

SBA Communications Corp., Class A*

    1,638        143,276  

Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.

    3,042        84,355  

Sprint Corp.*

    21,879        147,246  

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.

    8,775        273,604  
    Shares     Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services – (continued)

  

T-Mobile US, Inc.*

    1,861      $ 51,606  

USA Mobility, Inc.

    3,978        59,352  
              1,398,118  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $361,979,298)
            442,376,686  
    No. of
Rights
       

RIGHTS – 0.0%

  

Caesars Entertainment Corp., expiring 11/02/13 at 8.64 USD* ^

    3,105         
Total Rights
(Cost $–)
             
    No. of
Warrants
       

WARRANTS – 0.0%

  

Magnum Hunter Resources Corp., expiring 04/15/16 at 8.50 USD* ^

    2,849         

Tejon Ranch Co., expiring
08/31/16 at 40.00 USD*

    142        760  
Total Warrants
(Cost $–)
            760  
    Principal
Amount
    Value  

U.S. Government & Agency Security – 0.0%

  

U.S. Treasury Bill 0.00%, due
04/10/14(a) (b)

  $ 275,000       274,933  
Total U.S. Government & Agency Security (Cost $274,932)             274,933  
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $362,254,230) – 98.8%
        442,652,379  

Other assets less liabilities –1.2%

            5,240,848  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 447,893,227  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      93   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

 

Investment in affiliated company. Northern Trust Investments, Inc., the Investment Adviser of the Fund, is an indirect subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation.

 

^ Security fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. At October 31, 2013, the value of these securities amounted to $0.00 or 0.00% of net assets.

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

(a) 

Zero coupon security. Rate disclosed is yield as of October 31, 2013.

 

(b) 

Security pledged as collateral to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts.

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviation:

 

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 84,669,001   

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (4,312,107

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 80,356,894   

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 362,295,485   
 

 

Investment in a company which was affiliated for the year ended October 31, 2013, was as follows:

 

Security   Value
October 31, 2012
    Purchases
at Cost
    Sales at Cost     Value
October 31, 2013
    Dividend
Income
    Realized Gain  

Northern Trust Corp.

  $ 63,356     $ 122,252     $ 1,425     $ 198,034     $ 2,586     $ 488  

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund had the following open long futures contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

    Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional Amount
at Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 

E-Mini S&P 400® Futures Contracts

    8        12/20/13      $ 1,029,120     $ 32,620  

E-Mini S&P 500® Futures Contracts

    29        12/20/13        2,538,950       90,018  

Mini Russell 2000® Futures Contracts

    17        12/20/13        1,866,260       51,260  
                            $ 173,898  

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

94    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS –99.4%

  

Aerospace & Defense – 0.9%

  

BAE Systems PLC

    48,451      $ 353,945   

Bombardier, Inc., Class A

    800        3,659  

Bombardier, Inc., Class B

    19,657        89,346  

CAE, Inc.

    1,384        15,859  

Chemring Group PLC

    30,077        105,100  

Cobham PLC

    21,550        99,781  

Elbit Systems Ltd.

    412        22,068  

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. N.V.

    8,922        613,872  

Finmeccanica SpA*

    5,354        39,342  

Kongsberg Gruppen AS

    2,303        48,013  

MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates Ltd.

    250        19,070  

Meggitt PLC

    11,405        104,901  

MTU Aero Engines AG

    677        67,731  

QinetiQ Group PLC

    35,367        112,448  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC*

    27,651        510,877  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (Preference)*^

    2,377,986        3,821  

Saab AB, Class B

    233        4,681  

Safran S.A.

    3,250        207,995  

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.

    27,000        91,861  

Thales S.A.

    1,878        115,402  

Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC

    3,003        93,308  

Zodiac Aerospace

    502        80,531  
              2,803,611  

Air Freight & Logistics – 0.4%

  

Bollore S.A.

    30        16,389  

CWT Ltd.

    53,000        59,395  

Deutsche Post AG (Registered)

    13,275        449,830  

Freightways Ltd.

    5,961        21,563  

Goodpack Ltd.

    11,000        16,983  

Mainfreight Ltd.

    6,603        63,401  

Oesterreichische Post AG

    116        5,459  

Panalpina Welttransport Holding AG

    164        24,612  

PostNL N.V.*

    64,452        338,398  

The Shibusawa Warehouse Co. Ltd.

    2,000        8,501  
    Shares     Value  

Air Freight & Logistics – (continued)

  

Singapore Post Ltd.

    5,000      $ 5,281  

TNT Express N.V.

    2,492        23,038  

Toll Holdings Ltd.

    4,946        27,024  

Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd.

    5,100        109,475  

Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd.

    2,100        23,716  
              1,193,065  

Airlines – 0.2%

  

Air Berlin PLC*

    3,525        8,147  

Air France-KLM*

    4,281        44,872  

Air New Zealand Ltd.

    2,717        3,621  

ANA Holdings, Inc.

    35,000        73,132  

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.

    13,000        25,789  

Deutsche Lufthansa AG*

    2,937        56,958  

easyJet PLC

    2,212        46,519  

Finnair Oyj

    10,395        39,711  

International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A.*

    10,341        57,800  

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.

    1,100        64,244  

Norwegian Air Shuttle AS*

    532        21,905  

Qantas Airways Ltd.*

    1,868        2,202  

SAS AB*

    15,830        47,703  

Singapore Airlines Ltd.

    7,000        58,862  

Skymark Airlines, Inc.

    2,900        9,932  

Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd.*

    16,800        7,043  

Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd.*

    138,569        54,455  
              622,895  

Auto Components – 1.6%

  

Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.

    2,500        101,289  

Akebono Brake Industry Co. Ltd.

    5,500        26,404  

Brembo SpA

    5,280        139,902  

Bridgestone Corp.

    10,000        341,963  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin

    2,760        288,996  

Continental AG

    1,503        275,747  

Daido Metal Co. Ltd.

    4,000        41,953  

Denso Corp.

    7,500        359,673  

Eagle Industry Co. Ltd.

    1,000        16,043  

ElringKlinger AG

    2,209        94,208  

Exedy Corp.

    2,000        59,342  

Faurecia*

    7,678        224,840  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      95   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS –(continued)

  

Auto Components – (continued)

  

Futaba Industrial Co. Ltd.*

    5,700      $ 21,206  

GKN PLC

    24,853        146,898  

G-Tekt Corp.

    1,400        41,311  

HI-LEX Corp.

    3,900        84,114  

Keihin Corp.

    3,400        55,413  

Kinugawa Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd.

    9,000        49,628  

Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    1,000        18,194  

KYB Co. Ltd.

    8,000        46,152  

Leoni AG

    4,901        333,212  

Linamar Corp.

    6,875        231,133  

Magna International, Inc.

    3,128        264,883  

Martinrea International, Inc.

    12,128        128,508  

Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co. Ltd.

    2,900        68,340  

NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd.

    3,000        68,342  

NHK Spring Co. Ltd.

    400        4,171  

Nifco, Inc.

    200        5,321  

Nippon Seiki Co. Ltd.

    5,000        81,541  

Nissin Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    2,200        41,058  

NOK Corp.

    800        12,329  

Nokian Renkaat Oyj

    1,328        67,288  

Pirelli & C. SpA

    6,530        92,149  

Plastic Omnium S.A.

    3,324        95,350  

Press Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    14,000        61,360  

Riken Corp.

    15,000        65,590  

Sanden Corp.

    13,000        52,604  

Showa Corp.

    4,100        56,709  

Stanley Electric Co. Ltd.

    1,600        37,150  

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

    1,600        22,212  

Tachi-S Co. Ltd.

    3,900        62,171  

Topre Corp.

    5,600        78,426  

Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd.

    8,000        46,642  

Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.

    200        4,986  

Toyota Industries Corp.

    2,500        109,953  

TPR Co. Ltd.

    3,700        70,108  

TS Tech Co. Ltd.

    300        11,222  

Unipres Corp.

    5,900        118,890  

Valeo S.A.

    1,026        102,033  

Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd.

    10,000        9,906  

The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.

    1,000        9,765  

Yorozu Corp.

    1,200        23,667  
              4,870,295  
    Shares     Value  

Automobiles – 2.6%

  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    4,777      $ 542,536  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Preference)

    1,203        100,713  

Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd.

    4,200        81,423  

Daimler AG

    14,119        1,160,132  

FFP*

    1,031        59,752  

Fiat SpA*

    12,577        99,000  

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

    9,200        250,466  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    25,000        997,605  

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

    15,000        92,957  

Mazda Motor Corp.*

    33,000        147,997  

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.*

    5,800        64,911  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

    37,600        376,345  

Peugeot S.A.*

    2,813        37,118  

Piaggio & C SpA

    4,425        12,790  

Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Preference)

    2,325        218,066  

Renault S.A.

    2,753        241,442  

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    5,700        142,979  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    41,500        2,690,246  

Volkswagen AG

    426        104,536  

Volkswagen AG (Preference)

    2,175        553,534  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    3,600        54,967  
              8,029,515  

Beverages – 1.6%

  

Anheuser-Busch InBev N.V.

    11,687        1,217,057  

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    5,200        140,455  

Britvic PLC

    12,126        121,760  

C&C Group PLC

    5,331        31,287  

Carlsberg A/S, Class B

    1,576        157,564  

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd.

    8,800        107,498  

Coca-Cola East Japan Co. Ltd.

    2,606        46,218  

Coca-Cola West Co. Ltd.

    200        4,059  

Corby Distilleries Ltd., Class A

    638        12,511  

Cott Corp.

    8,102        66,348  

Damm S.A.

    3,415        22,749  

Davide Campari-Milano SpA

    2,464        21,506  

Diageo PLC

    38,287        1,222,241  

Heineken Holding N.V.

    1,500        95,631  

Heineken N.V.

    3,200        221,435  

Ito En Ltd.

    200        4,493  

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

    14,000        204,342  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

96    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Beverages – (continued)

  

Molson Coors Canada, Inc., Class B

    620      $ 33,234  

Pernod-Ricard S.A.

    3,252        391,267  

Remy Cointreau S.A.

    137        13,537  

Royal UNIBREW A/S

    424        54,485  

SABMiller PLC

    13,978        730,753  

Sapporo Holdings Ltd.

    2,000        8,888  

Takara Holdings, Inc.

    1,000        9,143  

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

    10,860        48,334  
              4,986,795  

Biotechnology – 0.5%

  

3-D Matrix Ltd.*

    200        6,778  

Abcam PLC

    7,151        57,961  

Actelion Ltd. (Registered)*

    1,955        151,663  

Active Biotech AB*

    2,024        22,520  

Algeta ASA*

    597        23,739  

Basilea Pharmaceutica*

    531        58,052  

CK Life Sciences International Holdings, Inc.

    48,000        4,458  

CSL Ltd.

    7,578        498,731  

Elan Corp. PLC*

    4,422        73,343  

Genmab A/S*

    2,058        89,466  

Genus PLC

    2,753        58,383  

Grifols S.A.

    2,253        92,517  

Grifols S.A., Class B

    2,614        78,538  

Japan Tissue Engineering Co. Ltd.*

    2        10,641  

Mesoblast Ltd.*

    9,717        60,730  

NicOx S.A.*

    2,113        7,124  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    3,827        150,115  

OncoTherapy Science, Inc.*

    2,300        7,033  

QLT, Inc.

    600        2,610  

Sosei Group Corp.*

    300        12,843  

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB*

    6,063        58,090  

Takara Bio, Inc.

    200        4,466  

ThromboGenics N.V.*

    1,426        39,432  

Zeltia S.A.*

    4,904        17,001  
              1,586,234  

Building Products – 0.7%

  

Asahi Glass Co. Ltd.

    21,000        129,498  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    4,876        242,404  

Belimo Holding AG

    21        54,265  
    Shares     Value  

Building Products –(continued)

  

Central Glass Co. Ltd.

    25,000      $ 86,892  

Cie de St-Gobain

    6,282        330,897  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    3,100        177,892  

Geberit AG*

    577        172,867  

GWA Group Ltd.

    7,794        22,880  

Hills Holdings Ltd.

    22,708        39,351  

James Halstead PLC

    912        4,381  

Kingspan Group PLC

    2,446        40,968  

Lindab International AB*

    2,940        28,691  

LIXIL Group Corp.

    3,300        77,295  

Nibe Industrier AB, Class B

    3,352        64,387  

Nichias Corp.

    13,000        87,983  

Nichiha Corp.

    1,600        22,946  

Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd.*

    154,000        199,348  

Nitto Boseki Co. Ltd.

    9,000        41,739  

Noritz Corp.

    3,200        74,268  

Rockwool International A/S, Class B

    82        12,951  

Sankyo Tateyama, Inc.

    2,400        50,735  

Sanwa Holdings Corp.

    3,000        19,203  

Sekisui Jushi Corp.

    5,000        72,724  

Takara Standard Co. Ltd.

    3,000        24,157  

Takasago Thermal Engineering Co. Ltd.

    400        3,343  

TOTO Ltd.

    3,000        42,320  

Uponor Oyi

    3,947        78,075  

Wienerberger AG

    3,084        53,708  
              2,256,168  

Capital Markets – 2.2%

  

3i Group PLC

    19,853        119,003  

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    10,801        76,856  

ABG Sundal Collier Holding ASA

    12,905        10,133  

AGF Management Ltd., Class B

    2,200        29,049  

Alaris Royalty Corp.

    880        30,024  

Allied Properties HK Ltd.

    160,000        26,415  

ARA Asset Management Ltd.

    15,200        22,487  

Ashmore Group PLC

    9,027        58,664  

Avanza Bank Holding AB

    174        5,606  

Azimut Holding SpA

    1,299        33,042  

Banca Generali SpA

    2,432        63,712  

BinckBank N.V.

    9,650        93,146  

Boursorama*

    2,694        27,066  

Brederode S.A.

    1,735        64,582  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      97   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Capital Markets – (continued)

  

Canaccord Genuity Group, Inc.

    11,326      $ 71,897  

CI Financial Corp.

    2,177        72,396  

Close Brothers Group PLC

    4,162        84,586  

Credit Suisse Group AG*

    23,582        735,155  

Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.

    25,000        227,296  

Deutsche Bank AG

    15,232        737,823  

Dundee Corp., Class A*

    2,420        46,388  

EFG International AG*

    1,165        17,175  

F&C Asset Management PLC

    60,334        98,387  

GAM Holding AG*

    3,729        70,005  

Gimv N.V.

    1,502        76,165  

GMP Capital, Inc.

    8,554        50,938  

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

    5,605        107,159  

Henderson Group PLC

    5,642        19,434  

ICAP PLC

    13,510        83,608  

Ichigo Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    5,200        21,466  

Ichiyoshi Securities Co. Ltd.

    2,700        38,198  

IGM Financial, Inc.

    1,825        87,921  

Intermediate Capital Group PLC

    11,365        87,552  

Investec PLC

    3,291        23,084  

IOOF Holdings Ltd.

    6,410        54,569  

Jafco Co. Ltd.

    300        14,983  

Julius Baer Group Ltd.*

    2,902        142,897  

Jupiter Fund Management PLC

    13,502        86,487  

kabu.com Securities Co. Ltd.

    2,000        10,519  

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    4,285        206,739  

Magellan Financial Group Ltd.

    2,303        24,316  

Man Group PLC

    11,656        16,667  

Marusan Securities Co. Ltd.

    1,200        9,797  

Matsui Securities Co. Ltd.

    1,300        13,847  

Mediobanca SpA

    10,971        100,304  

MLP AG

    523        3,266  

Monex Group, Inc.

    3,500        12,700  

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

    50,400        371,412  

Okasan Securities Group, Inc.

    4,000        34,410  

Paris Orleans S.A.*

    3,277        80,993  

Partners Group Holding AG

    302        78,406  

Perpetual Ltd.

    1,925        83,852  

Ratos AB, Class B

    406        3,523  

SBI Holdings, Inc.

    2,500        30,119  

Schroders PLC

    1,174        48,644  
    Shares     Value  

Capital Markets – (continued)

  

Sprott, Inc.

    1,700      $ 4,304  

Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd.

    160,000        90,184  

SVG Capital PLC*

    38,466        246,827  

Tetragon Financial Group Ltd.

    16,858        166,726  

Tokai Tokyo Financial Holdings, Inc.

    2,200        18,343  

Tullett Prebon PLC

    34,001        173,711  

UBS AG*

    55,562        1,077,432  

Union Financiere de France BQE S.A.

    2,150        51,590  

UOB-Kay Hian Holdings Ltd.

    35,000        46,842  

Uranium Participation Corp.*

    11,392        53,309  

Value Partners Group Ltd.

    6,000        3,645  

Verwaltungs- und Privat-Bank AG

    536        52,147  

Vontobel Holding AG

    2,175        87,307  
              6,917,235  

Chemicals – 3.6%

  

Achilles Corp.

    11,000        18,275  

ADEKA Corp.

    12,700        148,993  

Agrium, Inc.

    2,525        215,491  

Air Liquide S.A.

    4,653        634,473  

Air Water, Inc.

    1,000        14,270  

Akzo Nobel N.V.

    3,550        258,493  

Alent PLC

    17,435        97,086  

Arkema S.A.

    950        107,997  

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    16,000        121,496  

AZ Electronic Materials S.A.

    13,544        62,559  

BASF SE

    13,982        1,456,624  

C Uyemura & Co. Ltd.

    700        29,717  

Canexus Corp.

    3,680        25,619  

Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund

    3,456        56,471  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    2,277        84,460  

Chugoku Marine Paints Ltd.

    15,000        85,618  

Clariant AG*

    2,513        44,402  

Croda International PLC

    1,952        76,395  

Daicel Corp.

    6,000        50,515  

Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    15,000        62,379  

Daiso Co. Ltd.

    19,000        57,711  

Denki Kagaku Kogyo KK

    2,000        8,358  

DIC Corp.

    2,000        5,769  

DuluxGroup Ltd.

    17,926        87,421  

Earth Chemical Co. Ltd.

    400        14,881  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

98    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Chemicals – (continued)

  

Elementis PLC

    21,851      $ 90,959  

EMS-Chemie Holding AG

    53        19,358  

Essentra PLC

    6,723        84,627  

Evonik Industries AG*

    1,731        65,892  

Frutarom Industries Ltd.

    1,635        29,377  

Fuchs Petrolub SE

    27        1,839  

Fuchs Petrolub SE (Preference)

    880        71,303  

Fujimi, Inc.

    100        1,343  

Fujimori Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    800        23,704  

Givaudan S.A.*

    125        177,793  

H&R AG*

    1,125        13,641  

Hexpol AB

    1,480        111,382  

Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd.

    1,700        26,043  

Incitec Pivot Ltd.

    36,455        91,826  

Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.*

    59,000        54,724  

Israel Chemicals Ltd.

    7,328        60,762  

The Israel Corp. Ltd.*

    6        3,033  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    2,951        142,422  

JSP Corp.

    1,100        17,479  

JSR Corp.

    2,800        53,140  

K+S AG (Registered)

    3,582        91,502  

Kaneka Corp.

    1,000        6,330  

Kansai Paint Co. Ltd.

    3,000        40,118  

Kemira Oyj

    222        3,570  

Koninklijke DSM N.V.

    2,463        186,810  

Koninklijke Ten Cate N.V.

    4,326        131,680  

Kuraray Co. Ltd.

    5,200        60,952  

Kureha Corp.

    17,000        65,498  

Lanxess AG

    1,710        120,515  

Linde AG

    2,752        523,601  

LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A

    6,390        476,694  

Methanex Corp.

    1,896        109,940  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

    25,500        119,040  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. Inc.

    8,000        65,233  

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

    11,000        29,151  

Nihon Nohyaku Co. Ltd.

    3,000        35,899  

Nippon Kayaku Co. Ltd.

    1,000        13,974  

Nippon Paint Co. Ltd.

    3,000        50,331  

Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd.

    1,000        12,262  

Nippon Soda Co. Ltd.

    25,000        152,635  
    Shares     Value  

Chemicals – (continued)

  

The Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.

    3,000      $ 28,927  

Nissan Chemical Industries Ltd.

    3,800        59,531  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    2,500        130,721  

NOF Corp.

    25,000        173,530  

Nufarm Ltd.

    24,519        113,537  

Nuplex Industries Ltd.

    27,401        79,384  

Okamoto Industries, Inc.

    10,000        31,903  

Orica Ltd.

    6,050        120,711  

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.

    12,950        402,340  

Sakai Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.

    9,000        29,813  

Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd.

    15,000        103,201  

Sateri Holdings Ltd.

    12,000        2,322  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    6,500        366,375  

Shin-Etsu Polymer Co. Ltd.

    3,800        13,363  

Showa Denko KK

    30,000        40,669  

Sika AG

    36        113,739  

Solvay S.A.

    751        117,720  

Sumitomo Bakelite Co. Ltd.

    16,000        57,568  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    25,000        91,224  

Symrise AG

    1,452        61,628  

Syngenta AG

    1,425        576,735  

T Hasegawa Co. Ltd.

    1,600        22,636  

Taiyo Holdings Co. Ltd.

    200        6,030  

Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp.

    1,000        6,839  

Takasago International Corp.

    4,000        22,261  

Teijin Ltd.

    11,000        24,666  

Tenma Corp.

    3,100        40,128  

Tessenderlo Chemie N.V.

    786        19,704  

Tikkurila Oyj

    2,026        52,581  

Toagosei Co. Ltd.

    29,000        131,240  

Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd.

    11,000        37,784  

Tokuyama Corp.

    16,000        61,645  

Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    2,900        63,906  

Toray Industries, Inc.

    25,000        155,947  

Tosoh Corp.

    2,000        7,624  

Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co. Ltd.

    8,000        40,689  

Toyobo Co. Ltd.

    2,000        3,832  

Ube Industries Ltd.

    15,000        31,037  

Umicore S.A.

    1,451        69,309  

Victrex PLC

    3,952        104,763  

Wacker Chemie AG

    136        12,811  

Yara International ASA

    2,112        91,259  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      99   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Chemicals – (continued)

  

Yule Catto & Co. PLC

    41,501      $ 162,355  

Zeon Corp.

    1,000        11,895  
              11,157,737  

Commercial Banks – 11.6%

  

The 77 Bank Ltd.

    1,000        4,943  

The Aichi Bank Ltd.

    100        4,546  

The Akita Bank Ltd.

    25,000        62,685  

Alpha Bank AE*

    182,137        163,921  

The Aomori Bank Ltd.

    15,000        39,140  

Aozora Bank Ltd.

    43,000        124,911  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    41,557        1,331,685  

The Awa Bank Ltd.

    6,000        31,312  

Banca Carige SpA*

    182,507        146,638  

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA*

    82,417        26,107  

Banca Piccolo Credito Valtellinese Scarl*

    81,956        147,073  

Banca Popolare dell’Emilia Romagna SC*

    3,264        31,439  

Banca Popolare di Milano Scarl*

    5,794        3,890  

Banca Popolare di Sondrio SCARL

    20,377        117,403  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.

    81,018        950,432  

Banco BPI S.A.*

    9,348        14,869  

Banco Comercial Portugues S.A., Class R*

    203,535        30,493  

Banco de Sabadell S.A.

    61,338        157,605  

Banco Espirito Santo S.A.*

    34,748        45,964  

Banco Popolare SC*

    26,097        52,012  

Banco Popular Espanol S.A.*

    24,713        140,840  

Banco Santander S.A.*^

    3,712        32,999  

Banco Santander S.A.

    165,433        1,470,661  

Bank Coop AG

    1,054        55,461  

Bank Hapoalim BM

    11,895        63,917  

Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM*

    25,226        96,484  

Bank of East Asia Ltd.

    20,545        88,905  

Bank of Greece

    2,951        64,190  

The Bank of Iwate Ltd.

    2,600        118,061  

The Bank of Kyoto Ltd.

    5,000        43,930  

Bank of Montreal

    9,956        693,297  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

The Bank of Nagoya Ltd.

    2,000      $ 6,849  

Bank of Nova Scotia

    18,203        1,106,476  

The Bank of Okinawa Ltd.

    400        15,472  

Bank of Queensland Ltd.

    1,340        15,328  

The Bank of Saga Ltd.

    13,000        27,958  

Bank of the Ryukyus Ltd.

    300        3,281  

The Bank of Yokohama Ltd.

    28,000        154,113  

Bankinter S.A.

    2,538        15,517  

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise

    8        4,461  

Barclays PLC

    232,608        985,094  

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd.

    7,652        78,982  

Berner Kantonalbank AG

    22        5,493  

BNP Paribas S.A.

    15,350        1,138,158  

CaixaBank

    21,104        109,857  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

    6,027        512,629  

Canadian Western Bank

    1,676        53,743  

The Chiba Bank Ltd.

    8,000        56,916  

The Chiba Kogyo Bank Ltd.*

    3,000        22,811  

The Chugoku Bank Ltd.

    1,000        14,382  

Comdirect Bank AG

    411        4,681  

Commerzbank AG*

    14,813        190,689  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    24,402        1,758,017  

Corbion N.V.

    4,156        96,645  

Credit Agricole S.A.*

    14,901        180,235  

Credito Emiliano SpA

    11,377        86,383  

Dah Sing Banking Group Ltd.

    22,000        41,486  

Dah Sing Financial Holdings Ltd.

    22,800        141,893  

The Daishi Bank Ltd.

    8,000        27,887  

Danske Bank A/S*

    10,303        240,943  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    26,000        350,901  

Deutsche Postbank AG

    611        29,962  

DNB ASA

    14,802        262,555  

The Ehime Bank Ltd.

    26,000        62,542  

The Eighteenth Bank Ltd.

    25,000        57,588  

Erste Group Bank AG

    3,403        120,170  

Espirito Santo Financial Group S.A.*

    19,011        134,913  

FIBI Holdings Ltd.*

    1,280        31,455  

The Fukui Bank Ltd.

    39,000        85,068  

Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.

    10,000        45,052  

The Governor & Co. of the Bank of Ireland*

    327,650        120,269  

The Gunma Bank Ltd.

    2,000        11,538  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

100    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

The Hachijuni Bank Ltd.

    10,000      $ 61,564  

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

    12,500        207,983  

The Higashi-Nippon Bank Ltd.

    29,000        64,142  

The Higo Bank Ltd.

    8,000        45,418  

The Hiroshima Bank Ltd.

    2,000        8,480  

The Hokkoku Bank Ltd.

    9,000        33,208  

The Hokuetsu Bank Ltd.

    25,000        51,728  

Hokuhoku Financial Group, Inc.

    27,000        55,591  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    279,338        3,061,159  

The Hyakugo Bank Ltd.

    10,000        40,669  

The Hyakujushi Bank Ltd.

    10,000        36,388  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    175,782        436,395  

Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Class A*

    3,293        6,606  

The Iyo Bank Ltd.

    6,000        62,501  

The Joyo Bank Ltd.

    14,000        72,490  

The Juroku Bank Ltd.

    9,000        35,226  

Jyske Bank A/S*

    1,272        71,897  

The Kagoshima Bank Ltd.

    7,000        47,019  

Kansai Urban Banking Corp.

    18,000        21,466  

KBC Groep N.V.

    4,000        218,336  

The Keiyo Bank Ltd.

    5,000        25,431  

Laurentian Bank of Canada

    4,578        204,350  

Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG

    1,143        45,377  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC*

    631,976        787,187  

The Michinoku Bank Ltd.

    8,000        16,634  

The Mie Bank Ltd.

    10,000        20,385  

The Minato Bank Ltd.

    29,000        50,545  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

    187,500        1,184,895  

The Miyazaki Bank Ltd.

    20,000        58,098  

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd.

    4,192        49,316  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

    330,600        690,786  

The Musashino Bank Ltd.

    300        10,519  

The Nanto Bank Ltd.

    1,000        3,965  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    35,606        1,190,551  

National Bank of Canada

    2,503        217,166  

National Bank of Greece S.A.*

    5,827        32,876  

Natixis

    17,874        96,518  

The Nishi-Nippon City Bank Ltd.

    2,000        5,402  

Nordea Bank AB

    47,925        614,703  

North Pacific Bank Ltd.

    6,000        26,175  

Oberbank AG

    299        19,512  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

The Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank Ltd.

    15,000      $ 42,198  

The Oita Bank Ltd.

    31,000        113,750  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    34,000        285,081  

Permanent TSB Group Holdings PLC*

    604,336        33,192  

Piraeus Bank S.A.*

    115,127        239,468  

Raiffeisen Bank International AG

    308        11,335  

Resona Holdings, Inc.

    22,900        119,040  

Ringkjoebing Landbobank A/S

    244        49,278  

Royal Bank of Canada

    21,602        1,450,422  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC*

    28,150        166,250  

The San-In Godo Bank Ltd.

    3,000        21,741  

Senshu Ikeda Holdings, Inc.

    9,000        44,307  

Seven Bank Ltd.

    6,400        22,636  

The Shiga Bank Ltd.

    1,000        5,463  

The Shikoku Bank Ltd.

    2,000        4,627  

The Shimizu Bank Ltd.

    800        22,448  

Shinsei Bank Ltd.

    20,000        46,682  

The Shizuoka Bank Ltd.

    10,000        112,425  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A

    21,151        256,582  

Societe Generale S.A.

    10,387        590,546  

Spar Nord Bank A/S*

    15,102        134,882  

SpareBank 1 SMN

    18,100        152,919  

SpareBank 1 SR Bank ASA

    2,585        23,252  

Standard Chartered PLC

    35,053        844,461  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    18,800        903,496  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

    47,000        230,904  

Suruga Bank Ltd.

    5,000        79,197  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    7,376        334,659  

Swedbank AB, Class A

    14,896        389,029  

Sydbank A/S*

    10,452        309,202  

The Tochigi Bank Ltd.

    6,000        22,933  

The Toho Bank Ltd.

    4,000        12,557  

The Tokyo Tomin Bank Ltd.

    2,500        26,730  

TOMONY Holdings, Inc.

    2,500        9,428  

The Toronto-Dominion Bank

    13,410        1,229,834  

The Towa Bank Ltd.

    16,000        14,677  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      101   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

The Tsukuba Bank Ltd.

    5,400      $ 18,879  

UniCredit SpA

    64,202        483,546  

Unione di Banche Italiane SCPA

    13,600        94,295  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    20,000        336,034  

Valiant Holding

    1,100        103,009  

Westpac Banking Corp.

    46,936        1,524,055  

Wing Hang Bank Ltd.

    2,511        35,723  

The Yachiyo Bank Ltd.

    2,300        62,640  

The Yamagata Bank Ltd.

    5,000        20,793  

Yamaguchi Financial Group, Inc.

    1,000        9,408  

The Yamanashi Chuo Bank Ltd.

    27,000        113,933  

Zuger Kantonalbank AG

    4        20,964  
              35,931,772  

Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.3%

  

Aeon Delight Co. Ltd.

    1,900        36,950  

Aggreko PLC

    4,175        107,992  

Babcock International Group PLC

    4,928        100,946  

Berendsen PLC

    9,731        151,726  

Bilfinger SE

    703        78,150  

Black Diamond Group Ltd.

    1,100        28,807  

Brambles Ltd.

    25,902        228,109  

Cabcharge Australia Ltd.

    23,716        90,505  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    8,000        83,824  

Daiseki Co. Ltd.

    1,300        25,507  

De La Rue PLC

    4,777        65,581  

Derichebourg S.A.*

    17,506        61,402  

Downer EDI Ltd.

    890        4,155  

Duskin Co. Ltd.

    200        4,067  

Edenred

    2,878        97,914  

G4S PLC

    17,677        74,266  

Gategroup Holding AG*

    636        16,716  

Homeserve PLC

    47,881        180,314  

Horizon North Logistics, Inc.

    11,937        97,295  

Intrum Justitia AB

    4,477        119,344  

Kaba Holding AG, Class B*

    153        65,598  

Kokuyo Co. Ltd.

    5,600        42,866  

Lassila & Tikanoja Oyj*

    1,342        28,188  

Loomis AB, Class B

    2,980        71,610  

Matsuda Sangyo Co. Ltd.

    800        11,204  

Mineral Resources Ltd.

    21,109        226,477  

Mitie Group PLC

    63,408        320,589  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Services & Supplies – (continued)

  

Mitsubishi Pencil Co. Ltd.

    200      $ 5,221  

Moshi Moshi Hotline, Inc.

    2,400        30,138  

Newalta Corp.

    1,634        25,461  

Nissha Printing Co. Ltd.*

    700        11,401  

Okamura Corp.

    8,000        57,894  

Oyo Corp.

    1,100        18,118  

Park24 Co. Ltd.

    700        13,670  

PayPoint PLC

    4,015        67,150  

Pilot Corp.

    400        15,187  

Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.

    824        22,132  

Prosegur Cia de Seguridad S.A.

    502        2,989  

Regus PLC

    25,957        85,532  

Rentokil Initial PLC

    46,809        78,587  

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc.

    166        3,281  

RPS Group PLC

    17,425        81,186  

Salmat Ltd.

    3,131        6,315  

Sato Holdings Corp.

    1,100        22,289  

Seche Environnement S.A.

    94        3,764  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    3,000        180,410  

Securitas AB, Class B

    7,680        87,825  

Serco Group PLC

    7,497        67,089  

Shanks Group PLC

    56,763        96,211  

Societe BIC S.A.

    209        26,155  

Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd.

    1,000        20,181  

Tomra Systems ASA

    799        7,355  

Toppan Forms Co. Ltd.

    3,300        30,777  

Toppan Printing Co. Ltd.

    12,000        94,669  

Transcontinental, Inc., Class A

    9,952        158,892  

Transfield Services Ltd.

    75,376        95,289  

Transpacific Industries Group Ltd.*

    36,022        39,057  
              3,874,327  

Communications Equipment – 0.6%

  

AAC Technologies Holdings, Inc.

    8,000        35,341  

Aastra Technologies Ltd.

    1,300        35,353  

Alcatel-Lucent*

    46,104        176,565  

Axis Communications AB

    2,369        81,932  

Blackberry Ltd.*

    5,612        44,289  

Denki Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    2,000        13,230  

EVS Broadcast Equipment S.A.

    982        64,482  

Hitachi Kokusai Electric, Inc.

    1,000        13,434  

Japan Radio Co. Ltd.*

    5,000        18,856  

Nokia Oyj*

    60,184        455,738  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

102    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Communications Equipment – (continued)

  

Pace PLC

    39,006      $ 190,884  

Sierra Wireless, Inc.*

    900        16,294  

Spirent Communications PLC

    33,451        59,600  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class A

    1,434        16,210  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

    44,651        533,724  

TKH Group N.V.

    1,241        39,758  

VTech Holdings Ltd.

    2,500        35,889  

Wi-Lan, Inc.

    1,838        5,781  
              1,837,360  

Computers & Peripherals – 0.2%

  

Bull*

    18,663        82,460  

Eizo Corp.

    1,300        31,960  

Gemalto N.V.

    1,306        146,639  

Japan Digital Laboratory Co. Ltd.

    1,800        21,484  

Logitech International S.A.

    7,498        76,922  

Melco Holdings, Inc.

    1,100        15,069  

NEC Corp.

    46,000        103,149  

Seiko Epson Corp.

    900        14,641  

Wacom Co. Ltd.

    1,300        9,620  

Wincor Nixdorf AG

    1,503        99,735  
              601,679  

Construction & Engineering – 1.9%

  

Abengoa S.A., Class B

    47,439        115,250  

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios S.A.

    1,747        57,417  

Aecon Group, Inc.

    8,625        119,510  

Arcadis N.V.

    2,478        77,904  

Ausdrill Ltd.

    35,606        51,587  

Ausenco Ltd.

    8,995        14,054  

Balfour Beatty PLC

    8,637        39,644  

Bird Construction, Inc.

    5,407        67,869  

Boart Longyear Ltd.

    65,114        26,514  

Bouygues S.A.

    2,453        96,010  

Cardno Ltd.

    25,800        172,974  

Carillion PLC

    72,266        352,952  

Chiyoda Corp.

    1,000        12,659  

Chudenko Corp.

    5,100        84,056  

Cie d’Entreprises CFE

    978        77,422  
    Shares     Value  

Construction & Engineering – (continued)

  

Clough Ltd.*

    12,582      $ 17,336  

Colas S.A.

    20        3,317  

COMSYS Holdings Corp.

    300        4,159  

Eiffage S.A.

    82        4,874  

Elecnor S.A.

    3,963        58,133  

Ellaktor S.A.*

    6,332        27,633  

Ferrovial S.A.

    5,676        108,379  

FLSmidth & Co. A/S

    1,485        74,301  

Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA*

    8,407        194,070  

Galliford Try PLC

    5,962        109,770  

Genivar, Inc.

    1,072        30,674  

Hibiya Engineering Ltd.

    2,500        30,400  

Hochtief AG

    461        41,872  

Impregilo SpA

    3,756        24,000  

Interserve PLC

    19,701        194,341  

JGC Corp.

    3,000        114,514  

Kajima Corp.

    18,000        76,139  

Kandenko Co. Ltd.

    7,000        44,236  

Keller Group PLC

    4,708        79,496  

Kier Group PLC

    3,350        97,362  

Kinden Corp.

    2,000        21,935  

Koninklijke BAM Groep N.V.

    35,576        190,512  

Koninklijke Boskalis Westminster N.V.

    750        36,166  

Kyowa Exeo Corp.

    3,900        46,270  

Kyudenko Corp.

    1,000        6,024  

Leighton Holdings Ltd.

    1,172        19,877  

Lemminkainen Oyj

    2,602        52,283  

Maeda Corp.

    8,000        57,405  

Mirait Holdings Corp.

    7,600        67,471  

Monadelphous Group Ltd.

    5,343        91,983  

Morgan Sindall Group PLC

    8,081        102,825  

NCC AB, Class B

    218        6,724  

Nippo Corp.

    2,000        37,448  

Nippon Densetsu Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    3,000        37,519  

Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd.

    42,000        147,691  

NRW Holdings Ltd.

    32,638        43,269  

Obayashi Corp.

    6,000        38,345  

Okumura Corp.

    14,000        66,354  

Outotec Oyj

    920        9,118  

Peab AB

    32,111        189,310  

Penta-Ocean Construction Co. Ltd.

    8,500        25,645  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      103   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Construction & Engineering – (continued)

  

Royal Imtech N.V.*

    58,306      $ 172,009  

Sacyr Vallehermoso S.A.*

    19,404        104,807  

Sanki Engineering Co. Ltd.

    6,000        37,427  

Shikun & Binui Ltd.

    34,250        82,239  

Shimizu Corp.

    10,000        51,167  

SHO-BOND Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600        28,040  

Skanska AB, Class B

    6,002        115,847  

SNC-Lavalin Group, Inc.

    2,500        105,025  

SOCAM Development Ltd.

    20,000        23,810  

Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. Ltd.*

    43,200        56,361  

Sweco AB, Class B

    1,854        23,494  

Taihei Dengyo Kaisha Ltd.

    5,000        35,216  

Taikisha Ltd.

    600        13,950  

Taisei Corp.

    12,000        61,400  

Toda Corp.

    26,000        94,873  

Totetsu Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    1,200        26,982  

Toyo Engineering Corp.

    3,000        12,751  

Trevi Finanziaria Industriale SpA

    574        5,291  

UGL Ltd.

    25,781        179,926  

United Engineers Ltd.

    56,000        83,525  

Veidekke ASA

    17,157        139,904  

Vinci S.A.

    7,484        480,694  

YIT Oyi

    554        7,200  

Yokogawa Bridge Holdings Corp.

    1,000        14,219  

Yurtec Corp.

    1,000        3,251  
              5,954,410  

Construction Materials – 0.6%

  

Adelaide Brighton Ltd.

    8,560        31,208  

Boral Ltd.

    4,399        20,578  

Brickworks Ltd.

    2,458        33,238  

Buzzi Unicem SpA

    811        14,080  

Cementir Holding SpA

    10,424        48,041  

Ciments Francais S.A.

    1,386        99,471  

Cimpor Cimentos de Portugal SGPS S.A.

    521        1,912  

CRH PLC

    11,127        270,776  

Fletcher Building Ltd.

    9,752        80,642  

HeidelbergCement AG

    2,075        163,785  

Holcim Ltd.*

    3,808        284,270  

Imerys S.A.

    632        50,839  
    Shares     Value  

Construction Materials – (continued)

  

Italcementi SpA

    3,175      $ 17,413  

Italmobiliare SpA*

    4,949        102,856  

James Hardie Industries PLC

    7,078        73,259  

Lafarge S.A.

    2,702        187,268  

Marshalls PLC

    1,746        4,881  

RHI AG

    3,097        114,375  

Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co. Ltd.

    3,000        12,078  

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

    19,000        80,369  

Titan Cement Co. S.A.*

    479        13,089  
              1,704,428  

Consumer Finance – 0.1%

  

Acom Co. Ltd.*

    3,300        12,882  

AEON Financial Service Co. Ltd.

    500        15,314  

Aiful Corp.*

    10,300        49,448  

Credit Saison Co. Ltd.

    2,000        54,551  

FlexiGroup Ltd.

    3,498        15,568  

Hitachi Capital Corp.

    600        16,072  

Hong Leong Finance Ltd.

    2,000        4,241  

International Personal Finance PLC

    14,154        131,322  

J Trust Co. Ltd.

    800        13,813  

Jaccs Co. Ltd.

    2,000        9,520  

Orient Corp.*

    4,000        9,989  

Provident Financial PLC

    2,378        60,364  
              393,084  

Containers & Packaging – 0.4%

  

Amcor Ltd.

    19,501        200,177  

BillerudKorsnas AB

    19,231        226,158  

Cascades, Inc.

    13,900        77,840  

CCL Industries, Inc., Class B

    696        47,786  

DS Smith PLC

    18,380        89,356  

FP Corp.

    300        23,178  

Fuji Seal International, Inc.

    1,900        57,168  

Huhtamaki Oyj

    318        7,661  

Intertape Polymer Group, Inc.

    3,250        46,747  

Rengo Co. Ltd.

    2,000        10,682  

Rexam PLC

    10,976        91,609  

RPC Group PLC

    25,286        207,185  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    3,580        87,119  

Toyo Seikan Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,800        37,281  

Winpak Ltd.

    1,210        26,524  
              1,236,471  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

104    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Distributors – 0.2%

  

Breville Group Ltd.

    3,137      $ 23,913  

D’ieteren S.A./N.V.

    182        8,598  

Doshisha Co. Ltd.

    5,000        72,521  

Headlam Group PLC

    9,424        60,032  

Inchcape PLC

    10,352        105,777  

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd.

    1,000        29,548  

Pacific Brands Ltd.

    162,215        108,295  

Paltac Corp.

    6,400        86,107  

Smiths News PLC

    26,977        91,017  

Uni-Select Inc.

    4,177        96,930  
              682,738  

Diversified Consumer Services – 0.1%

  

Benesse Holdings, Inc.

    1,300        48,497  

Dignity PLC

    1,432        32,048  

EnerCare, Inc.

    1,424        13,614  

Invocare Ltd.

    7,453        77,351  

Navitas Ltd.

    2,131        11,704  
              183,214  

Diversified Financial Services – 1.3%

  

Ackermans & van Haaren N.V.

    96        10,414  

ASX Ltd.

    2,003        69,591  

Banque Nationale de Belgique

    26        102,047  

Bolsas y Mercados Espanoles S.A.

    2,403        90,051  

Century Tokyo Leasing Corp.

    600        18,958  

Challenger Ltd.

    5,749        32,664  

Deutsche Boerse AG

    2,677        201,804  

Element Financial Corp.*

    10,684        136,361  

Eurazeo S.A.

    77        5,834  

Exor SpA

    1,379        54,724  

Fimalac

    68        4,227  

First Pacific Co. Ltd.

    18,000        20,477  

Fuyo General Lease Co. Ltd.

    500        20,717  

Goldin Financial Holdings Ltd.*

    80,000        23,836  

Grenkeleasing AG

    331        32,841  

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert S.A.

    1,562        139,665  

HAL Trust

    1,051        146,456  

Hellenic Exchanges S.A. Holding Clearing Settlement and Registry

    3,510        37,029  

Henex

    877        74,780  
    Shares     Value  

Diversified Financial Services – (continued)

  

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd.

    18,086      $ 291,595  

IBJ Leasing Co. Ltd.

    1,600        44,897  

IG Group Holdings PLC

    2,763        27,233  

Industrivarden AB, Class A

    1,574        30,405  

Industrivarden AB, Class C

    296        5,283  

ING Groep N.V.*

    57,475        733,162  

Investment AB Kinnevik, Class B

    3,277        120,931  

Investment AB Oresund*

    2,408        47,724  

Investor AB, Class A

    877        27,525  

Investor AB, Class B

    5,492        176,700  

Japan Exchange Group Inc.

    4,000        92,427  

Japan Securities Finance Co. Ltd.

    5,400        39,409  

KBC Ancora*

    1,377        44,910  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    1,194        31,498  

Lundbergforetagen AB, Class B

    678        28,394  

Marfin Investment Group Holdings S.A.*

    86,575        55,318  

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co. Ltd.

    11,000        62,114  

Onex Corp.

    1,976        104,385  

ORIX Corp.

    17,800        305,889  

Pacific Century Regional Developments Ltd.*

    49,000        8,099  

Pargesa Holding S.A.

    70        5,585  

Pohjola Bank PLC, Class A

    1,646        30,030  

Public Financial Holdings Ltd.

    10,000        5,224  

Ricoh Leasing Co. Ltd.

    2,100        59,997  

Singapore Exchange Ltd.

    18,000        106,518  

SNS REAAL N.V.*^

    2,857         

Sofina S.A.

    46        4,880  

TMX Group Ltd.

    425        19,378  

Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co. Ltd.

    3,833        54,663  

Wendel S.A.

    730        102,022  

Wuestenrot & Wuerttembergische AG

    1,177        27,202  
              3,915,873  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 2.3%

  

BCE, Inc.

    3,828        166,540  

Belgacom S.A.

    2,252        61,737  

Bell Aliant, Inc.

    118        2,988  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      105   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – (continued)

  

Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp. Ltd.

    23,097      $ 40,305  

BT Group PLC

    113,553        687,777  

Cable & Wireless Communications PLC

    374,352        281,411  

Chorus Ltd.

    74,444        163,296  

Colt Group S.A.*

    14,363        28,452  

Deutsche Telekom AG

    44,607        703,461  

Elisa Oyj

    1,554        38,936  

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A.*

    4,754        60,042  

HKT Trust / HKT Ltd.

    11,000        10,201  

Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    26,000        11,402  

iiNET Ltd.

    4,441        27,335  

Iliad S.A.

    205        46,933  

Inmarsat PLC

    8,776        101,587  

Jazztel PLC*

    9,026        99,149  

Koninklijke KPN N.V.*

    49,363        157,975  

M2 Telecommunications Group Ltd.

    4,945        29,688  

Manitoba Telecom Services, Inc.

    700        19,781  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    6,700        347,600  

Orange S.A.

    28,129        386,620  

PCCW Ltd.

    31,000        13,995  

Portugal Telecom SGPS S.A.

    4,044        18,280  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

    126,000        383,988  

Swisscom AG

    403        206,095  

TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC

    5,820        24,947  

TDC A/S

    10,980        99,268  

Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd.

    18,212        35,426  

Telecom Italia SpA

    148,301        144,659  

Telecom Italia SpA (Retirement Savings Plan)

    82,225        64,332  

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

    4,331        34,203  

Telefonica S.A.

    60,106        1,061,058  

Telekom Austria AG

    3,410        28,126  

Telenor ASA

    11,028        265,143  

TeliaSonera AB

    33,202        275,527  
    Shares     Value  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – (continued)

  

Telstra Corp. Ltd.

    64,452      $ 316,150  

TELUS Corp.

    2,404        83,956  

TPG Telecom Ltd.

    7,176        31,666  

Vivendi S.A.

    19,625        498,786  

Ziggo N.V.

    2,497        107,289  
              7,166,110  

Electric Utilities – 1.1%

  

Acciona S.A.

    52        3,304  

Alpiq Holding AG*

    89        11,794  

BKW AG

    2,180        75,832  

Centralschweizerische Kraftwerke AG

    42        13,450  

Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

    7,000        48,710  

Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    10,000        147,997  

The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

    5,100        78,078  

CLP Holdings Ltd.

    26,500        213,284  

Contact Energy Ltd.

    4,950        21,511  

EDP – Energias de Portugal S.A.

    22,227        81,950  

Electricite de France S.A.

    4,377        153,762  

Elia System Operator S.A./N.V.

    468        21,441  

Emera Inc.

    2,500        73,692  

Endesa S.A.*

    208        6,040  

Enel SpA

    90,082        398,016  

Energiedienst Holding AG*

    660        22,594  

Fortis, Inc.

    2,625        81,631  

Fortum Oyj

    6,026        134,354  

Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.*

    3,500        45,021  

Hokuriku Electric Power Co.

    1,100        15,652  

Iberdrola S.A.

    70,230        441,871  

The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc.*

    10,300        130,180  

Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.*

    5,900        82,928  

The Okinawa Electric Power Co. Inc.

    1,300        45,184  

Power Assets Holdings Ltd.

    22,500        187,475  

Public Power Corp. S.A.

    1,519        22,633  

Red Electrica Corp. S.A.

    1,352        84,385  

Romande Energie Holding S.A.

    7        8,774  

Shikoku Electric Power Co. Inc.*

    2,200        39,197  

SP AusNet

    32,218        38,136  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

106    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Electric Utilities – (continued)

  

Spark Infrastructure Group

    8,516      $ 13,669  

SSE PLC

    14,328        325,954  

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA

    19,676        97,636  

Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.*

    7,500        90,587  

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc.*

    23,900        127,405  

TrustPower Ltd.

    2,903        16,580  

Verbund AG

    973        22,878  
              3,423,585  

Electrical Equipment – 1.3%

  

ABB Ltd.*

    34,178        874,501  

Alstom S.A.

    3,535        131,680  

Areva S.A.*

    411        9,767  

Cosel Co. Ltd.

    700        8,762  

Daihen Corp.

    12,000        51,126  

Endo Lighting Corp.

    200        4,611  

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

    2,000        8,949  

Fujikura Ltd.

    4,000        18,224  

Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.

    5,000        11,569  

Futaba Corp.

    400        5,537  

Gamesa Corp. Tecnologica S.A.*

    14,869        144,331  

GS Yuasa Corp.

    6,000        36,021  

Huber & Suhner AG

    90        4,930  

Idec Corp.

    7,500        67,348  

Legrand S.A.

    3,677        209,103  

Mabuchi Motor Co. Ltd.

    1,000        53,104  

Mersen

    2,361        86,600  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    28,000        306,798  

Nexans S.A.

    2,477        110,790  

Nidec Corp.

    1,800        174,845  

Nippon Signal Co. Ltd.

    4,800        36,498  

Nissin Electric Co. Ltd.

    5,000        31,750  

Nitto Kogyo Corp.

    4,600        72,720  

Nordex SE*

    1,750        30,810  

Ormat Industries*

    985        6,673  

Phoenix Mecano AG

    156        93,543  

Prysmian SpA

    2,450        59,954  

Schneider Electric S.A.

    7,775        655,875  

SGL Carbon SE

    568        22,231  

Sinfonia Technology Co. Ltd.

    3,000        5,321  

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    12,900        193,020  
    Shares     Value  

Electrical Equipment – (continued)

  

SWCC Showa Holdings Co. Ltd.*

    9,000      $ 10,274  

Tatsuta Electric Wire and Cable Co. Ltd.

    5,000        35,266  

Ushio, Inc.

    400        5,031  

Vacon PLC

    308        22,946  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S*

    10,676        287,028  

Zumtobel AG

    6,029        107,906  
              3,995,442  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 1.4%

  

Alps Electric Co. Ltd.*

    1,200        10,494  

Amano Corp.

    3,200        31,279  

Anritsu Corp.

    1,000        13,077  

Azbil Corp.

    300        7,235  

Barco N.V.

    1,650        125,192  

Canon Electronics, Inc.

    2,400        44,888  

Celestica Inc.*

    26,176        287,400  

Citizen Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,800        26,996  

Dai-ichi Seiko Co. Ltd.

    200        3,066  

Daiwabo Holdings Co. Ltd.

    23,000        44,073  

Digital China Holdings Ltd.

    109,000        143,120  

Domino Printing Sciences PLC

    8,808        97,854  

Elec & Eltek International Co. Ltd.

    4,000        7,840  

Electrocomponents PLC

    20,675        99,085  

Enplas Corp.

    100        6,574  

Evertz Technologies Ltd.

    300        4,804  

FIH Mobile Ltd.*

    23,000        12,964  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    7,500        182,932  

Halma PLC

    2,281        20,101  

Hamamatsu Photonics KK

    700        26,185  

Hexagon AB, Class B

    4,757        143,054  

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.

    300        45,683  

Hitachi High-Technologies Corp.

    200        4,591  

Hitachi Ltd.

    75,000        523,647  

Horiba Ltd.

    300        10,947  

Hosiden Corp.

    3,500        19,121  

Hoya Corp.

    7,600        182,273  

Ibiden Co. Ltd.

    700        12,101  

Ingenico

    162        12,214  

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd.

    7,000        70,278  

Jenoptik AG

    2,892        50,660  

Kaga Electronics Co. Ltd.

    400        4,024  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      107   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – (continued)

  

Kapsch TrafficCom AG

    121      $ 6,542  

Keyence Corp.

    700        299,664  

Koa Corp.

    900        8,458  

Kudelski S.A.

    2,440        33,816  

Kyocera Corp.

    5,000        258,893  

Laird PLC

    37,130        149,133  

Maruwa Co. Ltd.

    200        7,257  

Mitsumi Electric Co. Ltd.*

    15,500        104,113  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    3,100        248,670  

Nichicon Corp.

    2,100        21,897  

Nippon Ceramic Co. Ltd.

    400        5,838  

Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd.

    2,000        10,274  

Oki Electric Industry Co. Ltd.*

    28,000        63,928  

Omron Corp.

    2,800        106,737  

Oxford Instruments PLC

    2,701        56,413  

Premier Farnell PLC

    13,110        47,580  

Renishaw PLC

    1,617        42,138  

Ryosan Co. Ltd.

    3,300        63,908  

Shimadzu Corp.

    3,000        29,324  

Spectris PLC

    1,617        60,063  

Star Micronics Co. Ltd.

    5,200        55,970  

Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd.

    800        10,209  

TDK Corp.

    1,300        55,122  

Topcon Corp.

    1,400        21,019  

Toyo Corp.

    700        7,813  

Truly International Holdings

    166,000        105,342  

Venture Corp. Ltd.

    1,000        6,272  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

    5,000        64,519  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    2,200        28,703  
              4,253,367  

Energy Equipment & Services – 1.2%

  

Aker Solutions ASA

    1,277        17,670  

AMEC PLC

    3,625        68,548  

Archer Ltd.*

    32,794        30,050  

Bonheur ASA

    689        15,812  

Bourbon S.A.

    6,505        186,024  

BW Offshore Ltd.

    41,795        57,411  

Calfrac Well Services Ltd.

    2,772        86,388  

Canadian Energy Services & Technology Corp.

    2,507        45,123  

Canyon Services Group, Inc.

    4,976        54,539  
    Shares     Value  

Energy Equipment & Services – (continued)

  

CGG*

    1,842      $ 40,581  

DOF ASA*

    7,141        33,617  

Enerflex Ltd.

    2,040        28,893  

Ensign Energy Services, Inc.

    1,654        28,263  

Ezion Holdings Ltd.

    12,000        21,671  

Ezra Holdings Ltd.*

    102,000        110,195  

Farstad Shipping ASA

    3,378        76,957  

Fred Olsen Energy ASA

    56        2,360  

Fugro N.V.

    871        54,570  

Ganger Rolf ASA

    908        20,457  

Hunting PLC

    17,829        255,505  

Japan Drilling Co. Ltd.

    100        6,941  

John Wood Group PLC

    4,150        54,139  

Kvaerner ASA

    17,851        29,113  

Lamprell PLC*

    15,249        40,178  

Miclyn Express Offshore Ltd.

    7,837        15,585  

Modec, Inc.

    600        18,169  

Mullen Group Ltd.

    2,280        61,086  

Pason Systems, Inc.

    3,053        63,440  

Petrofac Ltd.

    3,552        83,488  

Petroleum Geo-Services ASA

    5,578        67,712  

Precision Drilling Corp.

    4,858        51,382  

Prosafe SE

    1,020        8,755  

Saipem SpA

    3,903        91,584  

Savanna Energy Services Corp.

    10,331        77,667  

SBM Offshore N.V.*

    1,577        33,081  

Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG

    202        23,343  

Seadrill Ltd.

    5,353        247,951  

Secure Energy Services, Inc.

    7,638        108,324  

ShawCor Ltd.

    274        11,516  

Shinko Plantech Co. Ltd.

    3,900        31,483  

Siem Offshore, Inc.*

    20,434        33,325  

Solstad Offshore ASA

    1,705        33,826  

Subsea 7 S.A.

    4,858        102,832  

Technip S.A.

    1,500        157,328  

Tecnicas Reunidas S.A.

    62        3,199  

Tenaris S.A.

    7,076        166,230  

TGS Nopec Geophysical Co. ASA

    2,102        57,889  

Transocean Ltd.

    5,500        258,885  

Trican Well Service Ltd.

    1,676        23,544  

Trinidad Drilling Ltd.

    18,727        181,371  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

108    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Energy Equipment & Services – (continued)

  

Weatherford International Ltd.*

    12,600      $ 207,144  

WorleyParsons Ltd.

    3,395        70,921  
              3,656,065  

Food & Staples Retailing – 2.0%

  

Aeon Co. Ltd.

    7,700        104,932  

Ain Pharmaciez, Inc.

    100        4,342  

Alimentation Couche Tard, Inc., Class B

    2,455        166,248  

Arcs Co. Ltd.

    7,500        140,658  

Axfood AB

    88        4,563  

Booker Group PLC

    22,978        55,412  

Carrefour S.A.

    8,803        322,888  

Casino Guichard Perrachon S.A.

    775        87,355  

Cawachi Ltd.

    4,900        92,147  

Cocokara fine, Inc.

    1,900        54,051  

Colruyt S.A.

    1,650        92,408  

Cosmos Pharmaceutical Corp.

    100        12,190  

Create SD Holdings Co. Ltd.

    700        25,507  

Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd.

    4,500        50,985  

Delhaize Group S.A.

    1,201        76,846  

Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentacion S.A.

    12,954        118,575  

Empire Co. Ltd., Class A

    890        65,526  

FamilyMart Co. Ltd.

    700        31,358  

George Weston Ltd.

    1,078        87,803  

Heiwado Co. Ltd.

    5,000        77,923  

ICA Gruppen AB*

    3,100        93,847  

Inageya Co. Ltd.

    800        8,276  

Itochu-Shokuhin Co. Ltd.

    300        9,938  

Izumiya Co. Ltd.

    1,000        4,729  

J Sainsbury PLC

    11,906        75,461  

The Jean Coutu Group PJC, Inc., Class A

    254        4,489  

Jeronimo Martins SGPS S.A.

    4,927        91,163  

Kasumi Co. Ltd.

    3,500        21,619  

Kato Sangyo Co. Ltd.

    2,900        59,502  

Kesko Oyj, Class B

    112        3,727  

Koninklijke Ahold N.V.

    15,900        303,057  

Lawson, Inc.

    1,100        88,238  

Life Corp.

    1,900        31,644  
    Shares     Value  

Food & Staples Retailing – (continued)

  

Loblaw Cos. Ltd.

    1,275      $ 58,306  

Metcash Ltd.

    21,658        68,705  

Metro AG

    1,800        84,511  

Metro, Inc.

    1,152        72,057  

Ministop Co. Ltd.

    1,300        20,313  

The North West Co. Inc.

    2,927        72,779  

Okuwa Co. Ltd.

    4,000        36,204  

Olam International Ltd.

    11,000        13,657  

Rallye S.A.

    4,002        170,648  

Rami Levi Chain Stores Hashikma Marketing 2006 Ltd.

    375        20,353  

San-A Co. Ltd.

    2,400        68,470  

Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd.

    10,700        394,802  

Shoppers Drug Mart Corp.

    3,100        181,092  

Shufersal Ltd.

    3,578        14,488  

Sligro Food Group N.V.

    578        21,668  

Sugi Holdings Co. Ltd.

    200        8,368  

Sundrug Co. Ltd.

    200        9,958  

Tesco PLC

    125,929        736,841  

Tsuruha Holdings, Inc.

    100        9,082  

UNY Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,900        24,606  

Valor Co. Ltd.

    8,200        118,265  

Welcia Holdings Co. Ltd.

    800        48,435  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

    17,326        705,604  

WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC

    36,503        165,146  

Woolworths Ltd.

    19,458        643,059  

Yaoko Co. Ltd.

    800        29,844  

Yokohama Reito Co. Ltd.

    2,100        16,610  
              6,281,278  

Food Products – 3.1%

  

A2 Corp. Ltd.*

    42,362        23,844  

AarhusKarlshamn AB

    442        26,195  

Adecoagro S.A.*

    3,400        27,200  

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    11,000        153,939  

Ariake Japan Co. Ltd.

    800        19,358  

Aryzta AG*

    1,478        110,660  

Associated British Foods PLC

    6,227        226,797  

Austevoll Seafood ASA

    13,900        86,470  

Australian Agricultural Co. Ltd.*

    12,274        13,076  

Barry Callebaut AG*

    25        26,172  

Bonduelle S.C.A.

    1,156        28,917  

Bongrain S.A.

    386        28,285  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      109   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Food Products – (continued)

  

Calbee Inc.

    400      $ 10,494  

Campofrio Food Group S.A.*

    1,557        12,489  

Cermaq ASA

    596        10,572  

China Fishery Group Ltd.

    60,000        19,108  

Dairy Crest Group PLC

    4,130        35,631  

Danone S.A.

    8,526        633,106  

Dydo Drinco, Inc.

    100        4,235  

East Asiatic Co. Ltd. A/S*

    645        11,051  

Ebro Foods S.A.

    246        5,565  

Emmi AG*

    85        24,499  

Ezaki Glico Co. Ltd.

    1,000        11,110  

Fuji Oil Co. Ltd.

    1,600        29,143  

Fujicco Co. Ltd.

    2,000        24,890  

Fujiya Co. Ltd.

    6,000        11,864  

Glanbia PLC

    1,155        16,205  

GMG Global Ltd.

    80,000        6,514  

Goodman Fielder Ltd.

    102,251        73,588  

GrainCorp Ltd., Class A

    2,486        29,050  

Greencore Group PLC

    58,002        167,828  

Hokuto Corp.

    600        11,522  

House Foods Group, Inc.

    2,400        38,014  

Indofood Agri Resources Ltd.

    77,000        56,492  

Itoham Foods, Inc.

    9,000        37,978  

J-Oil Mills, Inc.

    14,000        44,236  

Kagome Co. Ltd.

    500        8,684  

Kameda Seika Co. Ltd.

    200        5,912  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    2,152        137,988  

Kewpie Corp.

    1,000        15,055  

KEY Coffee, Inc.

    1,500        23,805  

Kikkoman Corp.

    4,000        72,816  

Koninklijke Wessanen N.V.

    5,748        21,568  

KWS Saat AG

    39        13,952  

Leroy Seafood Group ASA

    1,715        53,344  

Lindt & Spruengli AG

    10        88,466  

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

    300        4,416  

Marine Harvest ASA

    16,169        18,975  

Marudai Food Co. Ltd.

    9,000        28,346  

Maruha Nichiro Holdings, Inc.

    32,000        61,319  

Megmilk Snow Brand Co. Ltd.

    6,900        98,109  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

    900        50,270  

Mitsui Sugar Co. Ltd.

    5,000        17,939  
    Shares     Value  

Food Products – (continued)

  

Morinaga & Co. Ltd.

    5,000      $ 10,651  

Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.

    26,000        81,093  

Nagatanien Co. Ltd.

    3,000        27,276  

Nestle S.A. (Registered)

    48,076        3,477,420  

New Britain Palm Oil Ltd.

    4,923        31,439  

Nichirei Corp.

    1,000        5,157  

Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    10,000        18,856  

Nippon Flour Mills Co. Ltd.

    14,000        67,496  

Nippon Meat Packers, Inc.

    1,000        14,616  

Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd.*

    35,200        71,756  

The Nisshin Oillio Group Ltd.

    7,000        23,545  

Nisshin Seifun Group, Inc.

    2,200        23,837  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    700        29,966  

Nutreco N.V.

    1,663        81,651  

Origin Enterprises PLC

    5,489        53,430  

Orkla ASA

    12,075        97,956  

Pacific Andes Resources Development Ltd.

    132,000        13,622  

Petra Foods Ltd.

    5,000        14,311  

Premier Foods PLC*

    33,234        80,358  

Prima Meat Packers Ltd.

    19,000        40,281  

Raisio PLC, Class V

    5,066        29,546  

Riken Vitamin Co. Ltd.

    800        19,978  

Sakata Seed Corp.

    400        5,459  

Salmar ASA*

    5,901        72,178  

Sanford Ltd.

    8,893        33,641  

Saputo, Inc.

    2,025        100,177  

Showa Sangyo Co. Ltd.

    13,000        40,149  

Sipef S.A.

    200        15,199  

Suedzucker AG

    1,706        55,037  

SunOpta, Inc.*

    3,508        37,743  

Super Group Ltd.

    6,000        20,365  

Tate & Lyle PLC

    6,206        78,917  

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

    1,000        31,801  

Unilever N.V.

    24,257        961,951  

Unilever PLC

    19,750        801,191  

United International Enterprises

    150        28,735  

Vilmorin & Cie S.A.

    35        4,138  

Viscofan S.A.

    1,129        60,006  

Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd.

    32,000        41,274  

Wilmar International Ltd.

    30,000        83,686  

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

    1,200        60,850  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

110    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Food Products – (continued)

  

Yamazaki Baking Co. Ltd.

    1,000      $ 10,172  

Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd.

    13,000        26,779  
              9,700,750  

Gas Utilities – 0.4%

  

APA Group

    7,893        45,294  

Enagas S.A.

    2,325        62,237  

Envestra Ltd.

    43,794        46,655  

Gas Natural SDG S.A.

    4,803        113,420  

Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd.

    78,600        183,700  

Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.

    26,000        109,449  

Rubis S.C.A.

    1,303        81,539  

Saibu Gas Co. Ltd.

    15,000        37,305  

Shizuoka Gas Co. Ltd.

    5,000        33,126  

Snam SpA

    29,187        150,624  

Superior Plus Corp.

    21,733        231,741  

Toho Gas Co. Ltd.

    3,000        15,625  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

    33,000        178,942  

Valener, Inc.

    500        7,436  
              1,297,093  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.7%

  

Ansell Ltd.

    1,947        35,934  

Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd.

    700        47,019  

BioMerieux

    53        5,329  

Biosensors International Group Ltd.

    11,000        8,336  

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

    288        9,119  

Cochlear Ltd.

    785        43,784  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    2,178        142,203  

DiaSorin SpA

    471        22,322  

Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA

    116        11,512  

Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA (Preference)

    179        21,050  

Elekta AB, Class B

    4,701        69,450  

Essilor International S.A.

    3,001        322,717  

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

    2,745        8,362  

Fukuda Denshi Co. Ltd.

    2,800        120,293  

Getinge AB, Class B

    3,178        100,923  

Given Imaging Ltd.*

    1,000        20,220  

GN Store Nord A/S

    2,532        57,828  

Hogy Medical Co. Ltd.

    700        40,740  
    Shares     Value  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – (continued)

  

Nagaileben Co. Ltd.

    500      $ 8,261  

Nakanishi, Inc.

    300        42,748  

Nihon Kohden Corp.

    100        4,113  

Nikkiso Co. Ltd.

    2,000        24,768  

Nipro Corp.

    800        7,306  

Nobel Biocare Holding AG*

    5,577        92,380  

Olympus Corp.*

    3,600        115,218  

Ossur HF

    18,543        32,954  

Sartorius AG

    302        31,901  

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

    198        29,812  

Smith & Nephew PLC

    14,253        182,504  

Sonova Holding AG*

    678        88,423  

Sorin SpA*

    6,750        18,629  

Straumann Holding AG

    395        78,777  

Sysmex Corp.

    1,100        72,541  

Terumo Corp.

    2,500        120,783  

William Demant Holding A/S*

    324        32,097  

Ypsomed Holding AG (Registered)*

    295        18,895  
              2,089,251  

Health Care Providers & Services – 0.6%

  

Alfresa Holdings Corp.

    300        16,390  

Amplifon SpA

    544        2,906  

Arseus N.V.

    1,000        30,888  

As One Corp.

    900        19,888  

BML, Inc.

    200        6,829  

Catamaran Corp.*

    2,827        132,614  

Celesio AG

    1,150        35,857  

Ebos Group Ltd.

    5,057        40,604  

Extendicare, Inc.

    14,584        93,558  

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

    3,806        252,297  

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    1,977        257,297  

Medipal Holdings Corp.

    1,300        17,544  

Message Co. Ltd.

    200        5,647  

Metlifecare Ltd.

    2,740        9,254  

Miraca Holdings, Inc.

    600        27,000  

Nichii Gakkan Co.

    8,900        89,263  

Oriola-KD Oyj*

    6,067        19,795  

Oriola-KD Oyj, Class B

    16,302        52,969  

Orpea

    206        11,132  

Primary Health Care Ltd.

    2,306        10,787  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      111   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Health Care Providers & Services – (continued)

  

Raffles Medical Group Ltd.

    7,023      $ 18,062  

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

    1,752        64,371  

Rhoen Klinikum AG

    2,609        72,943  

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

    1,245        7,781  

Ship Healthcare Holdings, Inc.

    200        8,195  

Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    84,809        45,777  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    7,102        108,545  

Suzuken Co. Ltd.

    1,800        64,948  

Toho Holdings Co. Ltd.

    300        5,791  

UDG Healthcare PLC

    35,926        180,082  

Vital KSK Holdings, Inc.

    5,700        39,971  
              1,748,985  

Health Care Technology – 0.0%

  

CompuGroup Medical AG

    1,428        37,264  

M3, Inc.

    8        21,894  
              59,158  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.7%

  

Accor S.A.

    2,053        92,147  

Accordia Golf Co. Ltd.

    5,400        59,223  

Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd.

    3,266        13,484  

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

    922        4,409  

Atom Corp.

    1,200        6,054  

Autogrill SpA*

    270        2,430  

Betfair Group PLC

    3,123        50,425  

Betsson AB*

    2,256        71,120  

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment PLC

    33,886        66,854  

Cafe de Coral Holdings Ltd.

    6,000        20,585  

Carnival PLC

    2,426        86,683  

Club Mediterranee S.A.*

    878        20,733  

Coco’s Japan Co. Ltd.

    1,600        25,669  

Colowide Co. Ltd.

    1,000        10,070  

Compass Group PLC

    26,500        381,897  

Crown Ltd.

    5,627        89,892  

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd.

    3,078        45,411  

Domino’s Pizza Group PLC

    6,344        59,727  

Doutor Nichires Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,700        49,068  

Echo Entertainment Group Ltd.

    7,053        17,699  

Enterprise Inns PLC*

    86,155        209,701  

Euro Disney S.C.A.*

    374        2,446  
    Shares     Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – (continued)

  

Flight Centre Ltd.

    659      $ 32,394  

Fuji Kyuko Co. Ltd.

    1,000        8,266  

Fujita Kanko, Inc.

    2,000        8,766  

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.*

    28,000        208,924  

Genting Hong Kong Ltd.*

    72,000        33,060  

Genting Singapore PLC

    116,000        142,621  

Great Canadian Gaming Corp.*

    504        6,196  

Greene King PLC

    2,663        35,297  

Gtech SpA

    116        3,531  

GuocoLeisure Ltd.*

    13,000        8,647  

Harbour Centre Development Ltd.

    30,000        55,333  

HIS Co. Ltd.

    400        21,568  

Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels

    26,000        40,913  

Hotel Properties Ltd.

    3,000        7,595  

Ichibanya Co. Ltd.

    500        21,404  

Imperial Hotel Ltd.

    600        14,708  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

    3,475        101,442  

Intralot S.A.-Integrated Lottery Systems & Services

    11,523        30,548  

JD Wetherspoon PLC

    6,579        74,517  

Kappa Create Holdings Co. Ltd.

    950        17,730  

Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan Ltd.

    1,000        21,415  

Kingston Financial Group Ltd.

    28,000        3,178  

Kisoji Co. Ltd.

    1,100        20,338  

Kuoni Reisen Holding AG*

    226        95,836  

Ladbrokes PLC

    7,031        21,587  

Marston’s PLC

    84,677        206,784  

McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd.

    800        22,147  

Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd.*

    8,100        91,572  

Melco International Development Ltd.

    21,000        65,955  

Melia Hotels International S.A.

    336        3,819  

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels PLC

    524        4,794  

Miramar Hotel & Investment

    53,000        67,950  

Mitchells & Butlers PLC*

    32,675        210,508  

MOS Food Services, Inc.

    1,100        21,347  

NagaCorp Ltd.

    58,000        53,563  

NH Hoteles S.A.*

    2,053        10,746  

Ohsho Food Service Corp.

    2,800        91,897  

OPAP S.A.

    2,241        27,877  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd.

    800        128,183  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

112    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – (continued)

  

OUE Ltd.

    21,000      $ 40,972  

Paddy Power PLC

    647        52,776  

PGM Holdings K K

    400        3,889  

Plenus Co. Ltd.

    1,000        22,689  

Rank Group PLC

    1,756        4,048  

Regal Hotels International Holdings Ltd.^

    52,000        28,371  

Resorttrust, Inc.

    300        11,406  

The Restaurant Group PLC

    10,327        95,566  

Rezidor Hotel Group AB*

    2,683        15,299  

Round One Corp.

    700        3,710  

Royal Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,600        25,685  

Saizeriya Co. Ltd.

    500        6,182  

Sands China Ltd.

    34,400        244,477  

Shangri-La Asia Ltd.

    12,000        21,978  

SJM Holdings Ltd.

    28,000        90,468  

SKYCITY Entertainment Group Ltd.

    1,876        6,041  

Sodexo

    1,153        112,061  

St Marc Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600        30,884  

Starbucks Coffee Japan Ltd.

    900        10,549  

Tabcorp Holdings Ltd.

    3,750        12,784  

Tatts Group Ltd.

    19,853        59,031  

Thomas Cook Group PLC*

    87,059        201,551  

Tim Hortons, Inc.

    2,275        135,778  

Tokyo Dome Corp.

    4,000        27,398  

Tokyotokeiba Co. Ltd.

    2,000        8,113  

Toridoll.corp

    3,400        32,021  

TUI AG*

    1,864        24,781  

TUI Travel PLC

    3,691        22,830  

Unibet Group PLC

    1,859        74,693  

WATAMI Co. Ltd.

    1,400        21,547  

Whitbread PLC

    2,302        126,966  

William Hill PLC

    10,461        67,378  

Wynn Macau Ltd.

    27,600        105,907  

Yomiuri Land Co. Ltd.

    1,000        7,441  

Yoshinoya Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,400        16,082  

Zensho Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,600        41,133  
              5,241,168  

Household Durables – 1.2%

  

Alpine Electronics, Inc.

    2,400        28,988  

Bang & Olufsen A/S*

    222        2,145  
    Shares     Value  

Household Durables – (continued)

  

Barratt Developments PLC

    10,792      $ 58,101  

Bellway PLC

    3,537        85,465  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    2,144        80,602  

Bovis Homes Group PLC

    6,977        87,993  

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc.*

    700        15,456  

Casio Computer Co. Ltd.

    2,400        22,921  

Chofu Seisakusho Co. Ltd.

    200        4,638  

Clarion Co. Ltd.*

    22,000        29,375  

Corona Corp.

    2,900        32,810  

Crest Nicholson Holdings PLC*

    40,189        249,877  

Dorel Industries, Inc., Class B

    3,878        144,061  

Ekornes ASA

    3,933        64,142  

Electrolux AB

    3,002        74,226  

Fleetwood Corp. Ltd.

    5,982        19,090  

Forbo Holding AG*

    52        40,886  

Foster Electric Co. Ltd.

    2,700        52,728  

France Bed Holdings Co. Ltd.

    16,000        33,106  

Fujitsu General Ltd.

    4,000        48,476  

Funai Electric Co. Ltd.

    900        9,559  

GUD Holdings Ltd.

    2,533        14,224  

Haseko Corp.*

    1,700        12,545  

Hunter Douglas N.V.

    110        4,785  

Husqvarna AB, Class B

    2,585        15,228  

Indesit Co. SpA

    4,592        47,570  

JM AB

    12,275        350,928  

JVC Kenwood Corp.

    32,600        63,798  

Man Wah Holdings Ltd.

    24,800        42,735  

Metall Zug AG, Class B

    8        19,241  

Misawa Homes Co. Ltd.

    4,600        82,426  

Mitsui Home Co. Ltd.

    1,000        5,045  

Nexity S.A.

    4,503        176,921  

Nobia AB

    7,206        62,917  

Panasonic Corp.

    32,700        328,300  

Persimmon PLC*

    3,439        69,892  

Pioneer Corp.*

    47,300        86,780  

Redrow PLC

    7,585        32,293  

Rinnai Corp.

    400        30,986  

Sangetsu Co. Ltd.

    1,200        31,838  

SEB S.A.

    46        4,138  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

    9,000        104,301  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    10,000        143,003  

Sharp Corp.*

    23,000        67,750  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      113   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Household Durables – (continued)

  

Sony Corp.

    15,000      $ 286,974  

Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd.

    500        5,805  

Takamatsu Construction Group Co. Ltd.

    2,600        48,656  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    61,576        109,019  

Techtronic Industries Co.

    18,000        45,272  

Token Corp.

    670        35,579  

TomTom N.V.*

    5,274        40,876  
              3,554,470  

Household Products – 0.5%

  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    1,800        166,623  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Preference)

    2,550        276,298  

Lion Corp.

    1,000        6,004  

Pigeon Corp.

    800        41,178  

PZ Cussons PLC

    3,525        22,296  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    9,404        732,458  

ST Corp.

    1,800        18,365  

Svenska Cellulosa AB S.C.A., Class A

    468        13,235  

Svenska Cellulosa AB S.C.A., Class B

    9,153        260,260  

Unicharm Corp.

    1,800        115,401  
              1,652,118  

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders – 0.2%

  

ALBIOMA

    3,682        90,152  

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.

    6,486        41,857  

APR Energy PLC

    3,286        61,240  

Atlantic Power Corp.

    18,941        85,365  

Capital Power Corp.

    3,803        78,770  

Drax Group PLC

    6,576        67,193  

EDP Renovaveis S.A.

    9,427        52,020  

Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.

    2,100        66,996  

Enel Green Power SpA

    11,345        27,639  

Energy World Corp. Ltd.*

    17,127        7,055  

Innergex Renewable Energy, Inc.

    7,554        66,207  

KSK Power Ventur PLC*

    2,099        6,745  

Northland Power, Inc.

    180        2,851  

TransAlta Corp.

    2,853        38,383  
              692,473  
    Shares     Value  

Industrial Conglomerates – 1.4%

  

CIR-Compagnie Industriali Riunite SpA*

    40,226      $ 67,101  

Clal Industries Ltd.*

    1,000        4,473  

Cofide SpA*

    55,317        43,656  

CSR Ltd.

    45,552        107,839  

Daetwyler Holding AG

    117        14,923  

Hong Leong Asia Ltd.

    28,000        32,846  

Hopewell Holdings Ltd.

    3,500        11,782  

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.

    30,000        373,788  

Indus Holding AG

    3,103        111,791  

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

    2,800        152,572  

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

    3,500        118,615  

Katakura Industries Co. Ltd.

    1,200        14,213  

Keihan Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    10,000        41,178  

Keppel Corp. Ltd.

    25,000        218,688  

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

    13,828        490,282  

Koor Industries Ltd.*

    1,851        38,265  

Nisshinbo Holdings, Inc.

    2,000        17,613  

NWS Holdings Ltd.

    15,090        23,551  

Rheinmetall AG

    5,825        361,783  

Schouw & Co.

    2,658        99,561  

Sembcorp Industries Ltd.

    10,000        42,891  

Shun Tak Holdings Ltd.

    56,000        32,431  

Siemens AG (Registered)

    12,245        1,567,822  

Smiths Group PLC

    5,227        120,507  

Sonae

    18,183        26,327  

Straits Trading Co. Ltd.

    7,000        20,655  

TOKAI Holdings Corp.

    20,700        73,424  

Toshiba Corp.

    55,000        233,208  
              4,461,785  

Insurance – 4.4%

  

Admiral Group PLC

    3,557        73,091  

Aegon N.V.

    27,352        218,053  

Ageas

    3,250        138,494  

AIA Group Ltd.

    185,000        938,953  

Allianz SE (Registered)

    6,750        1,136,984  

Amlin PLC

    2,767        18,942  

AMP Ltd.

    47,534        213,358  

April

    1,650        35,173  

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    18,053        422,631  

Aviva PLC

    39,331        283,783  

AXA S.A.

    26,828        671,097  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

114    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Insurance – (continued)

  

Baloise Holding AG (Registered)

    851      $ 99,239  

Beazley PLC

    76,776        282,221  

Catlin Group Ltd.

    1,982        16,304  

Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd.

    2,567        50,535  

CNP Assurances

    812        14,351  

The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

    12,600        179,284  

Delta Lloyd N.V.

    4,331        92,206  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

    11,458        41,419  

E-L Financial Corp. Ltd.

    8        5,318  

esure Group PLC

    19,234        69,992  

Euler Hermes S.A.

    112        14,806  

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

    246        107,331  

Fondiaria-Sai SpA*

    59,162        150,678  

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

    989        18,474  

Great-West Lifeco, Inc.

    3,902        120,669  

Grupo Catalana Occidente S.A.

    2,120        71,909  

Hannover Rueck SE

    702        56,394  

Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd.

    4,300        25,330  

Helvetia Holding AG

    23        10,877  

Hiscox Ltd.

    8,133        86,435  

Industrial Alliance Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.

    1,450        65,016  

Insurance Australia Group Ltd.

    25,760        150,751  

Intact Financial Corp.

    2,351        146,604  

Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC

    258        4,149  

Lancashire Holdings Ltd.

    26,285        342,903  

Legal & General Group PLC

    85,452        296,952  

LIFENET INSURANCE CO*

    5,500        29,936  

Manulife Financial Corp.

    27,577        488,418  

Mapfre S.A.

    6,907        27,832  

Mediolanum SpA

    2,092        18,231  

Menorah Mivtachim Holdings Ltd.

    4,176        48,285  

Milano Assicurazioni SpA*

    106,059        90,766  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings

    8,200        211,039  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG (Registered)

    2,626        549,430  

NIB Holdings Ltd.

    22,426        50,967  

NKSJ Holdings, Inc.

    5,700        146,872  
    Shares     Value  

Insurance – (continued)

  

Old Mutual PLC

    64,305      $ 210,344  

Phoenix Group Holdings

    22,002        275,011  

The Phoenix Holdings Ltd.

    7,846        30,968  

Power Corp of Canada

    5,826        171,621  

Power Financial Corp.

    3,002        98,766  

Prudential PLC

    37,226        764,935  

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

    18,703        262,120  

Resolution Ltd.

    17,901        102,787  

RSA Insurance Group PLC

    70,013        144,428  

Sampo Oyj, Class A

    6,928        328,616  

Schweizerische National-Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG, Class V

    1,877        92,964  

SCOR SE

    2,626        92,946  

Societa Cattolica di Assicurazioni SCRL

    6,928        175,657  

Sony Financial Holdings, Inc.

    1,400        26,071  

St James’s Place PLC

    1,985        21,558  

Standard Life PLC

    40,453        228,771  

Storebrand ASA*

    680        4,395  

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

    9,027        304,002  

Suncorp Group Ltd.

    20,226        256,267  

Swiss Life Holding AG*

    428        85,217  

Swiss Re AG*

    5,277        464,444  

T&D Holdings, Inc.

    7,600        91,020  

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

    10,200        333,208  

Topdanmark A/S*

    575        15,679  

Tower Ltd.

    33,375        51,108  

Tryg A/S

    70        6,405  

Unipol Gruppo Finanziario SpA

    13,898        73,877  

Unipol Gruppo Finanziario SpA (Preference)

    17,878        80,450  

Vienna Insurance Group AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe

    108        5,730  

Zurich Insurance Group AG*

    2,225        616,479  
              13,748,326  

Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.4%

  

ASKUL Corp.

    1,400        44,807  

ASOS PLC*

    1,282        116,783  

Belluna Co. Ltd.

    9,900        52,472  

Home Retail Group PLC

    120,425        385,015  

N Brown Group PLC

    5,442        45,858  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      115   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Internet & Catalog Retail – (continued)

  

Nissen Holdings Co. Ltd.

    4,300      $ 13,893  

Ocado Group PLC*

    19,513        136,057  

Rakuten, Inc.

    10,500        136,775  

Senshukai Co. Ltd.

    2,500        21,634  

Start Today Co. Ltd.

    600        16,726  

Takkt AG

    2,900        57,640  

Trade Me Group Ltd.

    19,956        74,334  

Wotif.com Holdings Ltd.

    4,629        19,462  

Yoox SpA*

    2,027        73,026  
              1,194,482  

Internet Software & Services – 0.1%

  

Blumont Group Ltd.*

    53,000        4,999  

carsales.com Ltd.

    3,812        37,903  

Dena Co. Ltd.

    1,500        32,703  

F@N Communications, Inc.

    400        9,292  

GMO internet, Inc.

    1,500        17,032  

Gree, Inc.

    200        1,722  

Gurunavi, Inc.

    900        19,402  

Internet Initiative Japan, Inc.

    200        5,612  

Kakaku.com, Inc.

    1,600        30,888  

Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC

    16,412        40,448  

Opera Software ASA

    2,978        36,050  

Telecity Group PLC

    1,380        16,905  

United Internet AG

    870        34,418  

Yahoo Japan Corp.

    20,000        93,161  
              380,535  

IT Services – 0.7%

  

Alten S.A.

    3,450        156,515  

Altran Technologies S.A.*

    3,508        31,190  

Amadeus IT Holding S.A., Class A

    4,850        180,334  

Atea ASA

    11,177        124,027  

AtoS

    704        60,182  

Cap Gemini S.A.

    2,714        178,765  

CGI Group, Inc., Class A*

    3,202        107,404  

Computacenter PLC

    12,905        123,051  

Computershare Ltd.

    7,553        76,816  

Davis & Henderson Corp.

    5,251        135,196  

Digital Garage, Inc.

    1,200        31,605  

Fujitsu Ltd.*

    26,000        111,569  
    Shares     Value  

IT Services – (continued)

  

GFI Informatique S.A.

    5,032      $ 29,074  

Groupe Steria S.C.A.

    3,079        57,096  

Indra Sistemas S.A.

    7,151        118,314  

Iress Ltd.

    9,137        85,485  

IT Holdings Corp.

    500        7,191  

Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp.

    100        3,919  

NEC Fielding Ltd.

    1,500        16,986  

NEC Networks & System Integration Corp.

    3,000        75,497  

NET One Systems Co. Ltd.

    12,100        84,482  

Nihon Unisys Ltd.

    8,000        71,267  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    1,000        33,534  

NS Solutions Corp.

    1,500        34,201  

NTT Data Corp.

    1,800        59,627  

Obic Co. Ltd.

    900        28,254  

Ordina N.V.*

    4,122        7,229  

Otsuka Corp.

    100        12,975  

SCSK Corp.

    400        10,123  

Sopra Group S.A.

    572        50,095  

Tieto Oyj

    219        4,823  

TKC Corp.

    1,800        29,924  

Transcosmos, Inc.

    3,700        64,074  

Wirecard AG

    1,068        38,992  

Xchanging PLC

    3,750        7,651  
              2,247,467  

Leisure Equipment & Products – 0.2%

  

Amer Sports Oyj

    1,390        28,610  

Beneteau S.A.*

    2,110        38,697  

Fields Corp.

    2,200        39,062  

Mars Engineering Corp.

    600        11,479  

Mizuno Corp.

    4,000        22,546  

Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.

    2,400        45,255  

Nikon Corp.

    5,500        101,468  

Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    900        42,748  

Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.

    2,500        64,086  

Shimano, Inc.

    1,000        87,657  

Tamron Co. Ltd.

    200        4,273  

Tomy Co. Ltd.

    3,700        19,083  

Trigano S.A.*

    1,751        37,231  

Yamaha Corp.

    1,900        28,274  
              570,469  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

116    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Life Sciences Tools & Services – 0.2%

  

Chiome Bioscience, Inc.*

    200      $ 6,758  

EPS Corp.

    4        4,154  

Eurofins Scientific

    46        12,629  

Evotec AG*

    2,572        15,119  

Gerresheimer AG

    1,476        97,963  

Lonza Group AG*

    808        72,364  

Nordion Inc.*

    14,156        117,147  

QIAGEN N.V.*

    4,904        112,939  

Tecan Group AG*

    443        46,475  
              485,548  

Machinery – 3.3%

  

Aalberts Industries N.V.

    2,702        80,961  

Aida Engineering Ltd.

    9,300        89,768  

Alfa Laval AB

    5,301        121,240  

Amada Co. Ltd.

    4,000        34,329  

Andritz AG

    952        58,720  

Asahi Diamond Industrial Co. Ltd.

    400        3,877  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

    11,247        312,501  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    6,000        149,558  

ATS Automation Tooling Systems, Inc.*

    5,484        75,830  

Bando Chemical Industries Ltd.

    7,000        27,255  

Bobst Group AG*

    255        9,011  

Bodycote PLC

    8,026        84,846  

Bradken Ltd.

    26,153        154,537  

Bucher Industries AG

    24        6,672  

Burckhardt Compression Holding AG

    80        32,113  

Cargotec Oyj, Class B

    613        22,451  

Chugai Ro Co. Ltd.

    12,000        31,434  

CKD Corp.

    6,200        57,444  

Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles S.A.

    281        146,256  

Cosco Corp. Singapore Ltd.

    53,000        33,543  

Daifuku Co. Ltd.

    4,500        57,701  

Danieli & C Officine Meccaniche SpA

    3,143        96,867  

Danieli & C Officine Meccaniche SpA (Retirement Savings Plan)

    5,565        115,376  

Deutz AG*

    13,000        123,891  

DMG Mori Seiki AG

    9,415        310,585  
    Shares     Value  

Machinery – (continued)

  

DMG Mori Seiki Co. Ltd.

    2,000      $ 32,331  

Duerr AG

    1,376        120,845  

Duro Felguera S.A.

    6,856        44,926  

Ebara Corp.

    2,000        10,723  

Faiveley Transport S.A.

    935        73,103  

FANUC Corp.

    2,800        448,639  

Fenner PLC

    11,384        73,158  

Fuji Machine Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    6,600        59,468  

Fujitec Co. Ltd.

    3,000        36,846  

Furukawa Co. Ltd.

    18,000        37,427  

GEA Group AG

    2,277        99,213  

Georg Fischer AG*

    578        399,567  

Glory Ltd.

    200        4,956  

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG*

    31,761        85,365  

Hino Motors Ltd.

    5,000        70,278  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    1,100        23,175  

Hitachi Koki Co. Ltd.

    600        4,385  

Hitachi Zosen Corp.

    1,500        11,910  

Hoshizaki Electric Co. Ltd.

    100        3,664  

IHI Corp.

    31,000        130,812  

IMI PLC

    4,602        112,308  

Invensys PLC

    7,655        61,862  

Iseki & Co. Ltd.

    2,000        6,483  

The Japan Steel Works Ltd.

    3,000        16,726  

JTEKT Corp.

    2,600        33,206  

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.

    25,000        97,340  

Kitz Corp.

    4,700        20,216  

Komatsu Ltd.

    15,000        327,184  

Komori Corp.

    4,800        75,295  

Kone Oyj, Class B

    2,276        200,970  

Konecranes Oyj

    90        3,039  

Krones AG

    347        30,456  

KSB AG

    17        11,158  

KSB AG (Preference)

    128        80,065  

Kubota Corp.

    15,000        221,384  

KUKA AG

    1,951        89,014  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

    2,800        61,074  

Makino Milling Machine Co. Ltd.

    12,000        78,402  

Makita Corp.

    1,500        75,680  

MAN SE

    727        87,717  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      117   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Machinery – (continued)

  

MAN SE (Preference)

    183      $ 21,871  

Max Co. Ltd.

    1,000        11,253  

Meidensha Corp.

    7,000        26,114  

Melrose Industries PLC

    24,625        126,679  

Metka S.A.

    3,461        65,167  

Metso Oyj

    1,853        73,055  

Meyer Burger Technology AG*

    2,478        29,143  

Minebea Co. Ltd.

    1,000        5,524  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    47,000        297,972  

Mitsuboshi Belting Co. Ltd.

    12,000        61,890  

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.

    7,000        13,699  

Miura Co. Ltd.

    1,100        28,848  

Morgan Advanced Materials PLC

    12,833        62,677  

Nabtesco Corp.

    1,100        26,808  

Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.

    9,000        44,032  

NGK Insulators Ltd.

    3,000        50,270  

Nippon Sharyo Ltd.

    5,000        26,297  

Nippon Thompson Co. Ltd.

    9,000        48,986  

Nitta Corp.

    1,600        33,725  

Nitto Kohki Co. Ltd.

    1,500        28,392  

NKT Holding A/S

    3,334        162,013  

Noritake Co. Ltd.

    1,000        2,721  

NSK Ltd.

    7,000        74,345  

NTN Corp.*

    9,000        43,023  

OC Oerlikon Corp. AG (Registered)*

    302        4,235  

Oiles Corp.

    2,300        51,364  

OKUMA Corp.

    2,000        16,818  

Organo Corp.

    3,000        14,555  

OSG Corp.

    1,500        24,233  

Palfinger AG

    794        29,361  

Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology AG

    452        52,791  

Rational AG

    54        16,591  

Rieter Holding AG*

    156        32,783  

Rotork PLC

    1,036        47,653  

Ryobi Ltd.

    19,000        83,855  

Sandvik AB

    12,776        173,149  

Scania AB, Class A

    2,427        46,507  

Scania AB, Class B

    4,978        100,005  

Schindler Holding AG

    1,261        179,386  

SembCorp Marine Ltd.

    7,000        25,396  
    Shares     Value  

Machinery – (continued)

  

Semperit AG Holding

    1,165      $ 57,255  

Senior PLC

    19,126        91,508  

Shima Seiki Manufacturing Ltd.

    900        18,439  

Shinmaywa Industries Ltd.

    1,000        7,838  

Singamas Container Holdings Ltd.

    162,000        37,820  

Sintokogio Ltd.

    2,500        18,780  

SKF AB, Class B

    6,528        173,211  

SMC CORP NPV

    900        208,970  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    400        18,752  

Sulzer AG

    509        79,873  

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

    4,000        17,654  

Tadano Ltd.

    1,000        13,719  

Terex Material Handling & Port Solutions AG

    234        19,501  

THK Co. Ltd.

    2,500        54,378  

Torishima Pump Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    600        5,333  

Toshiba Machine Co. Ltd.

    3,000        15,503  

Trelleborg AB, Class B

    2,906        55,012  

Tsubakimoto Chain Co.

    9,000        59,627  

Tsugami Corp.

    1,000        5,025  

Vallourec S.A.

    1,425        84,902  

Vard Holdings Ltd.*

    71,000        50,373  

Vesuvius PLC

    38,626        301,222  

Volvo AB, Class A

    6,626        85,346  

Volvo AB, Class B

    24,357        313,353  

Vossloh AG

    205        21,175  

Wacker Neuson SE

    4,376        67,464  

Wartsila Oyj Abp

    2,627        116,678  

The Weir Group PLC

    3,426        124,120  

Westport Innovations Inc.*

    592        13,863  

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd.

    19,000        18,076  

Zardoya Otis S.A.

    4,074        71,060  
              10,186,152  

Marine – 0.4%

  

AP Moeller – Maersk A/S, Class A

    7        63,336  

AP Moeller – Maersk A/S, Class B

    22        213,133  

Cie Maritime Belge S.A.

    1,312        35,031  

D/S Norden A/S

    1,588        69,989  

Dfds A/S

    449        32,695  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

118    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Marine – (continued)

  

Golden Ocean Group Ltd.

    15,271      $ 23,005  

Iino Kaiun Kaisha Ltd.

    4,300        28,225  

Irish Continental Group PLC

    1,034        36,289  

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd.

    11,000        25,115  

Kuehne + Nagel International AG

    678        85,878  

Mermaid Marine Australia Ltd.

    6,477        23,000  

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

    21,000        88,615  

Neptune Orient Lines Ltd.*

    11,000        9,401  

Nippon Yusen KK

    28,000        85,333  

NS United Kaiun Kaisha Ltd.*

    11,000        33,187  

Orient Overseas International Ltd.

    1,000        5,166  

Pacific Basin Shipping Ltd.

    81,000        57,984  

SITC International Holdings Co. Ltd.

    151,000        63,882  

Stolt-Nielsen Ltd.

    1,829        51,816  

Wilh Wilhelmsen Holding ASA, Class A

    3,047        93,238  

Wilh Wilhelmsen Holding ASA, Class B

    2,234        67,796  
              1,192,114  

Media – 2.1%

  

Aimia, Inc.

    4,679        82,691  

Alma Media Oyj

    8,472        36,281  

Amalgamated Holdings Ltd.

    8,073        61,999  

APN News & Media Ltd.*

    34,463        15,175  

Arnoldo Mondadori Editore SpA*

    1,942        4,161  

Asatsu-DK, Inc.

    1,100        30,194  

Atresmedia Corp. de Medios de Comunicaion S.A.

    3,386        56,850  

Avex Group Holdings, Inc.

    1,600        40,542  

Axel Springer AG

    507        30,614  

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

    16,325        245,885  

Cineplex, Inc.

    714        28,756  

Cogeco Cable, Inc.

    2,362        111,662  

Cogeco, Inc.

    410        18,557  

Constantin Medien AG*

    9,138        20,498  

COOKPAD, Inc.

    300        9,601  

Corus Entertainment, Inc., Class B

    202        4,707  

CTS Eventim AG

    1,348        65,882  

CyberAgent, Inc.

    1,100        29,992  
    Shares     Value  

Media – (continued)

  

Daiichikosho Co. Ltd.

    300      $ 8,577  

Daily Mail & General Trust PLC, Class A

    5,630        73,628  

Dentsu, Inc.

    2,500        94,154  

Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC

    3,355        57,944  

Eutelsat Communications S.A.

    1,953        61,983  

Fairfax Media Ltd.

    363,555        208,282  

Fuji Media Holdings, Inc.

    1,200        23,887  

GFK SE

    861        50,391  

Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso SpA*

    19,423        38,869  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings, Inc.

    1,900        14,679  

Havas S.A.

    7,824        65,267  

Highlight Communications AG

    717        3,688  

Imax Corp.*

    2,048        59,564  

Informa PLC

    8,677        77,997  

IPSOS

    5,910        249,596  

ITV PLC

    52,625        161,401  

JCDecaux S.A.

    530        21,321  

Kabel Deutschland Holding AG

    276        34,746  

Kadokawa Corp.

    900        32,795  

Lagardere S.C.A.

    1,901        69,236  

Mediaset Espana Comunicacion S.A.*

    430        5,261  

Mediaset SpA*

    7,287        36,575  

Metropole Television S.A.

    1,801        41,563  

Modern Times Group AB, Class B

    604        33,023  

Nippon Television Holdings, Inc.

    1,500        27,459  

NRJ Group*

    658        6,351  

Pearson PLC

    12,051        252,469  

Perform Group PLC*

    4,301        38,696  

ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG

    2,921        139,306  

Publicis Groupe S.A.

    2,711        226,407  

PubliGroupe AG

    46        4,572  

Quebecor, Inc., Class B

    196        4,845  

RCS MediaGroup SpA*

    20,743        45,741  

REA Group Ltd.

    407        15,994  

Reed Elsevier N.V.

    10,851        218,845  

Reed Elsevier PLC

    17,202        241,545  

Rightmove PLC

    2,083        88,750  

RTL Group S.A.

    22        2,393  

Sanoma Oyj

    1,100        9,571  

Schibsted ASA

    1,722        105,386  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      119   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Media – (continued)

  

SES S.A.

    4,801      $ 139,938  

Seven West Media Ltd.

    21,141        50,449  

Shaw Communications, Inc., Class B

    6,125        146,481  

Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.

    27,000        92,514  

Sky Deutschland AG*

    4,529        44,763  

Sky Network Television Ltd.

    7,095        36,412  

SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings, Inc.

    6,800        39,299  

Societe d’Edition de Canal +

    8,575        70,879  

Societe Television Francaise 1

    18,354        354,322  

Solocal Group*

    13,116        30,670  

Southern Cross Media Group Ltd.

    70,578        126,316  

Stroeer Media AG*

    987        17,108  

Tamedia AG

    141        16,801  

Technicolor S.A.*

    43,627        236,650  

Telegraaf Media Groep N.V.

    2,289        29,905  

Television Broadcasts Ltd.

    2,700        15,793  

Ten Network Holdings Ltd.*

    52,210        13,843  

Thomson Reuters Corp.

    5,602        210,468  

Toei Co. Ltd.

    9,000        54,123  

Toho Co. Ltd.

    900        19,273  

Torstar Corp., Class B

    8,626        46,321  

UBM PLC

    6,283        68,994  

Village Roadshow Ltd.

    8,033        53,476  

Wolters Kluwer N.V.

    4,175        113,405  

WPP PLC

    18,503        393,882  

Zenrin Co. Ltd.

    200        2,106  

ZON OPTIMUS SGPS S.A.

    11,886        81,862  
              6,352,857  

Metals & Mining – 4.9%

  

Acerinox S.A.

    371        4,900  

African Barrick Gold PLC*

    12,296        38,028  

African Minerals Ltd.*

    40,728        122,034  

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

    2,714        80,573  

Aichi Steel Corp.

    19,000        97,217  

Alacer Gold Corp.

    31,994        88,663  

Alamos Gold, Inc.

    1,655        26,360  

Alumina Ltd.*

    7,824        7,631  

AMAG Austria Metall AG(a)

    2,064        59,810  

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.*

    7,393        82,889  
    Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Anglo American PLC

    20,900      $ 498,632  

Antofagasta PLC

    5,925        81,388  

APERAM

    8,556        146,794  

Aquarius Platinum Ltd.*

    82,823        54,508  

ArcelorMittal

    13,783        218,016  

Argonaut Gold, Inc.*

    7,800        43,381  

Arrium Ltd.

    203,103        266,375  

Asahi Holdings, Inc.

    2,400        39,605  

Asanko Gold, Inc.*

    1,481        3,479  

Atlas Iron Ltd.

    146,603        143,685  

Augusta Resource Corp.*

    4,800        9,160  

AuRico Gold, Inc.

    7,614        31,614  

Aurubis AG

    72        4,548  

B2Gold Corp.*

    25,739        63,678  

Banro Corp.*

    21,556        17,776  

Barrick Gold Corp.

    15,375        298,993  

Beadell Resources Ltd.*

    28,665        25,244  

BHP Billiton Ltd.

    46,987        1,675,657  

BHP Billiton PLC

    30,979        960,826  

BlueScope Steel Ltd.*

    5,703        26,948  

Boliden AB

    1,920        27,386  

Canam Group, Inc.*

    1,800        19,504  

Capstone Mining Corp.*

    14,014        37,224  

Centamin PLC*

    159,377        128,540  

Centerra Gold, Inc.

    25,460        101,806  

China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd.*

    5,290        14,203  

Colossus Minerals, Inc.*

    584        286  

Continental Gold Ltd.*

    3,730        14,128  

Cudeco Ltd.*

    2,694        5,128  

Daido Steel Co. Ltd.

    5,000        28,641  

Detour Gold Corp.*

    8,119        66,332  

Dominion Diamond Corp.*

    1,740        23,493  

Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd.

    4,000        37,672  

Dundee Precious Metals, Inc.*

    21,043        89,794  

Eldorado Gold Corp.

    11,725        79,040  

Endeavour Mining Corp.*

    37,299        22,175  

Endeavour Silver Corp.*

    900        3,737  

Evolution Mining Ltd.

    70,901        56,397  

Evraz PLC*

    2,482        4,705  

Ferrexpo PLC

    36,350        106,054  

First Majestic Silver Corp.*

    6,103        69,056  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

    10,151        192,537  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    22,750        112,240  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

120    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc.*

    17,633      $ 69,832  

Franco-Nevada Corp.

    2,985        134,273  

Fresnillo PLC

    2,303        36,093  

Gabriel Resources Ltd.*

    2,500        2,134  

Gindalbie Metals Ltd.*

    104,439        12,857  

Glencore Xstrata PLC

    143,552        784,144  

Godo Steel Ltd.

    7,000        12,843  

Goldcorp, Inc.

    13,293        338,555  

G-Resources Group Ltd.*

    3,698,400        110,670  

Guyana Goldfields, Inc.*

    1,900        4,445  

Highland Gold Mining Ltd.

    21,765        24,390  

Hitachi Metals Ltd.

    3,040        40,901  

Hochschild Mining PLC

    6,967        18,525  

Honbridge Holdings Ltd.*

    266,000        32,594  

HudBay Minerals, Inc.

    12,276        100,058  

IAMGOLD Corp.

    2,191        11,198  

Iluka Resources Ltd.

    9,025        88,026  

Imperial Metals Corp.*

    3,680        46,545  

Independence Group NL

    8,856        33,209  

International Minerals Corp.

    786        2,133  

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.*

    10,665        26,692  

JFE Holdings, Inc.

    7,500        169,860  

Katanga Mining Ltd.*

    69,000        36,391  

Kazakhmys PLC

    3,477        14,630  

Kenmare Resources PLC*

    139,851        45,723  

Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd.

    19,274        26,191  

Kinross Gold Corp.

    17,702        89,966  

Kirkland Lake Gold, Inc.*

    4,763        16,625  

Kobe Steel Ltd.*

    34,000        59,953  

Kyoei Steel Ltd.

    1,500        30,960  

Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corp.

    932        28,286  

LionGold Corp. Ltd.*

    31,000        4,999  

Lonmin PLC*

    7,271        37,685  

Lundin Mining Corp.*

    7,758        34,964  

Lynas Corp. Ltd.*

    89,793        29,335  

MAG Silver Corp.*

    244        1,334  

Major Drilling Group International, Inc.

    12,676        99,915  

Maruichi Steel Tube Ltd.

    1,000        24,422  

Medusa Mining Ltd.*^

    28,629        54,220  

Midas Holdings Ltd.

    10,000        4,031  

Mineral Deposits Ltd.*

    562        1,660  

Mitsubishi Materials Corp.

    26,000        101,498  

Mitsubishi Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    23,000        65,406  
    Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd.

    2,000      $ 5,096  

Mongolian Mining Corp.*

    134,000        21,950  

Mount Gibson Iron Ltd.

    102,753        86,599  

Mytilineos Holdings S.A.*

    10,578        85,853  

Neturen Co. Ltd.

    3,600        31,703  

Nevsun Resources Ltd.

    28,829        105,049  

New Gold, Inc.*

    5,890        34,566  

New World Resources PLC, Class A*

    13,363        19,376  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    11,952        116,575  

Nippon Coke & Engineering Co. Ltd.

    23,000        29,069  

Nippon Denko Co. Ltd.

    9,000        26,144  

Nippon Light Metal Holdings Co. Ltd.

    42,700        60,932  

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp.

    112,205        369,404  

Nittetsu Mining Co. Ltd.

    9,000        51,554  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    15,603        69,781  

Novagold Resources, Inc.*

    4,500        9,709  

NV Bekaert S.A.

    1,169        49,116  

Nyrstar N.V.*

    13,765        56,702  

OceanaGold Corp.*

    34,753        57,986  

OSAKA Titanium Technologies Co. Ltd.

    200        4,373  

Osisko Mining Corp.*

    12,983        63,368  

Outokumpu Oyj*

    2,896        1,614  

OZ Minerals Ltd.

    10,242        35,109  

Pacific Metals Co. Ltd.

    5,000        18,296  

Pan American Silver Corp.

    2,363        25,106  

PanAust Ltd.

    16,416        31,401  

Perseus Mining Ltd.*

    79,890        32,909  

Petra Diamonds Ltd.*

    16,906        30,421  

Petropavlovsk PLC

    26,226        33,708  

Polymetal International PLC

    2,393        23,048  

Polyus Gold International Ltd.

    13,384        41,554  

Premier Gold Mines Ltd.*

    4,194        9,290  

Pretium Resources, Inc.*

    2,701        8,832  

Primero Mining Corp.*

    500        2,848  

Randgold Resources Ltd.

    1,715        127,847  

Rautaruukki Oyj

    6,038        52,412  

Regis Resources Ltd.

    21,596        71,372  

Resolute Mining Ltd.*

    76,659        46,822  

Rio Alto Mining Ltd.*

    7,167        11,821  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      121   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Rio Tinto Ltd.

    6,650      $ 402,959  

Rio Tinto PLC

    20,201        1,024,927  

Romarco Minerals, Inc.*

    8,974        3,227  

Rubicon Minerals Corp.*

    2,843        3,926  

Salzgitter AG

    835        36,865  

Sandfire Resources NL*

    2,338        14,457  

Sandstorm Gold Ltd.*

    8,310        44,783  

Sanyo Special Steel Co. Ltd.

    6,000        32,290  

Schmolz + Bickenbach AG*

    72,796        92,447  

Seabridge Gold, Inc.*

    190        1,811  

SEMAFO, Inc.

    36,887        100,101  

Sherritt International Corp.

    45,627        156,195  

Silver Lake Resources Ltd.*

    54,830        39,979  

Silver Standard Resources, Inc.*

    3,612        20,331  

Silver Wheaton Corp.

    6,664        151,192  

Silvercorp Metals, Inc.

    30,644        95,501  

Sims Metal Management Ltd.*

    3,554        33,520  

SSAB AB, Class A

    451        2,977  

St Barbara Ltd.*

    70,174        31,897  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    10,000        138,416  

Sundance Resources Ltd.*

    21,665        2,154  

Tahoe Resources, Inc.*

    754        14,475  

Talvivaara Mining Co. PLC*

    65,647        6,507  

Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corp.*

    596        1,400  

Taseko Mines Ltd.*

    44,021        108,063  

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

    8,402        224,784  

Teranga Gold Corp.*

    18,789        10,630  

Thompson Creek Metals Co. Inc.*

    5,770        18,591  

ThyssenKrupp AG*

    6,818        174,490  

Toho Titanium Co. Ltd.

    1,100        8,734  

Toho Zinc Co. Ltd.

    19,000        57,130  

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd.*

    5,700        30,501  

Topy Industries Ltd.

    29,000        63,551  

Torex Gold Resources, Inc.*

    29,463        32,773  

Toyo Kohan Co. Ltd.

    12,000        54,551  

Tubos Reunidos S.A.

    4,517        11,299  

Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.*

    3,838        18,512  

UACJ Corp.

    30,000        98,461  

Vedanta Resources PLC

    1,197        20,443  
    Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Viohalco Hellenic Copper and Aluminum Industry S.A.*

    1,200      $ 11,909  

Voestalpine AG

    1,967        93,020  

Western Areas Ltd.

    7,243        19,205  

Yamana Gold, Inc.

    11,728        116,285  

Yamato Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    200        7,410  

Yodogawa Steel Works Ltd.

    11,000        49,781  

Zimplats Holdings Ltd.*

    2,200        15,208  
              15,023,644  

Multiline Retail – 0.5%

               

Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd., Class A

    1,027        95,309  

The Daiei Inc.*

    18,250        63,245  

David Jones Ltd.

    24,575        63,298  

Debenhams PLC

    192,060        314,426  

Dollarama, Inc.

    1,358        116,703  

Don Quijote Co. Ltd.

    1,000        66,456  

Fuji Co. Ltd.

    800        14,417  

H2O Retailing Corp.

    1,000        8,491  

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd.

    5,395        16,655  

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.

    5,000        75,579  

Izumi Co. Ltd.

    100        3,246  

J Front Retailing Co. Ltd.

    5,000        38,834  

Lifestyle International Holdings Ltd.

    4,000        8,719  

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

    21,400        173,110  

Marui Group Co. Ltd.

    800        7,641  

Matsuya Co. Ltd.*

    600        7,320  

Mothercare PLC*

    1,247        7,673  

Myer Holdings Ltd.

    29,601        70,077  

Next PLC

    2,026        177,233  

Parkson Retail Asia Ltd.

    24,000        20,510  

Ryohin Keikaku Co. Ltd.

    100        9,979  

Sears Canada, Inc.

    800        11,123  

Seria Co. Ltd.

    1,200        40,118  

Stockmann Oyi Abp, Class A

    3,828        64,011  

Stockmann Oyi Abp, Class B

    4,970        79,594  

Takashimaya Co. Ltd.

    2,000        19,040  

The Warehouse Group Ltd.

    5,317        16,196  

Wing On Co. International Ltd.

    18,000        51,773  
              1,640,776  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

122    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Multi-Utilities – 1.1%

  

A2A SpA

    65,745      $ 74,230  

ACEA SpA

    8,252        86,047  

AGL Energy Ltd.

    9,052        134,063  

Atco Ltd., Class I

    416        19,303  

Canadian Utilities Ltd., Class A

    1,012        37,177  

Centrica PLC

    81,882        464,903  

DUET Group

    13,093        26,657  

E.ON SE

    27,451        502,136  

GDF Suez

    19,701        491,209  

Hera SpA

    2,854        5,770  

Iren SpA

    62,236        93,240  

Just Energy Group, Inc.

    22,661        160,801  

National Grid PLC

    58,356        735,506  

REN—Redes Energeticas Nacionais SGPS S.A.

    22,120        66,610  

RWE AG

    7,501        277,273  

RWE AG (Preference)

    1,032        35,285  

Suez Environnement Co.

    4,093        71,531  

Telecom Plus PLC

    3,129        77,567  

Veolia Environnement S.A.

    5,183        88,924  
              3,448,232  

Office Electronics – 0.3%

  

Brother Industries Ltd.

    5,300        60,017  

Canon, Inc.

    17,600        554,317  

Konica Minolta, Inc.

    4,500        37,244  

Neopost S.A.

    1,024        77,625  

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

    11,000        115,819  

Riso Kagaku Corp.

    900        20,053  
              865,075  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 6.7%

  

Advantage Oil & Gas Ltd.*

    15,576        63,329  

Afren PLC*

    9,620        24,373  

Alliance Oil Co. Ltd.*^

    15,450        137,643  

AltaGas Ltd.

    2,181        80,727  

Angle Energy, Inc.*

    14,302        51,429  

Aquila Resources Ltd.*

    2,895        6,196  

ARC Resources Ltd.

    4,885        129,661  

Athabasca Oil Corp.*

    6,258        39,006  

Aurora Oil & Gas Ltd.*

    65,159        200,533  

Avner Oil Exploration LP*

    32,412        29,288  
    Shares     Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

AWE Ltd.*

    19,364      $ 22,921  

Bankers Petroleum Ltd.*

    44,135        169,286  

Baytex Energy Corp.

    1,092        45,571  

Beach Energy Ltd.

    87,721        118,786  

Bellatrix Exploration Ltd.*

    5,830        43,661  

BG Group PLC

    50,776        1,038,880  

Birchcliff Energy Ltd.*

    2,682        19,160  

BlackPearl Resources, Inc.*

    6,413        11,930  

Bonavista Energy Corp.

    1,946        22,448  

Bonterra Energy Corp.

    1,756        98,673  

BowLeven PLC*

    6,058        5,499  

BP PLC

    278,381        2,158,861  

Brightoil Petroleum Holdings Ltd.*

    352,000        60,384  

Bumi PLC*

    3,583        11,182  

Buru Energy Ltd.*

    5,822        9,179  

Cairn Energy PLC*

    15,785        71,719  

Caltex Australia Ltd.

    948        16,635  

Cameco Corp.

    5,375        102,001  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    17,660        560,358  

Canadian Oil Sands Ltd.

    7,156        139,435  

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

    12,282        364,862  

China Aviation Oil Singapore Corp. Ltd.

    26,000        19,495  

Coalspur Mines Ltd.*

    2,592        466  

Coastal Energy Co.*

    1,134        20,161  

Cosmo Oil Co. Ltd.*

    2,000        3,527  

Crescent Point Energy Corp.

    6,141        238,432  

Crew Energy, Inc.*

    3,983        23,145  

Delek Group Ltd.

    19        6,587  

Denison Mines Corp.*

    1,978        2,181  

Det Norske Oljeselskap ASA*

    745        10,622  

DNO International ASA*

    5,536        15,702  

Dragon Oil PLC

    6,626        62,701  

Enbridge Income Fund Holdings Inc.

    3,429        76,777  

Enbridge, Inc.

    11,327        490,943  

Encana Corp.

    9,485        169,900  

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd.*

    1,430        1,733  

Enerplus Corp.

    2,214        38,193  

Eni SpA

    36,960        937,109  

EnQuest PLC*

    99,577        213,574  

ERG SpA

    434        5,310  

Esso SA Francaise

    52        3,351  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      123   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Etablissements Maurel et Prom

    2,719      $ 43,951  

Exmar N.V.

    2,989        43,236  

Freehold Royalties Ltd.

    3,605        82,032  

Fuji Oil Co. Ltd.

    800        2,870  

Galp Energia SGPS S.A.

    2,060        34,951  

Genel Energy PLC*

    1,199        18,300  

Gibson Energy, Inc.

    1,256        30,844  

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.*

    39,560        110,589  

Heritage Oil PLC*

    7,164        21,350  

Hoegh LNG Holdings Ltd.*

    387        2,980  

Husky Energy, Inc.

    6,109        173,631  

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.

    100        8,368  

Imperial Oil Ltd.

    3,772        164,683  

Inpex Corp.

    14,100        162,974  

Isramco Negev 2 LP*

    199,620        39,196  

Ithaca Energy, Inc.*

    41,675        97,509  

Itochu Enex Co. Ltd.

    3,600        19,631  

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co.

    200        8,134  

JX Holdings, Inc.

    37,600        185,873  

Kanto Natural Gas Development Ltd.

    4,000        28,213  

Karoon Gas Australia Ltd.*

    10,916        45,793  

Keyera Corp.

    1,075        63,602  

Legacy Oil + Gas, Inc.*

    8,798        59,562  

Lightstream Resources Ltd.

    5,208        33,460  

Linc Energy Ltd.*

    5,177        7,059  

Lundin Petroleum AB*

    3,850        79,605  

MEG Energy Corp.*

    1,852        59,262  

Mitsuuroko Holdings Co. Ltd.

    7,300        35,194  

Mongolia Energy Corp. Ltd.*

    56,000        1,950  

Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries S.A.

    397        4,739  

Neste Oil Oyj

    1,751        34,779  

New Hope Corp. Ltd.

    2,558        9,156  

Newocean Energy Holdings Ltd.

    154,000        93,754  

Niko Resources Ltd.*

    7,972        25,609  

Nippon Gas Co. Ltd.

    3,400        38,017  

NuVista Energy Ltd.*

    8,513        54,285  

Oil Search Ltd.

    20,683        166,675  

OMV AG

    2,593        123,893  

Ophir Energy PLC*

    7,509        40,040  

Origin Energy Ltd.

    17,152        237,622  
    Shares     Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp.

    5,701      $ 117,918  

Paladin Energy Ltd.*

    18,665        7,423  

Paramount Resources Ltd., Class A*

    80        2,772  

Parex Resources, Inc.*

    17,252        99,755  

Parkland Fuel Corp.

    3,475        63,679  

Paz Oil Co. Ltd.*

    140        21,813  

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

    4,353        142,797  

Pengrowth Energy Corp.

    5,614        36,068  

Penn West Petroleum Ltd.

    7,601        84,840  

Petrominerales Ltd.

    13,241        152,236  

Peyto Exploration & Development Corp.

    2,972        89,543  

Premier Oil PLC

    7,526        41,945  

Repsol S.A.

    12,436        334,415  

Roc Oil Co. Ltd.*

    84,453        38,787  

Rockhopper Exploration PLC*

    10,997        25,574  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    57,689        1,924,566  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

    37,709        1,308,296  

San-Ai Oil Co. Ltd.

    10,000        43,217  

Santos Ltd.

    12,380        177,842  

Saras SpA*

    2,042        2,529  

Senex Energy Ltd.*

    44,702        35,134  

Showa Shell Sekiyu KK

    2,400        25,783  

Sinanen Co. Ltd.

    9,000        35,134  

Soco International PLC*

    31,835        203,613  

SouthGobi Resources Ltd.*

    6,808        7,964  

Statoil ASA

    15,510        367,687  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    23,161        841,512  

Sunshine Oilsands Ltd.*

    62,891        13,952  

Surge Energy, Inc.

    20,020        133,614  

Talisman Energy, Inc.

    13,204        164,599  

TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK

    5,000        46,478  

Total Gabon

    57        36,653  

Total S.A.

    32,251        1,984,655  

Tourmaline Oil Corp.*

    1,901        73,699  

TransCanada Corp.

    10,927        492,362  

TransGlobe Energy Corp.*

    10,160        91,970  

Trilogy Energy Corp.

    106        3,109  

Tullow Oil PLC

    13,876        210,113  

Veresen, Inc.

    1,131        13,990  

Vermilion Energy, Inc.

    1,252        68,804  

Whitecap Resources, Inc.

    5,500        63,868  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

124    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Whitehaven Coal Ltd.*

    9,223      $ 14,149  

Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

    9,827        361,246  
              20,692,999  

Paper & Forest Products – 0.3%

  

Ahlstrom Oyj

    885        10,997  

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd.*

    17,680        66,797  

Canfor Corp.*

    300        6,217  

Canfor Pulp Products, Inc.

    900        9,338  

Daiken Corp.

    2,000        5,443  

Daio Paper Corp.

    14,000        103,455  

Ence Energia y Celulosa S.A.

    17,944        72,209  

Hokuetsu Kishu Paper Co. Ltd.

    17,500        81,516  

Holmen AB, Class B

    194        6,455  

Metsa Board Oyj

    6,595        25,642  

Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd.*

    9,000        8,164  

Mondi PLC

    6,380        114,186  

Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.

    1,000        15,931  

Norbord Inc.

    514        14,589  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    8,000        36,530  

Semapa-Sociedade de Investimento e Gestao

    9,078        89,217  

Stella-Jones, Inc.

    1,028        28,134  

Stora Enso Oyj, Class R

    9,028        84,074  

UPM-Kymmene Oyj

    7,151        113,842  

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

    927        84,953  
              977,689  

Personal Products – 0.4%

  

Aderans Co. Ltd.

    500        6,110  

Atrium Innovations, Inc.*

    3,200        58,271  

Beiersdorf AG

    1,425        136,211  

Dr Ci:Labo Co. Ltd.

    4        13,230  

Fancl Corp.

    2,500        29,737  

Kao Corp.

    7,500        249,592  

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    100        5,596  

Kose Corp.

    200        5,849  

L’Oreal S.A.

    3,683        631,638  

Mandom Corp.

    800        27,439  

Milbon Co. Ltd.

    200        8,327  

Oriflame Cosmetics S.A.

    2,704        85,662  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

    5,000        85,363  
              1,343,025  
    Shares     Value  

Pharmaceuticals – 5.8%

  

Acrux Ltd.

    6,628      $ 16,821  

ALK-Abello A/S

    286        27,212  

Almirall S.A.

    1,079        16,151  

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

    6,900        383,998  

AstraZeneca PLC

    19,311        1,026,619  

Bayer AG (Registered)

    12,151        1,512,175  

BTG PLC*

    13,978        94,230  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    3,000        70,452  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    11,200        207,538  

Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd.

    1,000        13,414  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    3,800        149,118  

Faes Farma S.A.

    13,863        50,038  

Financiere de Tubize S.A.

    179        10,408  

Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    2,000        6,360  

Galenica AG

    70        62,034  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    75,655        1,997,630  

H Lundbeck A/S

    500        10,763  

Haw Par Corp. Ltd.

    20,200        121,003  

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

    2,711        52,309  

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.

    900        48,619  

Ipsen S.A.

    715        31,412  

Kaken Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    1,000        15,636  

KYORIN Holdings, Inc.

    1,000        21,292  

Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd.

    3,000        33,116  

Meda AB, Class A

    3,598        40,478  

Merck KGaA

    1,000        166,675  

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.

    4,600        64,890  

Nichi-iko Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    800        19,953  

Nippon Shinyaku Co. Ltd.

    3,000        51,677  

Novartis AG (Registered)

    36,169        2,813,877  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    6,203        1,033,409  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    1,400        105,596  

Orion Oyj, Class B

    611        16,439  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

    5,100        145,031  

Paladin Labs, Inc.*

    500        30,565  

Recordati SpA

    2,678        35,206  

Roche Holding AG

    10,855        3,010,516  

Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    1,000        14,545  

Sanofi

    17,601        1,879,349  

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    900        45,454  

Sawai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    200        14,596  

Seikagaku Corp.

    1,800        23,337  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      125   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Pharmaceuticals – (continued)

  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    6,100      $ 134,671  

Shire PLC

    8,328        368,077  

Stada Arzneimittel AG

    1,334        76,905  

Stallergenes S.A.

    250        18,832  

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd.

    400        28,091  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    11,400        542,055  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    14,228        533,679  

Torii Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    700        18,130  

Towa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    300        14,998  

Tsumura & Co.

    900        28,254  

UCB S.A.

    1,726        113,617  

The United Laboratories International Holdings Ltd.*

    18,000        7,592  

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.*

    5,078        536,359  

Virbac S.A.

    176        35,448  

ZERIA Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    1,100        26,101  
              17,972,750  

Professional Services – 0.8%

  

Adecco S.A. (Registered)*

    1,703        125,908  

AF AB, Class B

    2,243        71,057  

ALS Ltd.

    4,560        43,311  

Bertrandt AG

    104        13,624  

Brunel International N.V.

    716        42,187  

Bureau Veritas S.A.

    3,108        93,971  

Capita PLC

    9,653        152,914  

DKSH Holding AG*

    322        26,971  

Experian PLC

    15,651        319,340  

Hays PLC

    71,250        142,516  

Intertek Group PLC

    2,153        115,254  

McMillan Shakespeare Ltd.

    3,505        42,882  

Meitec Corp.

    2,400        63,920  

Michael Page International PLC

    14,927        116,215  

Nihon M&A Center, Inc.

    400        30,945  

Randstad Holding N.V.

    1,776        109,750  

SAI Global Ltd.

    14,655        57,037  

Seek Ltd.

    5,649        69,488  

SGS S.A.

    76        178,429  

Stantec, Inc.

    1,078        64,048  

Sthree PLC

    9,133        52,750  
    Shares     Value  

Professional Services – (continued)

  

Teleperformance S.A.

    1,528      $ 81,140  

Temp Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,900        55,290  

USG People N.V.

    9,601        127,406  

WS Atkins PLC

    15,026        297,897  
              2,494,250  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 1.9%

  

Abacus Property Group

    25,649        56,592  

Activia Properties, Inc.

    3        26,144  

Advance Residence Investment Corp.

    20        45,296  

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

    122        3,925  

Altarea

    458        78,143  

ANF Immobilier

    366        10,992  

Artis Real Estate Investment Trust

    659        9,112  

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust

    24,000        45,858  

Ascott Residence Trust

    18,000        19,011  

Australand Property Group

    11,558        40,824  

Befimmo

    1,292        92,795  

Beni Stabili SpA

    24,897        17,127  

Big Yellow Group PLC

    2,896        21,742  

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

    307        17,460  

British Land Co. PLC

    12,330        123,217  

Brookfield Canada Office Properties

    200        4,906  

BWP Trust

    20,265        44,137  

Cache Logistics Trust

    25,000        24,086  

Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust

    780        18,774  

Cambridge Industrial Trust

    28,000        15,802  

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

    444        9,167  

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust

    100        4,073  

CapitaCommercial Trust

    16,000        19,027  

CapitaMall Trust

    27,000        43,971  

CapitaRetail China Trust

    9,000        10,122  

CDL Hospitality Trusts

    4,000        5,369  

CFS Retail Property Trust Group

    41,930        82,191  

Champion REIT

    51,000        22,760  

Charter Hall Group

    4,649        17,037  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

126    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

Charter Hall Retail REIT

    17,078      $ 65,335  

Chartwell Retirement Residences

    346        3,557  

Cofinimmo

    162        19,592  

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust, Class U

    1,600        29,136  

Commonwealth Property Office Fund

    52,607        59,530  

Corio N.V.

    575        25,120  

Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,400        17,788  

Cromwell Property Group

    79,605        75,005  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

    5        38,324  

Daiwa Office Investment Corp.

    2        8,888  

Daiwahouse Residential Investment Corp.

    2        8,297  

Derwent London PLC

    2,297        92,407  

Dexus Property Group

    67,002        68,841  

Dundee International Real Estate Investment Trust

    5,589        48,609  

Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust, Class A

    507        14,055  

Eurocommercial Properties N.V.

    2,051        87,331  

Far East Hospitality Trust

    32,000        23,090  

Federation Centres Ltd.

    30,658        71,998  

Fonciere des Murs

    7,152        186,684  

Fonciere Des Regions

    50        4,294  

Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust

    21,000        16,956  

Frasers Centrepoint Trust

    10,000        14,955  

Frasers Commercial Trust

    51,000        53,041  

Frontier Real Estate Investment Corp.

    4        40,077  

Fukuoka REIT Co.

    5        41,331  

Gecina S.A.

    121        16,211  

Global One Real Estate Investment Corp.

    6        35,409  

Goodman Group

    25,853        123,876  

Goodman Property Trust

    52,532        44,788  

GPT Group

    24,651        86,137  

Granite Real Estate Investment Trust

    132        4,585  

Great Portland Estates PLC

    8,202        75,506  

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,437        29,764  
    Shares     Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

Hammerson PLC

    7,700      $ 65,442  

Hankyu Reit, Inc.

    5        28,845  

Heiwa Real Estate REIT, Inc.

    47        37,510  

ICADE

    687        63,389  

Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione

    4,358        5,211  

Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp.

    1        9,275  

InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,100        4,293  

Intu Properties PLC

    13,851        76,595  

Investa Office Fund

    1,366        4,023  

Japan Excellent, Inc.

    1        6,197  

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

    140        65,997  

Japan Logistics Fund, Inc.

    1        10,397  

Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp.

    8        26,664  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    10        114,667  

Japan Rental Housing Investments, Inc.

    37        27,078  

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

    38        77,193  

Kenedix Realty Investment Corp.

    3        13,470  

Keppel REIT

    3,160        3,083  

Kiwi Income Property Trust

    2,741        2,484  

Klepierre

    2,277        102,402  

Land Securities Group PLC

    13,579        215,651  

The Link REIT

    36,801        185,594  

Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail Trust

    39,000        14,149  

Londonmetric Property PLC

    13,999        29,013  

Mapletree Commercial Trust

    4,000        4,063  

Mapletree Industrial Trust

    5,070        5,661  

Mapletree Logistics Trust

    5,067        4,473  

Mercialys S.A.

    257        5,547  

MID Reit, Inc.

    7        16,168  

Mirvac Group

    49,003        80,742  

Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust

    5,625        91,696  

Mori Hills REIT Investment Corp.

    1        7,023  

Mori Trust Sogo Reit, Inc.

    1        8,908  

Nieuwe Steen Investments N.V.

    8,975        67,718  

Nippon Accommodations Fund, Inc.

    1        7,186  

Nippon Building Fund, Inc.

    11        136,449  

Nomura Real Estate Office Fund, Inc.

    5        24,743  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      127   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

Nomura Real Estate Residential Fund, Inc.

    7      $ 40,312  

Northern Property Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,152        30,931  

Orix JREIT, Inc.

    25        31,266  

Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust

    29,000        56,815  

Premier Investment Corp.

    9        36,877  

Regal Real Estate Investment Trust

    56,000        16,613  

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

    3,805        92,858  

Segro PLC

    17,008        89,298  

Sekisui House SI Investment Co.

    8        40,404  

Shaftesbury PLC

    6,453        61,582  

Societe Immobiliere de Location pour l’Industrie et le Commerce

    62        7,080  

Starhill Global REIT

    29,000        18,938  

Stockland

    30,325        115,152  

Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust

    21,000        29,036  

Tokyu REIT, Inc.

    8        49,414  

Top REIT, Inc.

    8        37,305  

Unibail-Rodamco SE

    1,357        356,054  

United Urban Investment Corp.

    31        47,427  

Vastned Retail N.V.

    2,561        118,569  

Warehouses De Pauw S.C.A.

    196        14,573  

Wereldhave N.V.

    1,003        78,174  

Westfield Group

    31,501        322,759  

Westfield Retail Trust

    44,835        131,191  

Workspace Group PLC

    7,149        56,210  

Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust

    78,000        39,236  
              6,027,250  

Real Estate Management & Development – 2.5%

  

Aeon Mall Co. Ltd.

    2,190        62,256  

Africa Israel Investments Ltd.*

    6,676        11,265  

Airport City Ltd.*

    2,815        24,453  

Allreal Holding AG*

    426        58,663  

Alony Hetz Properties & Investments Ltd.

    10,071        68,253  

Amot Investments Ltd.

    8,298        23,862  

Argosy Property Ltd.

    33,123        25,224  

Ascendas India Trust

    16,000        8,256  

Associated International Hotels Ltd.

    4,000        11,557  
    Shares     Value  

Real Estate Management & Development – (continued)

  

Atrium European Real Estate Ltd.

    1,234      $ 7,392  

Atrium Ljungberg AB, Class B

    1,034        14,117  

Azrieli Group

    639        20,591  

Brookfield Asset Management, Inc., Class A

    9,078        359,342  

Brookfield Office Properties, Inc.

    5,158        96,349  

Bukit Sembawang Estates Ltd.

    1,000        4,958  

CA Immobilien Anlagen AG*

    5,031        76,741  

Capital & Counties Properties PLC

    3,782        21,072  

CapitaLand Ltd.

    50,000        125,771  

CapitaMalls Asia Ltd.

    10,000        16,286  

Castellum AB

    1,191        18,295  

Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd.

    20,000        312,651  

Chinese Estates Holdings Ltd.

    7,000        19,051  

City Developments Ltd.

    5,000        41,521  

Citycon Oyj

    13,467        48,151  

CLS Holdings PLC*

    280        5,412  

Conwert Immobilien Invest SE*

    3,153        39,307  

Countrywide PLC

    11,935        106,995  

Daejan Holdings PLC

    137        9,130  

Daibiru Corp.

    400        5,080  

Daikyo, Inc.

    2,000        6,197  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    1,100        112,231  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    8,000        159,902  

Deutsche Euroshop AG

    475        21,149  

Deutsche Wohnen AG

    3,053        57,527  

Dolphin Capital Investors Ltd.*

    10,829        6,894  

Emperor International Holdings

    54,000        15,671  

Fabege AB

    6,977        80,433  

Far East Orchard Ltd.

    26,000        41,085  

Fastighets AB Balder, Class B*

    7,006        61,983  

First Capital Realty, Inc.

    1,846        32,075  

FirstService Corp.

    1,004        41,725  

FKP Property Group

    22,681        39,841  

Fragrance Group Ltd.

    54,000        8,925  

GAGFAH S.A.*

    641        9,124  

Gazit-Globe Ltd.

    475        6,518  

Global Logistic Properties Ltd.

    65,000        161,930  

Goldcrest Co. Ltd.

    1,000        26,694  

Grainger PLC

    10,741        33,564  

Great Eagle Holdings Ltd.

    8,000        28,479  

GSW Immobilien AG

    2,092        97,225  

Hang Lung Group Ltd.

    10,000        52,882  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

128    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Real Estate Management & Development – (continued)

  

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    29,000      $ 95,569  

Heiwa Real Estate Co. Ltd.

    900        16,219  

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

    19,752        117,064  

HKR International Ltd.

    152,000        74,304  

Ho Bee Investment Ltd.

    8,000        13,287  

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

    18,000        110,880  

Hufvudstaden AB, Class A

    283        3,711  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    2,800        44,407  

Hysan Development Co. Ltd.

    6,000        28,053  

IMMOFINANZ AG*

    7,182        31,489  

IVG Immobilien AG*

    3,867        373  

Jerusalem Economy Ltd.

    3,682        33,073  

Jerusalem Oil Exploration*

    1,593        59,028  

K Wah International Holdings Ltd.

    154,579        84,736  

Kabuki-Za Co. Ltd.

    1,000        49,893  

Kenedix, Inc.*

    2,300        11,862  

Keppel Land Ltd.

    9,000        26,920  

Kerry Properties Ltd.

    11,500        49,838  

Killam Properties, Inc.

    3,335        35,210  

Klovern AB

    17,086        76,043  

Kowloon Development Co. Ltd.

    48,000        59,311  

Kungsleden AB

    20,526        150,986  

LEG Immobilien AG*

    934        53,330  

Lend Lease Group

    7,078        76,409  

Leopalace21 Corp.*

    7,900        54,674  

Melisron Ltd.

    1,917        50,927  

Midland Holdings Ltd.

    110,000        44,834  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    18,000        513,159  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    12,000        395,678  

Mobimo Holding AG*

    375        78,681  

Morguard Corp.

    845        94,924  

New World Development Co. Ltd.

    77,236        106,992  

Nitsba Holdings 1995 Ltd.*

    3,979        55,968  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

    900        22,741  

Norstar Holdings, Inc.

    2,107        58,346  

Norwegian Property ASA

    13,388        17,152  

NTT Urban Development Corp.

    800        10,168  

Peet Ltd.*

    5,644        7,482  

Polytec Asset Holdings Ltd.

    95,000        12,131  

Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd.

    22,735        18,725  
    Shares     Value  

Real Estate Management & Development – (continued)

  

PSP Swiss Property AG*

    373      $ 32,129  

Raysum Co. Ltd.*

    6        9,791  

Relo Holdings, Inc.

    900        41,647  

Savills PLC

    5,186        54,157  

Sedlmayr Grund und Immobilien KGaA

    42        80,767  

Sinarmas Land Ltd.

    32,000        14,190  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

    60,165        84,431  

Songbird Estates PLC*

    12,519        32,181  

Sponda Oyi

    980        5,089  

ST Modwen Properties PLC

    11,199        63,387  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    5,000        235,705  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    22,000        288,299  

Swire Pacific Ltd.

    12,500        28,182  

Swire Pacific Ltd., Class A

    12,500        144,379  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    25,800        69,882  

Swiss Prime Site AG (Registered)*

    752        57,134  

TAG Immobilien AG

    6,952        84,116  

Takara Leben Co. Ltd.

    5,800        22,819  

TOC Co. Ltd.

    2,600        21,042  

Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd.

    6,000        56,080  

UK Commercial Property Trust

    32,696        39,660  

Unite Group PLC

    3,471        22,083  

UOL Group Ltd.

    2,000        10,626  

Wallenstam AB, Class B

    1,505        20,943  

Wharf Holdings Ltd.

    25,000        210,562  

Wheelock & Co. Ltd.

    8,000        40,861  

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB

    4,047        70,045  

Wing Tai Holdings Ltd.

    77,000        137,195  

Wing Tai Properties Ltd.

    16,000        9,637  

Yanlord Land Group Ltd.

    41,000        40,823  

Ying Li International Real Estate Ltd.*

    24,000        7,933  
              7,624,407  

Road & Rail – 1.5%

  

Asciano Ltd.

    15,075        83,082  

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

    29,252        132,684  

Brockman Mining Ltd.*

    140,000        7,404  

Canadian National Railway Co.

    6,500        713,981  

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

    2,600        371,582  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    2,600        336,561  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      129   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Road & Rail – (continued)

  

ComfortDelGro Corp. Ltd.

    36,000      $ 55,871  

DSV A/S

    3,227        94,523  

East Japan Railway Co.

    5,000        433,697  

Firstgroup PLC

    192,038        356,350  

Go-Ahead Group PLC

    6,002        162,192  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.

    27,000        151,361  

Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu Co. Ltd.

    6,000        31,067  

Keikyu Corp.

    7,000        65,855  

Keio Corp.

    6,000        41,525  

Keisei Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    3,000        30,914  

Kintetsu Corp.

    29,000        106,707  

Maruzen Showa Unyu Co. Ltd.

    2,000        7,339  

MTR Corp. Ltd.

    30,000        116,277  

Nagoya Railroad Co. Ltd.

    8,000        23,239  

Nankai Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    2,000        7,481  

National Express Group PLC

    66,251        278,444  

Nippon Express Co. Ltd.

    16,000        80,236  

Nippon Konpo Unyu Soko Co. Ltd.

    7,700        134,050  

Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co. Ltd.

    1,000        3,832  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    8,000        77,138  

Sankyu, Inc.

    2,000        7,155  

Seino Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,000        19,713  

Senko Co. Ltd.

    10,000        53,919  

Sixt SE

    2,372        71,573  

Sixt SE (Preference)

    2,978        71,336  

SMRT Corp. Ltd.

    17,000        17,818  

Sotetsu Holdings, Inc.

    1,000        3,720  

Stagecoach Group PLC

    834        4,716  

Tobu Railway Co. Ltd.

    20,000        103,557  

Tokyu Corp.

    13,000        88,380  

TransForce, Inc.

    2,300        50,925  

Transport International Holdings Ltd.

    4,000        9,008  

West Japan Railway Co.

    2,500        111,992  
              4,517,204  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 0.7%

  

Advantest Corp.

    1,000        11,925  

Aixtron SE*

    3,926        56,763  

AMS AG

    601        65,771  

ARM Holdings PLC

    21,356        338,131  

ASM International N.V.

    2,794        92,359  
    Shares     Value  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (continued)

  

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd.

    2,400      $ 23,139  

ASML Holding N.V.

    5,219        496,099  

CSR PLC

    7,061        62,336  

Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co. Ltd.*

    1,000        5,728  

Dialog Semiconductor PLC*

    2,702        52,125  

Disco Corp.

    100        6,309  

EZchip Semiconductor Ltd.*

    1,400        36,260  

Imagination Technologies Group PLC*

    9,937        44,366  

Infineon Technologies AG

    16,677        161,631  

Kontron AG

    3,452        23,681  

Megachips Corp.

    3,300        54,086  

Melexis N.V.

    996        32,457  

Micronas Semiconductor Holding AG*

    997        8,191  

Mimasu Semiconductor Industry Co. Ltd.

    500        4,378  

Mitsui High-Tec, Inc.

    5,700        40,320  

Nordic Semiconductor ASA*

    868        3,678  

Nuflare Technology, Inc.

    100        13,352  

REC Silicon ASA*

    258,941        129,302  

Rohm Co. Ltd.

    1,800        73,662  

Sanken Electric Co. Ltd.

    7,000        38,600  

Shinko Electric Industries Co. Ltd.

    1,800        15,962  

Silex Systems Ltd.*

    720        1,636  

SMA Solar Technology AG

    1,238        50,627  

SOITEC*

    1,236        2,806  

STATS ChipPAC Ltd.*

    74,000        20,285  

STMicroelectronics N.V.

    8,703        67,394  

Sumco Corp.

    600        5,443  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    2,500        136,836  

Tokyo Seimitsu Co. Ltd.

    800        15,240  

Ulvac, Inc.*

    5,800        59,176  

Wolfson Microelectronics PLC*

    714        1,612  
              2,251,666  

Software – 0.9%

  

Allot Communications Ltd.*

    800        10,784  

Aveva Group PLC

    579        24,056  

Capcom Co. Ltd.

    7,700        143,860  

COLOPL, Inc.*

    600        15,833  

Computer Modelling Group Ltd.

    800        20,544  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

130    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Software – (continued)

  

Constellation Software, Inc.

    180      $ 32,784  

Dassault Systemes S.A.

    982        119,498  

DTS Corp.

    1,100        18,847  

Dwango Co. Ltd.

    600        10,916  

Exact Holding N.V.

    922        24,449  

Fidessa Group PLC

    2,827        91,973  

Fuji Soft, Inc.

    2,300        45,761  

GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc.*

    67        42,067  

Konami Corp.

    900        21,713  

Micro Focus* ^

    8,003        7,715  

Micro Focus International PLC

    7,387        97,144  

Nexon Co. Ltd.

    300        3,504  

NICE Systems Ltd.

    643        25,397  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    1,500        168,484  

NSD Co. Ltd.

    4,400        53,862  

OBIC Business Consultants Ltd.

    1,000        34,502  

Open Text Corp.

    1,377        101,171  

Oracle Corp. Japan

    200        7,910  

Playtech PLC

    4,162        49,247  

The Sage Group PLC

    19,250        104,255  

SAP AG

    14,087        1,108,093  

Silverlake Axis Ltd.

    47,000        27,283  

SimCorp A/S

    2,690        88,257  

Software AG

    367        13,641  

Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800        28,988  

Tecmo Koei Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,200        13,626  

Temenos Group AG*

    4,451        113,788  

Trend Micro, Inc.

    1,200        44,522  

UBISOFT Entertainment*

    13,003        167,583  

Xero Ltd.*

    600        13,906  
              2,895,963  

Specialty Retail – 1.6%

  

ABC-Mart, Inc.

    400        20,018  

Adastria Holdings Co. Ltd.

    310        14,503  

Alpen Co. Ltd.

    1,400        29,139  

AOKI Holdings, Inc.

    100        3,328  

Aoyama Trading Co. Ltd.

    500        12,725  

ARB Corp. Ltd.

    1,725        19,030  

Asahi Co. Ltd.

    600        10,189  

AT-Group Co. Ltd.

    4,000        73,204  
    Shares     Value  

Specialty Retail – (continued)

  

Autobacs Seven Co. Ltd.

    1,400      $ 20,406  

Automotive Holdings Group Ltd.

    31,786        109,262  

Bic Camera, Inc.

    102        50,215  

BMTC Group, Inc., Class A

    244        3,133  

Carpetright PLC*

    268        2,680  

Carphone Warehouse Group PLC

    14,900        62,419  

Chiyoda Co. Ltd.

    200        4,391  

Chow Sang Sang Holdings International Ltd.

    7,000        22,707  

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd.

    16,000        26,539  

Clas Ohlson AB, Class B

    3,763        59,314  

Darty PLC

    21,068        27,924  

Delek Automotive Systems Ltd.

    1,942        21,549  

Delticom AG

    112        5,918  

Dixons Retail PLC*

    200,601        157,727  

Dufry AG*

    530        85,861  

Dunelm Group PLC

    394        5,602  

EDION Corp.

    14,500        72,566  

Emperor Watch & Jewellery Ltd.

    460,000        36,786  

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

    30,800        56,570  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

    800        267,863  

Fielmann AG

    70        7,842  

Folli Follie S.A.*

    230        6,848  

Geo Holdings Corp.

    4,100        38,279  

Giordano International Ltd.

    102,000        95,645  

Gulliver International Co. Ltd.

    3,100        18,453  

Halfords Group PLC

    10,429        70,958  

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    14,925        645,799  

Honeys Co. Ltd.

    5,160        56,644  

Howden Joinery Group PLC

    19,466        100,921  

Inditex S.A.

    3,277        539,065  

IT Ltd.

    50,000        15,220  

JB Hi-Fi Ltd.

    16,013        330,564  

Jin Co. Ltd.

    200        7,930  

Joshin Denki Co. Ltd.

    6,000        48,925  

JUMBO S.A.*

    4,537        61,064  

Kathmandu Holdings Ltd.

    24,221        77,990  

Keiyo Co. Ltd.

    2,800        13,185  

Kingfisher PLC

    34,501        209,246  

Kohnan Shoji Co. Ltd.

    2,800        29,453  

K’s Holdings Corp.

    200        5,863  

Leon’s Furniture Ltd.

    900        11,418  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      131   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Specialty Retail – (continued)

  

L’Occitane International S.A.

    1,000      $ 2,267  

Luk Fook Holdings International Ltd.

    53,000        189,358  

Mekonomen AB

    674        22,289  

Nafco Co. Ltd.

    2,100        30,031  

Nishimatsuya Chain Co. Ltd.

    2,400        17,809  

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

    350        32,856  

OSIM International Ltd.

    10,000        17,011  

Pal Co. Ltd.

    600        16,769  

Paris Miki Holdings, Inc.

    6,600        30,878  

Praktiker AG*

    2,466        84  

Premier Investments Ltd.

    1,404        10,583  

Reitmans Canada Ltd., Class A

    9,916        65,134  

RONA, Inc.

    4,675        54,781  

SA SA International Holdings Ltd.

    26,000        28,371  

Sanrio Co. Ltd.

    500        27,418  

Shimamura Co. Ltd.

    500        56,212  

Sports Direct International PLC*

    3,304        37,157  

Super Retail Group Ltd.

    315        3,991  

SuperGroup PLC*

    681        12,823  

T-Gaia Corp.

    3,400        34,274  

Trinity Ltd.

    114,000        42,641  

Tsutsumi Jewelry Co. Ltd.

    500        12,190  

United Arrows Ltd.

    200        8,603  

USS Co. Ltd.

    1,600        23,419  

Valora Holding AG

    559        138,214  

WH Smith PLC

    6,551        94,829  

Xebio Co. Ltd.

    3,100        66,954  

Yamada Denki Co. Ltd.

    18,700        52,416  
              4,802,242  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 1.3%

  

Adidas AG

    3,051        348,750  

Asics Corp.

    2,300        40,486  

Bijou Brigitte AG

    254        26,831  

Brunello Cucinelli SpA

    187        5,847  

Burberry Group PLC

    6,503        160,373  

Christian Dior S.A.

    751        142,938  

Cie Financiere Richemont S.A.

    7,801        801,594  

Geox SpA

    2,499        6,856  

Gerry Weber International AG

    1,179        49,007  

Gildan Activewear, Inc.

    2,239        107,908  
    Shares     Value  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – (continued)

  

Gunze Ltd.

    2,000      $ 5,341  

Hermes International

    227        77,429  

Hugo Boss AG

    192        25,069  

IC Companys A/S

    941        25,556  

The Japan Wool Textile Co. Ltd.

    6,000        47,274  

Kering

    1,075        244,576  

Kurabo Industries Ltd.

    9,000        15,687  

Li & Fung Ltd.

    106,000        149,846  

Luxottica Group SpA

    2,377        129,261  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A.

    3,903        752,409  

Mulberry Group PLC

    152        2,445  

Onward Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,000        8,276  

Pacific Textiles Holdings Ltd.

    83,000        113,906  

Pandora A/S

    930        44,396  

Puma SE

    10        2,983  

Safilo Group SpA*

    632        12,974  

Samsonite International S.A.

    15,300        41,836  

Sanyo Shokai Ltd.

    24,000        66,293  

Seiko Holdings Corp.

    4,000        17,980  

Seiren Co. Ltd.

    500        3,185  

Stella International Holdings Ltd.

    1,500        3,695  

The Swatch Group AG

    977        347,837  

Texwinca Holdings Ltd.

    64,000        65,461  

Tod’s SpA

    29        4,838  

TSI Holdings Co Ltd.

    2,100        14,833  

Unitika Ltd.*

    42,000        25,685  

Wacoal Holdings Corp.

    3,000        32,229  

Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd.

    6,000        16,484  
              3,988,374  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.1%

  

Aareal Bank AG*

    7,327        282,147  

First National Financial Corp.

    2,172        45,383  

Home Capital Group, Inc.

    70        5,555  

Paragon Group of Cos. PLC

    17,752        96,684  
              429,769  

Tobacco – 0.9%

  

British American Tobacco PLC

    28,077        1,549,928  

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    14,601        546,336  

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    16,000        578,942  

Swedish Match AB

    2,750        90,859  
              2,766,065  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

132    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Trading Companies & Distributors – 1.4%

  

Ashtead Group PLC

    4,862      $ 51,164  

BayWa AG

    1,203        61,437  

Brenntag AG

    752        127,588  

Bunzl PLC

    4,725        104,531  

Chaoyue Group Ltd.*

    185,000        9,187  

Cramo Oyj

    5,785        115,847  

Emeco Holdings Ltd.

    131,704        43,027  

Finning International, Inc.

    2,751        63,417  

Grafton Group PLC

    11,696        111,805  

Hanwa Co. Ltd.

    26,000        120,844  

Inaba Denki Sangyo Co. Ltd.

    3,600        108,503  

Inabata & Co. Ltd.

    11,700        114,364  

Indutrade AB

    760        29,773  

ITOCHU Corp.

    22,600        271,357  

Iwatani Corp.

    38,000        174,681  

Japan Pulp & Paper Co. Ltd.

    9,000        29,080  

Kamei Corp.

    1,000        7,441  

Kanamoto Co. Ltd.

    1,000        26,980  

Kanematsu Corp.

    80,000        108,450  

Kloeckner & Co. SE*

    5,434        76,941  

Kuroda Electric Co. Ltd.

    2,800        39,185  

Marubeni Corp.

    28,000        218,897  

MISUMI Group, Inc.

    700        20,470  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    21,500        434,339  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

    27,800        396,698  

MonotaRO Co. Ltd.

    400        9,381  

Nichiden Corp.

    300        7,082  

Nishio Rent All Co. Ltd.

    1,100        29,711  

Noble Group Ltd.

    105,000        87,193  

Okaya & Co. Ltd.

    2,500        29,508  

Ramirent Oyj

    2,223        26,776  

Reece Australia Ltd.

    839        22,246  

Rexel S.A.

    3,700        92,806  

Richelieu Hardware Ltd.

    424        18,698  

Russel Metals, Inc.

    1,819        50,235  

Seven Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,044        8,255  

SIG PLC

    22,138        73,268  

Sojitz Corp.

    14,900        28,855  

Solar A/S, Class B

    1,198        68,348  

Sumitomo Corp.

    15,200        197,533  

Tat Hong Holdings Ltd.

    20,000        15,076  
    Shares     Value  

Trading Companies & Distributors – (continued)

  

Toromont Industries Ltd.

    857      $ 18,983  

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

    3,400        94,227  

Travis Perkins PLC

    2,876        85,758  

Trusco Nakayama Corp.

    4,100        87,257  

Wajax Corp.

    3,810        136,164  

Wakita & Co. Ltd.

    2,000        26,032  

Wolseley PLC

    4,151        224,145  

Yamazen Corp.

    6,900        43,745  

Yuasa Trading Co. Ltd.

    35,000        70,635  
              4,417,923  

Transportation Infrastructure – 0.5%

  

Abertis Infraestructuras S.A.

    6,130        131,673  

Aeroports de Paris

    753        80,565  

Ansaldo STS SpA

    8,325        88,619  

Atlantia SpA

    4,451        97,726  

Auckland International Airport Ltd.

    9,106        25,853  

Autostrada Torino-Milano SpA

    5,225        78,990  

BBA Aviation PLC

    24,887        135,264  

China Resources and Transportation Group Ltd.*

    800,000        46,433  

Flughafen Wien AG

    855        66,139  

Flughafen Zuerich AG

    16        8,887  

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide

    267        20,716  

Gemina SpA*

    6,809        16,570  

Groupe Eurotunnel S.A.

    7,503        72,851  

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

    727        18,285  

Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, Class U

    76,000        55,480  

Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd.

    500        12,093  

Kamigumi Co. Ltd.

    1,000        8,694  

Kobenhavns Lufthavne

    50        25,309  

Koninklijke Vopak N.V.

    1,367        84,271  

Mitsubishi Logistics Corp.

    1,000        13,852  

Mitsui-Soko Co. Ltd.

    2,000        10,009  

Nissin Corp.

    4,000        11,742  

Port of Tauranga Ltd.

    3,261        37,250  

Qube Holdings Ltd.

    17,123        35,186  

SATS Ltd.

    19,000        52,082  

SIA Engineering Co. Ltd.

    5,000        20,357  

Societa Iniziative Autostradali e Servizi SpA

    10,126        106,276  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      133   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Transportation Infrastructure – (continued)

  

The Sumitomo Warehouse Co. Ltd.

    9,000      $ 52,655  

Sydney Airport

    15,483        61,432  

Transurban Group

    21,327        143,389  

Westshore Terminals Investment Corp.

    134        4,411  
              1,623,059  

Water Utilities – 0.1%

  

The Athens Water Supply & Sewage Co. S.A.

    4,959        56,024  

Hyflux Ltd.

    15,000        14,028  

Pennon Group PLC

    6,756        73,917  

Severn Trent PLC

    3,403        101,527  

Sound Global Ltd.*

    72,000        40,634  

United Utilities Group PLC

    9,651        109,235  
              395,365  

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.7%

  

Cellcom Israel Ltd.*

    7,495        87,832  

Freenet AG*

    1,294        33,750  

KDDI Corp.

    8,000        432,984  

Mobistar S.A.

    5,352        93,206  

NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

    23,400        372,072  

Okinawa Cellular Telephone Co.

    600        14,781  

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

    5,942        269,622  

SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings Ltd.

    6,000        7,909  

Softbank Corp.

    13,441        1,000,095  

Sonaecom – SGPS S.A.

    19,602        63,744  

StarHub Ltd.

    9,000        32,289  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    6,757        81,656  

Vodafone Group PLC

    741,355        2,673,932  
              5,163,872  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $282,267,388)
            307,731,553  
    No. of
Rights
    Value  

RIGHTS – 0.0%

  

CapitaRetail China Trust, expiring 11/13/13 at 1.30 SGD* ^

    540      $ 41  

FKP Property Group, expiring 05/07/15 at 1.30 AUD* ^

    12,600         

Hera SpA, expiring 11/19/13 at 1.25 EUR*

    2,854        52  

New World Development Co. Ltd.* ^

    890         
Total Rights
(Cost $4,255)
            93  
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $282,271,643) – 99.4%
            307,731,646   

Other assets less liabilities – 0.6%

            2,013,046   
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 309,744,692  

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ Security fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. At October 31, 2013, the value of these securities amounted to $264,810 or 0.09% of net assets.

 

(a) 

144A security – Certain conditions for public sale may exist.

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviation:

 

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 28,151,500   

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (3,638,708

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 24,512,792   

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 283,218,854   
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

134    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund had the following open long futures contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

    Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional Amount
at Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

E-mini MSCI EAFE Futures Contracts

    1        12/20/13      $ 93,765     $ 4,763  

EURO STOXX 50® Index Futures Contracts

    12        12/20/13        499,045       26,258  

FTSE 100® Index Futures Contracts

    4        12/20/13        431,115       7,710  

Hang Seng Index Futures Contract

    1        11/28/13        149,889       3,090  

Nikkei 225 Index Futures Contracts

    3        12/12/13        219,550       (86

S&P Toronto Stock Exchange 60® Index Futures Contracts

    3        12/19/13        440,773       18,608  

SPI 200® Futures Contracts

    2        12/19/13        256,434       6,869  
                            $ 67,212  

 

Cash collateral in the amount of $238,713 was pledged to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of October 31, 2013.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund had the following outstanding contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

Contracts to Deliver   Counterparty   In Exchange For     Delivery Date     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

GBP   77,717

  Morgan Stanley     USD 125,000        12/18/13      $ (182

EUR 147,282

  Citibank N.A.     USD 200,000        12/18/13        245  

EUR   29,920

  Morgan Stanley     USD   40,000        12/18/13        679  
                        $ 742  

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      135   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund invested, as a percentage of net asset, companies domiciled in the following countries as of October 31, 2013:

 

Australia

    7.3

Austria

    0.4   

Belgium

    1.1   

Canada

    9.7   

Denmark

    1.4   

Finland

    0.8   

France

    7.7   

Germany

    7.3   

Greece

    0.3   

Hong Kong

    2.8   

Ireland

    0.5   

Israel

    0.6   

Italy

    2.3   

Japan

    19.8   

Netherlands

    2.5   

New Zealand

    0.3   

Norway

    1.1   

Portugal

    0.3   

Singapore

    1.7   

Spain

    2.6   

Sweden

    3.0   

Switzerland

    6.7   

United Kingdom

    19.2   

Other1

    0.6  
      100.0

 

1 

Includes any non-equity securities and net other assets (liabilities).

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

136    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 98.6%

  

Aerospace & Defense – 0.2%

  

Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret A/S

    1,645      $ 7,795   

AviChina Industry & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    60,000        28,479   

Embraer S.A.

    15,000        110,306   

Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.

    930        24,549   

S&T Dynamics Co. Ltd.

    5,110        68,406   
              239,535   

Air Freight & Logistics – 0.2%

  

Blue Dart Express Ltd.

    250        11,143  

Hanjin Transportation Co. Ltd.

    1,690        29,235  

Hyundai Glovis Co. Ltd.

    397        88,139  

Kerry TJ Logistics Co. Ltd.

    39,000        54,758  

POS Malaysia Bhd

    30,300        54,828  

Sinotrans Ltd., Class H

    391,000        96,325  
              334,428  

Airlines – 0.5%

  

Aeroflot – Russian Airlines OJSC

    11,886        21,260  

Air China Ltd., Class H

    60,000        40,939  

AirAsia Bhd

    41,900        35,585  

Asiana Airlines, Inc.*

    26,870        127,669  

Cebu Air, Inc.

    10,450        12,757  

China Airlines Ltd.*

    33,000        11,962  

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd., Class H*

    436,000        150,712  

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Class H

    100,000        36,889  

Eva Airways Corp.*

    26,000        14,469  

Garuda Indonesia Persero Tbk PT*

    117,000        5,086  

Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (Preference)*

    9,100        46,373  

Grupo Aeromexico SAB de CV*

    34,300        47,495  

Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd.*

    1,038        33,320  

Latam Airlines Group S.A.

    7,196        119,254  

Malaysian Airline System Bhd*

    408,800        44,047  

Thai Airways International PCL

    20,500        13,370  

Turk Hava Yollari

    17,424        68,393  
              829,580  
    Shares     Value  

Auto Components – 1.2%

  

Amtek Auto Ltd.

    22,325      $ 23,576  

Apollo Tyres Ltd.

    36,920        40,912  

Autometal S.A.

    2,700        21,373  

Bharat Forge Ltd.

    6,574        32,022  

Bosch Ltd.

    377        53,956  

Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co. Ltd.

    50,400        134,494  

Dae Won Kang Up Co. Ltd.

    6,000        42,479  

Depo Auto Parts Ind Co. Ltd.

    6,000        21,035  

Exide Industries Ltd.

    9,856        20,015  

Gajah Tunggal Tbk PT

    409,500        83,553  

Global & Yuasa Battery Co. Ltd.

    1,450        68,074  

Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp.

    980        36,678  

Hanil E-Wha Co. Ltd.

    5,190        107,641  

Hyundai Mobis

    1,912        539,848  

Hyundai Wia Corp.

    433        74,701  

Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd.

    9,360        18,383  

Kumho Tire Co., Inc.*

    1,110        12,976  

Mahle-Metal Leve S.A. Industria e Comercio

    1,700        21,402  

Mando Corp.

    346        46,644  

Minth Group Ltd.

    20,000        41,893  

Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd.

    4,917        21,591  

MRF Ltd.

    277        70,996  

Nan Kang Rubber Tire Co. Ltd.*

    4,000        5,140  

Nexen Tire Corp.

    650        9,743  

SL Corp.

    2,620        36,555  

Sri Trang Agro-Industry PCL

    151,400        65,667  

Sungwoo Hitech Co. Ltd.

    6,603        102,399  

Thai Stanley Electric PCL

    800        5,912  

Tianneng Power International Ltd.

    140,000        52,908  

Tong Yang Industry Co. Ltd.

    23,400        36,399  

Tupy S.A.

    2,300        19,438  

Xingda International Holdings Ltd.

    191,000        116,033  
              1,984,436  

Automobiles – 2.2%

  

Astra International Tbk PT

    564,500        333,016  

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

    2,791        96,730  

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

    68,000        118,931  

Byd Co. Ltd., Class H*

    12,500        61,911  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      137   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Automobiles – (continued)

  

China Motor Corp.

    4,000      $ 3,826  

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd., Class B

    71,200        131,324  

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    68,000        96,127  

DRB-Hicom Bhd

    7,300        5,876  

Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A/S

    1,437        20,268  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

    110,000        55,475  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class H

    30,000        176,253  

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    64,000        75,944  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

    1,405        47,517  

Hyundai Motor Co.

    4,285        1,022,017  

Hyundai Motor Co. (Preference)

    1,823        203,080  

Jiangling Motors Corp. Ltd., Class B

    19,600        55,212  

Kia Motors Corp.

    7,500        436,248  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    1,396        20,168  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (GDR)

    9,087        120,494  

Oriental Holdings Bhd

    3,900        10,926  

Sanyang Industry Co. Ltd.

    14,000        24,541  

Ssangyong Motor Co.

    2,570        20,255  

TAN Chong Motor Holdings Bhd

    16,500        32,942  

Tata Motors Ltd.

    13,644        54,103  

Tata Motors Ltd. (ADR)

    4,742        148,520  

Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi A/S

    3,085        20,518  

UMW Holdings Bhd

    12,300        49,893  

Yulon Motor Co. Ltd.

    16,000        28,265  
              3,470,380  

Beverages – 1.7%

  

Anadolu Efes Biracilik Ve Malt Sanayii A/S

    6,725        86,077  

Arca Continental SAB de CV

    9,400        56,006  

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd

    4,600        18,659  

Cia Cervecerias Unidas S.A.

    4,204        56,409  

Cia de Bebidas das Americas

    3,800        142,627  

Cia de Bebidas das Americas (Preference)

    21,200        796,853  

Coca-Cola Embonor S.A. (Preference), Class B

    18,285        46,248  

Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV

    13,800        168,816  

Coca-Cola Icecek A/S

    1,988        57,128  
    Shares     Value  

Beverages – (continued)

  

Distell Group Ltd.

    563      $ 7,568  

Embotelladora Andina S.A. (Preference), Class A

    9,844        41,722  

Embotelladora Andina S.A. (Preference), Class B

    9,245        52,166  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV

    54,400        510,762  

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd

    6,300        37,174  

Guangdong Land Holdings Ltd.

    66,000        17,621  

Guinness Anchor Bhd

    3,500        19,188  

Hey Song Corp.^

    19,500        29,823  

Hite Jinro Co. Ltd.

    590        14,489  

Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co. Ltd.

    30        44,544  

LT Group, Inc.

    91,800        35,309  

Muhak Co. Ltd.*

    1,410        25,522  

Organizacion Cultiba SAB de CV

    8,700        18,070  

Thai Beverage PCL

    184,000        80,848  

Tibet 5100 Water Resources Holdings Ltd.

    88,000        34,165  

Top Frontier Investment Holdings, Inc.* ^

    1,425        251  

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class H

    8,000        65,523  

United Breweries Ltd.

    1,576        23,727  

United Spirits Ltd.

    2,614        109,492  

Vina Concha y Toro S.A.

    41,498        76,188  

Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co. Ltd., Class B

    18,500        58,938  
              2,731,913  

Biotechnology – 0.2%

  

Biocon Ltd.

    5,764        32,457  

CTC BIO, Inc.*

    1,031        20,897  

Green Cross Corp.

    127        15,684  

Medigen Biotechnology Corp.*

    2,099        14,789  

Medipost Co. Ltd.*

    628        45,823  

Medy-Tox, Inc.

    366        60,382  

PharmaEngine, Inc.*

    2,065        18,556  

Seegene, Inc.*

    456        24,847  

TaiMed Biologics, Inc.*

    5,951        17,106  

Taiwan Liposome Co. Ltd.*

    2,340        33,532  

ViroMed Co. Ltd.*

    889        35,325  
              319,398  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

138    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Building Products – 0.2%

  

China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd.

    14,000      $ 8,957  

Dynasty Ceramic PCL

    4,200        7,219  

KCC Corp.

    123        49,339  

LG Hausys Ltd.

    428        51,848  

Sintex Industries Ltd.

    35,071        18,804  

Sung Kwang Bend Co. Ltd.

    3,997        109,463  

Taiwan Glass Industry Corp.

    15,000        15,189  

Trakya Cam Sanayi A/S

    17,387        21,644  
              282,463  

Capital Markets – 0.9%

  

Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A.

    4,879        7,623  

Brait SE*

    6,996        34,192  

Capital Securities Corp.

    29,000        9,920  

CETIP S.A. – Mercados Organizados

    5,800        64,799  

China Bills Finance Corp.

    46,000        18,162  

China Everbright Ltd.

    16,000        23,691  

Citadel Capital SAE*

    40,421        20,421  

CITIC Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    31,000        64,934  

Coronation Fund Managers Ltd.

    5,830        47,721  

Daewoo Securities Co. Ltd.

    4,500        42,041  

Daishin Securities Co. Ltd.

    8,700        72,585  

Daishin Securities Co. Ltd. (Preference)

    4,660        26,271  

Egyptian Financial Group-Hermes Holding*

    49,515        57,866  

Egyptian Kuwaiti Holding Co. SAE

    15,281        14,211  

Guotai Junan International Holdings Ltd.

    28,000        11,990  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

    25,200        38,224  

Hanwha Investment & Securities Co. Ltd.*

    14,270        48,228  

HMC Investment Securities Co. Ltd.

    4,510        45,281  

Hyundai Securities Co. Ltd.

    1,340        8,502  

India Infoline Ltd.*

    34,168        31,191  

Investec Ltd.

    3,774        26,864  

Jih Sun Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    62,082        17,835  

KIWOOM Securities Co. Ltd.

    188        9,854  

Korea Investment Holdings Co. Ltd.

    740        28,847  
    Shares     Value  

Capital Markets – (continued)

  

Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund

    5,100      $ 31,732  

Masterlink Securities Corp.

    121,000        39,950  

Meritz Securities Co. Ltd.

    38,100        60,342  

Mirae Asset Securities Co. Ltd.

    470        15,862  

NH Investment & Securities Co. Ltd.

    7,490        33,893  

OSK Holdings Bhd

    131,400        68,291  

President Securities Corp.

    43,000        24,223  

Samsung Securities Co. Ltd.

    1,400        62,098  

Shinyoung Securities Co. Ltd.

    860        33,889  

SK Securities Co. Ltd.*

    15,060        11,401  

TONGYANG Securities, Inc.

    21,500        48,746  

Waterland Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    12,360        4,249  

Woori Investment & Securities Co. Ltd.

    2,690        28,403  

Yuanta Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    226,000        123,079  
              1,357,411  

Chemicals – 3.8%

  

Acron JSC

    2,820        84,711  

Aeci Ltd.

    3,382        41,322  

African Oxygen Ltd.

    11,238        24,182  

Akzo Nobel India Ltd.

    798        10,945  

Alexandria Mineral Oils Co.

    958        8,781  

Alpek S.A. de CV

    14,100        30,707  

Asia Plastic Recycling Holding Ltd.

    6,840        20,395  

Asia Polymer Corp.

    16,000        14,023  

Asian Paints Ltd.

    8,687        76,254  

Barito Pacific Tbk PT*

    810,000        34,491  

Batu Kawan Bhd

    4,500        27,922  

Bayer CropScience Ltd.

    562        16,454  

Berger Paints India Ltd.

    6,060        22,710  

Boryszew S.A.*

    59,640        10,080  

Braskem S.A. (Preference), Class A*

    2,400        21,460  

Capro Corp.

    4,450        32,596  

Castrol India Ltd.

    2,653        13,221  

Cheil Industries, Inc.

    1,292        109,621  

China BlueChemical Ltd., Class H

    452,000        290,332  

China Lumena New Materials Corp.

    628,000        133,651  

China Man-Made Fiber Corp.*

    73,000        31,059  

China Petrochemical Development Corp.

    38,700        19,429  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      139   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Chemicals – (continued)

  

China Steel Chemical Corp.

    5,000      $ 29,953  

China Synthetic Rubber Corp.

    105,000        101,678  

Ciech S.A.*

    1,667        16,200  

Coromandel International Ltd.

    3,799        13,751  

Dongyue Group

    242,000        114,241  

E.I.D. Parry India Ltd.*

    6,789        15,969  

Eternal Chemical Co. Ltd.

    20,000        18,278  

Everlight Chemical Industrial Corp.

    26,250        24,258  

Foosung Co. Ltd.*

    2,860        10,812  

Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corp.

    90,980        262,911  

Formosa Plastics Corp.

    110,440        299,975  

Formosan Rubber Group, Inc.

    106,000        100,482  

Fufeng Group Ltd.

    249,400        105,833  

Godrej Industries Ltd.

    3,375        16,272  

Grand Pacific Petrochemical

    203,000        156,847  

Grupa Azoty S.A.

    1,225        32,448  

Gubre Fabrikalari TAS*

    5,923        49,798  

Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd.

    4,478        18,322  

Hanwha Chemical Corp.

    2,420        53,157  

Hanwha Corp.

    1,290        48,827  

Ho Tung Chemical Corp.

    53,550        26,156  

Huabao International Holdings Ltd.

    517,000        226,724  

Huchems Fine Chemical Corp.

    2,110        47,541  

Hyosung Corp.

    690        46,575  

Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd.

    1,363        25,554  

Kolon Industries, Inc.

    367        20,517  

Korea Petrochemical Ind Co. Ltd.*

    234        16,435  

Kumho Petro chemical Co. Ltd.

    262        25,687  

LCY Chemical Corp.

    13,000        17,168  

LG Chem Ltd.

    1,265        357,169  

LG Chem Ltd. (Preference)

    179        22,697  

Lotte Chemical Corp.

    544        111,544  

Mexichem SAB de CV

    28,400        119,047  

Namhae Chemical Corp.

    3,200        21,871  

Nan Ya Plastics Corp.

    130,010        296,488  

Nizhnekamskneftekhim OAO

    97,329        76,884  

Nizhnekamskneftekhim OAO (Preference)

    35,832        22,412  

OCI Co. Ltd.

    450        81,452  

OCI Materials Co. Ltd.

    1,291        40,407  

Omnia Holdings Ltd.

    3,768        78,045  
    Shares     Value  

Chemicals – (continued)

  

Oriental Union Chemical Corp.

    18,000      $ 19,177  

Petkim Petrokimya Holding A/S*

    8,463        13,381  

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd

    72,800        164,031  

Phosagro OAO (GDR)

    2,766        28,683  

Pidilite Industries Ltd.

    3,715        17,446  

PTT Global Chemical PCL

    52,300        131,905  

Samsung Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd.

    405        18,327  

San Fang Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.

    11,330        10,837  

Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corp.

    171,000        59,077  

Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Co.

    5,418        13,025  

Sinofert Holdings Ltd.

    108,000        17,552  

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class H

    326,000        86,198  

SK Chemicals Co. Ltd.

    3,629        177,558  

SKC Co. Ltd.

    300        9,107  

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (Preference), Class B

    2,776        78,183  

Solar Applied Materials Technology Co.

    76,000        64,800  

Soulbrain Co. Ltd.

    2,054        102,627  

Supreme Industries Ltd.

    1,939        12,307  

Synthos S.A.

    8,925        15,142  

Taekwang Industrial Co. Ltd.

    18        22,230  

Taiwan Fertilizer Co. Ltd.

    21,000        50,035  

Taiwan Prosperity Chemical Corp.

    25,000        25,613  

Thai Plastic & Chemical PCL

    16,900        16,696  

TSRC Corp.

    11,000        20,331  

Unipetrol A/S*

    7,964        71,403  

UPC Technology Corp.

    188,095        90,912  

UPL Ltd.

    54,481        145,832  

Uralkali OJSC

    16,757        89,056  

Uralkali OJSC (GDR)

    3,864        103,207  

USI Corp.

    16,000        11,736  

Vinythai PCL

    52,000        19,547  

Yingde Gases Group Co. Ltd.

    22,500        23,101  

Yip’s Chemical Holdings Ltd.

    28,000        23,547  
              5,997,340  

Commercial Banks – 13.9%

  

Affin Holdings Bhd

    11,700        15,795  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    584,000        280,963  

Akbank TAS

    14,292        56,243  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

140    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

Akbank TAS (ADR)

    18,738      $ 147,468  

Albaraka Turk Katilim Bankasi A/S*

    76,113        68,004  

Alior Bank S.A.*

    1,017        25,782  

Allahabad Bank

    20,978        31,319  

Alliance Financial Group Bhd

    25,700        42,269  

Andhra Bank

    29,311        27,830  

Asya Katilim Bankasi A/S*

    123,685        126,029  

Attijariwafa Bank

    840        33,836  

Axis Bank Ltd.

    1,938        38,558  

Axis Bank Ltd. (GDR)

    6,094        126,511  

Banco Bradesco S.A. (Preference)

    60,250        874,748  

Banco de Bogota S.A.

    608        21,560  

Banco de Chile

    423,125        64,527  

Banco de Credito e Inversiones

    703        41,123  

Banco do Brasil S.A.

    15,800        211,415  

Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul S.A. (Preference)

    3,100        22,518  

Banco Industrial e Comercial S.A. (Preference)

    15,700        52,961  

Banco Santander Brasil S.A.

    21,700        149,817  

Banco Santander Chile

    1,917,874        117,919  

Bancolombia S.A.

    6,697        92,483  

Bancolombia S.A. (Preference)

    10,383        145,582  

Bangkok Bank PCL

    14,000        92,659  

Bank BPH S.A.*

    89        1,750  

Bank Bukopin Tbk PT

    840,000        48,436  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    349,000        323,535  

Bank Danamon Indonesia Tbk PT

    93,500        35,666  

Bank Gospodarki Zywnosciowej S.A.*

    1,922        44,115  

Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A.

    761        29,383  

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

    273,500        208,658  

Bank Millennium S.A.*

    9,106        22,670  

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    231,500        98,576  

Bank of Ayudhya PCL

    66,800        82,092  

Bank of Baroda

    2,734        28,601  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    2,116,000        990,717  

Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., Class H

    256,000        187,219  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

Bank of India

    4,806      $ 16,415  

Bank of the Philippine Islands

    17,370        40,199  

Bank Pan Indonesia Tbk PT*

    119,500        7,633  

Bank Pekao S.A.

    3,830        240,246  

Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat Dan Banten Tbk PT

    328,000        26,479  

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    316,500        221,810  

Bank St. Petersburg OJSC

    37,518        55,486  

Bank Tabungan Negara Persero Tbk PT

    94,500        8,132  

Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Tbk PT*

    78,000        30,273  

Bank Zachodni WBK S.A.

    821        100,063  

Banque Centrale Populaire

    2,087        49,361  

Banregio Grupo Financiero SAB de CV

    10,900        60,616  

Barclays Africa Group Ltd.

    8,629        133,667  

BDO Unibank, Inc.

    36,350        68,141  

BIMB Holdings Bhd

    20,700        31,553  

BMCE Bank

    2,526        63,114  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    104,000        339,376  

BRE Bank S.A.

    400        66,303  

BS Financial Group, Inc.

    5,110        82,136  

Canara Bank

    3,605        15,149  

Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.

    558        11,935  

Chang Hwa Commercial Bank

    127,670        76,482  

China Banking Corp.

    20,871        29,947  

China Citic Bank Corp. Ltd., Class H

    194,000        108,848  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    2,032,000        1,577,784  

China Development Financial Holding Corp.

    339,000        101,194  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    139,399        276,890  

China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class H

    139,000        159,384  

Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank, Class H

    93,000        46,902  

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd

    135,548        320,877  

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE

    18,212        112,763  

Corp. Bank

    6,816        31,654  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      141   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

Corpbanca S.A.

    3,113,135      $ 35,023  

Credicorp Ltd.

    1,900        259,540  

Credit Immobilier et Hotelier

    1,637        56,389  

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    352,449        238,729  

DGB Financial Group, Inc.

    3,310        53,047  

E.Sun Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    124,900        83,537  

East West Banking Corp.*

    17,000        10,032  

Entie Commercial Bank

    8,000        4,112  

Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt

    6,763        48,017  

Far Eastern International Bank

    22,035        9,150  

Federal Bank Ltd.

    14,430        19,278  

First Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    191,735        118,776  

Getin Holding S.A.

    34,632        49,188  

Getin Noble Bank S.A.*

    43,566        38,514  

Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores

    3,897        2,742  

Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores (Preference)

    35,132        24,444  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O

    64,400        412,580  

Grupo Financiero Inbursa SAB de CV, Class O

    49,600        128,243  

Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico SAB de CV, Class B

    43,700        122,770  

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

    7,910        304,991  

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    5,896        65,316  

HDFC Bank Ltd. (ADR)

    12,776        463,130  

Hong Leong Bank Bhd

    12,200        55,209  

Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd

    2,700        12,937  

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    151,850        89,933  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    3,257        59,408  

ICICI Bank Ltd. (ADR)

    4,291        160,140  

IDBI Bank Ltd.

    14,473        15,956  

Indian Bank

    20,011        27,336  

Indian Overseas Bank*

    44,022        36,533  

IndusInd Bank Ltd.

    7,764        56,295  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    2,079,000        1,456,068  

Industrial Bank of Korea

    6,080        70,214  

Industrial Bank of Taiwan

    112,320        24,697  

ING Bank Slaski S.A.*

    726        26,663  

Itau Unibanco Holding S.A.

    70,550        1,097,906  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

Itausa – Investimentos Itau S.A.

    9,534      $ 44,511  

Itausa – Investimentos Itau S.A. (Preference)

    82,532        358,213  

Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd.

    4,793        101,698  

Karur Vysya Bank Ltd.*

    9,421        52,750  

Kasikornbank PCL

    18,800        114,763  

KB Financial Group, Inc.

    11,010        435,937  

Kiatnakin Bank PCL

    12,000        16,096  

King’s Town Bank

    26,000        23,098  

Komercni Banka A/S

    436        108,488  

Krung Thai Bank PCL

    115,500        75,330  

Malayan Banking Bhd

    117,995        364,954  

Mega Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    215,000        185,878  

Metropolitan Bank & Trust

    2,160        4,449  

Nedbank Group Ltd.

    5,167        112,579  

OTP Bank PLC

    6,930        144,312  

Philippine National Bank*

    8,890        19,823  

Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski S.A.

    25,296        335,849  

Public Bank Bhd

    51,400        298,084  

RHB Capital Bhd

    13,939        34,852  

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

    9,930        10,801  

Sberbank of Russia

    219,137        701,568  

Sberbank of Russia (ADR)

    20,732        264,748  

Sberbank of Russia (Preference)

    29,280        75,711  

Security Bank Corp.

    690        2,220  

Sekerbank TAS*

    79,983        75,878  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

    12,060        526,968  

The Siam Commercial Bank PCL

    48,800        257,915  

SinoPac Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

    193,025        95,266  

Sociedad Matriz Banco de Chile, Class B

    143,311        53,182  

Standard Bank Group Ltd.

    32,717        416,978  

State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur

    2,045        10,812  

State Bank of India

    1,882        55,024  

State Bank of India (GDR)

    957        56,080  

Syndicate Bank*

    27,202        36,008  

Ta Chong Bank Ltd.*

    64,965        22,776  

Taichung Commercial Bank

    31,102        11,539  

Taishin Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    200,987        101,590  

Taiwan Business Bank*

    44,680        13,718  

Taiwan Cooperative Financial Holding Co Ltd.

    140,860        79,109  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

142    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

Thanachart Capital PCL

    28,100      $ 31,147  

Tisco Financial Group PCL

    18,920        26,746  

TMB Bank PCL

    689,100        60,663  

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A/S

    10,923        44,081  

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A/S (ADR)

    52,477        212,532  

Turkiye Halk Bankasi A/S

    17,363        140,752  

Turkiye Is Bankasi, Class C

    40,836        112,326  

Turkiye Sinai Kalkinma Bankasi A/S

    11,061        10,826  

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Tao, Class D

    21,098        50,832  

UCO Bank

    38,806        45,623  

Union Bank of India

    7,817        15,715  

Union Bank Of Philippines

    3,830        11,080  

Union Bank Of Taiwan*

    25,109        9,187  

VTB Bank OJSC

    41,837,398        57,819  

VTB Bank OJSC (GDR)

    32,047        89,059  

Woori Finance Holdings Co. Ltd.

    9,650        114,626  

Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi A/S

    20,342        47,275  
              22,036,836  

Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.2%

  

Blue Label Telecoms Ltd.

    98,077        92,534  

China Everbright International Ltd.

    61,000        60,819  

Cleanaway Co. Ltd.

    1,000        6,263  

Ipek Dogal Enerji Kaynaklari ve Uretim A/S*

    11,307        28,831  

KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co. Ltd.

    223        11,310  

Multiplus S.A.

    1,300        16,225  

S-1 Corp.

    454        27,092  

Taiwan Secom Co. Ltd.

    11,000        26,658  

Taiwan Sogo Shin Kong SEC

    24,000        29,858  

Valid Solucoes e Servicos de Seguranca em Meios de Pagamento e Identificacao S.A.

    3,300        51,296  
              350,886  
    Shares     Value  

Communications Equipment – 0.5%

  

Accton Technology Corp.

    96,000      $ 52,445  

Alpha Networks, Inc.

    22,000        14,303  

BYD Electronic International Co. Ltd.*

    68,500        32,072  

China Wireless Technologies Ltd.

    108,000        40,397  

Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Ltd.*

    45,500        15,024  

Compal Communications, Inc.

    15,000        25,732  

CyberTAN Technology, Inc.

    16,000        18,271  

D-Link Corp.

    28,000        16,964  

Gemtek Technology Corp.

    63,000        61,328  

HTC Corp.

    19,000        93,450  

Netas Telekomunikasyon A/S

    907        3,387  

Senao International Co. Ltd.

    1,000        3,193  

TCL Communication Technology Holdings Ltd.*

    47,000        42,738  

Unizyx Holding Corp.*

    30,000        15,623  

Wistron NeWeb Corp.

    66,707        160,526  

Zinwell Corp.

    42,000        45,174  

ZTE Corp., Class H*

    49,000        106,810  
              747,437  

Computers & Peripherals – 1.1%

  

Acer, Inc.*

    62,000        40,518  

Advantech Co. Ltd.

    7,000        44,912  

ASROCK, Inc.

    4,000        13,452  

Asustek Computer, Inc.

    20,000        153,168  

Catcher Technology Co. Ltd.

    16,000        93,126  

Chicony Electronics Co. Ltd.

    16,090        40,034  

Clevo Co.

    13,322        28,340  

CMC Magnetics Corp.*

    605,000        102,139  

Compal Electronics, Inc.

    110,000        86,114  

Elitegroup Computer Systems Co. Ltd.

    31,000        13,348  

Foxconn Technology Co. Ltd.

    20,700        51,998  

Getac Technology Corp.

    80,000        44,112  

Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd.

    129,000        144,019  

IEI Integration Corp.*

    18,000        24,813  

Inventec Corp.

    68,000        60,872  

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    166,000        177,711  

Lite-On Technology Corp.

    54,244        94,901  

Micro-Star International Co. Ltd.

    154,000        103,525  

Pegatron Corp.

    45,000        62,646  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      143   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Computers & Peripherals – (continued)

  

Primax Electronics Ltd.

    46,000      $ 42,274  

Qisda Corp.*

    92,000        21,356  

Quanta Computer, Inc.

    75,000        177,930  

Ritek Corp.*

    205,000        33,214  

Simplo Technology Co. Ltd.

    7,000        34,429  

TPV Technology Ltd.

    182,000        38,498  

Wistron Corp.

    65,650        61,674  
              1,789,123  

Construction & Engineering – 2.2%

  

Aveng Ltd.*

    96,711        285,141  

BES Engineering Corp.

    157,000        48,095  

Besalco S.A.

    26,166        36,807  

Budimex S.A.

    876        37,012  

CH Karnchang PCL

    17,500        12,482  

China Communications Construction Co. Ltd., Class H

    126,000        102,873  

China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd., Class H

    71,000        77,840  

China Railway Group Ltd., Class H

    135,000        76,267  

China State Construction International Holdings Ltd.

    48,000        80,856  

Chung Hsin Electric & Machinery Manufacturing Corp.

    28,000        21,825  

Continental Holdings Corp.

    57,000        20,759  

Cosco International Holdings Ltd.

    130,000        56,171  

CTCI Corp.

    12,000        20,994  

Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd.

    872        80,891  

Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd.*

    910        7,369  

Dialog Group Bhd

    41,000        35,731  

Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd.

    1,272        51,983  

Empresas ICA SAB de CV*

    20,400        38,872  

Engineers India Ltd.

    15,634        45,105  

Gamuda Bhd

    55,800        86,117  

GMR Infrastructure Ltd.

    30,202        10,836  

Grana y Montero SAA

    13,717        59,585  

Group Five Ltd.

    24,392        109,704  

GS Engineering & Construction Corp.

    929        31,353  

HKC Holdings Ltd.

    135,000        4,701  
    Shares     Value  

Construction & Engineering – (continued)

  

Hyundai Development Co-Engineering & Construction

    1,650      $ 36,710  

Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd.

    2,044        117,351  

IJM Corp. Bhd

    39,100        71,867  

Impulsora del Desarrollo y El Empleo en America Latina SAB de CV*

    33,800        67,916  

Inovisi Infracom Tbk PT*

    75,833        5,180  

Interchina Holdings Co.*

    335,000        23,765  

IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd.

    26,321        34,178  

Italian-Thai Development PCL*

    51,343        9,650  

Jaypee Infratech Ltd.

    43,792        12,791  

KEPCO Engineering & Construction Co., Inc.

    146        7,749  

Lanco Infratech Ltd.*

    134,249        13,326  

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

    1,913        30,302  

Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (GDR)

    6,664        102,292  

Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd

    4,800        5,902  

Malaysian Resources Corp. Bhd

    161,400        73,142  

Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd., Class H*

    786,000        161,193  

Mostotrest

    29,974        126,514  

Mudajaya Group Bhd

    57,300        50,481  

Murray & Roberts Holdings Ltd.*

    110,860        339,488  

Pembangunan Perumahan Persero Tbk PT

    108,000        12,551  

Promotora y Operadora de Infraestructura SAB de CV*

    6,600        67,212  

Raubex Group Ltd.

    25,955        61,739  

Rich Development Co. Ltd.

    50,467        21,644  

Salfacorp S.A.

    21,787        24,896  

Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd.

    840        59,154  

Sino Thai Engineering & Construction PCL

    22,471        16,749  

Surya Semesta Internusa Tbk PT

    306,000        21,717  

Taeyoung Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd.

    6,160        33,217  

Tekfen Holding A/S

    1,046        2,531  

Toyo-Thai Corp. PCL

    17,500        21,647  

United Integrated Services Co. Ltd.

    35,000        38,658  

Voltas Ltd.

    19,996        29,007  

Waskita Karya Persero Tbk PT

    257,500        13,706  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

144    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Construction & Engineering – (continued)

  

WCT Holdings Bhd

    60,405      $ 46,899  

Wijaya Karya Persero Tbk PT

    122,000        20,780  

Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon Ltd.

    12,155        213,798  
              3,435,071  

Construction Materials – 1.6%

  

ACC Ltd.

    1,496        27,626  

Adana Cimento Sanayii TAS, Class A

    4,775        9,827  

Akcansa Cimento A/S

    3,896        21,805  

Ambuja Cements Ltd.

    18,586        56,963  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

    32,000        111,646  

Asia Cement China Holdings Corp.

    105,000        57,423  

Asia Cement Corp.

    62,020        84,123  

BBMG Corp., Class H

    261,000        187,173  

Cementos Argos S.A.

    11,648        61,568  

Cementos Pacasmayo SAA

    21,812        52,053  

Cemex SAB de CV*

    297,544        317,704  

Chia Hsin Cement Corp.*

    31,000        15,827  

China National Building Material Co. Ltd., Class H

    74,000        72,348  

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.

    40,170        26,890  

China Shanshui Cement Group Ltd.

    46,000        16,376  

Ciments du Maroc*

    66        5,980  

Cimsa Cimento Sanayi VE Tica

    3,966        25,780  

Corp. Moctezuma SAB de CV

    5,000        15,612  

CSG Holding Co. Ltd., Class B

    66,500        54,294  

Goldsun Development & Construction Co. Ltd.

    84,000        34,739  

Grupo Argos S.A.

    7,951        92,299  

Grupo Argos S.A. (Preference)

    4,304        50,009  

Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua SAB de CV

    6,700        20,202  

Hanil Cement Co. Ltd.

    980        77,236  

Holcim Indonesia Tbk PT

    21,500        4,911  

Holcim Maroc S.A.

    117        22,975  

Holcim Philippines, Inc.

    10,100        3,268  

Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd., Class B

    36,500        54,093  

The India Cements Ltd.

    34,842        28,149  
    Shares     Value  

Construction Materials – (continued)

  

Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk PT

    39,500      $ 73,236  

Konya Cimento Sanayii A/S

    54        7,888  

Lafarge Malaysia Bhd

    9,800        30,963  

Magnesita Refratarios S.A.

    15,000        42,031  

Mardin Cimento Sanayii ve Ticaret
A/S

    8,926        20,386  

Misr Beni Suef Cement Co.

    2,637        18,383  

Nuh Cimento Sanayi A/S

    5,596        31,600  

PPC Ltd.

    16,925        53,707  

The Ramco Cements Ltd.

    4,924        14,314  

Semen Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    77,500        98,658  

Shree Cement Ltd.

    241        17,394  

The Siam Cement PCL

    3,400        46,753  

Siam City Cement PCL

    3,000        38,361  

Ssangyong Cement Industrial Co. Ltd.*

    4,600        25,629  

Suez Cement Co.

    16,343        58,009  

Taiwan Cement Corp.

    91,000        132,414  

TCC International Holdings Ltd.

    252,000        93,610  

TPI Polene PCL

    40,600        16,827  

Ultratech Cement Ltd.

    1,101        35,237  

Union Andina de Cementos SAA

    24,039        31,370  

Universal Cement Corp.

    24,000        22,056  

West China Cement Ltd.

    622,000        93,063  
              2,610,788  

Consumer Finance – 0.2%

  

Aeon Thana Sinsap Thailand PCL

    6,200        18,027  

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    916        20,168  

Compartamos SAB de CV

    44,400        86,824  

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd.

    5,911        27,167  

Muthoot Finance Ltd.

    9,629        16,632  

Samsung Card Co. Ltd.

    1,510        55,944  

Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd.

    2,924        29,088  

Sundaram Finance Ltd.

    4,448        38,360  

Taiwan Acceptance Corp.

    11,000        27,632  
              319,842  

Containers & Packaging – 0.3%

  

AMVIG Holdings Ltd.

    122,000        57,278  

Anadolu Cam Sanayii A/S

    27,491        33,531  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      145   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Containers & Packaging – (continued)

  

Cheng Loong Corp.

    257,000      $ 121,592  

CPMC Holdings Ltd.

    33,000        26,390  

Great China Metal Industry

    9,000        10,676  

Greatview Aseptic Packaging Co. Ltd.

    31,000        19,512  

Klabin S.A. (Preference)

    15,500        82,960  

Lock & Lock Co. Ltd.

    1,830        47,702  

Nampak Ltd.

    16,656        55,267  

Taiwan Hon Chuan Enterprise Co. Ltd.

    9,000        18,993  
              473,901  

Distributors – 0.1%

  

Dah Chong Hong Holdings Ltd.

    23,000        19,520  

Dogus Otomotiv Servis ve Ticaret A/S

    2,752        13,261  

Imperial Holdings Ltd.

    4,691        100,004  

Silver base Group Holdings Ltd.*

    184,000        30,615  

Test-Rite International Co. Ltd.

    23,000        17,888  
              181,288  

Diversified Consumer Services – 0.2%

  

Abril Educacao S.A.

    1,400        20,087  

Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes S.A.

    9,800        59,064  

Estacio Participacoes S.A.

    9,100        70,807  

Kroton Educacional S.A.

    6,000        89,325  

Lung Yen Life Service Corp.

    5,000        15,147  

MegaStudy Co. Ltd.

    993        69,367  
              323,797  

Diversified Financial Services – 1.9%

  

African Bank Investments Ltd.

    17,390        29,547  

AMMB Holdings Bhd

    51,400        120,374  

Ayala Corp.

    5,430        75,776  

BM&FBovespa S.A.

    49,000        278,350  

Bolsa Mexicana de Valores SAB de CV

    21,700        51,916  

Bursa Malaysia Bhd

    36,800        93,762  

Chailease Holding Co. Ltd.*

    22,000        53,466  

Corp. Financiera Colombiana S.A.*

    3,515        73,175  

Corporativo GBM SAB de CV*

    74,100        51,873  
    Shares     Value  

Diversified Financial Services – (continued)

  

CRISIL Ltd.

    739      $ 13,461  

Far East Horizon Ltd.

    60,000        43,880  

FirstRand Ltd.

    87,665        315,421  

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    194,000        283,939  

Grupo BTG Pactual

    5,400        72,790  

Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana S.A.

    7,361        146,052  

Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana S.A. (Preference)

    2,864        56,977  

Grupo Security S.A.

    356,446        123,921  

GT Capital Holdings, Inc.

    2,710        53,686  

Haci Omer Sabanci Holding A/S

    27,515        130,928  

Hankook Tire Worldwide Co. Ltd.

    3,420        84,311  

IDFC Ltd.

    31,981        55,032  

IFCI Ltd.

    111,345        43,755  

Inmuebles Carso SAB de CV*

    21,400        21,401  

Intercorp Financial Services, Inc.

    845        28,265  

Invercap S.A.

    8,476        36,255  

Inversiones La Construccion S.A.

    998        14,990  

JSE Ltd.

    7,716        67,709  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    8,730        106,889  

Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

    384,600        43,436  

Power Finance Corp. Ltd.

    7,248        15,851  

PSG Group Ltd.

    1,633        13,465  

Reliance Capital Ltd.

    2,523        15,194  

Remgro Ltd.

    11,976        244,655  

RMB Holdings Ltd.

    24,662        124,056  

Rural Electrification Corp. Ltd.

    7,793        24,633  

Warsaw Stock Exchange

    2,646        38,355  
              3,047,546  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.5%

  

Asia Pacific Telecom Co. Ltd.

    46,899        28,574  

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Ltd.

    4,000        15,529  

Axtel SAB de CV*

    60,000        18,878  

China Communications Services Corp. Ltd., Class H

    66,000        40,436  

China Telecom Corp. Ltd., Class H

    376,000        196,413  

China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd.

    128,000        202,078  

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

    107,000        344,533  

CITIC Telecom International Holdings Ltd.

    123,625        38,747  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

146    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – (continued)

  

Jasmine International PCL

    77,600      $ 21,067  

KT Corp.

    510        16,852  

LG Uplus Corp.*

    6,380        73,078  

Magyar Telekom Telecommunications PLC

    7,627        10,506  

Maroc Telecom S.A.

    1,987        23,862  

Netia S.A.*

    25,072        41,559  

Oi S.A.

    4,400        7,956  

Oi S.A. (Preference)

    25,100        42,448  

Rostelecom OJSC

    17,610        64,434  

Rostelecom OJSC (ADR)

    2,503        54,515  

Rostelecom OJSC (Preference)

    3,656        8,335  

SK Broadband Co. Ltd.*

    2,669        11,411  

Tata Communications Ltd.

    5,003        21,480  

Telecom Egypt Co.

    12,996        25,565  

Telefonica Brasil S.A.

    500        9,926  

Telefonica Brasil S.A. (Preference)

    8,500        188,744  

Telefonica Czech Republic A/S

    3,187        52,105  

Telekom Malaysia Bhd

    28,000        46,496  

Telekomunikacja Polska S.A.

    20,767        67,360  

Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    1,393,000        290,401  

Telkom S.A. SOC Ltd.*

    62,822        164,817  

Thaicom PCL

    24,200        30,906  

Time dotCom Bhd*

    42,200        54,162  

True Corp. PCL*

    159,600        45,380  

Turk Telekomunikasyon A/S

    14,543        50,369  

XL Axiata Tbk PT

    56,000        22,231  
              2,331,153  

Electric Utilities – 1.5%

  

Celsia S.A. ESP

    9,615        30,931  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A.

    4,900        15,648  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. (Preference)

    5,100        27,320  

Centrais Eletricas de Santa Catarina S.A. (Preference)*

    3,500        28,021  

CESC Ltd.

    13,382        81,091  

CEZ A/S

    4,934        142,339  

Cia de Transmissao de Energia Eletrica Paulista (Preference)*

    500        7,241  

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais

    1,577        14,065  
    Shares     Value  

Electric Utilities – (continued)

  

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Preference)

    14,431      $ 129,359  

Cia Energetica do Ceara (Preference)

    1,300        23,090  

Cia General de Electricidad S.A.

    7,478        42,502  

Cia Paranaense de Energia

    200        2,050  

Cia Paranaense de Energia (Preference)

    3,100        43,558  

CPFL Energia S.A.

    9,200        79,199  

E.CL S.A.

    7,263        11,336  

EDP – Energias do Brasil S.A.

    9,200        52,965  

Eletropaulo Metropolitana Eletricidade de Sao Paulo S.A. (Preference)

    22,400        100,749  

Empresa de Distribucion Electrica de Lima Norte S.A.

    8,973        15,688  

Enea S.A.

    3,561        16,782  

Enel OGK-5 OJSC*

    1,065,321        41,669  

Energisa S.A.

    900        4,756  

Enersis S.A.

    546,726        183,655  

Equatorial Energia S.A.

    4,629        48,302  

Federal Grid Co. Unified Energy System JSC*

    730,462        2,238  

First Philippine Holdings Corp.

    50,160        80,678  

Inter Rao UES OJSC*

    50,918,011        14,868  

Interconexion Electrica SA ESP

    11,221        55,571  

Interregional Distribution Grid Co. Centre JSC

    2,991,343        21,804  

Interregional Distribution Network Co. Center and Privolzhya OJSC

    1,253,186        2,733  

Isagen S.A. ESP

    19,321        30,873  

Korea Electric Power Corp.*

    6,900        184,412  

Light S.A.

    700        6,215  

Luz del Sur SAA

    4,420        15,376  

Manila Electric Co.

    4,510        31,730  

Moscow United Electric Grid Co. JSC

    360,794        14,220  

Mosenergo OAO

    1,775,144        50,780  

PGE S.A.

    20,822        121,814  

Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd.

    36,485        60,140  

Reliance Infrastructure Ltd.

    2,860        20,095  

RusHydro JSC

    1,897,111        33,317  

RusHydro JSC (ADR)

    29,268        49,287  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      147   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Electric Utilities – (continued)

  

Russian Grids OAO*

    1,372,431      $ 36,950  

Tata Power Co. Ltd.

    26,411        35,305  

Tauron Polska Energia S.A.

    36,335        59,401  

Tenaga Nasional Bhd

    75,600        225,922  

TGK-1 OAO

    210,251,531        42,261  

Torrent Power Ltd.

    25,135        34,438  

Transmissora Alianca de Energia Eletrica S.A.

    4,500        44,021  

Volga Territorial Generating Co.*

    186,049        10,087  
              2,426,852  

Electrical Equipment – 0.8%

  

ABB India Ltd.

    1,456        14,909  

AcBel Polytech, Inc.

    31,000        31,338  

Amara Raja Batteries Ltd.

    2,733        13,957  

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.

    15,091        34,649  

China Electric Manufacturing Corp.

    32,000        15,249  

China High Speed Transmission Equipment Group Co. Ltd.*

    245,000        131,458  

Crompton Greaves Ltd.

    12,473        21,433  

Dongfang Electric Corp. Ltd., Class H

    103,400        166,442  

Dynapack International Technology Corp.

    7,000        19,966  

ElSwedy Electric Co.

    22,368        86,994  

Harbin Electric Co. Ltd., Class H

    190,000        119,347  

LS Corp.

    751        56,144  

LS Industrial Systems Co. Ltd.

    691        43,320  

Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    728,000        257,282  

Shihlin Electric & Engineering Corp.

    26,000        32,877  

Silitech Technology Corp.

    7,070        9,132  

Suzlon Energy Ltd.*

    148,250        23,158  

Taihan Electric Wire Co. Ltd.*

    10,413        20,124  

Teco Electric and Machinery Co. Ltd.

    48,000        51,219  
    Shares     Value  

Electrical Equipment – (continued)

  

Walsin Lihwa Corp.*

    76,000      $ 23,566  

Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric Co. Ltd., Class H

    39,000        139,842  
              1,312,406  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 2.9%

  

3S Korea Co. Ltd.*

    2,265        12,128  

Acme Electronics Corp.*

    5,000        6,433  

Anxin-China Holdings Ltd.

    528,000        170,937  

AU Optronics Corp.*

    241,000        79,815  

Aurora Corp.

    10,000        20,899  

AV Tech Corp.

    6,000        18,115  

CalComp Electronics Thailand PCL

    358,300        35,686  

Cando Corp.*

    36,974        10,660  

Career Technology MFG. Co. Ltd.

    22,000        20,967  

Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

    6,000        12,580  

Chimei Materials Technology Corp.

    39,000        39,956  

Chin-Poon Industrial Co. Ltd.

    91,000        151,773  

Chroma ATE, Inc.

    13,000        27,700  

Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd.*

    1,005,000        55,074  

Compeq Manufacturing Co.

    76,000        38,415  

Coretronic Corp.

    167,000        146,653  

Daeduck Electronics Co.

    9,060        79,860  

DataTec Ltd.

    15,761        90,182  

Delta Electronics Thailand PCL

    13,800        21,171  

Delta Electronics, Inc.

    49,000        254,344  

E Ink Holdings, Inc.*

    19,000        10,703  

Elite Material Co. Ltd.

    78,000        64,514  

Erajaya Swasembada Tbk PT

    85,000        10,255  

Everlight Electronics Co. Ltd.

    35,000        66,237  

FLEXium Interconnect, Inc.

    14,695        45,816  

G Tech Optoelectronics Corp.

    10,000        17,495  

Hana Microelectronics PCL

    30,500        22,342  

HannStar Display Corp.*

    65,000        21,792  

HannsTouch Solution, Inc.*

    36,000        11,690  

Hi Sun Technology China Ltd.*

    174,000        47,803  

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.*

    3,300        55,341  

Holy Stone Enterprise Co. Ltd.^

    46,200        58,296  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

    306,000        775,949  

Iljin Materials Co. Ltd.*

    570        6,556  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

148    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – (continued)

  

Innolux Corp.*

    184,000      $ 72,962  

Interflex Co. Ltd.*

    782        23,370  

ITEQ Corp.

    70,000        77,911  

Jahwa Electronics Co. Ltd.

    570        11,338  

Ju Teng International Holdings Ltd.

    206,000        149,856  

Kingboard Chemical Holdings Ltd.

    18,900        49,730  

Kingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd.

    226,000        92,988  

Korea Circuit Co. Ltd.*

    2,390        30,417  

Largan Precision Co. Ltd.

    3,000        102,112  

LG Display Co. Ltd.*

    6,340        149,124  

LG Innotek Co. Ltd.*

    168        13,573  

Lotes Co. Ltd.

    9,000        22,117  

MIN AIK Technology Co. Ltd.

    11,000        55,413  

Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board Corp.*

    3,000        4,044  

Pan-International Industrial

    20,200        16,158  

Partron Co. Ltd.

    1,141        18,447  

Redington India Ltd.

    51,094        51,090  

Samart Corp. PCL

    31,500        20,443  

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd.

    1,624        124,776  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    902        150,511  

SFA Engineering Corp.

    254        10,823  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    31,000        30,028  

Synnex Technology International Corp.

    36,000        57,530  

Taiflex Scientific Co. Ltd.

    9,000        18,687  

Taiwan PCB Techvest Co. Ltd.

    62,662        71,877  

Test Research, Inc.

    44,280        60,287  

Tong Hsing Electronic Industries Ltd.

    4,000        21,171  

TPK Holding Co. Ltd.

    6,000        42,172  

Tripod Technology Corp.

    7,000        13,843  

TXC Corp.

    16,000        19,769  

Unimicron Technology Corp.

    31,000        24,532  

Vivotek, Inc.

    3,000        17,410  

Wah Lee Industrial Corp.

    50,000        79,988  

Wasion Group Holdings Ltd.

    102,000        63,939  

Wintek Corp.*

    33,000        12,299  

WPG Holdings Ltd.

    43,000        52,397  

WT Microelectronics Co. Ltd.

    64,000        76,462  

Yageo Corp.*

    414,800        141,046  
    Shares     Value  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – (continued)

  

Young Fast Optoelectronics Co. Ltd.

    7,000      $ 7,672  

Zhen Ding Technology Holding Ltd.

    3,150        7,398  
              4,573,847  

Energy Equipment & Services – 0.2%

  

Anton Oilfield Services Group

    24,000        15,168  

Bumi Armada Bhd

    20,500        25,726  

China Oilfield Services Ltd., Class H

    42,000        117,554  

Maridive & Oil Services SAE*

    10,086        11,095  

OSX Brasil S.A.*

    13,900        2,813  

Sapurakencana Petroleum Bhd*

    102,400        129,803  

TMK OAO

    4,733        13,495  

TMK OAO (GDR)

    1,530        19,767  

Wah Seong Corp. Bhd

    27,447        14,787  
              350,208  

Food – 0.0%

  

RCL Foods Ltd.*

    10,215        17,458  

Food & Staples Retailing – 2.0%

  

Almacenes Exito S.A.

    6,181        103,671  

Big C Supercenter PCL

    8,400        52,626  

BIM Birlesik Magazalar A/S

    6,126        128,839  

Bizim Toptan Satis Magazalari A/S

    2,184        26,310  

Brasil Pharma S.A.*

    7,800        29,118  

Cencosud S.A.

    31,575        128,884  

China Resources Enterprise Ltd.

    32,000        113,297  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao Grupo Pao de Acucar (Preference)

    3,202        160,003  

Clicks Group Ltd.

    8,465        52,919  

Controladora Comercial Mexicana SAB de CV

    33,300        137,025  

Corporativo Fragua SAB de CV

    3,060        53,671  

CP ALL PCL

    141,600        178,564  

DIXY Group OJSC*

    4,208        55,700  

Dongsuh Co., Inc.

    664        17,402  

E-Mart Co. Ltd.

    660        158,039  

Emperia Holding S.A.

    1,463        32,429  

Eurocash S.A.

    1,620        24,931  

Grupo Comercial Chedraui S.A. de CV

    9,800        30,759  

GSretail Co. Ltd.

    360        9,944  

Magnit OJSC

    1,453        391,698  

Massmart Holdings Ltd.

    3,731        60,036  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      149   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Food & Staples Retailing – (continued)

  

Migros Ticaret A/S*

    852      $ 7,612  

Organizacion Soriana SAB de CV, Class B*

    4,100        13,285  

Pick’nPay Stores Ltd.

    9,812        46,523  

Pick’n Pay Holdings Ltd.

    16,881        34,587  

President Chain Store Corp.

    15,000        109,260  

Puregold Price Club, Inc.

    21,000        21,918  

Raia Drogasil S.A.

    6,200        45,677  

Shoprite Holdings Ltd.

    12,727        233,794  

The Spar Group Ltd.

    7,173        92,122  

Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk PT

    379,500        18,180  

Sun Art Retail Group Ltd.

    60,000        98,284  

Taiwan TEA Corp.*

    169,000        138,918  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

    144,200        376,273  

Wumart Stores, Inc., Class H

    40,000        66,761  
              3,249,059  

Food Products – 3.2%

               

Alicorp SAA

    12,777        39,842  

Asian Citrus Holdings Ltd.

    212,255        81,842  

AVI Ltd.

    8,170        48,177  

Binggrae Co. Ltd.

    199        16,791  

BIOSEV S.A.*

    5,300        23,909  

Biostime International Holdings Ltd.

    4,000        30,311  

BRF S.A.

    18,200        430,576  

Britannia Industries Ltd.

    1,892        28,926  

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL

    105,300        82,210  

Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT

    227,000        78,536  

Cherkizovo Group OJSC*

    5,000        82,577  

China Agri-Industries Holdings Ltd.

    59,705        28,031  

China Foods Ltd.*

    74,000        33,597  

China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd.*

    44,000        29,454  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    35,000        153,939  

China Modern Dairy Holdings Ltd.*

    66,000        30,731  

China Ocean Resources Co. Ltd.*

    8,440        34,333  

China Yurun Food Group Ltd.*

    325,000        215,464  

CJ CheilJedang Corp.

    246        59,717  

Daesang Corp.

    610        19,955  

Dongwon F&B Co. Ltd.

    294        30,072  

Dongwon Industries Co. Ltd.

    58        15,529  

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd

    2,000        29,472  
    Shares     Value  

Food Products – (continued)

  

Empresas Aquachile S.A.*

    23,539      $ 11,678  

Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd

    30,300        43,114  

Genting Plantations Bhd

    4,200        14,481  

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd.

    250        18,978  

Global Bio-Chem Technology Group Co. Ltd.*

    394,000        30,491  

Great Wall Enterprise Co. Ltd.

    103,000        92,730  

Gruma SAB de CV, Class B*

    4,900        33,706  

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV

    48,300        162,855  

Grupo Herdez SAB de CV

    7,000        24,437  

Grupo Nutresa S.A.

    4,822        68,886  

Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd

    22,200        18,643  

IJM Plantations Bhd

    16,500        16,942  

Illovo Sugar Ltd.

    14,046        44,150  

Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

    24,000        23,846  

Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk PT

    139,000        82,000  

Industrias Bachoco SAB de CV

    2,800        9,648  

IOI Corp. Bhd

    91,100        157,052  

Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk PT

    146,000        18,133  

JBS S.A.

    9,900        35,845  

Juhayna Food Industries

    8,202        15,122  

Kernel Holding S.A.*

    1,000        13,485  

Khon Kaen Sugar Industry PCL

    117,800        47,688  

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd

    13,600        99,558  

Kulim Malaysia Bhd

    10,300        11,098  

Lien Hwa Industrial Corp.

    47,000        30,395  

Lotte Confectionery Co. Ltd.

    17        29,152  

Lotte Food Co. Ltd.

    40        24,700  

M Dias Branco S.A.

    1,000        47,258  

Maeil Dairy Industry Co. Ltd.

    546        22,571  

Marfrig Alimentos S.A.*

    7,800        15,962  

Mayora Indah Tbk PT

    13,416        34,871  

MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd

    11,800        18,622  

Namchow Chemical Industrial Ltd.

    11,000        18,552  

Namyang Dairy Products Co. Ltd.

    44        35,963  

Nestle India Ltd.

    693        63,114  

Nestle Malaysia Bhd

    1,200        25,859  

Nippon Indosari Corpindo Tbk PT

    27,000        14,850  

NongShim Co. Ltd.

    52        12,599  

Oceana Group Ltd.

    2,906        24,397  

Orion Corp.

    93        90,742  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

150    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Food Products – (continued)

  

Ottogi Corp.

    40      $ 12,915  

People’s Food Holdings Ltd.

    55,000        52,767  

Perusahaan Perkebunan London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk PT

    690,000        97,937  

Pioneer Foods Ltd.

    4,758        40,421  

PPB Group Bhd

    14,100        65,684  

PT Astra Agro Lestari, Tbk

    9,000        14,850  

QL Resources Bhd

    25,400        31,875  

Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd.*

    22,103        12,534  

Salim Ivomas Pratama Tbk PT

    826,000        58,621  

Samyang Holdings Corp.

    728        60,738  

San Miguel Pure Foods Co., Inc.

    1,880        10,573  

Sao Martinho S.A.

    3,400        48,324  

Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd

    9,200        16,910  

Shenguan Holdings Group Ltd.

    34,000        15,173  

Shree Renuka Sugars Ltd.

    66,616        24,335  

Silla Co. Ltd.

    1,830        50,462  

SLC Agricola S.A.

    3,400        31,961  

Standard Foods Corp.

    5,750        17,614  

Tata Global Beverages Ltd.

    6,111        16,308  

Tenfu Cayman Holdings Co. Ltd.

    59,000        29,298  

Tereos Internacional S.A.

    63,400        84,691  

Thai Union Frozen Products PCL

    14,100        25,482  

Thai Vegetable Oil PCL

    25,600        14,969  

Tiger Brands Ltd.

    4,267        125,458  

Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding Corp.

    56,000        158,183  

Tongaat Hulett Ltd.

    4,804        60,737  

TSH Resources Bhd

    20,700        16,531  

Ulker Biskuvi Sanayi A/S

    1,236        9,492  

Ultrajaya Milk Industry & Trading Co. Tbk PT*

    102,000        44,564  

Uni-President China Holdings Ltd.

    35,000        34,986  

Uni-President Enterprises Corp.

    122,640        233,763  

United Plantations Bhd

    2,500        21,153  

Universal Robina Corp.

    21,840        64,443  

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

    164,000        252,143  

Wei Chuan Foods Corp.

    14,000        26,542  
              5,110,601  
    Shares     Value  

Gas Utilities – 0.7%

  

Aygaz A/S

    2,804      $ 12,864  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    76,000        84,694  

China Oil & Gas Group Ltd.

    280,000        44,782  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    26,000        67,238  

Cia de Gas de Sao Paulo (Preference)

    300        8,022  

E1 Corp.

    371        26,616  

Empresa de Energia de Bogota S.A.*

    19,594        16,484  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

    20,000        118,534  

GAIL India Ltd.

    12,406        71,382  

Gas Malaysia Bhd

    24,800        32,380  

Gasco S.A.

    1,133        12,060  

Great Taipei Gas Co. Ltd.

    31,000        23,425  

Gujarat Gas Co. Ltd.*

    3,673        17,282  

Gujarat State Petronet Ltd.

    32,325        29,403  

Indraprastha Gas Ltd.

    3,059        13,960  

Infraestructura Energetica Nova SAB de CV

    6,400        25,345  

Korea District Heating Corp.

    143        13,373  

Korea Gas Corp.

    691        41,626  

Perusahaan Gas Negara Persero
Tbk PT

    316,500        143,194  

Petronas Gas Bhd

    15,800        122,773  

Promigas S.A.

    20,826        56,197  

Promigas S.A.* ^

    644        2,007  

Samchully Co. Ltd.

    520        64,219  

Towngas China Co. Ltd.

    20,000        19,708  

Zhongyu Gas Holdings Ltd.*

    58,000        13,466  
              1,081,034  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.1%

  

Chabio & Diostech Co. Ltd.*

    4,925        47,822  

Golden Meditech Holdings Ltd.

    117,833        14,134  

Hartalega Holdings Bhd

    4,700        10,769  

Microport Scientific Corp.

    22,000        14,926  

Pihsiang Machinery Manufacturing Co. Ltd.*

    16,000        17,318  

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co. Ltd., Class H

    36,000        33,804  

St Shine Optical Co. Ltd.

    1,000        29,442  

Top Glove Corp. Bhd

    10,500        19,000  
              187,215  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      151   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Health Care Providers & Services – 0.6%

  

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.

    1,569      $ 23,204  

Bangkok Chain Hospital PCL

    88,000        17,953  

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL

    11,500        49,510  

Banmedica S.A.

    9,029        16,577  

Bumrungrad Hospital PCL

    12,200        34,101  

CHC Healthcare Group

    3,000        8,547  

Cruz Blanca Salud S.A.

    31,253        21,358  

Diagnosticos da America S.A.

    5,400        27,931  

Fleury S.A.

    4,500        35,116  

Fortis Healthcare Ltd.*

    9,651        15,422  

IHH Healthcare Bhd*

    70,600        92,402  

KPJ Healthcare Bhd

    24,600        47,554  

Life Healthcare Group Holdings Ltd.

    31,053        127,247  

Mediclinic International Ltd.

    11,292        85,377  

Netcare Ltd.

    31,562        78,609  

Odontoprev S.A.

    7,900        32,903  

Qualicorp S.A.*

    6,200        58,505  

Selcuk Ecza Deposu Ticaret ve Sanayi A/S

    40,458        40,412  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class H

    21,100        43,490  

Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    25,600        69,340  
              925,558  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.9%

  

Ajisen China Holdings Ltd.

    39,000        40,946  

Alsea SAB de CV

    11,300        35,275  

The Ambassador Hotel

    24,000        23,894  

AmRest Holdings SE*

    899        31,994  

Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd

    22,266        28,719  

Bloomberry Resorts Corp.*

    77,200        18,259  

Central Plaza Hotel PCL

    33,600        42,371  

China Travel International Investment Hong Kong Ltd.

    268,000        51,851  

Cox & Kings Ltd.

    10,650        15,909  

Famous Brands Ltd.

    4,158        41,536  

Formosa International Hotels Corp.

    1,100        13,235  

Genting Bhd

    59,400        197,275  

Genting Malaysia Bhd

    79,200        108,426  

Gourmet Master Co. Ltd.

    2,000        13,343  

Grand Korea Leisure Co. Ltd.

    590        21,525  

Hana Tour Service, Inc.

    730        47,554  
    Shares     Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – (continued)

  

Hotel Shilla Co. Ltd.

    939      $ 60,638  

Indian Hotels Co. Ltd.

    25,121        20,091  

International Meal Co. Holdings S.A.*

    4,000        39,850  

Jollibee Foods Corp.

    11,170        45,859  

Jubilant Foodworks Ltd.*

    1,840        35,626  

Kangwon Land, Inc.

    2,700        74,198  

Magnum Bhd

    12,300        12,902  

MGM China Holdings Ltd.

    28,000        96,427  

Minor International PCL

    40,600        36,198  

Orbis S.A.

    1,130        15,499  

Paradise Co. Ltd.

    908        23,283  

REXLot Holdings Ltd.

    1,875,000        164,451  

Sun International Ltd.

    10,208        104,013  

Tsogo Sun Holdings Ltd.

    1,488        4,194  

Wowprime Corp.*

    1,100        18,234  
              1,483,575  

Household Durables – 1.3%

  

AmTRAN Technology Co. Ltd.

    188,000        120,302  

Arcelik A/S

    6,145        39,327  

Brookfield Incorporacoes S.A.*

    66,000        41,856  

Consorcio ARA SAB de CV*

    177,300        69,560  

Corp. GEO SAB de CV* ^

    93,100        11,889  

Coway Co. Ltd.

    1,500        85,694  

Cyrela Brazil Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes

    7,400        55,749  

Desarrolladora Homex SAB de CV*

    44,500        11,074  

Direcional Engenharia S.A.

    21,800        127,465  

Even Construtora e Incorporadora S.A.

    43,200        162,242  

Ez Tec Empreendimentos e Participacoes S.A.

    700        10,374  

Gafisa S.A.*

    104,300        142,141  

Haier Electronics Group Co. Ltd.

    26,000        55,467  

Hanssem Co. Ltd.

    800        32,430  

Helbor Empreendimentos S.A.

    11,510        46,230  

LG Electronics, Inc.

    2,959        189,688  

LG Electronics, Inc. (Preference)

    80        1,950  

MRV Engenharia e Participacoes S.A.

    8,800        38,274  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

152    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Household Durables – (continued)

  

PDG Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes*

    111,300      $ 101,621  

PIK Group*

    52,530        103,190  

PIK Group (GDR)*

    13,669        27,557  

Rossi Residencial S.A.*

    60,100        74,606  

Sanyo Electric Taiwan Co. Ltd.

    5,950        7,817  

Skyworth Digital Holdings Ltd.

    51,812        25,127  

Steinhoff International Holdings Ltd.*

    32,049        124,314  

Tatung Co. Ltd.*

    486,000        134,819  

TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings Ltd.

    102,000        41,968  

Tecnisa S.A.*

    27,500        115,029  

Welling Holding Ltd.

    256,000        53,821  
              2,051,581  

Household Products – 0.4%

  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    15,592        154,728  

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A

    41,400        126,341  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.

    249        129,342  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd. (Preference)

    64        12,731  

NVC Lighting Holdings Ltd.

    305,000        74,351  

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT

    39,500        105,123  

Vinda International Holdings Ltd.

    37,000        52,495  
              655,111  

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders – 1.0%

  

Aboitiz Power Corp.

    74,000        58,227  

Adani Power Ltd.*

    22,716        12,087  

AES Gener S.A.

    92,209        55,380  

AES Tiete S.A.

    1,300        11,571  

AES Tiete S.A. (Preference)

    4,400        43,340  

Akenerji Elektrik Uretim A/S*

    46,194        31,070  

China Datang Corp. Renewable Power Co. Ltd., Class H

    73,000        14,783  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp., Class H

    76,000        87,341  

China Power International Development Ltd.

    86,000        33,721  

China Power New Energy Development Co. Ltd.*

    440,000        22,417  
    Shares     Value  

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders – (continued)

  

China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

    54,000      $ 141,390  

Cia Energetica de Sao Paulo (Preference)

    6,300        66,390  

Colbun S.A.

    259,235        64,302  

Datang International Power Generation Co. Ltd., Class H

    120,000        54,946  

E.ON Russia JSC

    249,000        19,320  

Edegel SAA

    22,666        20,754  

Electricity Generating PCL

    7,900        32,488  

Empresa Nacional de Electricidad S.A.

    94,412        144,384  

Energy Development Corp.

    188,400        25,289  

Eneva S.A.*

    3,400        6,882  

First Gen Corp.

    49,900        18,570  

Glow Energy PCL

    12,300        28,749  

Huadian Power International Corp. Ltd., Class H

    314,000        145,801  

Huaneng Power International, Inc., Class H

    94,000        98,207  

Huaneng Renewables Corp. Ltd., Class H

    196,000        75,588  

JSW Energy Ltd.

    20,740        15,710  

Minera Valparaiso S.A.

    374        11,468  

NHPC Ltd.

    43,444        12,795  

NTPC Ltd.

    33,502        81,281  

PTC India Ltd.

    29,471        26,855  

Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL

    25,700        41,698  

Reliance Power Ltd.*

    14,713        17,513  

Taiwan Cogeneration Corp.

    53,000        32,832  

Tractebel Energia S.A.

    5,000        85,682  
              1,638,831  

Industrial Conglomerates – 1.8%

  

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.

    55,820        65,690  

Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd.

    952        19,020  

Akfen Holding A/S

    7,689        16,750  

Alarko Holding A/S

    15,603        46,365  

Alfa SAB de CV, Class A

    74,200        204,233  

Alliance Global Group, Inc.

    71,000        43,297  

Allied Electronics Corp. Ltd.

    6,251        15,294  

Allied Electronics Corp. Ltd. (Preference)

    23,175        53,343  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      153   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Industrial Conglomerates – (continued)

  

Antarchile S.A.

    3,343      $ 51,248  

Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd.

    15,000        123,145  

Berjaya Corp. Bhd

    682,600        116,811  

Berli Jucker PCL

    6,800        10,869  

Bidvest Group Ltd.

    7,778        208,110  

Boustead Holdings Bhd

    24,700        40,938  

Cia Electro Metalurgica S.A.

    1,000        26,367  

Citic Pacific Ltd.

    38,000        54,110  

CJ Corp.

    318        33,276  

DMCI Holdings, Inc.

    19,270        23,101  

Dogan Sirketler Grubu Holding A/S*

    10,842        4,898  

Doosan Corp.

    127        17,001  

Enka Insaat ve Sanayi A/S

    9,548        27,989  

Far Eastern New Century Corp.

    87,160        100,126  

Grupo Carso SAB de CV

    15,400        83,153  

Grupo KUO SAB De CV*

    22,200        43,292  

HAP Seng Consolidated Bhd

    174,400        135,406  

Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd.

    2,125        31,327  

Jaiprakash Associates Ltd.

    24,950        19,345  

JG Summit Holdings, Inc.

    75,800        76,572  

KAP Industrial Holdings Ltd.

    143,252        54,263  

KOC Holding A/S

    18,889        92,916  

LG Corp.

    2,702        159,713  

MAX India Ltd.

    7,902        24,302  

MMC Corp. Bhd

    19,700        16,731  

Quinenco S.A.

    4,676        12,156  

Reunert Ltd.

    3,887        27,388  

Samsung Techwin Co. Ltd.

    1,142        62,335  

San Miguel Corp.

    14,250        25,064  

Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd.

    14,000        46,317  

Siemens Ltd.

    2,046        19,381  

Sigdo Koppers S.A.

    10,813        18,057  

Sime Darby Bhd

    79,200        239,190  

SK Holdings Co. Ltd.

    692        125,581  

SM Investments Corp.

    7,410        146,794  

Tianjin Development Hldgs Ltd.*

    56,000        37,198  

Turkiye Sise ve Cam Fabrikalari A/S

    7,968        11,758  

Yazicilar Holding A/S, Class A

    823        9,171  
              2,819,391  
    Shares     Value  

Insurance – 2.7%

  

Anadolu Hayat Emeklilik A/S

    2,566      $ 6,324  

Bajaj Finserv Ltd.

    1,415        14,692  

Bangkok Insurance PCL

    700        8,321  

Bangkok Life Assurance PCL

    3,400        6,882  

BB Seguridade Participacoes S.A.

    19,600        215,716  

Brasil Insurance Participacoes e Administracao S.A.

    3,300        30,279  

Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    211,440        318,821  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

    68,420        67,070  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

    209,000        555,317  

China Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    79,600        287,474  

China Taiping Insurance Holdings Co. Ltd.*

    17,000        26,531  

Discovery Ltd.

    7,057        59,952  

Dongbu Insurance Co. Ltd.

    1,250        55,916  

Hanwha Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

    5,470        36,613  

Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Ltd.

    1,820        52,073  

Korean Reinsurance Co.

    1,290        14,472  

Liberty Holdings Ltd.

    2,146        26,596  

LIG Insurance Co. Ltd.

    1,290        32,106  

Long Bon International Co. Ltd.

    23,000        18,515  

LPI Capital Bhd

    9,400        49,151  

Mercuries Life Insurance Co. Ltd.*

    99,980        70,103  

Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd.

    1,700        23,959  

MMI Holdings Ltd.

    28,755        70,842  

New China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H*

    15,800        44,528  

Panin Financial Tbk PT*

    3,294,000        58,443  

People’s Insurance Co. Group of China Ltd., Class H

    185,000        87,333  

PICC Property & Casualty Co. Ltd., Class H

    91,940        140,880  

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

    51,000        401,590  

Porto Seguro S.A.

    2,900        36,717  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen S.A.

    1,489        226,873  

RMI Holdings

    16,804        47,496  

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd.

    985        230,290  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

154    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Insurance – (continued)

  

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd. (Preference)

    15      $ 1,732  

Samsung Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

    1,609        158,511  

Sanlam Ltd.

    49,405        266,048  

Santam Ltd.

    665        12,639  

Shin Kong Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    193,916        67,324  

Sinar Mas Multiartha Tbk PT

    80,000        26,968  

Sul America S.A.

    36,139        266,571  

Taiwan Life Insurance Co. Ltd.*

    78,897        70,090  

Thai Reinsurance PCL*

    224,100        28,368  

Tongyang Life Insurance

    9,500        100,754  

Yapi Kredi Sigorta A/S*

    3,614        34,104  
              4,354,984  

Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.1%

  

B2W Cia Digital*

    5,900        44,449  

CJ O Shopping Co. Ltd.

    51        17,020  

GS Home Shopping, Inc.

    85        19,600  

Hyundai Home Shopping Network Corp.

    131        20,748  

Interpark Corp.

    1,875        17,853  

OfficeMate PCL

    18,800        19,932  
              139,602  

Internet Software & Services – 1.4%

  

Ahnlab, Inc.

    466        23,855  

Daou Technology, Inc.

    3,700        50,752  

Daum Communications Corp.

    515        42,967  

Naver Corp.

    789        444,057  

PChome Online, Inc.

    4,000        23,281  

SINA Corp.*

    1,800        150,408  

SK Communications Co. Ltd.*

    1,014        5,085  

Sohu.com, Inc.*

    800        53,568  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    27,500        1,501,087  
              2,295,060  

IT Services – 1.2%

  

Cielo S.A.

    9,640        294,834  

CMC Ltd.

    2        44  

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    5,880        104,803  

Infosys Ltd.

    8,106        436,580  

Infosys Ltd. (ADR)

    5,445        288,912  
    Shares     Value  

IT Services – (continued)

  

Mphasis Ltd.

    1,983      $ 13,662  

Posco ICT Co. Ltd.

    4,037        31,169  

SK C&C Co. Ltd.

    603        65,089  

Sonda S.A.

    8,306        21,576  

Systex Corp.*

    12,000        22,751  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    14,522        499,084  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    2,403        60,649  

Travelsky Technology Ltd., Class H

    33,000        28,220  

Wipro Ltd.

    14,495        112,672  
              1,980,045  

Leisure Equipment & Products – 0.2%

  

Ability Enterprise Co. Ltd.

    30,000        22,618  

Asia Optical Co., Inc.*

    54,000        53,486  

Genius Electronic Optical Co. Ltd.

    3,178        12,926  

Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    7,000        52,537  

Johnson Health Tech Co. Ltd.

    6,030        17,220  

Merida Industry Co. Ltd.

    6,000        45,542  

Topkey Corp.

    10,192        60,709  

Young Optics, Inc.

    6,000        12,580  
              277,618  

Life Sciences Tools & Services – 0.0%

  

Divi’s Laboratories Ltd.

    817        12,929  

Machinery – 1.4%

  

Airtac International Group

    4,280        31,030  

Ashok Leyland Ltd.

    238,879        66,857  

China International Marine Containers Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    8,000        14,962  

China National Materials Co. Ltd., Class H

    250,000        54,495  

CIMC Enric Holdings Ltd.

    14,000        19,719  

CSBC Corp. Taiwan

    55,000        35,101  

CSR Corp. Ltd., Class H

    181,000        150,813  

Cummins India Ltd.

    2,089        13,427  

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd.

    2,450        77,259  

Doosan Engine Co. Ltd.*

    7,610        67,724  

Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd.*

    3,030        43,418  

Eicher Motors Ltd.

    227        14,619  

Famur S.A.*

    13,030        22,657  

Haitian International Holdings Ltd.

    16,000        38,550  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      155   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Machinery – (continued)

  

Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd.*

    12,044      $ 139,657  

Hiwin Technologies Corp.

    5,090        40,194  

Hyundai Elevator Co. Ltd.*

    355        20,147  

Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.

    1,156        276,263  

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard

    322        51,302  

Iochpe-Maxion S.A.

    4,900        60,364  

Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.

    58,516        63,701  

King Slide Works Co. Ltd.

    3,000        26,549  

Kopex S.A.

    5,747        20,621  

Lonking Holdings Ltd.*

    426,000        86,815  

Marcopolo S.A.

    4,100        10,327  

Marcopolo S.A. (Preference)

    6,000        15,598  

Otokar Otomotiv Ve Savunma Sanayi A/S

    706        22,946  

Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering Co. Ltd.*

    18,118        15,168  

Posco Plantec Co. Ltd.*

    260        2,267  

Randon Participacoes S.A. (Preference)

    9,400        53,694  

Rechi Precision Co. Ltd.

    11,330        11,299  

Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.

    4,290        157,526  

Sany Heavy Equipment International Holdings Co. Ltd.

    86,000        24,847  

Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Class B

    95,000        38,855  

Shin Zu Shing Co. Ltd.

    32,000        70,471  

Sinotruk Hong Kong Ltd.

    11,000        5,760  

SKF India Ltd.

    1,668        16,380  

STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.* ^

    11,840        34,602  

Taewoong Co. Ltd.*

    286        8,534  

Thermax Ltd.

    2,214        22,971  

TK Corp.*

    799        16,232  

Turk Traktor ve Ziraat Makineleri A/S

    125        4,141  

United Tractors Tbk PT

    45,000        69,860  

WEG S.A.

    6,000        78,530  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class H

    12,000        48,059  

Yungtay Engineering Co. Ltd.

    6,000        17,665  

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    27,200        25,084  
              2,207,060  
    Shares     Value  

Marine – 0.6%

  

China COSCO Holdings Co. Ltd., Class H*

    257,500      $ 122,223  

China Shipping Container Lines Co. Ltd., Class H*

    324,000        80,237  

China Shipping Development Co. Ltd., Class H*

    116,000        65,683  

Chinese Maritime Transport Ltd.

    8,000        10,320  

Cia Sud Americana de Vapores S.A.*

    795,096        36,959  

Evergreen Marine Corp. Taiwan Ltd.*

    23,000        13,543  

First Steamship Co. Ltd.

    29,034        20,061  

Grindrod Ltd.

    32,766        79,086  

Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd.*

    23,040        168,334  

Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd.*

    1,498        19,418  

Malaysian Bulk Carriers Bhd

    25,400        14,247  

MISC Bhd*

    28,200        45,666  

Precious Shipping PCL

    15,700        9,685  

Shih Wei Navigation Co. Ltd.

    6,484        4,657  

Sincere Navigation Corp.

    13,000        12,124  

Sinotrans Shipping Ltd.

    162,500        53,447  

STX Pan Ocean Co. Ltd.*

    25,090        26,728  

Taiwan Navigation Co. Ltd.

    26,000        24,160  

Thoresen Thai Agencies PCL*

    22,780        12,954  

Trada Maritime Tbk PT*

    179,500        24,204  

Trencor Ltd.

    11,779        84,115  

U-Ming Marine Transport Corp.

    7,000        11,520  

Wan Hai Lines Ltd.

    13,000        7,013  

Wisdom Marine Lines Co. Ltd.

    40,750        48,962  

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.*

    5,000        2,221  
              997,567  

Media – 1.5%

  

Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd

    47,100        43,286  

BEC World PCL

    30,300        56,706  

Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers Ltd.

    27,858        52,623  

Central European Media Enterprises Ltd., Class A*

    2,679        8,225  

Cheil Worldwide, Inc.*

    2,430        59,905  

CJ CGV Co. Ltd.

    398        18,742  

CJ E&M Corp.*

    570        19,721  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

156    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Media – (continued)

  

CJ Hellovision Co. Ltd.*

    670      $ 10,927  

Cyfrowy Polsat S.A.*

    3,780        27,519  

Daekyo Co. Ltd.

    2,380        15,055  

DB Corp. Ltd.

    2,698        11,799  

Dish TV India Ltd.*

    17,517        15,249  

Dogan Yayin Holding A/S*

    39,184        13,571  

Elang Mahkota Teknologi Tbk PT

    52,000        24,334  

Global Mediacom Tbk PT

    141,000        23,891  

Grupo Televisa SAB

    68,200        418,143  

Hyundai Hy Communications & Networks Co. Ltd.

    3,530        15,840  

KT Skylife Co. Ltd.

    520        13,775  

Major Cineplex Group PCL

    20,200        12,396  

MCOT PCL

    4,100        4,577  

Media Nusantara Citra Tbk PT

    82,500        18,297  

Media Prima Bhd

    69,300        57,978  

MNC Investama Tbk PT

    526,500        16,347  

Naspers Ltd., Class N

    10,911        1,023,980  

Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Ltd.

    20,000        7,042  

SBS Media Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,440        14,983  

SM Entertainment Co.*

    985        37,283  

Smiles S.A.

    2,700        35,691  

Star Publications Malaysia Bhd

    20,000        15,782  

Sun TV Network Ltd.

    2,095        14,323  

Surya Citra Media Tbk PT

    123,549        25,756  

TV Azteca SAB de CV

    99,600        49,573  

TV18 Broadcast Ltd.*

    39,466        14,931  

TVN S.A.

    9,014        45,556  

VGI Global Media PCL

    16,200        6,506  

VODone Ltd.*

    224,000        19,358  

YG Entertainment, Inc.

    458        22,063  

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.

    6,593        28,542  
              2,320,275  

Metals & Mining – 5.3%

  

African Rainbow Minerals Ltd.

    3,101        59,590  

Alrosa AO

    17,347        19,578  

Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., Class H*

    114,000        42,641  

Aneka Tambang Persero Tbk PT

    224,500        31,865  

Angang Steel Co. Ltd., Class H*

    92,000        55,772  
    Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Anglo American Platinum Ltd.*

    1,830      $ 74,281  

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.

    10,770        164,367  

ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd.*

    44,340        175,313  

Assore Ltd.

    1,010        41,387  

Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development

    64,800        18,566  

Bhushan Steel Ltd.

    2,001        15,649  

Borneo Lumbung Energi & Metal Tbk PT*

    1,138,000        22,210  

Bradespar S.A.

    700        6,816  

Bradespar S.A. (Preference)

    6,200        74,344  

Bumi Resources Minerals Tbk PT*

    672,500        14,020  

CAP S.A.

    2,281        47,398  

Chiho-Tiande Group Ltd.

    48,000        18,264  

China Hongqiao Group Ltd.

    12,500        7,900  

China Metal Products

    23,260        34,558  

China Metal Recycling Holdings Ltd.* ^

    51,000         

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class H

    44,000        17,820  

China Nonferrous Mining Corp. Ltd.*

    213,000        70,880  

China Precious Metal Resources Holdings Co. Ltd.*

    732,000        118,018  

China Steel Corp.

    334,550        290,943  

China Vanadium Titano – Magnetite Mining Co. Ltd.*

    244,000        38,080  

China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd.*

    26,800        8,711  

Chun Yuan Steel

    126,000        48,248  

Chung Hung Steel Corp.*

    90,000        25,793  

Cia de Minas Buenaventura SAA (ADR)

    5,300        76,850  

Cia Minera Milpo SAA

    125,141        93,382  

Cia Siderurgica Nacional S.A.

    19,700        108,010  

Dongkuk Steel Mill Co. Ltd.

    9,990        139,855  

Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari TAS

    39,151        54,435  

Ezz Steel*

    5,211        9,623  

Feng Hsin Iron & Steel Co.

    14,000        25,542  

Fosun International Ltd.

    35,500        34,112  

G J Steel PCL*

    591,100        1,329  

Gerdau S.A.

    2,000        13,358  

Gerdau S.A. (Preference)

    23,600        187,560  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      157   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Gloria Material Technology Corp.

    39,900      $ 27,365  

Gold Fields Ltd.

    21,302        100,277  

Grupa Kety S.A.

    769        47,488  

Grupo Mexico SAB de CV

    102,800        325,895  

Grupo Simec SAB de CV*

    4,800        17,938  

Gujarat Mineral Development Corp. Ltd.

    15,713        26,438  

Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd.

    11,194        38,799  

Hindalco Industries Ltd.

    29,480        55,190  

Hindustan Zinc Ltd.

    6,592        14,331  

Hunan Nonferrous Metal Corp. Ltd., Class H

    134,000        37,160  

Hyundai Hysco Co. Ltd.

    1,040        41,276  

Hyundai Steel Co.

    1,508        124,393  

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.

    15,007        182,985  

Industrias CH SAB de CV*

    4,300        21,270  

Industrias Penoles SAB de CV

    3,695        108,511  

Inner Mongolia Eerduosi Resourses Co. Ltd., Class B

    114,300        100,813  

Izmir Demir Celik Sanayi A/S*

    4,467        6,188  

Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa S.A.

    888        19,236  

Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., Class H

    31,000        59,577  

Jindal Saw Ltd.

    23,214        18,113  

Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.

    10,849        42,342  

JSW Steel Ltd.

    2,022        28,344  

Kardemir Karabuk Demir Celik Sanayi ve Ticaret A/S, Class A*

    6,887        6,706  

Kardemir Karabuk Demir Celik Sanayi ve Ticaret A/S, Class D

    18,241        11,537  

KGHM Polska Miedz S.A.

    3,904        158,035  

KISWIRE Ltd.

    520        18,114  

Korea Zinc Co. Ltd.

    241        70,431  

Koza Altin Isletmeleri A/S

    761        13,522  

Koza Anadolu Metal Madencilik Isletmeleri A/S*

    45,454        99,475  

Krakatau Steel Persero Tbk PT*

    141,000        7,005  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

    2,284        95,928  

Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.*

    571,000        5,682  

Maanshan Iron & Steel, Class H*

    196,000        50,055  

Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (GDR)

    8,406        27,269  

Managem

    65        10,564  
    Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Mechel*

    800      $ 2,598  

Mechel (ADR)*

    3,380        10,681  

Metalurgica Gerdau S.A.

    400        3,328  

Metalurgica Gerdau S.A. (Preference)

    6,900        71,068  

Minera Frisco SAB de CV*

    18,400        47,220  

Minsur S.A.

    186,381        94,064  

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC

    813        123,022  

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC (ADR)

    7,127        107,903  

MMG Ltd.*

    28,000        6,248  

MMX Mineracao e Metalicos S.A.*

    10,023        3,832  

MOIL Ltd.

    9,107        34,736  

Molibdenos y Metales S.A.

    633        10,132  

National Aluminium Co. Ltd.

    20,134        11,958  

Nickel Asia Corp.

    69,475        26,111  

NMDC Ltd.

    24,700        55,786  

North Mining Shares Co. Ltd., Class C*

    570,000        25,364  

Northam Platinum Ltd.*

    23,844        98,183  

Novolipetsk Steel OJSC

    22,400        38,363  

Palabora Mining Co. Ltd.*

    4,442        51,375  

Paranapanema S.A.*

    13,500        29,084  

Philex Mining Corp.*

    55,700        11,279  

Polyus Gold OJSC*

    224        5,941  

Poongsan Corp.

    5,230        145,449  

POSCO

    1,837        548,113  

POSCO Chemtech Co. Ltd.

    267        32,848  

Raspadskaya OAO*

    10,798        10,320  

Royal Bafokeng Platinum Ltd.*

    4,773        29,157  

Sahaviriya Steel Industries PCL*

    1,055,300        12,545  

Seah Besteel Corp.

    3,010        78,744  

SeAH Steel Corp.

    512        43,586  

Sesa Sterlite Ltd.

    32,563        107,033  

Severstal OAO

    756        6,608  

Severstal OAO (GDR)

    4,939        43,117  

Shougang Concord International Enterprises Co. Ltd.*

    966,000        47,970  

Shougang Fushan Resources Group Ltd.

    64,000        21,545  

Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde SAA*

    451        11,631  

Sociedad Minera el Brocal SAA

    3,146        12,135  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

158    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Societe Metallurgique D’imiter

    29      $ 13,022  

Southern Copper Corp.

    4,600        128,570  

Steel Authority of India Ltd.

    21,842        21,929  

STP & I PCL

    17,800        11,609  

TA Chen Stainless Pipe

    64,900        31,147  

Tata Steel Ltd.

    8,732        47,585  

Timah Persero Tbk PT

    160,500        23,066  

Ton Yi Industrial Corp.

    19,000        21,018  

Tung Ho Steel Enterprise Corp.

    25,000        22,422  

United Co. RUSAL PLC*

    50,200        15,345  

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais S.A.*

    1,800        9,254  

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais S.A. (Preference)*

    9,800        52,364  

Vale Indonesia Tbk PT

    68,500        15,040  

Vale S.A.

    36,700        590,112  

Vale S.A. (Preference)

    55,400        818,286  

Volcan Cia Minera SAA

    56,303        30,995  

VSMPO-AVISMA Corp.

    42        7,722  

Welspun Corp. Ltd.

    22,685        15,688  

Winsway Coking Coal Holding Ltd.*

    339,000        25,360  

Yieh Phui Enterprise Co. Ltd.*

    54,000        17,094  

Yieh United Steel Corp.*

    154,093        41,592  

Young Poong Corp.

    20        26,585  

Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd., Class H

    33,500        27,135  

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    114,000        26,320  
              8,363,657  

Multiline Retail – 0.9%

  

Aeon Co. M Bhd

    3,800        19,244  

El Puerto de Liverpool SAB de CV

    6,300        68,291  

Empresas La Polar S.A.*

    231,041        47,381  

Far Eastern Department Stores Ltd.

    20,600        22,157  

Golden Eagle Retail Group Ltd.

    18,000        27,024  

Grupo Famsa SAB de CV, Class A*

    16,200        30,557  

Grupo Sanborns SA de CV

    12,500        26,011  

Hyundai Department Store Co. Ltd.

    396        63,091  

Hyundai Greenfood Co. Ltd.

    930        14,817  

Intime Retail Group Co. Ltd.

    18,500        22,024  

Lojas Americanas S.A.

    1,800        11,334  
    Shares     Value  

Multiline Retail – (continued)

  

Lojas Americanas S.A. (Preference)

    12,600      $ 93,961  

Lojas Renner S.A.

    3,100        94,115  

Lotte Shopping Co. Ltd.

    306        116,111  

Magazine Luiza S.A.*

    7,100        30,337  

Maoye International Holdings Ltd.

    380,000        73,519  

Marisa Lojas S.A.

    1,400        11,775  

Matahari Department Store Tbk PT*

    37,000        40,373  

Matahari Putra Prima Tbk PT

    188,000        40,027  

Mercuries & Associates Ltd.

    20,520        15,436  

Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk PT

    29,500        14,132  

New World Department Store China Ltd.

    29,000        16,795  

Parkson Holdings Bhd

    11,900        14,179  

Parkson Retail Group Ltd.

    32,500        11,150  

Poya Co. Ltd.

    3,000        15,776  

Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk PT

    311,000        33,935  

Ripley Corp. S.A.

    10,082        8,861  

Robinson Department Store PCL

    4,200        7,118  

SACI Falabella

    19,702        196,212  

Shinsegae Co. Ltd.

    210        52,958  

Springland International Holdings Ltd.

    79,000        43,306  

Taiwan FamilyMart Co. Ltd.

    2,000        10,892  

Woolworths Holdings Ltd.

    21,150        159,595  
              1,452,494  

Multi-Utilities – 0.1%

  

YTL Corp. Bhd

    120,400        62,956  

YTL Power International Bhd

    53,200        32,033  

Zespol Elektrocieplowni Wroclawskich Kogeneracja S.A.*

    2,044        43,513  
              138,502  

Office Electronics – 0.0%

  

Kinpo Electronics

    128,000        57,074  

Sindoh Co. Ltd.

    327        21,579  
              78,653  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 8.5%

  

Adaro Energy Tbk PT

    328,000        29,679  

Afriquia Gaz

    70        14,603  

AK Transneft OAO (Preference)

    36        92,201  

The Bangchak Petroleum PCL

    10,400        11,110  

Banpu PCL

    27,000        25,157  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      159   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Bashneft OAO

    984      $ 59,332  

Bashneft OAO (Preference)

    742        34,104  

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

    5,137        30,055  

Bumi Resources Tbk PT*

    289,000        11,665  

Cairn India Ltd.

    14,970        77,024  

China Coal Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

    111,000        68,149  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H

    711,200        580,661  

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

    96,000        292,221  

CNOOC Ltd.

    460,000        944,557  

Coal India Ltd.

    16,574        77,658  

Cosan Ltd., Class A

    4,400        69,344  

Cosan S.A. Industria e Comercio

    3,000        60,611  

Ecopetrol S.A.

    135,607        322,875  

Empresas COPEC S.A.

    12,937        189,507  

Energi Mega Persada Tbk PT*

    2,020,000        14,336  

Energy Earth PCL

    30,300        6,717  

Essar Ports Ltd.

    4,420        4,452  

Esso Thailand PCL

    48,000        10,795  

Exxaro Resources Ltd.

    2,940        45,251  

Formosa Petrochemical Corp.

    29,000        78,177  

Garda Tujuh Buana Tbk PT*

    173,000        15,194  

Gazprom Neft OAO

    1,428        6,453  

Gazprom Neft OAO (ADR)

    1,859        41,976  

Gazprom OAO

    163,528        766,399  

Gazprom OAO (ADR)

    73,857        691,302  

The Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd.

    14,623        66,316  

Grupa Lotos S.A.*

    1,462        17,914  

GS Holdings

    1,476        81,401  

Hankook Shell Oil Co. Ltd.

    15        7,438  

Harum Energy Tbk PT

    174,500        48,763  

Hidili Industry International Development Ltd.*

    113,000        18,802  

Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

    4,382        14,357  

HRT Participacoes em Petroleo S.A.*

    16,500        4,898  

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.

    10,687        35,136  

Indika Energy Tbk PT

    415,500        28,751  

Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk PT

    12,500        33,156  

Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal Co. Ltd., Class B

    37,400        73,304  

IRPC PCL

    293,800        33,793  
    Shares     Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

    92,000      $ 150,465  

Lubelski Wegiel Bogdanka S.A.

    785        29,085  

Lukoil OAO

    7,145        468,093  

Lukoil OAO (ADR)

    5,205        341,448  

Medco Energi Internasional Tbk PT

    322,500        70,093  

MIE Holdings Corp.

    242,000        51,815  

MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas PLC

    1,218        83,611  

NovaTek OAO

    18,451        236,278  

Oil & Natural Gas Corp. Ltd.

    24,458        116,887  

Oil India Ltd.

    3,776        29,115  

PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class H

    580,000        664,306  

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.

    82,000        720,660  

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Preference)

    118,600        1,089,796  

Petron Corp.

    23,300        6,686  

Petronas Dagangan Bhd

    6,200        60,123  

Petronet LNG Ltd.

    6,905        13,961  

Philex Petroleum Corp.*

    22,300        4,521  

Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen S.A.

    8,619        121,856  

Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo S.A.

    53,158        97,961  

PTT Exploration & Production PCL

    37,590        203,499  

PTT PCL

    22,800        232,212  

QGEP Participacoes S.A.

    9,800        47,824  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    11,569        172,194  

Reliance Industries Ltd. (GDR)(a)

    12,944        386,637  

RN Holding OAO*

    10,610        21,226  

RN Holding OAO (Preference)*

    4,841        7,960  

Rosneft OAO

    17,990        142,390  

Rosneft OAO (GDR)

    16,544        130,615  

SAMIR*

    614        23,012  

Sasol Ltd.

    16,431        842,283  

Semirara Mining Corp.

    4,150        26,508  

Shell Refining Co. Federation of Malaya Bhd

    27,000        60,921  

Siamgas & Petrochemicals PCL

    64,400        28,553  

Sinopec Kantons Holdings Ltd.

    26,000        23,709  

SK Gas Ltd.

    753        53,170  

SK Innovation Co. Ltd.

    1,681        236,124  

S-Oil Corp.

    1,323        96,660  

Sugih Energy Tbk PT*

    1,180,500        48,173  

Surgutneftegas OAO

    105,788        92,925  

Surgutneftegas OAO (ADR)

    12,190        107,760  

Surgutneftegas OAO (Preference)

    105,604        78,488  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

160    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Surgutneftegas OAO (Preference) (ADR)

    12,172      $ 89,464  

Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam Persero Tbk PT

    27,500        29,641  

Tatneft OAO

    19,588        134,615  

Tatneft OAO (ADR)

    3,003        123,453  

Thai Oil PCL

    21,500        43,518  

Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A/S

    3,808        86,587  

Turcas Petrol A/S

    4,033        6,356  

Ultrapar Participacoes S.A.

    9,000        241,662  

Yanchang Petroleum International Ltd.*

    1,060,000        46,485  

Yanzhou Coal Mining Co. Ltd., Class H

    60,000        62,221  
              13,419,199  

Paper & Forest Products – 0.5%

  

Duratex S.A.

    9,850        61,891  

Empresas CMPC S.A.

    32,375        96,366  

Fibria Celulose S.A.*

    7,200        94,074  

Hansol Paper Co.

    8,410        97,519  

Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Corp. Tbk PT*

    620,000        84,702  

Jaya Tiasa Holdings Bhd

    17,600        11,880  

Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.

    59,000        42,311  

Masisa S.A.

    428,742        31,821  

Mondi Ltd.

    3,020        54,134  

Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd.

    44,000        36,321  

Sappi Ltd.*

    18,963        56,024  

Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Ltd., Class B

    47,300        23,549  

Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Ltd., Class H

    22,500        9,200  

Shihlin Paper Corp.*

    8,000        12,743  

Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. (Preference)

    15,100        61,667  

Ta Ann Holdings Bhd

    11,100        13,156  

YFY, Inc.

    31,000        16,460  
              803,818  
    Shares     Value  

Personal Products – 0.5%

  

Able C&C Co. Ltd.

    658      $ 19,354  

Amorepacific Corp.

    90        73,816  

Amorepacific Corp. (Preference)

    24        7,715  

AMOREPACIFIC Group

    57        20,124  

Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd.

    786        15,847  

Cosmax, Inc.

    734        36,051  

Dabur India Ltd.

    10,097        29,352  

Emami Ltd.

    1,351        10,941  

Gillette India Ltd.

    307        10,461  

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.

    3,395        48,145  

Grape King Bio Ltd.

    8,000        38,666  

Hengan International Group Co. Ltd.

    20,000        244,936  

Hypermarcas S.A.

    9,400        82,655  

Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd.*

    63,000        9,426  

Marico Ltd.

    4,975        17,158  

Microbio Co. Ltd.

    23,365        27,596  

Natura Cosmeticos S.A.

    4,400        88,659  

Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Ltd.

    250        11,234  

Real Nutriceutical Group Ltd.

    181,000        46,925  
              839,061  

Pharmaceuticals – 1.3%

  

Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd.

    14,155        102,001  

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.

    8,179        228,453  

Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.

    8,192        28,886  

Bukwang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    1,072        14,603  

Cadila Healthcare Ltd.

    1,230        13,235  

Celltrion, Inc.

    1,767        76,710  

CFR Pharmaceuticals S.A.

    13,016        3,305  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    21,000        18,879  

China Shineway Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    9,000        13,930  

Chong Kun Dang Pharm Corp.^

    806        60,559  

Cipla Ltd.

    9,459        63,599  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    92,000        57,314  

Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    452        35,623  

Dong-A Socio Holdings Co. Ltd.

    176        25,054  

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

    408        16,308  

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (ADR)

    2,656        105,310  

Egyptian International Pharmaceutical Industrial Co.

    832        5,187  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      161   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Pharmaceuticals – (continued)

  

EIS Eczacibasi Ilac ve Sinai ve Finansal Yatirimlar Sanayi ve Ticaret A/S

    9,354      $ 11,879  

Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV, Class B*

    21,000        56,170  

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    480        18,990  

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    2,467        22,625  

Green Cross Holdings Corp.

    1,140        14,186  

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Class H

    20,000        72,488  

Hanmi Pharm Co. Ltd.*

    101        12,283  

Hua Han Bio-Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd., Class H

    104,000        24,011  

Ilyang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    610        16,246  

Ipca Laboratories Ltd.

    1,924        21,394  

Kalbe Farma Tbk PT

    528,500        60,949  

Komipharm International Co. Ltd.*

    1,365        9,227  

LG Life Sciences Ltd.*

    938        41,561  

Lijun International Pharmaceutical Holding Ltd.

    108,000        29,253  

Lupin Ltd.

    3,852        55,654  

Pfizer Ltd.

    604        10,642  

Pharmstandard OJSC*

    249        13,010  

Pharmstandard OJSC (GDR)*

    330        4,386  

Piramal Enterprises Ltd.

    1,655        15,136  

Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.*

    1,012        6,440  

Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. (GDR)*

    6,590        41,879  

Richter Gedeon Nyrt

    4,006        76,409  

Sanofi India Ltd.

    985        40,267  

ScinoPharm Taiwan Ltd.

    5,200        17,345  

Shandong Luoxin Pharmacy Stock Co. Ltd., Class H

    38,000        38,426  

Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd.

    48,000        35,785  

Sino Biopharmaceutical

    88,000        62,087  

Strides Arcolab Ltd.

    762        10,809  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    17,702        175,364  

Tempo Scan Pacific Tbk PT

    21,000        7,265  

Tong Ren Tang Technologies Co. Ltd.*

    6,000        18,186  
    Shares     Value  

Pharmaceuticals – (continued)

  

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.*

    2,532      $ 18,602  

TTY Biopharm Co. Ltd.

    3,267        12,732  

Wockhardt Ltd.

    1,246        9,013  

Yuhan Corp.

    223        39,313  

YungShin Global Holding Corp.

    13,000        25,354  
              2,014,322  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 0.5%

  

Akmerkez Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi A/S

    1,462        11,668  

Capital Property Fund

    37,431        40,029  

CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust

    50,700        24,261  

Cathay No. 1 REIT

    39,000        26,469  

Cathay No. 2 REIT

    60,000        34,616  

Emira Property Fund

    31,927        47,705  

Emlak Konut Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi A/S

    11,564        16,543  

Fibra Uno Administracion S.A. de CV

    39,800        124,244  

Fountainhead Property Trust

    99,102        76,366  

Fubon No. 1 REIT

    55,000        31,769  

Fubon No. 2 REIT

    53,000        24,660  

Hui Xian Real Estate Investment Trust

    39,193        24,952  

Hyprop Investments Ltd.

    2,794        20,776  

IGB Real Estate Investment Trust

    33,800        12,854  

Is Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi A/S

    18,957        13,702  

KLCC Property Holdings Bhd

    9,500        19,418  

Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust

    22,500        9,626  

SA Corporate Real Estate Fund Nominees Pty Ltd.

    105,225        42,172  

Shin Kong No.1 REIT

    73,000        35,233  

Sinpas Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi A/S

    44,233        24,423  

Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust

    39,400        16,606  

Sycom Property Fund

    10,995        29,121  

Torunlar Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi A/S

    5,945        11,399  

Vukile Property Fund Ltd.

    35,732        62,104  
              780,716  

Real Estate Management & Development – 3.8%

  

Acucap Properties Ltd.

    15,510        72,779  

Agile Property Holdings Ltd.

    30,000        36,179  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

162    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Real Estate Management & Development – (continued)

  

Agung Podomoro Land Tbk PT

    295,500      $ 7,340  

Alam Sutera Realty Tbk PT

    328,500        17,776  

Aliansce Shopping Centers S.A.

    4,100        39,961  

Alliances Developpement Immobilier S.A.

    1,110        64,489  

Amata Corp. PCL

    25,200        13,845  

AP Thailand PCL

    104,900        18,368  

Ayala Land, Inc.

    147,100        100,257  

Bangkokland PCL

    71,000        3,924  

Belle Corp.*

    196,100        23,645  

BR Malls Participacoes S.A.

    12,000        117,121  

BR Properties S.A.

    6,400        54,692  

Bumi Serpong Damai PT

    139,000        19,360  

C C Land Holdings Ltd.

    300,000        80,871  

Cathay Real Estate Development Co. Ltd.

    23,000        16,049  

Central China Real Estate Ltd.

    181,000        59,065  

Central Pattana PCL

    48,000        74,024  

China Merchants Property Development Co. Ltd., Class B

    12,900        38,668  

China Overseas Grand Oceans Group Ltd.

    14,000        16,685  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

    112,000        346,702  

China Properties Group Ltd.*

    203,000        52,367  

China Resources Land Ltd.

    60,000        173,738  

China SCE Property Holdings Ltd.

    258,800        59,417  

China South City Holdings Ltd.

    488,000        151,693  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class B

    31,300        53,007  

Chong Hong Construction Co.

    6,000        19,687  

Cie Generale Immobiliere

    297        25,541  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd.

    500,000        97,381  

Ciputra Development Tbk PT

    305,000        27,869  

Ciputra Property Tbk PT

    257,500        18,046  

Ciputra Surya Tbk PT

    78,000        15,742  

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd.

    155,000        105,958  

Cyrela Commercial Properties SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes

    1,600        14,515  

DLF Ltd.

    10,227        25,237  

Douja Promotion Groupe Addoha S.A.

    1,857        13,244  

Echo Investment S.A.*

    26,013        59,013  
    Shares     Value  

Real Estate Management & Development – (continued)

  

Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd.

    182,000      $ 76,762  

Fantasia Holdings Group Co. Ltd.

    501,000        85,944  

Farglory Land Development Co. Ltd.

    7,000        12,842  

Filinvest Land, Inc.

    836,000        31,149  

Franshion Properties China Ltd.

    66,000        22,899  

Future Land Development Holdings Ltd.

    486,000        55,163  

Gemdale Properties and Investment Corp. Ltd.*

    300,000        32,116  

Globe Trade Centre S.A.*

    21,094        54,709  

Glorious Property Holdings Ltd.*^

    573,000        91,644  

Godrej Properties Ltd.

    2,599        15,489  

Goldin Properties Holdings Ltd.*

    18,000        8,312  

Grand Canal Land PCL*

    254,100        24,492  

Greentown China Holdings Ltd.

    18,000        34,964  

Growthpoint Properties Ltd.

    51,951        132,402  

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd., Class H

    32,000        56,133  

Hemaraj Land and Development PCL

    249,700        27,918  

Highwealth Construction Corp.

    7,000        15,106  

Hopson Development Holdings Ltd.*

    16,000        19,667  

Housing Development & Infrastructure Ltd.*

    45,474        31,485  

Huaku Development Co. Ltd.

    10,000        28,013  

Huang Hsiang Construction Co.

    4,000        8,060  

Hung Poo Real Estate Development Corp.

    74,000        77,200  

Hung Sheng Construction Co. Ltd.

    122,000        104,229  

IGB Corp. Bhd

    98,000        82,610  

Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers S.A.

    1,100        12,740  

IJM Land Bhd

    21,600        19,166  

Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd.

    15,000        15,292  

JHSF Participacoes S.A.

    6,000        15,058  

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.*

    66,000        20,090  

Kingdom Construction Co.

    33,000        40,661  

King’s Town Construction Co. Ltd.*

    65,000        62,833  

KrisAssets Holdings Bhd^

    17,100         

KWG Property Holding Ltd.

    18,000        11,655  

Land and Houses PCL

    78,900        27,884  

Lippo Karawaci Tbk PT*

    601,500        60,297  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      163   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Real Estate Management & Development – (continued)

  

Longfor Properties Co. Ltd.

    33,000      $ 53,801  

LPS Brasil Consultoria de Imoveis S.A.

    6,600        46,576  

LSR Group (GDR)

    5,482        22,504  

Mah Sing Group Bhd

    46,399        32,937  

Medinet Nasr Housing*

    2,721        10,725  

Megaworld Corp.

    189,000        16,796  

Mingfa Group International Co. Ltd.*

    36,000        9,751  

Minmetals Land Ltd.

    300,000        42,951  

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios S.A.

    3,000        70,960  

Natural Park PCL*

    6,762,000        13,035  

New World China Land Ltd.

    68,000        37,363  

Pakuwon Jati Tbk PT

    229,500        6,311  

Palm Hills Developments SAE*

    25,781        9,319  

Parque Arauco S.A.

    14,271        27,566  

Poly Property Group Co. Ltd.

    90,000        55,140  

Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Ltd.

    336,000        69,774  

Prestige Estates Projects Ltd.

    5,580        12,989  

Prince Housing & Development Corp.

    33,000        21,285  

Pruksa Real Estate PCL

    8,300        5,947  

Quality Houses PCL

    115,500        11,281  

Radium Life Tech Co. Ltd.

    141,366        124,142  

Redefine Properties Ltd.

    81,708        84,113  

Renhe Commercial Holdings Co. Ltd.*

    916,000        51,394  

Resilient Property Income Fund Ltd.

    5,294        29,101  

Robinsons Land Corp.

    31,900        16,758  

Ruentex Development Co. Ltd.

    17,820        37,303  

Sansiri PCL

    229,000        16,481  

Sao Carlos Empreendimentos e Participacoes S.A.

    1,100        19,468  

SC Asset Corp. PCL

    349,500        42,221  

Sentul City Tbk PT*

    2,597,500        49,542  

Shanghai Industrial Urban Development Group Ltd.*

    76,000        18,821  

Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development Co. Ltd., Class B

    44,000        71,192  
    Shares     Value  

Real Estate Management & Development – (continued)

  

Shenzhen Investment Ltd.

    91,796      $ 36,704  

Shimao Property Holdings Ltd.

    33,500        84,344  

Shining Building Business Co. Ltd.*

    29,700        23,150  

Shui On Land Ltd.

    120,666        42,022  

Silver Grant International

    218,000        30,367  

Sinolink Worldwide Holdings Ltd.*

    364,000        35,681  

Sino-Ocean Land Holdings Ltd.

    93,267        59,186  

Sinyi Realty Co.

    7,560        13,818  

SM Development Corp.^

    81,500        12,845  

SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

    217,700        96,632  

Sobha Developers Ltd.

    2,976        15,148  

Soho China Ltd.

    75,000        65,684  

Sonae Sierra Brasil S.A.

    2,600        26,312  

SP Setia Bhd

    14,300        13,912  

Summarecon Agung Tbk PT

    313,000        29,155  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd.

    40,000        27,757  

Sunty Development Co. Ltd.*

    22,000        18,795  

Sunway Bhd

    71,233        62,981  

Supalai PCL

    18,400        10,464  

Talaat Moustafa Group*

    12,909        10,363  

Tian An China Investment

    84,000        69,340  

Ticon Industrial Connection PCL

    35,400        20,245  

Tomson Group Ltd.

    22,000        6,810  

Top Spring International Holdings Ltd.

    72,000        29,624  

UEM Sunrise Bhd

    32,000        23,730  

Unitech Ltd.*

    93,088        26,432  

Univentures PCL

    96,000        23,904  

UOA Development Bhd

    99,400        70,245  

Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.

    157,400        20,108  

YeaShin International Development Co. Ltd.

    48,511        37,977  

Yuexiu Property Co. Ltd.

    80,000        22,288  

Yuzhou Properties Co. Ltd.

    224,200        54,944  

Zall Development Group Ltd.

    152,000        61,756  

Zhuguang Holdings Group Co. Ltd.*

    308,000        91,768  
              5,961,277  

Road & Rail – 0.2%

  

ALL – America Latina Logistica S.A.

    13,700        49,418  

BTS Group Holdings PCL

    148,700        42,042  

CJ Korea Express Co. Ltd.*

    262        22,798  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

164    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Road & Rail – (continued)

  

Container Corp. Of India

    1,186      $ 14,608  

Evergreen International Storage & Transport Corp.

    41,000        27,841  

Guangshen Railway Co. Ltd., Class H

    130,000        69,250  

JSL S.A.

    1,600        11,011  

Localiza Rent a Car S.A.

    3,920        64,353  

Tegma Gestao Logistica

    2,000        20,015  

TransContainer OAO

    79        8,124  
              329,460  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 6.5%

  

A-DATA Technology Co. Ltd.

    18,000        53,057  

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.

    164,000        161,044  

ALI Corp.

    14,000        15,201  

Ardentec Corp.

    101,890        68,321  

Chipbond Technology Corp.

    11,000        22,240  

Dongbu HiTek Co. Ltd.*

    2,680        15,285  

Duksan Hi-Metal Co. Ltd.*

    767        15,148  

Elan Microelectronics Corp.

    11,000        16,661  

Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology, Inc.*

    22,000        28,979  

Epistar Corp.*

    18,000        31,308  

Faraday Technology Corp.

    21,000        23,945  

Forhouse Corp.

    52,000        19,912  

Formosa Epitaxy, Inc.*

    16,000        9,748  

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd.*

    248,000        76,130  

GemVax & Kael Co. Ltd.*

    1,561        28,328  

Genesis Photonics, Inc.*

    14,000        8,244  

Giga Solar Materials Corp.

    1,150        12,056  

Gintech Energy Corp.*

    32,000        34,473  

Global Mixed Mode Technology, Inc.

    5,000        13,309  

Global Unichip Corp.*

    7,000        17,417  

Greatek Electronics, Inc.*

    69,000        59,771  

Hanergy Solar Group Ltd.*

    356,000        60,611  

Hermes Microvision, Inc.

    1,000        32,710  

Holtek Semiconductor, Inc.

    19,000        29,199  

Iljin Display Co. Ltd.

    4,070        57,554  

Inotera Memories, Inc.*

    47,000        30,315  

King Yuan Electronics Co. Ltd.

    40,000        27,843  
    Shares     Value  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (continued)

  

Kinsus Interconnect Technology Corp.

    7,000      $ 25,017  

Lextar Electronics Corp.

    15,000        12,815  

Macronix International*

    66,000        15,433  

MediaTek, Inc.

    35,000        478,905  

Melfas, Inc.

    877        8,846  

Motech Industries, Inc.*

    31,000        57,823  

MStar Semiconductor, Inc.

    6,000        61,982  

Nanya Technology Corp.*

    37,000        5,126  

Neo Solar Power Corp.*

    48,914        52,195  

Novatek Microelectronics Corp.

    16,000        63,446  

OptoTech Corp.

    36,000        14,888  

Parade Technologies Ltd.

    2,400        17,972  

Phison Electronics Corp.

    4,000        28,864  

Pixart Imaging, Inc.

    8,000        15,194  

Powertech Technology, Inc.

    13,000        23,452  

Radiant Opto-Electronics Corp.

    11,330        42,421  

Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

    14,070        32,757  

Regent Manner International Holdings Ltd.

    115,000        19,728  

Richtek Technology Corp.

    3,000        13,530  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    3,010        4,157,106  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Preference)

    583        562,802  

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.*

    620,000        46,382  

Seoul Semiconductor Co. Ltd.

    949        39,543  

Sigurd Microelectronics Corp.

    36,000        34,922  

Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.*

    38,000        11,809  

Siliconware Precision Industries Co.

    88,000        106,932  

Sino-American Silicon Products, Inc.*

    17,000        23,608  

SK Hynix, Inc.*

    14,740        443,972  

Sonix Technology Co. Ltd.

    17,000        23,145  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    676,000        2,519,512  

Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology Co. Ltd.

    47,000        66,950  

Transcend Information, Inc.*

    3,000        9,476  

United Microelectronics Corp.

    340,000        144,080  

Unity Opto Technology Co. Ltd.*

    15,000        11,743  

Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp.

    12,000        12,989  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      165   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (continued)

  

Via Technologies, Inc.*

    14,000      $ 11,484  

Visual Photonics Epitaxy Co. Ltd.

    13,000        13,142  

Win Semiconductors Corp.

    22,000        19,432  

Winbond Electronics Corp.*

    83,000        21,047  

Wonik IPS Co. Ltd.*

    3,248        26,884  
              10,266,163  

Software – 0.4%

  

Actoz Soft Co. Ltd.*

    355        11,312  

AsiaInfo-Linkage, Inc.*

    4,300        49,880  

Asseco Poland S.A.

    1,542        25,214  

Com2uSCorp*

    318        6,745  

Cyberlink Corp.

    4,240        12,354  

Gamevil, Inc.*

    380        18,163  

Golfzon Co. Ltd.

    672        13,050  

International Games System Co. Ltd.

    4,000        7,842  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.*

    122,000        39,339  

Kingsoft Corp. Ltd.

    51,000        126,693  

NCSoft Corp.

    480        92,991  

Neowiz Games Corp.*

    3,800        61,975  

NetDragon Websoft, Inc.

    13,000        29,947  

Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd.*

    453        23,629  

Totvs S.A.

    3,300        56,372  

WeMade Entertainment Co. Ltd.*

    612        27,290  
              602,796  

Specialty Retail – 1.0%

  

Ace Hardware Indonesia Tbk PT

    234,000        12,663  

Baoxin Auto Group Ltd.

    5,500        5,668  

Belle International Holdings Ltd.

    125,000        176,382  

China Yongda Automobiles Services Holdings Ltd.

    16,500        15,600  

China ZhengTong Auto Services Holdings Ltd.*

    225,000        156,712  

Cia Hering

    3,500        51,240  

The Foschini Group Ltd.

    5,523        63,816  

GOME Electrical Appliances Holding Ltd.

    295,000        45,659  

Grupo Elektra SAB DE CV

    1,250        42,322  

Hengdeli Holdings Ltd.

    130,800        31,042  
    Shares     Value  

Specialty Retail – (continued)

  

Home Product Center PCL

    76,612      $ 28,553  

Hotai Motor Co. Ltd.

    7,000        83,391  

JD Group Ltd.

    30,247        93,412  

Kolao Holdings

    715        20,929  

Lewis Group Ltd.

    20,962        146,926  

Lotte Himart Co. Ltd.

    231        18,184  

M Video OJSC

    13,596        116,081  

Mr Price Group Ltd.

    6,455        102,043  

National Petroleum Co. Ltd.

    27,000        25,870  

Pou Sheng International Holdings Ltd.*

    322,000        17,028  

Seobu T&D*

    453        9,011  

Shinsegae International Co. Ltd.

    150        12,755  

Siam Global House PCL

    30,800        18,901  

Super Group Ltd.*

    27,975        68,781  

Truworths International Ltd.

    12,099        116,087  

Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co. Ltd.

    33,000        46,389  

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd.

    17,500        28,034  
              1,553,479  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 1.3%

  

361 Degrees International Ltd.

    186,000        53,259  

Aksa Akrilik Kimya Sanayii

    23,477        97,337  

Alpargatas S.A. (Preference)

    1,540        10,736  

Altinyildiz Mensucat ve Konfeksiyon Fabrikalari A/S*

    415        10,363  

Anta Sports Products Ltd.

    17,000        24,383  

Arezzo Industria e Comercio S.A.

    1,800        27,121  

Billion Industrial Holdings Ltd.

    34,500        18,778  

Bosideng International Holdings Ltd.

    78,000        18,008  

C.banner International Holdings Ltd.

    74,000        27,393  

CCC S.A.

    1,867        78,884  

China Dongxiang Group Co.

    178,000        27,780  

China Lilang Ltd.

    123,000        79,482  

China Outfitters Holdings Ltd.

    280,000        46,227  

Daphne International Holdings Ltd.

    16,000        8,337  

Eclat Textile Co. Ltd.

    5,060        55,716  

Feng TAY Enterprise Co. Ltd.

    16,640        43,668  

Fila Korea Ltd.

    2,543        172,131  

Formosa Taffeta Co. Ltd.

    12,000        14,929  

Forus S.A.

    3,750        20,581  

Gitanjali Gems Ltd.*

    11,461        12,048  

Grendene S.A.

    1,800        16,435  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

166    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – (continued)

  

Guararapes Confeccoes S.A.

    200      $ 9,081  

Handsome Co. Ltd.

    910        26,080  

Hansae Co. Ltd.

    640        10,227  

Indorama Ventures PCL

    69,100        55,502  

Lealea Enterprise Co. Ltd.

    183,000        67,271  

LG Fashion Corp.

    5,210        159,628  

Li Ning Co. Ltd.*

    106,500        97,529  

Li Peng Enterprise Co. Ltd.*

    91,803        45,621  

LPP S.A.

    22        64,353  

Makalot Industrial Co. Ltd.

    11,000        66,458  

Nien Hsing Textile Co. Ltd.

    17,546        19,051  

Peak Sport Products Co. Ltd.

    210,000        48,213  

Ports Design Ltd.

    91,500        68,214  

Pou Chen Corp.

    65,000        79,205  

Rajesh Exports Ltd.

    13,912        21,732  

Restoque Comercio e Confeccoes de Roupas S.A.

    4,800        14,378  

Ruentex Industries Ltd.

    12,000        30,960  

Shinkong Textile Co. Ltd.

    15,000        20,116  

Tainan Spinning Co. Ltd.

    46,675        35,190  

Texhong Textile Group Ltd.

    20,000        35,083  

Titan Industries Ltd.

    5,577        24,248  

Woongjin Chemical Co. Ltd.*

    4,322        38,708  

XTEP International Holdings

    199,000        98,049  

Youngone Corp.

    360        12,184  

Youngone Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,415        86,041  
              2,096,718  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.4%

  

Housing Development Finance Corp.

    41,802        581,609  

LIC Housing Finance Ltd.

    8,105        29,615  

Malaysia Building Society

    30,600        27,152  
              638,376  

Tobacco – 0.5%

               

British American Tobacco Malaysia Bhd

    3,000        60,370  

Eastern Tobacco*

    425        6,347  

Gudang Garam Tbk PT

    15,000        49,102  

ITC Ltd.

    63,996        348,851  

JT International Bhd

    4,700        9,801  
    Shares     Value  

Tobacco – (continued)

               

KT&G Corp.

    2,940      $ 214,801  

Philip Morris CR A/S

    44        25,027  

Souza Cruz S.A.

    11,100        120,967  
              835,266  

Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.4%

  

Adani Enterprises Ltd.

    6,485        21,912  

AKR Corporindo Tbk PT

    54,500        23,449  

Barloworld Ltd.

    5,467        49,176  

CITIC Resources Holdings Ltd.*

    674,000        94,758  

Daewoo International Corp.

    1,200        44,289  

Hyundai Corp.

    2,480        77,621  

iMarketKorea, Inc.

    1,120        26,660  

Invicta Holdings Ltd.

    2,284        22,805  

LG International Corp.

    570        16,013  

Mills Estruturas e Servicos de Engenharia S.A.

    2,000        27,976  

Samsung C&T Corp.

    3,581        212,682  

SK Networks Co. Ltd.

    3,140        19,715  
              637,056  

Transportation Infrastructure – 1.1%

  

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd.

    11,020        26,091  

Airports of Thailand PCL

    9,900        67,431  

Anhui Expressway Co., Class H

    128,000        71,817  

Arteris S.A.

    2,800        25,061  

Bangkok Expressway PCL

    8,400        9,783  

Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H

    148,000        104,418  

Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd

    10,600        24,858  

CCR S.A.

    23,000        192,723  

China Merchants Holdings International Co. Ltd.

    30,533        108,300  

COSCO Pacific Ltd.

    47,868        69,767  

EcoRodovias Infraestrutura e Logistica S.A.

    3,100        21,193  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte Sab de CV*

    15,600        53,367  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, Class B

    13,000        67,884  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, Class B

    5,000        59,984  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      167   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Transportation Infrastructure – (continued)

  

Hopewell Highway Infrastructure Ltd.

    23,500      $ 11,579  

IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd.

    7,509        13,074  

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

    20,030        48,209  

Jasa Marga Persero Tbk PT

    37,500        17,465  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    86,000        108,262  

Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings Bhd

    21,100        30,424  

LLX Logistica S.A.*

    21,500        11,411  

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd

    9,641        25,695  

NCB Holdings Bhd

    21,300        24,503  

Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port PJSC (GDR)

    3,728        30,719  

OHL Mexico SAB de CV*

    11,400        29,405  

Road King Infrastructure Ltd.

    48,000        48,353  

Santos Brasil Participacoes S.A.

    1,400        13,677  

Shenzhen Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    164,000        68,959  

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

    245,000        30,020  

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp.*

    52,447        9,818  

TAV Havalimanlari Holding A/S

    3,786        27,555  

Tianjin Port Development Holdings Ltd.

    428,000        74,525  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd.

    60,000        31,575  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    120,000        110,511  
              1,668,416  

Water Utilities – 0.2%

  

Aguas Andinas S.A., Class A

    64,290        43,572  

Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd.

    82,000        36,489  

Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo

    9,000        96,098  

Cia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais-COPASA

    1,900        30,918  

Eastern Water Resources Development and Management PCL

    14,000        5,713  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

    60,000        51,618  

Inversiones Aguas Metropolitanas S.A.

    7,326        13,593  
    Shares     Value  

Water Utilities – (continued)

               

Manila Water Co., Inc.

    26,600      $ 15,390  

Thai Tap Water Supply PCL

    42,200        13,965  
              307,356  

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 3.9%

  

Advanced Info Service PCL

    33,000        270,361  

Almendral S.A.

    188,156        21,682  

America Movil SAB de CV

    1,064,900        1,146,780  

Axiata Group Bhd

    75,100        163,501  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    18,098        108,108  

Bharti Infratel Ltd.

    6,022        16,154  

China Mobile Ltd.

    147,000        1,543,367  

DiGi.Com Bhd

    85,300        135,159  

ENTEL Chile S.A.

    3,632        55,920  

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd.

    40,000        91,901  

Global Telecom Holding*

    71,737        49,260  

Globe Telecom, Inc.

    735        29,597  

Idea Cellular Ltd.

    19,054        53,561  

Indosat Tbk PT

    17,000        6,636  

Maxis Bhd

    63,300        144,231  

MegaFon OAO

    2,617        94,295  

Mobile Telesystems OJSC

    26,881        284,799  

MTN Group Ltd.

    46,705        931,439  

Orascom Telecom Media And Technology Holding SAE

    630,154        62,208  

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

    1,090        72,397  

Reliance Communications Ltd.

    12,180        29,115  

Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk PT*

    190,000        45,088  

Shin Corp. PCL

    24,700        66,859  

Sistema JSFC

    48,564        54,101  

Sistema JSFC (GDR)

    2,108        56,494  

SK Telecom Co. Ltd.

    366        78,324  

Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd.

    45,000        153,934  

Tim Participacoes S.A.

    24,800        127,382  

Tower Bersama Infrastructure Tbk PT

    12,000        6,068  

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A/S*

    21,812        135,760  

Vodacom Group Ltd.

    9,998        114,914  
              6,149,395  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $154,111,772)
            156,598,599  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

168    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

   

No. of

Rights

    Value  

RIGHTS – 0.0%

  

Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd., expiring 11/08/13 at 10,400.00 KRW* ^

    117      $ 370  

LLX Logistica S.A., expiring 11/12/13 at 1.20 BRL*

    33,560        302  

Mega Financial Holdings, expiring 12/06/13 at 21.50 TWD* ^

    16,002        2,124  

Palm Hills Developments SAE, expiring 12/05/13 at 2.03 EGP* ^

    7,377        493  

Polimex-Mostostal S.A., expiring 11/29/12 at 0.52 PLN* ^

    4,668          

Quinenco S.A., expiring 11/05/13 at 1,100.00 CLP*

    1,106        432  

Salfacorp S.A., expiring 11/08/13 at 645.30 CLP* ^

    1,861          

Sociedad Minera el Brocal SAA, expiring 11/20/13 at 9.27 PEN* ^

    640        115  
Total Rights
(Cost $6,096)
            3,836  

WARRANTS – 0.0%

  

Bangkokland PCL, expiring 07/02/18 at 2.00 THB*

    130,505        1,593  

Energy Earth Public Co., expiring 10/18/13 at 1.47 THB* ^

    10,099          

Equity Warrant, expiring 11/30/13 at 0.00 THB* ^

    31,066          
Total Warrants
(Cost $–)
            1,593  
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $154,117,868) – 98.6%
            156,604,028  

Other assets less liabilities – 1.4%

            2,155,308  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 158,759,336  
* Non-income producing security.

 

(a) 

144A security – Certain conditions for public sale may exist.

 

^ Security fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. At October 31, 2013, the value of these securities amounted to $305,018 or 0.19% of net assets.

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviations:

 

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

BRL – Brazilian Real

CLP – Chilean Peso

EGP – Egyptian Pound

GDR – Global Depositary Receipt

HKD – Hong Kong Dollar

INR – Indian Rupee

KRW – Korean Won

PEN – Peruvian Nuevo Sol

PLN – Polish Zloty

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

THB – Thai Baht

TWD – Taiwanese Dollar

USD – US Dollar

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

   

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 10,793,311   

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (8,787,412

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 2,005,899   

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 154,598,129   
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      169   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund had the following open long futures contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

    Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional Amount
at Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 

FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index Futures Contracts

    9        12/19/13      $ 367,628      $ 12,765  

Hang Seng Index Futures Contracts

    3        11/28/13        449,668        6,195  

MSCI Emerging Markets Mini Index Futures Contracts

    9        12/20/13        460,755        15,388  

MSCI Taiwan Index Futures Contracts

    12        11/28/13        357,480        4,973  

S&P Toronto Stock Exchange 60® Index Futures Contracts

    2        12/19/13        293,849        14,203  

SGX S&P CNX Nifty Index Futures Contracts

    15        11/28/13        189,690        3,443  

SPI 200® Futures Contract

    1        12/19/13        128,217        3,885  
                            $ 60,852  

 

Cash collateral in the amount of $211,408 was pledged to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of October 31, 2013.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund had the following outstanding contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

Contracts to Deliver   Counterparty   In Exchange For     Delivery Date     Unrealized
Appreciation
 

HKD    1,938,131

  Citibank N.A.     USD        250,000        12/18/13      $ 11   

INR 358,063,200

  UBS AG     USD     5,480,000        12/18/13        286,481   
                        $ 286,492   

 

Contracts to Receive   Counterparty     In Exchange For     Receipt Date     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

USD     5,410,244

    Morgan Stanley        INR 347,500,000        12/18/13      $ (186,120

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

170    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund invested, as a percentage of net assets, companies domiciled in the following countries as of October 31, 2013:

 

Brazil

    9.7

Chile

    1.7  

China

    19.9  

Colombia

    0.9  

Czech Republic

    0.3  

Egypt

    0.4  

Hong Kong

    0.2  

Hungary

    0.2  

India

    6.7  

Indonesia

    2.6  

Malaysia

    3.9  

Mexico

    4.1  

Morocco

    0.3  

Peru

    0.6  

Philippines

    1.1  

Poland

    1.7  

Russia

    4.9  

South Africa

    7.4  

South Korea

    14.7  

Taiwan

    12.9  

Thailand

    2.5  

Turkey

    1.9  

Other1

    1.4  
      100.0

 

1 

Includes any non-equity securities and net other assets (liabilities).

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      171   


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 99.9%

  

Aerospace & Defense – 5.1%

  

The Boeing Co.

    50,072      $ 6,534,396  

Exelis, Inc.

    43,560        718,304  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    19,712        2,628,398  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    19,976        2,147,620  

Raytheon Co.

    27,368        2,254,302  
              14,283,020  

Air Freight & Logistics – 0.8%

  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    23,232        2,282,312  

Auto Components – 0.1%

  

Autoliv, Inc.

    3,608        321,942  

Automobiles – 0.1%

  

Ford Motor Co.

    13,344        228,316  

Beverages – 1.2%

  

The Coca-Cola Co.

    30,536        1,208,309  

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    30,888        1,462,547  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    9,240        776,992  
              3,447,848  

Capital Markets – 1.2%

  

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

    16,368        1,645,638  

Federated Investors, Inc., Class B

    25,256        684,943  

Invesco Ltd.

    8,096        273,240  

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A

    14,872        918,346  
              3,522,167  

Chemicals – 3.4%

  

The Dow Chemical Co.

    38,632        1,524,805  

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    69,520        4,254,624  

Huntsman Corp.

    16,720        388,238  

LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A

    21,824        1,628,070  

Olin Corp.

    54,560        1,228,146  

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., Class A

    11,352        666,590  
              9,690,473  

Commercial Banks – 4.8%

  

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    12,936        750,029  

BankUnited, Inc.

    7,568        232,867  

BB&T Corp.

    30,360        1,031,329  

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

    8,800        622,952  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

FirstMerit Corp.

    9,120      $ 204,835  

FNB Corp./PA

    24,200        302,742  

Trustmark Corp.

    6,952        188,816  

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

    5,280        86,434  

Valley National Bancorp

    26,664        259,974  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    232,408        9,921,498  
              13,601,476  

Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.5%

  

Deluxe Corp.

    28,160        1,326,054  

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

    33,616        717,365  

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

    95,128        1,766,527  

Waste Management, Inc.

    9,592        417,636  
              4,227,582  

Communications Equipment – 1.4%

  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    130,240        2,930,400  

Harris Corp.

    13,288        823,324  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    3,432        214,569  
              3,968,293  

Computers & Peripherals – 1.8%

  

Apple, Inc.

    244        127,453  

Diebold, Inc.

    7,392        221,464  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    38,016        926,450  

Lexmark International, Inc., Class A

    39,776        1,414,037  

Seagate Technology PLC

    37,048        1,803,497  

Western Digital Corp.

    9,423        656,124  
              5,149,025  

Consumer Finance – 0.6%

  

SLM Corp.

    70,312        1,783,815  

Containers & Packaging – 2.1%

  

Avery Dennison Corp.

    27,544        1,297,873  

Greif, Inc., Class A

    24,200        1,294,458  

Packaging Corp of America

    27,896        1,737,363  

Sonoco Products Co.

    37,576        1,527,089  
              5,856,783  

Distributors – 0.2%

  

Genuine Parts Co.

    8,800        693,704  

Diversified Consumer Services – 0.2%

  

H&R Block, Inc.

    21,648        615,669  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

172    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Diversified Financial Services – 3.1%

  

Bank of America Corp.

    64,680      $ 902,933  

Citigroup, Inc.

    16,016        781,261  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    128,832        6,640,001  

McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.

    2,496        173,921  

NYSE Euronext

    8,360        368,007  
              8,866,123  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 5.1%

  

AT&T, Inc.

    125,224        4,533,109  

CenturyLink, Inc.

    50,688        1,716,295  

Frontier Communications Corp.

    72,688        320,554  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    150,480        7,600,745  

Windstream Holdings, Inc.

    30,536        261,083  
              14,431,786  

Electric Utilities – 3.0%

  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    11,616        544,094  

Entergy Corp.

    7,656        495,496  

Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.

    55,792        1,482,393  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    26,224        1,469,331  

Portland General Electric Co.

    20,064        575,837  

PPL Corp.

    25,432        778,982  

The Southern Co.

    37,312        1,526,434  

UIL Holdings Corp.

    34,496        1,328,786  

Westar Energy, Inc.

    10,648        336,583  
              8,537,936  

Electrical Equipment – 0.6%

  

Emerson Electric Co.

    23,232        1,555,847  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    1,496        165,173  
              1,721,020  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 0.2%

  

AVX Corp.

    12,496        165,572  

Molex, Inc.

    10,560        407,616  
              573,188  

Energy Equipment & Services – 1.6%

  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

    4,224        261,592  

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    20,152        1,562,788  

RPC, Inc.

    101,910        1,869,029  
    Shares     Value  

Energy Equipment & Services – (continued)

  

Schlumberger Ltd.

    7,304      $ 684,531  
              4,377,940  

Food & Staples Retailing – 1.5%

  

Safeway, Inc.

    53,064        1,851,934  

Sysco Corp.

    52,184        1,687,630  

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    9,064        695,662  
              4,235,226  

Food Products – 0.0%

  

B&G Foods, Inc.

    3,492        118,204  

Gas Utilities – 0.5%

  

AGL Resources, Inc.

    28,160        1,347,738  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.8%

  

Medtronic, Inc.

    30,448        1,747,715  

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

    9,152        525,233  
              2,272,948  

Health Care Providers & Services – 1.1%

  

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    30,448        1,786,080  

Owens & Minor, Inc.

    37,048        1,386,336  
              3,172,416  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 2.5%

  

Brinker International, Inc.

    27,456        1,219,595  

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

    13,464        1,479,290  

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    11,000        772,420  

McDonald’s Corp.

    24,200        2,335,784  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

    8,624        324,349  

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

    5,016        833,910  
              6,965,348  

Household Durables – 0.7%

  

Garmin Ltd.

    8,536        399,058  

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    8,096        240,775  

Tupperware Brands Corp.

    14,784        1,325,386  
              1,965,219  

Household Products – 1.0%

  

The Clorox Co.

    16,280        1,468,293  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    12,496        1,349,568  
              2,817,861  

Industrial Conglomerates – 2.0%

  

General Electric Co.

    213,928        5,592,078  

Insurance – 2.7%

  

Aflac, Inc.

    32,648        2,121,467  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      173   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Insurance – (continued)

  

American National Insurance Co.

    3,087      $ 312,003  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    3,872        183,727  

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

    4,576        228,800  

Erie Indemnity Co., Class A

    3,520        252,807  

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    18,128        510,303  

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

    2,418        141,550  

Mercury General Corp.

    6,688        311,393  

Old Republic International Corp.

    10,824        181,735  

PartnerRe Ltd.

    16,016        1,604,963  

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

    31,768        1,507,709  

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    3,608        142,444  
              7,498,901  

Internet Software & Services – 0.1%

  

IAC/InterActiveCorp

    4,664        249,011  

IT Services – 4.6%

  

Accenture PLC, Class A

    47,256        3,473,316  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    15,229        1,141,718  

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    80,784        1,599,523  

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

    55,264        1,943,082  

International Business Machines Corp.

    9,592        1,718,982  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    18,304        861,936  

Paychex, Inc.

    12,061        509,698  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    528        103,842  

The Western Union Co.

    94,688        1,611,590  
              12,963,687  

Leisure Equipment & Products – 0.2%

  

Hasbro, Inc.

    7,490        386,859  

Mattel, Inc.

    6,676        296,214  
              683,073  

Media – 1.6%

  

Cablevision Systems Corp., Class A

    8,930        138,861  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    10,912        519,193  

Gannett Co., Inc.

    49,632        1,373,317  

Meredith Corp.

    25,960        1,331,748  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    7,128        485,488  
    Shares     Value  

Media – (continued)

  

Regal Entertainment Group, Class A

    17,250      $ 327,923  

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

    240        28,836  

The Walt Disney Co.

    4,400        301,796  
              4,507,162  

Metals & Mining – 0.7%

  

Commercial Metals Co.

    81,664        1,499,351  

Nucor Corp.

    10,032        519,357  
              2,018,708  

Multiline Retail – 0.9%

  

Kohl’s Corp.

    27,192        1,544,506  

Nordstrom, Inc.

    16,632        1,005,737  
              2,550,243  

Multi-Utilities – 2.9%

  

Ameren Corp.

    480        17,366  

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    54,736        1,346,506  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

    34,936        2,033,974  

DTE Energy Co.

    15,312        1,058,672  

Integrys Energy Group, Inc.

    2,464        144,587  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    22,704        760,584  

TECO Energy, Inc.

    87,648        1,504,916  

Vectren Corp.

    36,256        1,266,060  
              8,132,665  

Office Electronics – 0.6%

  

Xerox Corp.

    159,810        1,588,511  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 10.4%

  

Chevron Corp.

    41,800        5,014,328  

ConocoPhillips

    86,504        6,340,743  

CVR Energy, Inc.

    28,864        1,146,478  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    145,640        13,052,256  

Golar LNG Ltd.

    32,736        1,215,488  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    19,624        692,923  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    10,032        718,893  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    5,808        558,033  

Spectra Energy Corp.

    20,856        741,848  
              29,480,990  

Paper & Forest Products – 0.6%

  

Domtar Corp.

    19,536        1,654,895  

Personal Products – 0.1%

  

Herbalife Ltd.

    3,384        219,351  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

174    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Pharmaceuticals – 7.4%

               

Actavis PLC*

    1,193      $ 184,414  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    2,968        155,879  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    30,800        1,534,456  

Johnson & Johnson

    56,848        5,264,693  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    74,888        3,376,700  

Pfizer, Inc.

    331,760        10,178,397  

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    2,496        153,180  
              20,847,719  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 5.0%

  

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

    24,376        485,570  

Brandywine Realty Trust

    19,976        284,258  

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

    16,896        334,710  

Chambers Street Properties

    36,520        340,732  

Corrections Corp. of America

    38,192        1,413,104  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    6,688        318,750  

EPR Properties

    25,784        1,324,524  

The Geo Group, Inc.

    39,512        1,393,588  

HCP, Inc.

    10,032        416,328  

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A

    30,272        351,761  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    3,256        125,682  

Home Properties, Inc.

    6,688        403,353  

Hospitality Properties Trust

    8,712        255,958  

LaSalle Hotel Properties

    49,016        1,521,947  

Lexington Realty Trust

    10,750        125,775  

Liberty Property Trust

    7,304        271,636  

The Macerich Co.

    15,576        922,255  

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

    18,744        385,377  

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    21,736        283,437  

MFA Financial, Inc.

    52,360        387,988  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    9,944        342,074  

Newcastle Investment Corp.

    4,752        27,276  

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    8,976        298,362  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

    27,368        505,761  

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

    23,408        1,062,723  

Senior Housing Properties Trust

    17,336        427,159  
              14,010,088  
    Shares     Value  

Road & Rail – 0.4%

  

Landstar System, Inc.

    21,648      $ 1,196,918  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 2.3%

  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    29,920        534,072  

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    6,864        450,279  

Linear Technology Corp.

    35,464        1,458,989  

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

    16,632        199,584  

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

    13,640        405,108  

Microchip Technology, Inc.

    768        32,993  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    83,512        3,514,185  
              6,595,210  

Software – 2.8%

  

CA, Inc.

    53,504        1,699,287  

Microsoft Corp.

    160,864        5,686,542  

Oracle Corp.

    18,744        627,924  
              8,013,753  

Specialty Retail – 3.4%

  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    91,872        1,423,097  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    52,184        2,233,475  

GameStop Corp., Class A

    31,152        1,707,753  

Guess?, Inc.

    38,896        1,215,500  

The Home Depot, Inc.

    5,016        390,696  

Rent-A-Center, Inc.

    31,064        1,063,631  

Staples, Inc.

    98,912        1,594,462  
              9,628,614  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.2%

  

Coach, Inc.

    8,624        437,064  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.3%

  

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

    36,613        593,497  

People’s United Financial, Inc.

    22,968        331,428  
              924,925  

Tobacco – 4.5%

  

Altria Group, Inc.

    164,120        6,110,188  

Lorillard, Inc.

    37,136        1,894,307  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    36,696        3,270,347  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      175   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Tobacco – (continued)

  

Reynolds American, Inc.

    28,864      $ 1,482,744  
              12,757,586  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $265,639,270)
            282,626,530  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $265,639,270) – 99.9%
            282,626,530  

Other assets less liabilities – 0.1%

            303,599  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 282,930,129  

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviation:

 

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 17,613,984   

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (960,922

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 16,653,062   

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 265,973,468  
 

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund had the following open long futures contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

    Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional Amount
at Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 

E-Mini S&P 500® Futures Contracts

    3        12/20/13      $ 262,650      $ 13,681   

 

Cash collateral in the amount of $66,001 was pledged to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of October 31, 2013.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

176    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 99.9%

  

Aerospace & Defense – 2.4%

  

Exelis, Inc.

    2,604      $ 42,940  

General Dynamics Corp.

    428        37,078  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    748        99,738  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    716        76,977  

Raytheon Co.

    616        50,740  
              307,473  

Air Freight & Logistics – 0.2%

  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    251        24,658  

Auto Components – 1.0%

  

Autoliv, Inc.

    136        12,135  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

    1,124        29,235  

Dana Holding Corp.

    3,428        67,189  

Johnson Controls, Inc.

    400        18,460  
              127,019  

Automobiles – 0.3%

  

Ford Motor Co.

    2,586        44,247  

Beverages – 0.7%

  

The Coca-Cola Co.

    1,112        44,002  

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    680        32,198  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    164        13,791  
              89,991  

Capital Markets – 2.0%

  

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

    968        97,323  

BlackRock, Inc.

    164        49,333  

Federated Investors, Inc., Class B

    1,188        32,218  

Invesco Ltd.

    1,124        37,935  

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A

    736        45,448  
              262,257  

Chemicals – 3.8%

  

The Dow Chemical Co.

    1,728        68,204  

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    3,228        197,554  

Huntsman Corp.

    2,636        61,208  

LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A

    1,392        103,843  

Olin Corp.

    1,580        35,566  

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.

    140        8,855  

RPM International, Inc.

    220        8,518  
              483,748  

Commercial Banks – 4.7%

  

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    764        44,297  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

               

Fifth Third Bancorp

    3,208      $ 61,048  

FirstMerit Corp.

    582        13,072  

FNB Corp./PA

    496        6,205  

Valley National Bancorp

    568        5,538  

Webster Financial Corp.

    1,208        33,691  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    10,228        436,633  
              600,484  

Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.6%

  

Deluxe Corp.

    1,880        88,529  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

    258        7,668  

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

    1,608        34,315  

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

    3,132        58,161  

Waste Management, Inc.

    312        13,584  
              202,257  

Communications Equipment – 2.1%

  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    6,236        140,310  

Harris Corp.

    676        41,885  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    1,300        81,276  
              263,471  

Computers & Peripherals – 2.3%

  

Diebold, Inc.

    100        2,996  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    2,788        67,944  

Lexmark International, Inc., Class A

    1,644        58,444  

Seagate Technology PLC

    1,876        91,324  

Western Digital Corp.

    1,000        69,630  
              290,338  

Consumer Finance – 0.7%

  

SLM Corp.

    3,280        83,214  

Containers & Packaging – 1.3%

  

Avery Dennison Corp.

    424        19,979  

Greif, Inc., Class A

    604        32,308  

MeadWestvaco Corp.

    392        13,661  

Packaging Corp of America

    1,432        89,185  

Sonoco Products Co.

    194        7,884  
              163,017  

Diversified Financial Services – 4.1%

  

Bank of America Corp.

    1,456        20,326  

Citigroup, Inc.

    236        11,512  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    9,120        470,045  

NYSE Euronext

    528        23,242  
              525,125  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      177   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 5.4%

  

AT&T, Inc.

    6,176      $ 223,571  

CenturyLink, Inc.

    2,412        81,671  

Frontier Communications Corp.

    5,276        23,267  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    6,832        345,084  

Windstream Holdings, Inc.

    2,284        19,528  
              693,121  

Electric Utilities – 3.0%

  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    832        38,971  

Entergy Corp.

    484        31,325  

Exelon Corp.

    300        8,562  

Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.

    2,228        59,198  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    1,140        63,874  

PPL Corp.

    1,584        48,518  

The Southern Co.

    952        38,946  

UIL Holdings Corp.

    1,796        69,182  

Westar Energy, Inc.

    1,020        32,242  
              390,818  

Electrical Equipment – 2.0%

  

Emerson Electric Co.

    2,556        171,175  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    716        79,054  
              250,229  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 0.6%

  

AVX Corp.

    488        6,466  

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

    1,452        30,289  

Molex, Inc.

    448        17,293  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    496        25,539  
              79,587  

Energy Equipment & Services – 1.5%

  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

    140        8,670  

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    920        71,346  

RPC, Inc.

    4,704        86,271  

Schlumberger Ltd.

    280        26,242  
              192,529  

Food & Staples Retailing – 1.3%

  

Safeway, Inc.

    2,512        87,669  

Sysco Corp.

    1,916        61,963  

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    248        19,034  
              168,666  
    Shares     Value  

Food Products – 0.1%

  

B&G Foods, Inc.

    240      $ 8,124  

Gas Utilities – 0.6%

  

AGL Resources, Inc.

    1,616        77,342  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.6%

  

Medtronic, Inc.

    1,440        82,656  

Health Care Providers & Services – 1.0%

  

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    884        51,855  

HealthSouth Corp.

    400        14,044  

Owens & Minor, Inc.

    1,592        59,573  

Select Medical Holdings Corp.

    698        5,919  
              131,391  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.8%

  

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    504        35,391  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

    196        7,371  

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

    156        11,485  

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

    144        9,562  

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

    256        42,560  
              106,369  

Household Durables – 1.5%

  

Garmin Ltd.

    292        13,651  

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    220        6,543  

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

    2,328        68,979  

Tupperware Brands Corp.

    780        69,927  

Whirlpool Corp.

    212        30,954  
              190,054  

Industrial Conglomerates – 2.2%

  

General Electric Co.

    10,688        279,384  

Insurance – 3.4%

  

Aflac, Inc.

    1,652        107,347  

American National Insurance Co.

    76        7,681  

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    320        6,560  

CNA Financial Corp.

    1,060        43,026  

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

    292        9,840  

Lincoln National Corp.

    996        45,228  

Mercury General Corp.

    148        6,891  

Old Republic International Corp.

    800        13,432  

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

    1,096        52,016  

Protective Life Corp.

    1,324        61,010  

Prudential Financial, Inc.

    130        10,581  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

178    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

       

Insurance – (continued)

               

XL Group PLC

    2,524      $ 77,159  
              440,771  

Internet & Catalog Retail – 0.2%

  

HSN, Inc.

    472        24,733  

IT Services – 2.4%

  

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

    2,488        87,478  

International Business Machines Corp.

    532        95,340  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    854        40,215  

Paychex, Inc.

    260        10,988  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    20        3,933  

The Western Union Co.

    4,340        73,867  
              311,821  

Leisure Equipment & Products – 0.2%

  

Hasbro, Inc.

    264        13,636  

Mattel, Inc.

    382        16,949  
              30,585  

Machinery – 0.7%

  

Caterpillar, Inc.

    672        56,018  

Deere & Co.

    324        26,516  

Harsco Corp.

    274        7,639  
              90,173  

Media – 1.5%

  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    432        20,554  

Gannett Co., Inc.

    2,876        79,579  

Meredith Corp.

    1,416        72,641  

Regal Entertainment Group, Class A

    464        8,821  

The Walt Disney Co.

    100        6,859  
              188,454  

Metals & Mining – 0.9%

  

Commercial Metals Co.

    3,676        67,491  

Nucor Corp.

    222        11,493  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    1,820        32,706  
              111,690  

Multiline Retail – 0.6%

  

Macy’s, Inc.

    1,512        69,718  

Nordstrom, Inc.

    196        11,852  
              81,570  

Multi-Utilities – 3.2%

  

Ameren Corp.

    466        16,860  
    Shares     Value  

Multi-Utilities – (continued)

  

Avista Corp.

    554      $ 15,396  

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    2,796        68,782  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

    952        55,425  

DTE Energy Co.

    556        38,442  

Integrys Energy Group, Inc.

    712        41,780  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    1,376        46,096  

TECO Energy, Inc.

    4,084        70,122  

Vectren Corp.

    1,668        58,246  
              411,149  

Office Electronics – 0.6%

  

Xerox Corp.

    7,404        73,596  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 9.5%

  

Chevron Corp.

    1,500        179,940  

ConocoPhillips

    3,996        292,907  

CVR Energy, Inc.

    1,456        57,832  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    2,468        221,182  

Golar LNG Ltd.

    1,628        60,448  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    816        28,813  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    1,044        74,813  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    1,040        99,923  

Phillips 66

    2,096        135,045  

Spectra Energy Corp.

    1,108        39,412  

Teekay Corp.

    432        18,762  

The Williams Cos., Inc.

    250        8,927  
              1,218,004  

Paper & Forest Products – 1.2%

  

Domtar Corp.

    916        77,594  

International Paper Co.

    1,780        79,406  
              157,000  

Personal Products – 0.3%

  

Herbalife Ltd.

    580        37,596  

Pharmaceuticals – 7.6%

  

Actavis PLC*

    194        29,989  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    192        10,084  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    1,556        77,520  

Johnson & Johnson

    2,204        204,112  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    3,536        159,438  

Pfizer, Inc.

    15,956        489,530  
              970,673  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 4.7%

  

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

    616        12,271  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      179   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

Brandywine Realty Trust

    592      $ 8,424  

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

    1,004        19,889  

Chambers Street Properties

    1,776        16,570  

Corrections Corp. of America

    1,628        60,236  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    336        16,014  

Duke Realty Corp.

    252        4,176  

EPR Properties

    1,436        73,767  

The Geo Group, Inc.

    1,912        67,436  

HCP, Inc.

    372        15,438  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    664        25,630  

Home Properties, Inc.

    140        8,443  

Hospitality Properties Trust

    1,252        36,784  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    712        15,294  

LaSalle Hotel Properties

    2,120        65,826  

Lexington Realty Trust

    718        8,400  

Liberty Property Trust

    360        13,388  

The Macerich Co.

    652        38,605  

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

    916        18,833  

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    892        11,632  

MFA Financial, Inc.

    2,640        19,562  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    392        13,485  

Newcastle Investment Corp.

    1,278        7,336  

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    252        8,376  

Senior Housing Properties Trust

    276        6,801  

Vornado Realty Trust

    60        5,344  

Weingarten Realty Investors

    216        6,854  
              604,814  

Road & Rail – 0.5%

  

Landstar System, Inc.

    1,136        62,809  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 2.6%

  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    1,748        31,202  

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    160        10,496  

Linear Technology Corp.

    1,688        69,444  

LSI Corp.

    440        3,731  

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

    2,684        32,208  

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

    420        12,474  

Microchip Technology, Inc.

    226        9,709  
    Shares     Value  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (continued)

  

NVIDIA Corp.

    1,016      $ 15,423  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    3,676        154,686  
              339,373  

Software – 2.8%

  

CA, Inc.

    1,340        42,558  

Microsoft Corp.

    7,600        268,660  

Oracle Corp.

    1,420        47,570  
              358,788  

Specialty Retail – 3.3%

  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    4,448        68,899  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    2,008        85,942  

GameStop Corp., Class A

    1,356        74,336  

Guess?, Inc.

    2,120        66,250  

The Home Depot, Inc.

    240        18,694  

L Brands, Inc.

    304        19,033  

Pier 1 Imports, Inc.

    628        13,113  

Staples, Inc.

    4,632        74,668  
              420,935  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.5%

  

Coach, Inc.

    1,376        69,736  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.3%

  

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

    1,084        17,572  

People’s United Financial, Inc.

    1,028        14,834  
              32,406  

Tobacco – 5.1%

  

Altria Group, Inc.

    7,144        265,971  

Lorillard, Inc.

    1,736        88,553  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    2,348        209,254  

Reynolds American, Inc.

    1,784        91,644  
              655,422  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $11,506,853)
            12,809,667  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $11,506,853) – 99.9%
            12,809,667  

Other assets less liabilities – 0.1%

            15,281  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 12,824,948  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

180    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviation:

 

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $  1,351,408   

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (50,266

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,301,142   

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 11,508,525   
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      181   


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 99.4%

  

Aerospace & Defense – 3.2%

  

Exelis, Inc.

    6,510      $ 107,350  

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

    2,408        241,884  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    3,206        427,488  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    2,926        314,574  

Raytheon Co.

    3,892        320,584  
              1,411,880  

Air Freight & Logistics – 1.3%

  

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

    3,724        222,472  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    3,570        350,717  
              573,189  

Beverages – 2.0%

  

The Coca-Cola Co.

    4,662        184,475  

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    4,382        207,488  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    5,852        492,095  
              884,058  

Capital Markets – 0.2%

  

Federated Investors, Inc., Class B

    3,472        94,161  

Chemicals – 2.6%

  

The Dow Chemical Co.

    4,368        172,405  

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    10,668        652,882  

Olin Corp.

    9,380        211,144  

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., Class A

    1,624        95,361  
              1,131,792  

Commercial Banks – 3.7%

  

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    1,820        105,524  

BankUnited, Inc.

    1,344        41,355  

BB&T Corp.

    3,934        133,638  

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

    1,260        89,195  

FNB Corp./PA

    2,604        32,576  

M&T Bank Corp.

    1,260        141,788  

Trustmark Corp.

    1,050        28,518  

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

    2,562        41,940  

Valley National Bancorp

    3,052        29,757  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    23,058        984,346  
              1,628,637  

Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.9%

  

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

    3,626        77,379  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Services & Supplies – (continued)

  

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

    13,664      $ 253,741  

Waste Management, Inc.

    1,708        74,366  
              405,486  

Communications Equipment – 1.3%

  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    20,524        461,790  

Harris Corp.

    1,624        100,623  
              562,413  

Computers & Peripherals – 1.8%

  

Diebold, Inc.

    1,750        52,430  

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    9,380        228,591  

Lexmark International, Inc., Class A

    6,048        215,006  

Seagate Technology PLC

    5,684        276,697  
              772,724  

Consumer Finance – 0.5%

  

SLM Corp.

    9,268        235,129  

Containers & Packaging – 2.0%

  

Bemis Co., Inc.

    4,676        186,572  

Greif, Inc., Class A

    3,752        200,695  

Packaging Corp of America

    4,228        263,320  

Sonoco Products Co.

    5,880        238,963  
              889,550  

Distributors – 0.2%

               

Genuine Parts Co.

    1,162        91,600  

Diversified Consumer Services – 0.2%

  

H&R Block, Inc.

    3,248        92,373  

Diversified Financial Services – 4.0%

  

Bank of America Corp.

    11,606        162,020  

Citigroup, Inc.

    2,422        118,145  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    27,174        1,400,548  

NYSE Euronext

    1,428        62,860  
              1,743,573  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 5.0%

  

AT&T, Inc.

    19,292        698,371  

CenturyLink, Inc.

    8,036        272,099  

Frontier Communications Corp.

    9,800        43,218  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    22,428        1,132,838  

Windstream Holdings, Inc.

    6,818        58,294  
              2,204,820  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

182    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Electric Utilities – 2.6%

  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    1,610      $ 75,412  

Entergy Corp.

    1,246        80,641  

Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.

    9,380        249,227  

NV Energy, Inc.

    1,526        36,227  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    4,368        244,739  

PPL Corp.

    4,074        124,787  

The Southern Co.

    3,458        141,467  

UIL Holdings Corp.

    4,942        190,366  
              1,142,866  

Electrical Equipment – 1.3%

  

Emerson Electric Co.

    8,624        577,549  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 0.2%

  

Molex, Inc.

    1,890        72,954  

Energy Equipment & Services – 0.8%

  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

    420        26,010  

RPC, Inc.

    14,182        260,098  

Schlumberger Ltd.

    826        77,413  
              363,521  

Food & Staples Retailing – 4.1%

  

Safeway, Inc.

    8,456        295,114  

Sysco Corp.

    8,260        267,128  

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    15,974        1,226,005  
              1,788,247  

Food Products – 0.4%

  

General Mills, Inc.

    3,528        177,882  

Gas Utilities – 1.0%

  

AGL Resources, Inc.

    5,250        251,265  

WGL Holdings, Inc.

    4,186        188,412  
              439,677  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 0.4%

  

Abbott Laboratories

    3,318        121,273  

Medtronic, Inc.

    1,162        66,699  
              187,972  

Health Care Providers & Services – 1.1%

  

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    5,012        294,004  

Owens & Minor, Inc.

    5,516        206,409  
              500,413  
    Shares     Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.8%

  

Brinker International, Inc.

    1,582      $ 70,272  

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

    2,184        239,956  

McDonald’s Corp.

    4,592        443,220  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

    910        34,225  
              787,673  

Household Durables – 0.7%

  

Garmin Ltd.

    1,372        64,141  

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    434        12,907  

Tupperware Brands Corp.

    2,436        218,388  
              295,436  

Household Products – 1.1%

  

The Clorox Co.

    2,940        265,159  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    2,044        220,752  
              485,911  

Industrial Conglomerates – 0.9%

  

General Electric Co.

    15,890        415,365  

Insurance – 3.8%

  

Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings AG

    2,240        242,569  

American National Insurance Co.

    350        35,374  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    798        37,865  

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

    868        43,400  

Erie Indemnity Co., Class A

    630        45,247  

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    8,246        232,125  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    4,102        187,872  

Mercury General Corp.

    770        35,851  

Old Republic International Corp.

    3,444        57,825  

PartnerRe Ltd.

    2,450        245,514  

ProAssurance Corp.

    2,646        119,917  

The Travelers Cos., Inc.

    3,976        343,129  

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    1,344        53,061  
              1,679,749  

Internet Software & Services – 0.2%

  

IAC/InterActiveCorp

    1,232        65,776  

IT Services – 5.4%

  

Accenture PLC, Class A

    7,490        550,515  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    2,254        168,982  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      183   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

IT Services – (continued)

  

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    10,570      $ 209,286  

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

    7,630        268,271  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    5,292        257,985  

International Business Machines Corp.

    2,450        439,064  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    3,635        171,172  

Paychex, Inc.

    1,554        65,672  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    56        11,014  

The Western Union Co.

    13,384        227,796  
              2,369,757  

Leisure Equipment & Products – 0.3%

  

Hasbro, Inc.

    1,218        62,910  

Mattel, Inc.

    1,764        78,268  
              141,178  

Media – 2.1%

  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    1,400        66,612  

Gannett Co., Inc.

    8,708        240,950  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A

    924        46,468  

Meredith Corp.

    4,368        224,079  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    1,484        101,075  

Regal Entertainment Group, Class A

    1,932        36,727  

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

    1,232        148,025  

The Walt Disney Co.

    980        67,218  
              931,154  

Metals & Mining – 0.8%

  

Commercial Metals Co.

    13,986        256,783  

Nucor Corp.

    1,428        73,927  
              330,710  

Multiline Retail – 0.5%

  

Kohl’s Corp.

    4,186        237,765  

Multi-Utilities – 2.6%

  

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    5,474        134,660  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

    4,816        280,388  

Integrys Energy Group, Inc.

    1,036        60,793  

PG&E Corp.

    1,526        63,863  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    2,128        71,288  
    Shares     Value  

Multi-Utilities – (continued)

  

SCANA Corp.

    1,246      $ 58,101  

TECO Energy, Inc.

    13,426        230,524  

Vectren Corp.

    6,790        237,107  
              1,136,724  

Office Electronics – 0.5%

  

Xerox Corp.

    23,814        236,711  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 10.2%

  

Chevron Corp.

    6,020        722,159  

ConocoPhillips

    14,238        1,043,645  

CVR Energy, Inc.

    4,900        194,628  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    22,134        1,983,649  

Golar LNG Ltd.

    5,390        200,131  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    3,906        137,921  

Spectra Energy Corp.

    3,584        127,483  

Teekay Corp.

    1,288        55,938  
              4,465,554  

Paper & Forest Products – 0.6%

  

Domtar Corp.

    3,108        263,279  

Pharmaceuticals – 7.4%

  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    5,264        262,252  

Johnson & Johnson

    9,366        867,385  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    11,228        506,271  

Pfizer, Inc.

    52,444        1,608,982  
              3,244,890  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 5.0%

  

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

    3,668        73,067  

Chambers Street Properties

    6,748        62,959  

Corrections Corp. of America

    6,356        235,172  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    1,134        54,046  

EPR Properties

    4,452        228,699  

The Geo Group, Inc.

    6,678        235,533  

HCP, Inc.

    2,646        109,809  

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A

    5,614        65,235  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    546        21,076  

Home Properties, Inc.

    2,926        176,467  

Hospitality Properties Trust

    1,890        55,528  

Liberty Property Trust

    700        26,033  

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

    2,940        60,446  

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    4,270        55,681  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

184    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – (continued)

  

MFA Financial, Inc.

    7,756      $ 57,472  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    714        47,410  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    1,050        36,120  

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    1,106        36,763  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

    588        10,866  

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

    4,760        216,104  

Retail Properties of America, Inc., Class A

    15,960        228,388  

Senior Housing Properties Trust

    3,052        75,201  

Weingarten Realty Investors

    700        22,211  
              2,190,286  

Road & Rail – 0.5%

  

Landstar System, Inc.

    3,612        199,707  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment – 2.3%

  

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    1,218        79,901  

Linear Technology Corp.

    6,006        247,087  

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

    2,212        65,696  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    13,216        556,129  

Xilinx, Inc.

    1,624        73,762  
              1,022,575  

Software – 3.0%

  

CA, Inc.

    7,532        239,216  

Microsoft Corp.

    26,096        922,494  

Oracle Corp.

    2,142        71,757  

Symantec Corp.

    2,968        67,492  
              1,300,959  

Specialty Retail – 4.2%

  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    14,518        224,884  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    6,958        297,802  

Foot Locker, Inc.

    6,468        224,440  

GameStop Corp., Class A

    4,844        265,548  

The Home Depot, Inc.

    3,542        275,886  

L Brands, Inc.

    1,932        120,963  

Rent-A-Center, Inc.

    5,082        174,008  

Staples, Inc.

    16,086        259,306  
              1,842,837  
    Shares     Value  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance – 0.2%

  

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

    3,458      $ 56,054  

People’s United Financial, Inc.

    2,674        38,586  
              94,640  

Tobacco – 4.5%

  

Altria Group, Inc.

    22,876        851,673  

Lorillard, Inc.

    5,418        276,372  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    6,538        582,667  

Reynolds American, Inc.

    5,502        282,638  
              1,993,350  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $40,605,205)
            43,704,452  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $40,605,205) – 99.4%
        43,704,452  

Other assets less liabilities – 0.6%

  

    279,019  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 43,983,471  

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviation:

 

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      185   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $  3,372,428   

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (275,996

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,096,432  

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 40,608,020   
 

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund had the following open long futures contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

    Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional Amount
at Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 

E-Mini S&P 500® Futures Contracts

    3        12/20/13      $ 262,650     $ 12,246  

 

Cash collateral in the amount of $21,821 was pledged to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of October 31, 2013.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

186    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 99.5%

  

Aerospace & Defense – 0.8%

  

BAE Systems PLC

    83,302      $ 608,539  

Air Freight & Logistics – 0.4%

  

Deutsche Post AG (Registered)

    8,832        299,277  

Auto Components – 2.0%

  

Bridgestone Corp.

    8,700        297,508  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin

    1,908        199,784  

Nokian Renkaat Oyj

    3,332        168,828  

Pirelli & C. SpA (Retirement Savings Plan))

    14,964        155,120  

Valeo S.A.

    6,748        671,071  
              1,492,311  

Automobiles – 2.7%

  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Preference)

    1,944        162,748  

Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd.

    18,700        362,526  

Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A/S

    9,784        138,000  

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

    5,600        152,457  

Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Preference)

    6,590        618,089  

Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi A/S

    86,492        575,238  
              2,009,058  

Building Products – 0.6%

  

Cie de St-Gobain

    4,594        241,983  

LIXIL Group Corp.

    8,400        196,751  
              438,734  

Capital Markets – 1.0%

  

ICAP PLC

    27,534        170,397  

IGM Financial, Inc.

    8,634        415,949  

Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund

    24,920        155,053  
              741,399  

Chemicals – 3.4%

  

BASF SE

    7,790        811,550  

Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd.

    2,800        42,895  

K+S AG (Registered)

    21,028        537,160  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

    33,000        154,052  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    6,900        360,789  

Synthos S.A.

    363,860        617,313  

TSRC Corp.

    36,000        66,536  
              2,590,295  
     Shares      Value  

Commercial Banks – 13.4%

  

Aozora Bank Ltd.

     178,000       $ 517,073  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

     23,640         757,539  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.

     58,872         690,635  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

     1,519,000         711,200  

Bank of Montreal

     6,554         456,395  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

     8,402         714,635  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

     32,676         2,354,108  

HSBC Holdings PLC

     46,247         506,803  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

     510,000         357,188  

Komercni Banka A/S

     2,548         634,010  

Malayan Banking Bhd

     43,487         134,504  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

     239,200         499,806  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

     21,180         708,191  

Royal Bank of Canada

     700         47,000  

Swedbank AB, Class A

     9,608         250,926  

Westpac Banking Corp.

     24,588         798,395  
                10,138,408  

Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.9%

  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

     12,000         125,736  

Toppan Printing Co. Ltd.

     67,000         528,570  
                654,306  

Communications Equipment – 0.6%

  

VTech Holdings Ltd.

     32,000         459,380  

Computers & Peripherals – 1.1%

  

Asustek Computer, Inc.

     65,000         497,796  

Chicony Electronics Co. Ltd.

     30,100         74,893  

Quanta Computer, Inc.

     72,000         170,813  

Wistron Corp.

     70,450         66,183  
                809,685  

Construction & Engineering – 1.1%

  

Bouygues S.A.

     5,460         213,704  

Eiffage S.A.

     3,024         179,759  

Leighton Holdings Ltd.

     9,604         162,883  

Vinci S.A.

     4,676         300,338  
                856,684  

Construction Materials – 0.3%

  

Asia Cement Corp.

     67,680         91,800  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      187   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

     Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Construction Materials – (continued)

  

Taiwan Cement Corp.

     68,000       $ 98,947  
                190,747  

Consumer Finance – 0.5%

  

Provident Financial PLC

     15,988         405,844  

Diversified Financial Services – 1.3%

  

African Bank Investments Ltd.

     334,102         567,661  

Investor AB, Class A

     13,636         427,979  
                995,640  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 5.6%

  

Belgacom S.A.

     21,448         587,982  

Bell Aliant, Inc.

     6,440         163,092  

Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp. Ltd.

     326,928         570,497  

Deutsche Telekom AG

     28,818         454,466  

Elisa Oyj

     8,242         206,508  

Magyar Telekom Telecommunications PLC

     101,254         139,481  

Orange S.A.

     19,348         265,930  

TDC A/S

     19,936         180,237  

Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd.

     292,330         568,644  

Telecom Egypt Co.

     88,060         173,223  

Telefonica Czech Republic A/S

     10,030         163,984  

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

     62,300         492,004  

Telefonica S.A.

     9,772         172,506  

Turk Telekomunikasyon A/S

     34,078         118,026  
                4,256,580  

Electric Utilities – 0.8%

  

CEZ A/S

     2,694         77,719  

EDP – Energias de Portugal S.A.

     46,032         169,718  

Fortum Oyj

     8,496         189,425  

Light S.A.

     6,800         60,374  

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA

     19,404         96,286  
                593,522  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments &
Components – 0.6%

  

Hoya Corp.

     19,600         470,072  
     Shares      Value  

Energy Equipment & Services – 0.3%

  

Seadrill Ltd.

     4,620       $ 213,999  

Food & Staples Retailing – 2.4%

  

Koninklijke Ahold N.V.

     23,922         455,958  

Lawson, Inc.

     6,300         505,361  

Metcash Ltd.

     48,160         152,777  

Metro AG

     2,724         127,893  

Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd.

     7,300         269,351  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

     7,958         324,444  
                1,835,784  

Food Products – 2.1%

  

Nestle S.A. (Registered)

     8,596         621,764  

Orkla ASA

     21,952         178,082  

Perusahaan Perkebunan London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk PT

     3,318,000         470,951  

PT Astra Agro Lestari, Tbk

     185,500         306,081  
                1,576,878  

Gas Utilities – 1.2%

  

Enagas S.A.

     15,598         417,536  

Gas Natural SDG S.A.

     4,626         109,241  

Snam SpA

     77,346         399,156  
                925,933  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.9%

  

Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd

     266,800         344,116  

Gtech SpA

     2,800         85,230  

Sands China Ltd.

     24,800         176,250  

Tatts Group Ltd.

     151,592         450,747  

TUI Travel PLC

     15,484         95,775  

Wynn Macau Ltd.

     70,800         271,674  
                1,423,792  

Household Durables – 0.1%

  

Husqvarna AB, Class B

     13,114         77,253  

Household Products – 0.0%

  

Svenska Cellulosa AB S.C.A., Class A

     672         19,004  

Independent Power Producers & Energy
Traders – 2.3%

  

AES Tiete S.A.

     66,300         590,135  

AES Tiete S.A. (Preference)

     61,600         606,760  

Tractebel Energia S.A.

     21,200         363,290  

TransAlta Corp.

     12,096         162,734  
                1,722,919  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

188    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Industrial Conglomerates – 0.0%

  

Siemens AG (Registered)

    140      $ 17,925  

Insurance – 8.1%

  

Aegon N.V.

    18,144        144,646  

Allianz SE (Registered)

    4,452        749,904  

AXA S.A.

    35,902        898,081  

Baloise Holding AG (Registered)

    1,016        118,480  

CNP Assurances

    4,520        79,884  

Euler Hermes S.A.

    1,540        203,585  

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

    36,540        682,543  

Great-West Lifeco, Inc.

    3,248        100,444  

Legal & General Group PLC

    80,006        278,027  

Mapfre S.A.

    22,148        89,247  

Mediolanum SpA

    29,456        256,691  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG (Registered)

    3,680        769,955  

Power Financial Corp.

    5,124        168,581  

Resolution Ltd.

    32,956        189,233  

RSA Insurance Group PLC

    106,662        220,030  

SCOR SE

    3,144        111,281  

Standard Life PLC

    25,368        143,462  

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

    6,048        203,678  

Zurich Insurance Group AG*

    2,640        731,463  
              6,139,215  

Leisure Equipment & Products – 1.0%

  

Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.

    32,500        612,832  

Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    3,100        147,243  
              760,075  

Machinery – 2.6%

  

Hino Motors Ltd.

    34,000        477,892  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    6,900        145,370  

Komatsu Ltd.

    6,600        143,961  

Metso Oyj

    13,844        545,807  

NSK Ltd.

    16,000        169,932  

Zardoya Otis S.A.

    27,508        479,805  
              1,962,767  

Media – 1.0%

  

CTC Media, Inc.

    47,852        604,849  

Telenet Group Holding N.V.

    3,052        167,835  
              772,684  
    Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining – 3.8%

  

BHP Billiton Ltd.

    4,424      $ 157,769  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,344,000        544,323  

IAMGOLD Corp.

    25,960        132,681  

Iluka Resources Ltd.

    35,252        343,833  

KGHM Polska Miedz S.A.

    3,984        161,274  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

    10,394        436,547  

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC (ADR)

    41,244        624,434  

Shougang Fushan Resources Group Ltd.

    1,380,000        464,566  

Voestalpine AG

    678        32,063  
              2,897,490  

Multiline Retail – 0.2%

  

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

    19,324        156,316  

Multi-Utilities – 1.4%

  

E.ON SE

    32,820        600,346  

RWE AG

    7,624        281,819  

RWE AG (Preference)

    5,040        172,325  
              1,054,490  

Office Electronics – 0.7%

  

Canon, Inc.

    11,400        359,046  

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

    13,000        136,877  
              495,923  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 10.2%

  

ARC Resources Ltd.

    3,976        105,534  

Baytex Energy Corp.

    8,830        368,492  

BP PLC

    28,768        223,098  

Canadian Oil Sands Ltd.

    19,124        372,632  

Encana Corp.

    7,675        137,478  

Eni SpA

    52,002        1,318,494  

Gazprom OAO (ADR)

    44,213        413,834  

Harum Energy Tbk PT

    2,072,000        579,002  

Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk PT

    204,000        541,104  

Penn West Petroleum Ltd.

    15,596        174,078  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    4,620        154,128  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

    33,040        1,146,307  

Surgutneftegas OAO (Preference) (ADR)

    22,852        167,962  

Total S.A.

    21,924        1,349,154  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      189   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A/S

    23,856      $ 542,440  

Vermilion Energy, Inc.

    1,568        86,170  
              7,679,907  

Paper & Forest Products – 0.5%

  

Stora Enso Oyj, Class R

    19,776        184,166  

UPM-Kymmene Oyj

    13,020        207,275  
              391,441  

Pharmaceuticals – 7.3%

  

AstraZeneca PLC

    25,228        1,341,181  

Bayer AG (Registered)

    397        49,406  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    9,600        376,720  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    62,916        1,661,264  

Novartis AG (Registered)

    4,816        374,675  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    2,800        211,191  

Orion Oyj, Class B

    22,092        594,374  

Roche Holding AG

    1,570        435,519  

Sanofi

    4,342        463,618  
              5,507,948  

Professional Services – 0.5%

  

Adecco S.A. (Registered)*

    3,002        221,947  

Randstad Holding N.V.

    2,100        129,772  
              351,719  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 2.2%

  

Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust

    22,596        543,855  

CapitaCommercial Trust

    274,000        325,836  

Corio N.V.

    3,898        170,294  

Gecina S.A.

    644        86,282  

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.

    8        16,251  

Klepierre

    1,904        85,627  

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

    12,112        295,585  

Westfield Retail Trust

    56,820        166,260  
              1,689,990  

Real Estate Management & Development – 2.3%

  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    5,700        581,562  

Greentown China Holdings Ltd.

    91,000        176,764  

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd., Class H

    224,000        392,929  

KWG Property Holding Ltd.

    549,000        355,470  
    Shares     Value  

Real Estate Management & Development – (continued)

  

Redefine Properties Ltd.

    75,096      $ 77,306  

Swiss Prime Site AG (Registered)*

    2,084        158,334  
              1,742,365  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment – 1.1%

  

Radiant Opto-Electronics Corp.

    171,800        643,238  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    146        201,640  
              844,878  

Software – 0.1%

  

Trend Micro, Inc.

    2,800        103,883  

Specialty Retail – 0.1%

  

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    1,151        49,803  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.8%

  

Bosideng International Holdings Ltd.

    1,960,000        452,519  

Grendene S.A.

    14,400        131,477  
              583,996  

Tobacco – 3.9%

  

British American Tobacco Malaysia Bhd

    8,400        169,036  

British American Tobacco PLC

    38,444        2,122,215  

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    9,716        363,550  

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    8,400        303,945  
              2,958,746  

Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.7%

  

ITOCHU Corp.

    8,400        100,858  

Marubeni Corp.

    16,000        125,084  

Rexel S.A.

    4,704        117,989  

Sumitomo Corp.

    15,200        197,534  
              541,465  

Transportation Infrastructure – 1.6%

  

Atlantia SpA

    10,584        232,382  

Hopewell Highway Infrastructure Ltd.

    290,500        143,132  

Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, Class U

    205,000        149,650  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    354,000        445,636  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

190    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Transportation Infrastructure – (continued)

  

Transurban Group

    38,136      $ 256,401  
              1,227,201  

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 2.0%

  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    12,722        153,740  

Vodacom Group Ltd.

    46,732        537,123  

Vodafone Group PLC

    226,688        817,622  
              1,508,485  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $71,184,714)
            75,244,755  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $71,184,714) – 99.5%
            75,244,755  

Other assets less liabilities – 0.5%

            365,285  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 75,610,040  

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviations:

 

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $  4,373,296  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (471,605

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,901,691  

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 71,343,064  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      191   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund had the following open long futures contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

    Number of
Contracts
  Expiration
Date
    Notional Amount
at Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

E-mini MSCI EAFE Futures Contracts

  3     12/20/13      $ 281,295     $ 9,949  

MSCI Emerging Markets Mini Index Futures Contracts

  2     12/20/13        102,390       (2,104
                        $ 7,845  

 

Cash collateral in the amount of $36,176 was pledged to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of October 31, 2013.

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund invested, as a percentage of net assets, companies domiciled in the following countries as of October 31, 2013:

 

Australia

    8.8

Austria

    0.0  

Belgium

    1.0   

Brazil

    2.3   

Canada

    6.2   

China

    5.3   

Czech Republic

    1.2   

Denmark

    0.2   

Egypt

    0.2   

Finland

    2.8   

France

    7.2   

Germany

    8.1   

Hong Kong

    1.2   

Hungary

    0.2   

Indonesia

    2.5   

Israel

    0.8   

Italy

    3.4   

Japan

    11.5   

Malaysia

    0.9   

Netherlands

    1.2   

New Zealand

    0.8   

Norway

    1.4   

Poland

    1.0   

Portugal

    0.2   

Russia

    2.4   

Singapore

    0.6   

South Africa

    2.1   

South Korea

    0.5   

Spain

    2.6   

Sweden

    1.3   

Switzerland

    3.5   

Taiwan

    2.3   

Turkey

    1.8   

United Kingdom

    14.0   

Other1

    0.5  
      100.0

 

1 

Includes any non-equity securities and net other assets (liabilities).

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

192    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 99.8%

  

Aerospace & Defense – 1.0%

  

BAE Systems PLC

    9,579      $ 69,977  

Bombardier, Inc., Class B

    3,159        14,358  
              84,335  

Air Freight & Logistics – 0.1%

  

Toll Holdings Ltd.

    1,794        9,802  

Auto Components – 3.6%

  

Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.

    300        12,155  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin

    582        60,940  

Continental AG

    384        70,450  

Magna International, Inc.

    339        28,707  

Nokian Renkaat Oyj

    450        22,801  

Pirelli & C. SpA (Retirement Savings Plan)

    2,121        21,987  

Valeo S.A.

    759        75,481  
              292,521  

Automobiles – 1.8%

  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    405        45,997  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Preference)

    183        15,320  

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

    600        16,335  

Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Preference)

    492        46,145  

Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi A/S

    3,609        24,003  
              147,800  

Beverages – 0.5%

  

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,000        43,788  

Biotechnology – 0.5%

  

Actelion Ltd. (Registered)*

    504        39,099  

Building Products – 0.3%

  

Cie de St-Gobain

    534        28,128  

Capital Markets – 1.9%

  

Ashmore Group PLC

    6,474        42,073  

Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.

    3,000        27,275  

ICAP PLC

    4,176        25,844  

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    444        21,422  

Schroders PLC

    1,095        37,489  
              154,103  

Chemicals – 3.4%

  

BASF SE

    1,113        115,951  
    Shares     Value  

Chemicals – (continued)

  

Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corp.

    6,030      $ 17,425  

Formosa Plastics Corp.

    6,040        16,406  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    900        50,729  

Synthos S.A.

    41,319        70,100  

TSRC Corp.

    3,000        5,545  
              276,156  

Commercial Banks – 14.7%

  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    9,000        4,330  

Aozora Bank Ltd.

    15,000        43,574  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    2,736        87,675  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.

    1,887        22,137  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    147,000        68,826  

BNP Paribas S.A.

    654        48,492  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    18,000        58,738  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

    315        26,792  

China Citic Bank Corp. Ltd., Class H

    15,000        8,416  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    99,000        76,870  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    39,044        77,554  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    3,420        246,390  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    5,184        56,810  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    147,000        102,954  

Malayan Banking Bhd

    2,414        7,466  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    2,220        74,230  

Nordea Bank AB

    3,513        45,059  

Royal Bank of Canada

    129        8,661  

Sberbank of Russia (ADR)

    3,639        46,470  

Swedbank AB, Class A

    714        18,647  

Westpac Banking Corp.

    2,376        77,151  
              1,207,242  

Communications Equipment – 0.6%

  

VTech Holdings Ltd.

    3,300        47,374  

Computers & Peripherals – 0.2%

  

Quanta Computer, Inc.

    6,000        14,234  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      193   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Computers & Peripherals – (continued)

  

Wistron Corp.

    6,100      $ 5,731  
              19,965  

Construction & Engineering – 2.2%

  

Bouygues S.A.

    711        27,829  

JGC Corp.

    3,000        114,514  

Vinci S.A.

    588        37,767  
              180,110  

Construction Materials – 0.5%

  

Asia Cement Corp.

    12,060        16,358  

CRH PLC

    505        12,289  

Taiwan Cement Corp.

    6,000        8,731  
              37,378  

Containers & Packaging – 0.2%

  

DS Smith PLC

    3,459        16,816  

Distributors – 0.2%

  

Inchcape PLC

    1,542        15,756  

Diversified Financial Services – 1.3%

  

Industrivarden AB, Class A

    2,025        39,117  

Industrivarden AB, Class C

    3,027        54,028  

ORIX Corp.

    900        15,466  
              108,611  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 4.8%

  

Belgacom S.A.

    2,037        55,843  

Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp. Ltd.

    41,289        72,050  

Elisa Oyj

    1,080        27,060  

Magyar Telekom Telecommunications PLC

    5,481        7,550  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    600        31,128  

Orange S.A.

    1,539        21,153  

TDC A/S

    2,895        26,173  

Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd.

    13,020        25,327  

Telecom Egypt Co.

    7,932        15,603  

Telefonica S.A.

    4,773        84,258  

TeliaSonera AB

    3,072        25,493  

Turk Telekomunikasyon A/S

    1,479        5,123  
              396,761  

Electric Utilities – 0.9%

  

CEZ A/S

    1,302        37,561  
    Shares     Value  

Electric Utilities – (continued)

  

EDP – Energias de Portugal S.A.

    6,456      $ 23,803  

PGE S.A.

    1,827        10,688  

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA

    690        3,424  
              75,476  

Electrical Equipment – 0.7%

  

Schneider Electric S.A.

    633        53,398  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components – 1.7%

  

Hexagon AB, Class B

    330        9,924  

Hirose Electric Co. Ltd.

    300        45,683  

Hoya Corp.

    2,700        64,755  

Omron Corp.

    300        11,436  

Unimicron Technology Corp.

    6,000        4,748  
              136,546  

Energy Equipment & Services – 0.4%

  

AMEC PLC

    1,671        31,598  

Food & Staples Retailing – 3.0%

  

Carrefour S.A.

    2,208        80,988  

Koninklijke Ahold N.V.

    2,946        56,151  

Metcash Ltd.

    2,967        9,412  

Metro AG

    381        17,888  

Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600        22,139  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

    1,518        61,827  
              248,405  

Food Products – 1.6%

  

GrainCorp Ltd., Class A

    1,578        18,439  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

    300        16,757  

Nestle S.A. (Registered)

    891        64,447  

Nisshin Seifun Group, Inc.

    1,550        16,794  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    300        12,843  
              129,280  

Gas Utilities – 0.5%

  

Gas Natural SDG S.A.

    201        4,746  

Snam SpA

    7,026        36,259  
              41,005  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.1%

  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

    1,911        55,786  

Tatts Group Ltd.

    12,927        38,437  
              94,223  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

194    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Independent Power Producers & Energy
Traders – 1.2%

  

AES Tiete S.A.

    10,200      $ 95,061  

Industrial Conglomerates – 1.5%

  

Far Eastern New Century Corp.

    12,060        13,854  

Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd.

    3,000        9,925  

Siemens AG (Registered)

    762        97,565  
              121,344  

Insurance – 8.2%

  

Aegon N.V.

    2,388        19,037  

Ageas*

    591        25,185  

Allianz SE (Registered)

    486        81,863  

AXA S.A.

    4,176        104,462  

Baloise Holding AG (Registered)

    66        7,696  

CNP Assurances

    711        12,566  

Euler Hermes S.A.

    198        26,175  

Legal & General Group PLC

    9,942        34,549  

Manulife Financial Corp.

    2,301        40,753  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG (Registered)

    360        75,322  

Old Mutual PLC

    14,445        47,250  

Prudential PLC

    5,703        117,188  

RSA Insurance Group PLC

    13,467        27,781  

SCOR SE

    450        15,927  

Zurich Insurance Group AG*

    141        39,067  
              674,821  

Internet Software & Services – 0.3%

  

Yahoo Japan Corp.

    5,100        23,756  

IT Services – 0.2%

  

NTT Data Corp.

    600        19,876  

Leisure Equipment & Products – 0.2%

  

Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    300        14,249  

Machinery – 5.0%

  

FANUC Corp.

    600        96,137  

Hino Motors Ltd.

    3,000        42,167  

IMI PLC

    3,000        73,213  

Komatsu Ltd.

    600        13,087  

Metso Oyj

    1,431        56,418  

OC Oerlikon Corp. AG (Registered)*

    1,530        21,458  

Sandvik AB

    3,477        47,123  
    Shares     Value  

Machinery – (continued)

  

SKF AB, Class A

    744      $ 19,718  

SKF AB, Class B

    975        25,870  

Volvo AB, Class A

    942        12,133  
              407,324  

Media – 1.7%

  

CTC Media, Inc.

    5,076        64,161  

Informa PLC

    1,560        14,023  

Telenet Group Holding N.V.

    240        13,198  

UBM PLC

    1,185        13,012  

WPP PLC

    1,596        33,975  
              138,369  

Metals & Mining – 5.1%

  

BHP Billiton Ltd.

    264        9,415  

BHP Billiton PLC

    2,550        79,089  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class H

    162,000        65,610  

Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari TAS

    13,140        18,270  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

    729        13,827  

Grupo Mexico SAB de CV

    9,600        30,434  

Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa S.A.

    333        7,213  

Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., Class H

    21,000        40,358  

KGHM Polska Miedz S.A.

    606        24,531  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

    621        26,082  

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC (ADR)

    2,223        33,656  

Shougang Fushan Resources Group Ltd.

    48,000        16,159  

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

    561        15,009  

Vedanta Resources PLC

    1,059        18,086  

Voestalpine AG

    372        17,592  
              415,331  

Multi-Utilities – 2.3%

  

E.ON SE

    4,032        73,754  

RWE AG

    636        23,510  

RWE AG (Preference)

    561        19,181  

Veolia Environnement S.A.

    4,317        74,066  
              190,511  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 10.3%

  

Baytex Energy Corp.

    1,419        59,217  

BP PLC

    8,043        62,374  

Cameco Corp.

    780        14,802  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    1,107        35,126  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      195   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – (continued)

  

Canadian Oil Sands Ltd.

    3,165      $ 61,670  

Eni SpA

    5,133        130,146  

Gazprom OAO (ADR)

    12,342        115,521  

Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk PT

    13,500        35,808  

JX Holdings, Inc.

    2,700        13,347  

Penn West Petroleum Ltd.

    2,169        24,210  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    294        9,808  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

    3,729        129,376  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    1,812        65,836  

Surgutneftegas OAO (Preference) (ADR)

    2,829        20,793  

Talisman Energy, Inc.

    471        5,871  

Tatneft OAO (ADR)

    660        27,133  

Total S.A.

    261        16,061  

Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A/S

    615        13,984  
              841,083  

Paper & Forest Products – 0.6%

  

Stora Enso Oyj, Class R

    2,784        25,926  

UPM-Kymmene Oyj

    1,656        26,363  
              52,289  

Personal Products – 0.4%

  

Kao Corp.

    900        29,951  

Pharmaceuticals – 5.3%

  

AstraZeneca PLC

    2,643        140,508  

Bayer AG (Registered)

    99        12,320  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    1,500        58,862  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    711        18,774  

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.

    600        8,464  

Novartis AG (Registered)

    537        41,778  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    300        22,628  

Orion Oyj, Class B

    1,908        51,334  

Roche Holding AG

    165        45,771  

Sanofi

    144        15,376  

Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd.

    300        21,068  
              436,883  
    Shares     Value  

Professional Services – 0.6%

  

Adecco S.A. (Registered)*

    441      $ 32,604  

Randstad Holding N.V.

    285        17,612  
              50,216  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 0.7%

  

Corio N.V.

    219        9,567  

Gecina S.A.

    159        21,303  

Intu Properties PLC

    4,317        23,873  

Klepierre

    57        2,563  
              57,306  

Real Estate Management & Development – 0.6%

  

Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd., Class H

    6,000        10,525  

KWG Property Holding Ltd.

    63,000        40,792  
              51,317  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment – 1.0%

  

Radiant Opto-Electronics Corp.

    12,090        45,266  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    27        37,290  
              82,556  

Software – 0.1%

  

Oracle Corp. Japan

    300        11,864  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.4%

  

Bosideng International Holdings Ltd.

    42,000        9,697  

Grendene S.A.

    621        5,670  

Ruentex Industries Ltd.

    6,000        15,480  
              30,847  

Tobacco – 2.7%

  

British American Tobacco PLC

    4,011        221,418  

Trading Companies & Distributors – 1.3%

  

Ashtead Group PLC

    2,406        25,319  

Finning International, Inc.

    816        18,811  

Marubeni Corp.

    3,000        23,453  

Rexel S.A.

    537        13,469  

Sumitomo Corp.

    2,100        27,291  
              108,343  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

196    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Transportation Infrastructure – 0.6%

  

COSCO Pacific Ltd.

    12,219      $ 17,809  

Hopewell Highway Infrastructure Ltd.

    24,000        11,825  

Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, Class U

    27,000        19,710  
              49,344  

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.8%

  

MegaFon OAO (Registered), Class S (GDR)

    1,737        63,053  

NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

    300        4,770  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    1,722        20,810  

Vodacom Group Ltd.

    2,442        28,068  

Vodafone Group PLC

    8,451        30,481  
              147,182  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $7,715,488)
            8,186,917  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $7,715,488) – 99.8%
            8,186,917  

Other assets less liabilities – 0.2%

            16,542  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 8,203,459  

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviations:

 

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

GDR – Global Depositary Receipt

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 490,355  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (32,154

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 458,201  

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 7,728,716  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      197   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund invested, as a percentage of net assets, companies domiciled in the following countries as of October 31, 2013:

 

Australia

    8.0

Austria

    0.2   

Belgium

    1.1   

Brazil

    1.2   

Canada

    5.3   

China

    6.8   

Czech Republic

    0.5   

Denmark

    0.3   

Egypt

    0.2   

Finland

    2.6   

France

    9.0   

Germany

    8.5   

Hong Kong

    1.3   

Hungary

    0.1   

Indonesia

    0.4   

Ireland

    0.1   

Israel

    0.9   

Italy

    2.3   

Japan

    11.9   

Malaysia

    0.1   

Mexico

    0.4   

Netherlands

    1.2   

New Zealand

    0.3   

Poland

    1.4   

Portugal

    0.3   

Russia

    4.5   

Singapore

    0.2   

South Africa

    0.7   

South Korea

    0.5   

Spain

    1.4   

Sweden

    3.9   

Switzerland

    3.6   

Taiwan

    2.0   

Turkey

    0.7   

United Kingdom

    17.9   

Other1

    0.2  
      100.0

 

1 

Includes any non-equity securities and net other assets (liabilities)

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

198    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – 99.0%

  

Aerospace & Defense – 1.8%

  

BAE Systems PLC

    17,142      $ 125,226  

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. N.V.

    2,361        162,447  
              287,673  

Air Freight & Logistics – 0.4%

  

Deutsche Post AG (Registered)

    1,914        64,857  

Airlines – 0.4%

  

Turk Hava Yollari

    18,153        71,254  

Auto Components – 0.2%

  

Pirelli & C. SpA (Retirement Savings Plan)

    3,420        35,452  

Automobiles – 3.2%

  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Preference)

    270        22,604  

Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd.

    3,500        67,853  

Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A/S

    2,334        32,920  

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

    6,000        163,347  

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

    18,000        111,548  

Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi A/S

    18,193        120,998  
              519,270  

Capital Markets – 0.9%

  

ICAP PLC

    5,682        35,164  

IGM Financial, Inc.

    1,800        86,716  

Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund

    2,820        17,546  
              139,426  

Chemicals – 2.2%

  

BASF SE

    58        6,042  

Huabao International Holdings Ltd.

    84,000        36,837  

Israel Chemicals Ltd.

    2,988        24,776  

K+S AG (Registered)

    4,524        115,566  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

    6,000        28,009  

Synthos S.A.

    75,498        128,087  

TSRC Corp.

    7,000        12,938  
              352,255  

Commercial Banks – 13.8%

  

Aozora Bank Ltd.

    37,000        107,481  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    2,388        76,523  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.

    12,091        141,841  
    Shares     Value  

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

Bank of Montreal

    1,380      $ 96,098  

Bank of Nova Scotia

    1,999        121,510  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

    1,800        153,100  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    6,871        495,014  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    9,657        105,827  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    50,520        102,061  

Malayan Banking Bhd

    9,683        29,951  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

    49,800        104,057  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    4,440        148,459  

National Bank of Canada

    1,020        88,497  

Royal Bank of Canada

    96        6,446  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    4,200        201,845  

Swedbank AB, Class A

    2,214        57,821  

Westpac Banking Corp.

    5,100        165,602  
              2,202,133  

Commercial Services & Supplies – 0.3%

  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    2,000        20,956  

Multiplus S.A.

    2,400        29,955  
              50,911  

Communications Equipment – 0.6%

  

VTech Holdings Ltd.

    6,600        94,747  

Computers & Peripherals – 1.2%

  

Asustek Computer, Inc.

    14,000        107,217  

Chicony Electronics Co. Ltd.

    6,010        14,954  

Lite-On Technology Corp.

    12,009        21,010  

Quanta Computer, Inc.

    12,000        28,469  

Wistron Corp.

    14,100        13,246  
              184,896  

Construction & Engineering – 1.2%

  

Bouygues S.A.

    1,068        41,802  

Eiffage S.A.

    588        34,953  

Leighton Holdings Ltd.

    1,914        32,461  

Taisei Corp.

    12,000        61,400  

Vinci S.A.

    300        19,269  
              189,885  

Construction Materials – 0.7%

  

Fletcher Building Ltd.

    14,089        116,505  

Consumer Finance – 0.5%

  

Provident Financial PLC

    3,390        86,053  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      199   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Diversified Financial Services – 0.9%

  

African Bank Investments Ltd.

    69,444      $ 117,990  

Chailease Holding Co. Ltd.

    6,300        15,311  

Investor AB, Class A

    272        8,537  
              141,838  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 5.3%

  

Belgacom S.A.

    4,518        123,858  

Bell Aliant, Inc.

    600        15,195  

Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp. Ltd.

    67,764        118,250  

Elisa Oyj

    1,842        46,152  

Magyar Telekom Telecommunications PLC

    20,361        28,048  

Orange S.A.

    4,032        55,418  

TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC

    3,678        15,765  

TDC A/S

    4,752        42,962  

Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd.

    60,830        118,327  

Telecom Egypt Co.

    7,878        15,497  

Telefonica Czech Republic A/S

    2,340        38,258  

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

    16,155        127,581  

Telstra Corp. Ltd.

    9,408        46,148  

Turk Telekomunikasyon A/S

    14,668        50,802  
              842,261  

Electric Utilities – 2.2%

  

CEZ A/S

    2,498        72,064  

The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

    1,300        19,902  

Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais

    7,854        70,050  

EDP – Energias de Portugal S.A.

    10,554        38,912  

Fortum Oyj

    4,206        93,776  

Light S.A.

    1,800        15,981  

PGE S.A.

    6,966        40,753  
              351,438  

Energy Equipment & Services – 0.3%

  

Seadrill Ltd.

    1,015        47,015  

Food & Staples Retailing – 1.8%

  

Lawson, Inc.

    1,200        96,259  

Metcash Ltd.

    9,384        29,769  

Metro AG

    618        29,015  
    Shares     Value  

Food & Staples Retailing – (continued)

  

Shoppers Drug Mart Corp.

    1,938      $ 113,212  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

    534        21,865  
              290,120  

Food Products – 2.6%

  

Nestle S.A. (Registered)

    1,776        128,461  

Orkla ASA

    4,116        33,390  

Perusahaan Perkebunan London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk PT

    594,000        84,311  

Unilever N.V.

    4,151        164,615  
              410,777  

Gas Utilities – 0.5%

  

Gas Natural SDG S.A.

    156        3,684  

Snam SpA

    16,152        83,355  
              87,039  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.9%

  

Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd

    56,400        72,744  

Grand Korea Leisure Co. Ltd.

    2,940        107,262  

Gtech SpA

    648        19,725  

Sands China Ltd.

    4,800        34,113  

Tatts Group Ltd.

    25,080        74,573  
              308,417  

Household Durables – 0.3%

  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    3,000        42,901  

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders – 2.1%

  

AES Tiete S.A.

    14,400        128,174  

AES Tiete S.A. (Preference)

    12,700        125,095  

Tractebel Energia S.A.

    4,800        82,254  
              335,523  

Industrial Conglomerates – 0.0%

  

Siemens AG (Registered)

    38        4,865  

Insurance – 7.9%

  

Admiral Group PLC

    4,002        82,235  

Allianz SE (Registered)

    24        4,043  

AXA S.A.

    6,882        172,152  

Baloise Holding AG (Registered)

    222        25,888  

CNP Assurances

    1,032        18,239  

Euler Hermes S.A.

    288        38,073  

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

    7,617        142,281  

Great-West Lifeco, Inc.

    696        21,524  

Mapfre S.A.

    5,136        20,696  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

200    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Insurance – (continued)

  

Mediolanum SpA

    9,586        83,536  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG (Registered)

    804        168,219  

Power Financial Corp.

    1,242        40,862  

Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen S.A.

    624        95,076  

RSA Insurance Group PLC

    21,366        44,075  

Sampo Oyj, Class A

    2,351        111,515  

SCOR SE

    702        24,847  

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

    1,200        40,412  

Tryg A/S

    150        13,725  

Zurich Insurance Group AG*

    420        116,369  
              1,263,767  

Internet Software & Services – 0.5%

  

Dena Co. Ltd.

    3,600        78,487  

Leisure Equipment & Products – 0.2%

  

Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    600        28,499  

Machinery – 3.0%

  

Hino Motors Ltd.

    8,000        112,445  

Kone Oyj, Class B

    1,196        105,606  

Metso Oyj

    132        5,204  

NSK Ltd.

    1,000        10,621  

Turk Traktor ve Ziraat Makineleri A/S

    3,384        112,107  

Zardoya Otis S.A.

    7,638        133,225  
              479,208  

Marine – 0.2%

  

MISC Bhd*

    21,600        34,978  

Media – 1.3%

  

Kabel Deutschland Holding AG

    324        40,788  

Reed Elsevier N.V.

    4,638        93,540  

Shaw Communications, Inc., Class B

    1,656        39,604  

Telenet Group Holding N.V.

    628        34,535  
              208,467  

Metals & Mining – 4.1%

  

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

    2,785        82,681  

BHP Billiton Ltd.

    918        32,738  

Gold Fields Ltd.

    17,604        82,869  

Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd.

    27,534        95,435  

IAMGOLD Corp.

    4,890        24,993  
    Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining – (continued)

  

Iluka Resources Ltd.

    7,284      $ 71,045  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

    1,230        51,660  

MMC Norilsk Nickel OJSC (ADR)

    8,941        135,367  

Polymetal International PLC

    2,442        23,520  

Shougang Fushan Resources Group Ltd.

    168,000        56,556  
              656,864  

Multiline Retail – 0.0%

  

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

    792        6,407  

Multi-Utilities – 0.9%

  

E.ON SE

    3,942        72,107  

RWE AG

    1,086        40,144  

RWE AG (Preference)

    912        31,183  
              143,434  

Office Electronics – 0.5%

  

Canon, Inc.

    2,400        75,589  

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

    1,000        10,529  
              86,118  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 10.8%

  

ARC Resources Ltd.

    805        21,367  

Baytex Energy Corp.

    1,800        75,117  

BP PLC

    5,658        43,878  

Canadian Oil Sands Ltd.

    4,200        81,837  

Eni SpA

    10,926        277,025  

Gazprom OAO (ADR)

    19,417        181,743  

Harum Energy Tbk PT

    429,000        119,880  

Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk PT

    43,500        115,383  

Keyera Corp.

    396        23,429  

Penn West Petroleum Ltd.

    1,800        20,091  

Repsol S.A.

    2,064        55,503  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    1,056        35,229  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

    4,818        167,158  

Surgutneftegas OAO (Preference) (ADR)

    4,590        33,737  

Total S.A.

    4,638        285,412  

TransCanada Corp.

    1,698        76,511  

Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A/S

    3,618        82,267  

Vermilion Energy, Inc.

    456        25,060  
              1,720,627  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      201   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

    Shares     Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS – (continued)

  

Paper & Forest Products – 0.5%

  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    6,000      $ 27,398  

Stora Enso Oyj, Class R

    2,713        25,265  

UPM-Kymmene Oyj

    1,698        27,032  
              79,695  

Pharmaceuticals – 8.3%

  

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

    800        44,521  

AstraZeneca PLC

    3,546        188,514  

Bayer AG (Registered)

    74        9,209  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    1,900        74,559  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    21,030        555,286  

Novartis AG (Registered)

    996        77,487  

Orion Oyj, Class B

    4,704        126,559  

Roche Holding AG

    612        169,769  

Sanofi

    846        90,332  
              1,336,236  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – 2.1%

  

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,200        68,248  

Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust

    4,152        99,933  

CapitaCommercial Trust

    24,000        28,540  

Corio N.V.

    762        33,290  

Gecina S.A.

    162        21,704  

Mirvac Group

    13,530        22,293  

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

    878        21,427  

Westfield Retail Trust

    11,340        33,182  
              328,617  

Real Estate Management & Development – 1.5%

  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    800        81,623  

Greentown China Holdings Ltd.

    57,000        110,720  

Redefine Properties Ltd.

    17,028        17,529  

Swiss Prime Site AG (Registered)*

    420        31,910  
              241,782  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.0%

  

Radiant Opto-Electronics Corp.

    30,120        112,773  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    30        41,433  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    1,000        3,727  
              157,933  
    Shares     Value  
   

Software – 0.2%

  

Konami Corp.

    1,200      $ 28,951  

Specialty Retail – 2.0%

  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

    400        133,931  

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    4,158        179,915  
              313,846  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.5%

  

Anta Sports Products Ltd.

    18,000        25,817  

Bosideng International Holdings Ltd.

    120,000        27,705  

Grendene S.A.

    3,000        27,391  
              80,913  

Tobacco – 4.0%

  

British American Tobacco Malaysia Bhd

    3,600        72,444  

British American Tobacco PLC

    5,538        305,713  

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    2,166        81,047  

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    4,200        151,972  

Swedish Match AB

    810        26,762  
              637,938  

Trading Companies & Distributors – 0.3%

  

Sumitomo Corp.

    3,600        46,784  

Transportation Infrastructure – 1.5%

  

Atlantia SpA

    1,950        42,814  

Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, Class U

    42,000        30,660  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    72,000        90,638  

SIA Engineering Co. Ltd.

    18,000        73,286  
              237,398  

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 2.4%

  

Advanced Info Service PCL

    11,400        93,398  

Shin Corp. PCL

    7,200        19,489  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    1,320        15,952  

Vodafone Group PLC

    72,144        260,210  
              389,049  
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $15,013,831)
            15,843,509  
                 
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $15,013,831) – 99.0%
        15,843,509  

Other assets less liabilities – 1.0%

  

    155,064  
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 15,998,573  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

202    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

 

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

Percentages shown are based on Net Assets.

 

Abbreviations:

 

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 900,544  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (84,164

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 816,380  

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 15,027,129  
 

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund had the following open long futures contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

     Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional Amount
at Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
 

SGX S&P CNX Nifty Index Futures Contracts

     12         11/28/13       $ 151,752      $ 2,723  

 

Cash collateral in the amount of $14,822 was pledged to cover margin requirements for open futures contracts as of October 31, 2013.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund had the following outstanding contracts as of October 31, 2013:

 

Contracts to Deliver   Counterparty   In Exchange For     Delivery Date     Unrealized
Appreciation
 

INR 5,042,400

  Morgan Stanley     USD 80,000        12/18/13      $ 1,206  

INR 3,920,400

  UBS AG     USD 60,000        12/18/13        3,137  
                        $ 4,343  

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      203   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund invested, as a percentage of net assets, companies domiciled in the following countries as of October 31, 2013:

 

Australia

    7.8

Belgium

    1.0   

Brazil

    3.0   

Canada

    9.0   

China

    2.2   

Czech Republic

    0.7   

Denmark

    0.4   

Egypt

    0.1   

Finland

    3.4   

France

    5.0   

Germany

    4.6   

Hong Kong

    0.8   

Hungary

    0.2   

Indonesia

    2.0   

Israel

    0.9   

Italy

    4.0   

Japan

    12.1   

Malaysia

    1.3   

Netherlands

    2.8   

New Zealand

    1.5   

Norway

    1.4   

Poland

    1.7   

Portugal

    0.2   

Russia

    2.2   

Singapore

    0.8   

South Africa

    2.3   

South Korea

    1.0   

Spain

    2.2   

Sweden

    1.8   

Switzerland

    3.4   

Taiwan

    2.1   

Thailand

    0.7   

Turkey

    2.9   

United Kingdom

    13.5   

Other1

    1.0  
      100.0

 

1 

Includes any non-equity securities and net other assets (liabilities).

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

204    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund

 

October 31, 2013

 

 

    Principal
Amount
    Value  
   

ASSET-BACKED SECURITY – 0.2%

  

American Express Credit Account Master Trust

   

0.59%, due 05/15/18

  $ 100,000     $ 100,087  
Total Asset-Backed Security
(Cost $99,992)
            100,087   

CORPORATE BONDS – 74.5%

  

Automobile – 1.2%

  

Daimler Finance North America LLC 1.02%, due
04/10/14(a) (b)

    500,000       501,390  

Beverages – 6.0%

  

PepsiCo, Inc.

   

0.44%, due 07/30/15(b)

    500,000       500,510  

The Coca-Cola Co.

   

0.34%, due 11/01/16(b)

    2,000,000       2,003,272  
              2,503,782  

Capital Markets – 5.2%

  

ING Bank N.V.

   

1.21%, due 03/07/16(a) (b)

    200,000       202,115  

Morgan Stanley

   

1.51%, due 02/25/16(b)

    905,000       915,015  

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

   

0.47%, due 10/23/15(b)

    276,000       276,339  

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

   

1.26%, due 11/21/14(b)

    100,000       100,695  

1.60%, due 11/23/15

    642,000       649,506  
              2,143,670  

Commercial Banks – 17.7%

  

Bank of Montreal

   

0.50%, due 09/24/15(b)

    1,000,000       1,000,670  

Bank of Nova Scotia

   

0.65%, due 03/15/16(b)

    333,000       333,991  

BB&T Corp.

   

1.11%, due 06/15/18(b)

    500,000       504,189  

BNP Paribas S.A.

   

1.14%, due 01/10/14(b)

    300,000       300,479  

3.00%, due 12/20/14(b)

    200,000       206,031  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

   

0.75%, due 09/20/16(a) (b)

    1,000,000       1,001,006  

Rabobank Nederland

   

0.73%, due 03/18/16(b)

    750,000       752,744  

Royal Bank of Canada

   

0.80%, due 10/30/15

    600,000       603,171  

0.63%, due 03/08/16(b)

    410,000       410,920  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB

   

0.72%, due 09/23/16(b)

    1,000,000       1,002,725  

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd.

   

0.87%, due 09/09/16(a) (b)

    250,000       251,022  

The Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

0.72%, due 09/09/16(b)

    500,000       502,478  
     Principal
Amount
     Value  
     

Commercial Banks – (continued)

  

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

     

0.52%, due 07/20/15(b)

   $ 500,000      $ 500,972  
                7,370,398  

Computers & Peripherals – 2.3%

  

Apple, Inc.

     

0.29%, due 05/03/16(b)

     515,000        514,680  

0.45%, due 05/03/16

     428,000        426,372  
                941,052  

Consumer Finance – 9.4%

  

American Honda Finance Corp.

     

0.74%, due 10/07/16(b)

     750,000        753,364  

Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.

     

0.70%, due 11/06/15

     535,000        535,615  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC

     

1.52%, due 05/09/16(b)

     825,000        836,766  

PACCAR Financial Corp.

     

0.70%, due 11/16/15

     700,000        701,098  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.

     

0.40%, due 09/18/15(b)

     500,000        500,518  

0.55%, due 05/17/16(b)

     300,000        300,871  

Volkswagen International Finance N.V.

     

0.86%, due 04/01/14(a) (b)

     200,000        200,271  

0.86%, due 11/20/14(a) (b)

     100,000        100,453  
                3,928,956  

Diversified Financial Services – 3.4%

  

General Electric Capital Corp.

     

0.86%, due 12/11/15(b)

     100,000        100,790  

0.84%, due 01/08/16(b)

     160,000        160,866  

0.89%, due 07/12/16(b)

     800,000        804,831  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     

1.88%, due 03/20/15

     200,000        203,259  

1.14%, due 01/25/18(b)

     125,000        126,076  
                1,395,822  

Diversified Telecommunication Services – 1.8%

  

AT&T, Inc.

     

0.65%, due 02/12/16(b)

     200,000        199,822  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     

1.78%, due 09/15/16(b)

     500,000        514,117  
                713,939  

Electric Utilities – 3.0%

  

Alabama Power Co.

     

0.55%, due 10/15/15

     100,000        99,841  

Duke Energy Indiana, Inc.

     

0.60%, due 07/11/16(b)

     1,000,000        1,003,117  

Georgia Power Co.

     

0.63%, due 11/15/15

     100,000        100,006  
                1,202,964  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      205   


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund (cont.)

 

 

 

    Principal
Amount
    Value  
   

CORPORATE BONDS – (continued)

  

Food Products – 0.9%

  

General Mills, Inc.
0.54%, due 01/29/16(b)

  $ 350,000     $ 350,427  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 2.4%

  

Baxter International, Inc.
0.43%, due 12/11/14(b)

    988,000       989,602  

Health Care Providers & Services – 2.7%

  

McKesson Corp.
0.95%, due 12/04/15

    320,000       320,315  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
0.85%, due 10/15/15

    795,000       798,649  
              1,118,964  

Household Products – 2.4%

  

The Procter & Gamble Co.
0.32%, due 11/04/16(b)

    1,000,000       1,001,343  

Internet & Catalog Retail – 1.6%

  

Amazon.com, Inc.
0.65%, due 11/27/15

    652,000       651,305  

IT Services – 0.7%

  

International Business Machines Corp.
0.55%, due 02/06/15

    300,000       300,854  

Metals & Mining – 1.9%

  

Glencore Funding LLC
1.42%, due 05/27/16(a)(b)

    800,000       796,502  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 7.3%

  

BP Capital Markets PLC
0.70%, due 11/06/15

    520,000       520,287  

0.88%, due 09/26/18(b)

    900,000       902,383  

Marathon Oil Corp.
0.90%, due 11/01/15

    165,000       165,220  

Petrobras Global Finance B.V.
1.88%, due 05/20/16(b)

    715,000       715,000  

Total Capital Canada Ltd.
0.62%, due 01/15/16(b)

    100,000       100,613  

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.
0.93%, due 06/30/16(b)

    625,000       630,206  
              3,033,709  

Pharmaceuticals – 2.4%

  

Merck & Co., Inc.
0.45%, due 05/18/16(b)

    1,000,000       1,003,633  

Tobacco – 0.3%

  

Reynolds American, Inc.
1.05%, due 10/30/15

    100,000       100,212  

Wireless Telecommunication Services – 1.9%

  

Vodafone Group PLC
0.65%, due 02/19/16(b)

    800,000       800,380  
Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $30,768,560)
            30,848,904  
    Principal
Amount
    Value  
   

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION – 1.1%

  

United States Treasury Note
0.38%, due 08/31/15

  $ 450,000     $ 450,808  
Total U.S. Government Obligation
(Cost $449,082)
            450,808  

MUNICIPAL BONDS – 4.4%

  

Municipal – 4.4%

  

City of Worcester, MA, General Obligation Bond, Anticipation Notes, Series B
0.85%, due 12/17/14

    1,000,000       1,004,910  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Waste Management of NJ, Inc. Project, Series 2001
2.20%, due 11/01/13

    800,000       800,000  
              1,804,910  
Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $1,803,860)
            1,804,910  

CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT – 2.4%

  

Credit Suisse/New York
0.60%, due 03/24/15

    1,000,000       1,001,095  
Total Certificate of Deposit
(Cost $1,000,000)
            1,001,095  

COMMERCIAL PAPER – 7.0%

  

ENI Finance USA, Inc.
0.00%, due 01/17/14

    500,000       499,715  

0.00%, due 12/16/14

    500,000       499,671  

Tesco Treasury Services PLC
0.00%, due 02/21/14

    900,000       899,065  

Textron, Inc.
0.00%, due 11/21/13

    1,000,000       999,750  
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $2,897,138)
            2,898,201  

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (c) – 19.8%

  

RBS Securities, Inc., dated 10/31/13, repurchase price $8,200,093,
0.41%, 11/01/13

    8,200,000       8,200,000  
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8,200,000)
            8,200,000  
Total Investment Securities
(Cost $45,218,632) – 109.4%
            45,304,005  

Liabilities in excess of other assets – (9.4%)

  

    (3,880,679
NET ASSETS – 100.0%           $ 41,423,326  
 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

206    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund (cont.)

 

 

(a) 

144A security – Certain conditions for public sale may exist.

 

(b) 

Variable/Floating Rate Security – Interest rate changes on these instruments are based on changes in a designated rate. The rates shown are those in effect on October 31, 2013.

 

(c) 

The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows:

 

Name   Fair Market
Value
    Coupon
Rate
    Maturity
Date
 

Government National Mortgage Association

  $ 8,427,798        3.0     07/15/28   

 

As of October 31, 2013, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

        

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 92,336  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     (7,840

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 84,496  

Federal income tax cost of investments

   $ 45,219,509  
 

 

 

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund invested, as a percentage of net asset, companies domiciled in the following countries as of October 31, 2013:

 

Australia

    2.4

Canada

    8.7   

France

    1.2   

Japan

    0.6   

Netherlands

    4.8   

Sweden

    2.4   

United Kingdom

    7.5   

United States

    81.8   

Other1

    (9.4
      100.0

 

1 

Includes any non-fixed income securities and net other assets (liabilities).

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      207   


Table of Contents

 

Notes to the Financial Statements October 31, 2013

 

 

1. Organization

 

FlexShares® Trust (the “Trust”), a Maryland statutory trust, was formed on May 13, 2010, originally named NT ETF Trust and renamed FlexShares® Trust as of April 12, 2011. The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended. The Trust consists of fourteen operational exchange-traded funds as of October 31, 2013 (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). The FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, and FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund are non-diversified series of the Trust, pursuant to the 1940 Act. The FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, and the FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund are diversified series of the Trust, pursuant to the 1940 Act.

 

The FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund and FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund commenced investment operations on December 14, 2012. FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, and FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund commenced operations on April 12, 2013. The FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund commenced operations on October 8, 2013.

 

Each Fund, except the FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund, seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of a specified benchmark index (each an “Underlying Index”). The FlexShares® Quality

Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund and FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund seek to track Underlying Indexes developed by Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI” or the “Investment Adviser”), an indirect subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation.

 

The FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index. The Fund seeks maximum current income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity. Each Fund, except the FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund, is referred to herein as an “Index Fund.” Each Fund is managed by the Investment Adviser.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Investment Valuation

 

Each Fund’s Net Asset Value (“NAV”) is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading, based on prices at the time of closing; provided that any U.S. fixed-income assets may be valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments on any day that the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association announces an early closing time. The NAV is calculated by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends declared but unpaid), by the total number of shares outstanding.

 

 

208    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

 

The investments of the Funds are valued at fair value pursuant to the pricing policy and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). The Funds’ investments are valued using readily available market quotations when available. When market quotations are not readily available, are deemed unreliable, or do not reflect material events occurring between the close of local markets and the time of valuation, the Funds value securities at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with the Funds’ fair value pricing procedures as approved by the Board. Such circumstances include, for example, periods when trading in a security is suspended, the exchange or market on which a security trades closes early, the trading volume in a security is limited, corporate actions and announcements take place, or regulatory news affecting an issuer is released, such as government approvals. Additionally, the Trust, in its discretion, may make adjustments to the prices of securities held by a Fund if an event occurs after the publication of market values normally used by a Fund but before the time as of which the Fund calculates its NAV, depending on the nature and significance of the event, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance and the Trust’s fair value procedures. Other events that can trigger fair valuing of foreign securities include, for example, significant fluctuations in general market indicators, government actions, or natural disasters.

 

The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that a fair value determination for a portfolio security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of such security. In addition, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a Fund’s NAV and the prices used by an Index Fund’s Underlying Index. This difference may adversely affect an Index Fund’s ability to track its Underlying Index. The portfolio securities of the FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets

Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund and FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund are primarily listed on foreign exchanges and their value may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell Fund shares.

 

Security prices are generally provided by independent pricing services. Portfolio securities listed or traded on domestic securities exchanges or the NASDAQ/NMS, including dollar-dominated foreign securities or American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. The closing price for securities traded on the NASDAQ/NMS is the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, then the value is determined with reference to the last sale price, or the NOCP, if applicable, on any other exchange or system. If there have been no sales of the security for that day on any exchange or system, the security is valued at fair value pursuant to the Trust’s fair value procedures.

 

Securities that are traded regularly in the over-the-counter market (other than the NASDAQ/NMS), including securities listed on exchanges but primarily traded over-the-counter, are valued on the basis of the mean between the bid and asked quotes based upon quotes furnished by primary market makers for those securities. Securities that may be traded over-the-counter include equity securities, fixed-income securities, non-exchange-listed foreign securities, and certain derivative instruments. Fixed-income securities, however, may be valued on the basis of evaluated prices provided by independent pricing services when such prices are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities. Such prices may be determined by taking into account securities prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings, prepayment speeds, credit risks, cash flows, institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and developments related to specific securities. Fixed-income securities maturing within a relatively short period, less than 60 days, are valued at amortized cost, which according to NTI approximates fair value.

 

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      209   


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

Foreign securities are generally priced at the closing price or last sales price reported on the foreign exchange on which they are principally traded. If there have been no sales of the security for that day, the security will be valued at fair value pursuant to the Trust’s fair value procedures. Spot and forward foreign currency exchange contracts generally are valued using an independent pricing service. The value of assets determined in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars using exchange rates deemed appropriate by NTI as investment adviser. Any use of a different rate from the rates used by an index provider to an Index Fund may adversely affect the Index Fund’s ability to track its Underlying Index.

 

Exchange-traded financial futures and options are valued at the settlement price as established by the exchange on which they are traded. Over-the-counter options are valued at broker-provided bid prices, as are swaps. The foregoing prices may be obtained from one or more independent pricing services or, as needed or applicable, independent broker-dealers. If there was no sale on that day, and for non-exchange traded derivatives, the contract is valued at fair value pursuant to the Trust’s fair value procedures.

 

NTI has established a pricing and valuation committee (the “NTGI PVC”) whose membership includes representatives

of NTI, as well as independent control personnel from Northern Trust’s Legal and NTI’s Compliance and Risk Management groups. The NTGI PVC is responsible for the fair valuation of portfolio securities and the monitoring of the fair valuation process, subject to the Board’s oversight.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets on the measurement date.

 

   

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 Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, short-term debt securities may be valued at amortized cost. Generally, amortized cost approximates the current fair value of a security, but since the valuation is not obtained from a quoted price in an active market, such securities are reflected as Level 2.

 

 

The following is a summary of the valuations as of October 31, 2013 for each Fund based upon the three levels defined above. During the period ended October 31, 2013, there were four Level 3 securities. All the transfers in and out of the levels during the period are assumed to be transferred on the last day of the period at their current value. During the year ended October 31, 2013, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund and FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund had securities transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 with an aggregated market value of $54,220 or 0.02% and $216,629 or 0.14%, respectively, of the net assets of the respective Fund, due to the securities being fair valued in accordance with the Trust’s fair value pricing procedures. Please refer to the Schedules of Investments to view equity and debt securities segregated by industry type where applicable.

 

    Level 1 — Quoted
Prices
    Level 2 — Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3 —
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
    Total  
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   

Investments

       
Common Stocks*   $ 2,753,318,594      $      $      $ 2,753,318,594   
Total Investments   $ 2,753,318,594      $      $      $ 2,753,318,594   

 

210    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

    Level 1 — Quoted
Prices
    Level 2 — Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3 —
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
    Total  

Other Financial Instruments

       

Assets

       

Futures Contracts

  $ 448,077      $      $      $ 448,077   

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

           21,378               21,378   

Liabilities

       

Futures Contracts

                           

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

           (74,173            (74,173
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 448,077      $ (52,795   $      $ 395,282   
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund   

Investments

       
Common Stocks*   $ 4,162,621      $      $      $ 4,162,621   
Total Investments   $ 4,162,621      $      $      $ 4,162,621   
FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund   

Investments

       
U.S. Treasury Obligations   $      $ 1,968,979,734      $      $ 1,968,979,734   
Total Investments   $      $ 1,968,979,734      $      $ 1,968,979,734   
FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund   

Investments

       
U.S. Treasury Obligations   $      $ 388,100,278      $      $ 388,100,278   
Total Investments   $      $ 388,100,278      $      $ 388,100,278   
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund   

Investments

       

Common Stocks

  $ 442,376,686      $      $      $ 442,376,686   

Warrants

    760                      760   
U.S. Government & Agency Security            274,933               274,933   
Total Investments   $ 442,377,446      $ 274,933      $      $ 442,652,379   

Other Financial Instruments

       

Assets

       

Futures Contracts

  $ 173,898      $      $      $ 173,898   
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 173,898      $      $      $ 173,898   

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      211   


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

    Level 1 — Quoted
Prices
    Level 2 — Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3 —
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
    Total  
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund   

Investments

       

Common Stocks

       

Aerospace & Defense

  $ 2,799,790      $ 3,821      $      $ 2,803,611   

Commercial Banks

    35,898,773        32,999               35,931,772   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    5,212,797        28,371               5,241,168   

Metals & Mining

    14,969,424        54,220               15,023,644   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    20,555,356        137,643               20,692,999   

Software

    2,888,248        7,715               2,895,963   

Other*

    225,142,396                      225,142,396   
Rights     52        41               93   
Total Investments   $ 307,466,836      $ 264,810      $      $ 307,731,646   

Other Financial Instruments

       

Assets

       

Futures Contracts

  $ 67,298      $      $      $ 67,298   

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

           924               924   

Liabilities

       

Futures Contracts

    (86                   (86

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

           (182            (182
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 67,212      $ 742      $      $ 67,954   

 

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:

 

Balance as of 10/31/12

  $   

Total gain or loss (realized/unrealized included in earnings)

    (3,887

Purchases

    3,887   

Sales

      

Transfer into Level 3

      

Transfer out of Level 3

      

Balance as of 10/31/2013

  $   

The amount of change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment in level 3 securities still held at 10/31/2013.

  $   

 

212    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

    Level 1 — Quoted
Prices
    Level 2 — Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3 —
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
    Total  
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund                           

Investments

       

Common Stocks

       

Beverages

  $ 2,701,839      $ 30,074      $      $ 2,731,913   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    4,515,551        58,296               4,573,847   

Gas Utilities

    1,079,027        2,007               1,081,034   

Household Durables

    2,039,692          11,889        2,051,581   

Machinery

    2,172,458        34,602               2,207,060   

Pharmaceuticals

    1,953,763        60,559               2,014,322   

Real Estate Management & Development

    5,856,788        91,644        12,845        5,961,277   

Other*

    135,977,565                      135,977,565   

Rights

    734        3,102               3,836   
Warrants     1,593                      1,593   
Total Investments   $ 156,299,010      $ 280,284      $ 24,734      $ 156,604,028   

Other Financial Instruments

       

Assets

       

Futures Contracts

  $ 60,852      $      $      $ 60,852   

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

           286,492               286,492   

Liabilities

       

Futures Contracts

                           

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

           (186,120            (186,120
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 60,852      $ 100,372      $      $ 161,224   

 

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:

 

Balance as of 10/31/12

  $ 2,873   

Total gain or loss (realized/unrealized included in earnings)

    (44,479

Purchases

    106,858   

Sales

    (32,283

Transfer into Level 31

    11,889   

Transfer out of Level 32

    (20,124

Balance as of 10/31/2013

  $ 24,734   

The amount of change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment in level 3 securities still held at 10/31/2013.

  $ (141,366

 

Common Stock   Fair Value at
10/31/2013
  Valuation Techniques     Unobservable Inputs   Sensitivity3
Corp. GEO SAB de CV   $11,889     Market transaction and analysis      Internal Fundamental Analysis**   1
SM Development Corp.   12,845     Market transaction and analysis      Internal Fundamental Analysis**   1

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      213   


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

    Level 1 — Quoted
Prices
    Level 2 — Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3 —
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
    Total  
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund                                

Investments

       
Common Stocks*   $ 282,626,530      $      $      $ 282,626,530   
Total Investments   $ 282,626,530      $      $      $ 282,626,530   

Other Financial Instruments

       

Assets

       

Futures Contracts

  $ 13,681      $      $      $ 13,681   
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 13,681      $      $      $ 13,681   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund                                

Investments

       
Common Stocks*   $ 12,809,667      $      $      $ 12,809,667   
Total Investments   $ 12,809,667      $      $      $ 12,809,667   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund                                

Investments

       
Common Stocks*   $ 43,704,452      $      $      $ 43,704,452   
Total Investments   $ 43,704,452      $      $      $ 43,704,452   

Other Financial Instruments

       

Assets

       

Futures Contracts

  $ 12,246      $      $      $ 12,246   
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 12,246      $      $      $ 12,246   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund                                

Investments

       
Common Stocks   $ 75,244,755      $      $      $ 75,244,755   
Total Investments   $ 75,244,755      $      $      $ 75,244,755   

Other Financial Instruments

       

Assets

       

Futures Contracts

  $ 9,949      $      $      $ 9,949   

Liabilities

       

Futures Contracts

    (2,104                   (2,104
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 7,845      $      $      $ 7,845   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund                           

Investments

       
Common Stocks*   $ 8,186,917      $      $      $ 8,186,917   
Total Investments   $ 8,186,917      $      $      $ 8,186,917   

 

214    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

    Level 1 — Quoted
Prices
    Level 2 — Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3 —
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
    Total  
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund   

Investments

       
Common Stocks   $ 15,843,509      $      $      $ 15,843,509   
Total Investments   $ 15,843,509      $      $      $
 
 
15,843,509
  
  

Other Financial Instruments

       

Assets

       

Futures Contracts

  $ 2,723      $      $      $ 2,723   

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

           4,343               4,343   
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 2,723      $ 4,343      $      $ 7,066   
FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund                                

Investments

       

Asset-Backed Securities

  $      $ 100,087      $      $ 100,087   

Corporate Bonds*

           30,848,904               30,848,904   

U.S. Treasury Obligations

           450,808               450,808   

Municipal Bonds

           1,804,910               1,804,910   

Certificates of Deposit

           1,001,095               1,001,095   

Commercial Paper

           2,898,201               2,898,201   
Repurchase Agreements            8,200,000               8,200,000   
Total Investments   $      $ 45,304,005      $      $ 45,304,005   

 

* See Schedules of Investments for segregation by industry type.

 

** Analysis is performed on data which may include (but is not limited to): recent transactions executed, time elapsed since recent transactions, prior share liquidity, Depository Share transactions, fixed income transactions of the issuer, related futures contracts or derivative securities, trades executed outside of standard market hours, historic correlative data, regional or market volatility and movement, governmental actions, natural disasters, regulatory reporting and other public information.

 

1 

Security transferred from Level 1 and 2 to Level 3 during the period. Transferred into Level 3 due to security being valued by the Northern Trust Investment Pricing and Valuation Committee.

 

2 

Security transferred from Level 3 to Level 1 during the period. Transferred out of Level 3 due to security being valued at an unadjusted quoted market price.

 

3 

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the common stock was market transaction and analysis. Significant increases (decreases) in discovery prices would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

 

Foreign Securities

 

The FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index

Fund, and the FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund invest in publicly-traded equity securities of issuers in countries other than the United States of America (“U.S.”). Such investments include direct investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities traded outside the U.S. The Fund’s investment also may be in the form of ADRs and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”)

 

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      215   


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

(collectively, “Depositary Receipts”) based on securities in its Underlying Index. ADRs are receipts that are traded in the United States evidencing ownership of the underlying foreign securities and are denominated in U.S. dollars. GDRs are receipts issued by a non-U.S. financial institution evidencing ownership of underlying foreign or U.S. securities and usually are denominated in foreign currencies. GDRs may not be denominated in the same currency as the securities they represent. Generally, GDRs are designed for use in foreign securities markets.

 

To the extent a Fund invests in ADRs, such ADRs will be listed on a national securities exchange. To the extent a Fund invests in GDRs, such GDRs will be listed on a foreign exchange. A Fund will not invest in any unlisted Depositary Receipt, any Depositary Receipt that NTI deems to be illiquid or any Depositary Receipt for which market quotations are not readily available. Generally, all Depositary Receipts must be sponsored.

 

The FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund may invest, without limitation, in fixed-income securities and instruments of foreign issuers in developed and emerging markets, including debt securities of foreign governments.

 

Investing in foreign securities, including Depositary Receipts, may result in a Fund experiencing more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies, due to less liquid markets, and adverse economic, political, diplomatic, financial, and regulatory factors. Foreign governments also may impose taxes and limits on investment and repatriation. Any of these events could cause the value of a Fund’s foreign investments to decline.

 

The FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund will invest primarily in emerging market countries. In addition, the FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, and the FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund may invest its assets in emerging market countries. The FlexShares® Ready Access Variable

Income Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in fixed-income securities and instruments of issuers in emerging markets. The markets of emerging market countries are less developed and less liquid, subject to greater price volatility and generally subject to increased economic, political, regulatory and other uncertainties than more developed foreign markets. The risks of foreign investment are increased when the issuer is located in a country with an emerging economy or securities market.

 

Inflation-Indexed Securities

 

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund and FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund invest primarily in U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”). The FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund may invest in inflation-indexed securities. The value of inflation-indexed debt securities is subject to the effects of changes in real interest rates that may change as a result of different factors. In general, the value of an inflation-indexed security, including TIPS, tends to decrease when real interest rates increase, and increase when real interest rates decrease. Interest payments on inflation-indexed securities will vary along with changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) before seasonal adjustment (calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Thus generally, during periods of rising inflation, the value of inflation-indexed securities will tend to increase and during periods of deflation, their value will tend to decrease. There can be no assurance that the inflation index used (i.e. CPI-U) will accurately measure the price increase of a certain good or service. Increases in the principal value of TIPS due to inflation are considered taxable ordinary income for the amount of the increase in a calendar year.

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

The FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which it purchases securities (collateral) for cash from a seller and agrees to resell those securities to the same seller within a specified time at a specified price. During the term of a repurchase agreement, the market value of the underlying collateral, including accrued interest, is required to equal or exceed the market value of the repurchase agreement. The underlying

 

 

216    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for JP Morgan Chase, the Fund’s custodian, at the Bank of New York or JPMorgan Chase which, in turn, holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The Fund is subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price.

 

The Northern Trust Company, the parent of NTI, currently is a party to various Master Repurchase Agreements with a number of different counterparties, and acts as agent of behalf of various disclosed principals, including the Fund and various other accounts managed by NTI, in entering into repurchase agreements under the Master Repurchase Agreements. NTI administers and manages these repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part of its duties under its investment advisory agreement with the Fund and does not collect any additional fees from the Fund for such services. The Fund has entered into repurchase agreements at October 31, 2013, as reflected in its Schedule of Investments.

 

Derivative Contracts

 

Futures Contracts

 

All of the Index Funds may invest in futures contracts to help track the price and yield performance of their underlying indexes. At the time a Fund enters into a futures contract, it is generally required to make a margin deposit with the custodian of a specified amount of liquid assets. Subsequent payments are made or received by the Funds equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable and offset in unrealized gains or losses. If subsequent payments have not yet been made or received by the Funds, the daily change in contract value is included in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts. Futures are marked to market each day with the change in value reflected in the unrealized gains or losses. A Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when a contract is closed or expires. The Statements of Operations reflect gains or losses, if any, as realized gain (loss) on futures contracts. As of October 31, 2013, the

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, and the FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund had open futures contracts.

 

The use of futures contracts involves, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk which may exceed the amounts recognized in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Futures contracts present the following risks: imperfect correlation between the change in market value of a Fund’s securities and the price of futures contracts; the possible inability to close a futures contract when desired; losses due to unanticipated market movements which potentially are unlimited; and the possible inability of NTI to correctly predict the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of a Fund’s NAV. As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund. Futures contracts may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day. Foreign exchanges or boards of trade generally do not offer the same protection as U.S. exchanges.

 

Foreign Currency Translations

 

Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the prevailing market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more banks or dealers that make a two-way market in such currencies (or a data service provider based on quotations received from such banks or dealers). Any use of a rate different from the rates used by an Index Fund’s index provider may affect a Fund’s ability to track its Underlying Index. The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, interest and dividend income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot market rate of exchange prevailing on the respective

 

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      217   


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

dates of such transactions. The gains or losses, if any, on investments resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates are included in the Statements of Operations as realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and the difference between the future foreign currency exchange rates at the date of entry into the contract and the rates at the reporting date are include in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency contracts in the financial statements.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

The FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund, and FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate local settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with its distributions to shareholders. The Index Funds, however, do not expect to engage in currency transactions for speculative purposes or for purposes of hedging against declines in the value of an Index Fund’s assets that are denominated in a foreign currency. The FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund also may engage in forward foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes in order to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates. The Fund, however, does not expect to engage in currency transactions for speculative purposes (e.g., for potential income or capital gain). All forward foreign currency exchange contracts held are “marked-to-market” daily at the applicable exchange rates and any resulting unrealized gains or losses are recorded in the financial statements. The Funds record realized gains or losses at the time the forward foreign currency exchange contract is offset by entering into a closing transaction or extinguished by delivery of the currency.

 

There are several risks associated with these contracts. One risk is the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts, and unanticipated movements in

the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. The contractual amounts of forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered. The Statements of Operations reflect realized gains or losses, if any, in realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and unrealized gains or losses in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are privately negotiated transactions and can have substantial price volatility. As a result, they offer less protection against default by the other party than is available for instruments traded on an exchange. The institutions that deal in forward foreign currency exchange contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they trade, and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity.

 

As of October 31, 2013, the FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund and FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund, and the FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund had open forward foreign currency contracts.

 

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets

 

The FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, and FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund have adopted Financial Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” which was subsequently clarified in ASU 2013-01 “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” for the current reporting period. Both ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 are effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Management is evaluating the implications of both these requirements and the impacts they will have to the financial statement amounts and footnote disclosures of the other Funds’ whose fiscal years began before January 1, 2013, if any.

 

 

218    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

 

For financial reporting purposes, the Trust can offset financial assets and financial liabilities of the FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund that are subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The following table presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities:

 

Fund   Counterparty    

Gross Amount

of Assets

Presented in the
Statement of

Assets and

Liabilities

 

Gross Amount of
Liabilities Presented in the
Statement of

Assets and

Liabilities

  Collateral
(Received)
Posted
    Net Amount  
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund    

 

Morgan Stanley

Foreign Currency Contracts

  

  

  $1,206            $ 1,206   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund    

 

UBS AG

Foreign Currency Contracts

  

  

  3,137              3,137   
                            $ 4,343   

 

The following tables indicate the location of derivative-related items on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as well as the effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations during the reporting period.

 

Derivatives by risk type         Statements of Assets
and Liabilities Location
  Fund   Value  
Equity Index Futures Contracts    

 

UBS

AG

  

  

  Assets — Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 448,077   
Foreign Currency Contracts    
 
 
Citibank
and Morgan
Stanley
  
  
  
  Assets — Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund     21,378   
Foreign Currency Contracts    
 
 
Citibank
and Morgan
Stanley
  
  
  
  Liabilities — Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund     (74,173
Equity Index Futures Contracts    

 

UBS

AG

  

  

  Assets — Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     173,898
Equity Index Futures Contracts    

 

UBS

AG

  

  

  Assets — Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     67,298   
Equity Index Futures Contracts    

 

UBS

AG

  

  

  Liabilities — Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     (86
Foreign Currency Contracts    
 
 
Citibank
and Morgan
Stanley
  
  
  
  Assets — Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     924   
Foreign Currency Contracts    
 
Morgan
Stanley
  
  
  Liabilities — Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     (182
Equity Index Futures Contracts    

 

UBS

AG

  

  

  Assets — Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     60,852   

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      219   


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

Derivatives by risk type         Statements of Assets
and Liabilities Location
  Fund   Value  
Foreign Currency Contracts    
 
 
Citibank
and UBS
AG
  
  
  
  Assets — Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund   $ 286,492   
Foreign Currency Contracts    
 
Morgan
Stanley
  
  
  Liabilities — Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     (186,120
Equity Index Futures Contracts     Citibank      Assets — Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     13,681   
Equity Index Futures Contracts     Citibank      Assets — Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     12,246   
Equity Index Futures Contracts     Citibank      Assets — Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     9,949   
Equity Index Futures Contracts     Citibank      Liabilities — Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     (2,104
Equity Index Futures Contracts     Citibank      Assets — Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     2,723   
Foreign Currency Contracts    
 
 
 
Morgan
Stanley
and UBS
AG
  
  
  
  
  Assets — Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     4,343   

 

* Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the assets or liabilities shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the Period Ended October 31, 2013

 

Derivatives by risk type   Location of Gain or (Loss) on
Derivatives on the  Statements of
Operations
  Fund   Realized
Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)  on
Derivatives
 
Equity Index Futures Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Futures contracts, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Futures contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 791,521      $ 445,122   
Foreign Currency Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Foreign currency transactions, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund     415,583        (46,003
Equity Index Futures Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Futures contracts, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Futures contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     462,346        180,824   

 

220    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

Derivatives by risk type   Location of Gain or (Loss) on
Derivatives on the  Statements of
Operations
  Fund   Realized
Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)  on
Derivatives
 
Equity Index Futures Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Futures contracts, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Futures contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund   $ 114,980      $ 69,768   
Foreign Currency Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Foreign currency transactions, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     1,848        728   
Equity Index Futures Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Futures contracts, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Futures contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     (21,216     66,099   
Foreign Currency Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Foreign currency transactions, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     (611,705     107,127   
Equity Index Futures Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Futures contracts, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Futures contracts   Flexshares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     14,501        13,681   
Equity Index Futures Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Futures contracts, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Futures contracts   Flexshares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     (585       
Equity Index Futures Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Futures contracts, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Futures contracts   Flexshares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     821        12,246   
Equity Index Futures Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Futures contracts, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Futures contracts   Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     (798     7,845   

 

FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT      221   


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

Derivatives by risk type   Location of Gain or (Loss) on
Derivatives on the  Statements of
Operations
  Fund   Realized
Gain or
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in Unrealized
Appreciation or
(Depreciation)  on
Derivatives
 
Foreign Currency Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Foreign currency transactions, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund   $ (21,962   $   
Equity Index Futures Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Futures contracts, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Futures contracts   Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     10,322        2,723   
Foreign Currency Contracts   Net realized gain (loss) on Foreign currency transactions, Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Forward foreign currency contracts   Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     3,255        4,343   

 

At October 31, 2013, the volume of derivative activities, which represents activities throughout the period, was as follows:

 

    Foreign Exchange Contracts     Equity Contracts  
Fund   Number of
Trades
    Average
Notional
Amount
    Number of
Trades
    Average
Notional
Amount
 
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund     7      $ 1,115,714        102      $ 104,080   
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund                   54        100,636   
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     3        121,667        26        80,407   
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     3        3,713,415        51        44,064   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund                   3        87,550   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund                   3        87,550   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund                   5        76,737   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     2        70,000        12        12,646   

 

222    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

 

Taxes and Distributions

 

Each Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which includes distributing substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to shareholders. Accordingly, no provision for federal and state income taxes is required in the financial statements.

 

As of October 31, 2013, management of the Funds has reviewed all open tax years and major jurisdictions and concluded that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in future tax returns. The Funds are also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next 12 months. On an ongoing basis management will monitor the tax positions taken to determine if adjustment to conclusions are necessary based on factors including but not limited to further implementation on guidance expected from Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and on-going analysis of tax law, regulation, and interpretations thereof.

 

Dividends from net investment income, including any net foreign currency gains, are generally declared and paid by each Fund according to the following schedule:

 

    Dividends from Net Investment Income  
Fund  

Declared

And Paid
Annually

   

Declared

And Paid
Monthly

   

Declared

And Paid
Quarterly

 
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund     x                   
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund                     x   
FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund             x           
    Dividends from Net Investment Income  
Fund  

Declared

And Paid
Annually

   

Declared

And Paid
Monthly

   

Declared

And Paid
Quarterly

 
FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund             x           
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     x                   
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     x                   
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     x                   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund                     x   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund                     x   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund                     x   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund                     x   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund                     x   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund                     x   
FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund             x           

 

Distribution of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are distributed at least annually. The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to improve

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

tracking error, to preserve its status as a regulated investment company or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income or realized gains. Tracking error is a measurement of how much the return on a portfolio deviates from the return on its benchmark index.

 

Dividends and securities gains distributions are distributed in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds. The amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment;

temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require a reclassification. The Funds may utilize equalization accounting for tax purposes and designate earnings and profits, including net realized gains distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares, as a part of the dividends paid deduction for income tax purposes.

 

The Funds’ tax year end is October 31st and the tax character of current year distributions and current components of accumulated earnings (deficit) will be determined at the end of the current tax year.

 

Temporary differences are generally due to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains and losses on certain investment transaction and the timing and the deductibility of certain expenses.

 

 

 

Permanent differences, primarily due to distributions paid in excess of taxable income, recharacterization of dividends received from investments in REITs and Passive Foreign Investment Companies (“PFICs’’) gains and losses, in-kind transactions and foreign currency gains and losses resulted in the following reclassifications, as of October 31, 2013 (the Funds’ tax year end), among the Funds’ components of net assets:

 

Fund   Accumulated
undistributed net
investment income (loss)
    Accumulated net
realized gain (loss) on
investments
    Paid in
Capital
 
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 434,453      $ (5,157,299   $ 4,722,846   
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund     (141     141          
FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     249,184        (38,171     (211,013
FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     41,274        3,222,740        (3,264,014
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     (34,071     (1,012,637     1,046,708   

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor

Tilt Index Fund

    40,958        (40,958       
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     (740,789     740,326        463   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund                     
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     6               (6
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund                     
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     (59,626     59,626          
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     (157     157          
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     8,785        (8,785       
FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund                     

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

 

As of October 31, 2013, the tax character of distributions paid for the tax years ended October 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, were as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31, 2013     Year Ended October 31, 2012  
Fund   Distributions
paid from
ordinary
income
    Distributions
paid from net
long term
capital gains
    Tax Return
of Capital
    Total
Distributions
    Distributions
paid from
ordinary
income
    Distributions
paid from net
long term
capital
gains
    Tax Return
of Capital
    Total
Distributions
 
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 7,891,756      $      $      $ 7,891,756      $ 402,120      $      $      $ 402,120   
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund*                                                        

FlexShares® iBoxx

3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

    1,986,692        11,490        2,721,443        4,719,625        2,339,120                      2,339,120   

FlexShares® iBoxx

5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

    2,910,630        17,481               2,928,111        2,163,246                      2,163,246   
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     2,015,968                      2,015,968        59,483                      59,483   
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     90,648                      90,648                               
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     46,755                      46,755                               
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund*     1,471,458                      1,471,458                               
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund*     95,641                      95,641                               
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund*     299,364                      299,364                               
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund*     299,387                      299,387                               

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

    Year Ended October 31, 2013     Year Ended October 31, 2012  
Fund   Distributions
paid from
ordinary
income
    Distributions
paid from net
long term
capital gains
    Tax
Return
of
Capital
    Total
Distributions
    Distributions
paid from
ordinary
income
    Distributions
paid from net
long term
capital
gains
    Tax Return
of Capital
    Total
Distributions
 
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund*   $ 50,779      $      $      $ 50,779      $      $      $      $   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund*     54,312                      54,312                               
FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund     63,011                      63,011                               

 

*

The FlexShares®Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dynamic Index Fund and FlexShares®Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund commenced investment operations on December 14, 2012 and the FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund and FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund commenced investm nt operations on April 12, 2013. The FlexShares®STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund commenced investment operations on October 8, 2013.

 

As of October 31, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31, 2013  
Fund   Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
    Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
    Accumulated
Capital Losses
and Other Losses
    Unrealized
Appreciated/
(Depreciated)
 
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 46,846,097      $      $ (7,998,941   $ (54,382,189
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund     820               (157     157,705   
FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund                   (18,253,815     (6,234,027
FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     156,052               (7,553,938     (14,714
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     3,630,496               (809,548     80,530,792   
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     3,401,868               (707,737     24,595,888   
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     1,432,392               (1,698,300     2,144,721   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     916,943               (539,135     16,666,743   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     64,620               (65,087     1,301,142   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     206,296               (61,186     3,108,678   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     227,934               (201,077     3,957,091   

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund
    21,459               (25,915     458,367   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     57,196               (36,402     823,858   
FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund     21,632               (9,310     84,496   

 

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are gene ally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. Under the Act, the Fund is permitted to carry

forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. For the tax year ended October 31, 2013, the Funds have no pre-enactment loss carry-forwards since the Funds commenced operations after the effective date of the Act.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

 

Post-enactment capital loss carry forwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as permitted under previous law.

 

For the tax year ended October 31, 2013, the following Funds had available post-enactment capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains to the extent provided by regulations:

 

Fund   Short-Term     Long-Term     Total  
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 4,421,014      $ 3,577,927      $ 7,998,941   
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund     157               157   
FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     17,407,882        845,933        18,253,815   
FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     7,553,938               7,553,938   
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     809,548               809,548   
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     680,402        27,335        707,737   
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     1,693,103        5,197        1,698,300   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     539,135               539,135   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     65,087               65,087   
Fund   Short-Term     Long-Term     Total  
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund   $ 61,186      $      $ 61,186   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     201,077               201,077   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     25,915               25,915   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     36,402               36,402   
FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund     9,310               9,310   

 

The FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Fund, and FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes with respect to dividends or interest received from sources in foreign countries. If, at the close of the taxable year, more than 50% in value of a Fund’s assets consists of stock or securities in foreign corporations the Fund will be eligible to make an election to treat a proportionate amount of those taxes as constituting a distribution to each shareholder, which would allow all shareholders to either (1) credit that proportionate amount of taxes against U.S. Federal income tax liability as a foreign tax credit or (2) take that amount as an itemized deduction. If a Fund is not eligible to make this election or is eligible but does not make the election, it will be entitled to deduct such taxes in computing the amounts it is required to distribute.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

 

3. Investment Transactions and Related Income and Expense

 

Throughout the reporting period, investment transactions are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date on the last business day of the reporting period.

 

Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Bond discount is accreted and premium is amortized over the expected life of each applicable security using the yield to maturity method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined using the specific identification method by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

 

The FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, and FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund may hold the securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). Distributions from such investments may be comprised of return of capital, capital gains and income. The actual character of amounts received during the year is not known until after the REIT’s fiscal year end. The Fund records the character of distributions received from REITs during the year based on estimates available. The characterization of distributions received by the Fund may be subsequently revised based on information received from the REITs after their tax reporting periods concluded.

 

All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which a Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the Funds and disclosed in the Statements of Operations. Foreign taxes payable, if any, are reflected in the Funds’ Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Expenses directly attributable to a Fund are charged to that Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis.

4. Investment Advisory Fees

 

NTI serves as the Investment Adviser of the Funds pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Investment Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions for the Funds and for placing purchase and sale orders for portfolio securities, subject to the general supervision of the Trust’s Board.

 

As compensation for its advisory services and assumption of Fund expenses, NTI is entitled to a unitary management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s respective average daily net assets).

 

From the unitary management fee, NTI pays most of the expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services (“Covered Expenses”). Covered Expenses do not include the fee payments under the Investment Advisory Agreement, interest expenses, brokerage commissions and other trading expenses, fees and expenses of the independent trustees and their independent legal counsel, taxes and other extraordinary costs such as litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business.

 

The unitary management fee rate payable by each Fund is set forth in the following table:

 

Fund   Unitary
Management Fee
 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream

Natural Resources Index Fund

    0.48
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund     0.47

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration

TIPS Index Fund

    0.20

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration

TIPS Index Fund

    0.20

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor

Tilt Index Fund

    0.27
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     0.42

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets

Factor Tilt Index Fund

    0.65
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     0.37
 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

Fund   Unitary
Management Fee
 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic

Index Fund

    0.37

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive

Index Fund

    0.37

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend

Index Fund

    0.47

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend

Dynamic Index Fund

    0.47

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend

Defensive Index Fund

    0.47

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable

Income Fund

    0.25

 

The Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive any portion of its advisory fee from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such voluntary waiver in the future at its discretion.

 

Amounts voluntarily waived by the Investment Adviser may not be recouped by the Investment Adviser. As of October 31, 2013, no advisory fees had been waived.

 

5. Administration Fees

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Administrator”) serves as administrator of the Funds. The Administrator provides certain administrative services to the Funds. For these services, the Administrator is entitled to certain fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. These fees and expenses are Covered Expenses as defined above.

 

6. Custodian Fees

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”) acts as custodian for the Funds in accordance with a Global Custody Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Funds as required by the 1940 Act. As compensation for the services rendered under the agreement, the Custodian is entitled to fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. These fees and expenses are Covered Expenses as defined above.

 

7. Trustees Fees

 

The Trust compensates each Trustee who is not an officer, director or employee of Northern Trust Corporation, or its subsidiaries, for his or her services as a Trustee of the Trust and as a member of Board committees.

NTI has contractually agreed with each Fund to reimburse the fees and expenses of the Trust’s independent trustees and their independent legal counsel paid by each Fund until at least March 1, 2014. After this date, NTI and each Fund may mutually agree to extend the contractual arrangement. The Board may terminate the contractual arrangement at any time if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

The Trust has adopted a deferred compensation plan (“DC Plan”) for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI. Under the DC Plan, an Independent Trustee may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation. The amount deferred is adjusted periodically based upon the performance of the investment options selected by the Trustees. The investment options currently under the DC Plan are the FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund and the FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund. Expenses related to the DC Plan are stated on the Statements of Operations.

 

8. Distribution and Service Plan

 

Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the Funds’ distributor and distributes Creation Units (as defined in Note 9) for each Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not receive a fee from the Funds for its distribution services. However, it receives compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI.

 

The Trust has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Payments to financial intermediaries under the Plan are tied directly to their own out-of-pocket expenses. As of this date, the Plan has not been implemented with respect to the Funds. The Plan may not be implemented without further Board of Trustees approval. The maximum distribution fee is 0.25% of each Fund’s respective average daily net assets under the Plan. The Funds did not pay any 12b-1 fees during the fiscal year.

 

9. Issuance and Redemption of Fund Shares

 

Each Fund issues and redeems shares only to Authorized Participants (typically market makers, large investors and institutions) in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

basket of assets (securities and/or cash), in large blocks known as Creation Units, each of which is comprised of a specified number of shares.

 

Retail investors may only purchase and sell fund shares on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer and such transactions may be subject to customary commission rates imposed by the broker-dealer.

 

Authorized Participants may pay transaction fees to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. Transaction fees remaining in the Funds were as follows:

 

Fund   As of
October 31,
2013
    As of
October 31,
2012
 
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 13,500      $ 28,500   
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund     2,000        N/A   
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     12,000        10,500   
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     100,000        20,000   
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     75,000        50,000   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     3,000        N/A   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     1,000        N/A   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     2,000        N/A   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     30,000        N/A   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     5,000        N/A   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     5,000        N/A   
FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund     1,050        700   

10. Investment Transactions

 

For the period ended October 31, 2013, FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index and FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Funds invested solely in U.S. Government securities. The cost of securities purchased by each Fund and proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, derivatives and in-kind transactions for the period ended October 31, 2013, were as follows:

 

Fund   Purchases     Sales  
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 279,542,139      $ 150,957,588   
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund     4,041,481        36,476   
FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     1,724,236,471        1,712,624,760   
FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     689,640,664        688,015,974   
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     56,754,857        55,810,767   
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     241,848,682        8,903,160   
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     153,061,255        17,576,781   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     56,519,903        53,254,860   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     4,407,525        4,008,279   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     11,325,827        10,991,162   
 

 

230    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

Fund   Purchases     Sales  
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund   $ 44,059,484      $ 8,208,141   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     3,778,592        1,036,304   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     9,821,449        1,559,127   
FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund***     39,865,328        11,310,275   

 

*** Includes $2,296,887 in purchases and $2,047,714 in sales of U.S. Government Securities.

 

11. In-Kind Transactions

 

During the period ended October 31, 2013, the Funds received securities in exchange for subscriptions of shares (subscriptions-in-kind). For the period ended October 31, 2013, the fair value of the securities received for subscriptions for each Fund was as follows:

 

Fund   Fair Value  
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 2,168,997,893   
FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     1,332,773,919   
FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     178,302,665   
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     222,724,711   
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     40,768,362   
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     11,188,873   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     263,082,039   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     11,158,331   
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     40,325,066   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     35,625,015   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     5,001,654   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     6,811,826   

During the period ended October 31, 2013, the FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund and FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund delivered securities in exchange for redemption of shares (redemptions-in-kind). For financial reporting purposes, the Funds recorded net realized gains and losses in connection with each transaction. For the period ended October 31, 2013, the fair value of the securities transferred for redemptions for each Fund was as follows:

 

Fund   Fair Value     Net Realized
Gains(Losses)
 
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 29,628,487      $ 4,722,846   
FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     14,862,595        (210,389
FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund     143,055,673        (3,234,240
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     3,263,804        1,050,331   

 

12. Principal Risks

 

As with any investment, you could lose all or part of your investment in a Fund, and the Fund’s performance could trail that of other investments. In addition to the discussion of the risks of certain of the Funds’ investments included in Note 2, some of the principal risks of investment in the Funds are summarized below. A more complete description of principal risks is included in each Fund’s Prospectus.

 

The following risks apply to all of the Funds:

 

Derivatives Risk

 

Changes in the value of a derivative instrument may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Funds could lose more than the principal amount invested.

 

 

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Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

 

Market Trading Risk

 

Each Fund’s shares are listed on a securities exchange, which presents risks including the potential lack of an active market for Fund shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, and disruption in the creation/redemption process of the Funds. Any of these factors may lead to the Funds’ shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV.

 

The following risk applies only to the Index Funds:

 

Tracking Error Risk

 

Tracking error risk is the risk that an Index Fund’s performance may vary substantially from the performance of the Underlying Index it tracks as a result of imperfect correlation between a Fund’s securities and those of the Underlying Index. Imperfect correlation may result from share purchases and redemptions, expenses, changes in the Underlying Indexes, asset valuations, foreign currency valuations, market impact, corporate actions (such as mergers and spinoffs), legal restrictions (such as tax-related diversification requirements that apply to the Funds but not to the Underlying Index) and timing variances, among other factors.

 

The following risks apply to each Fund as disclosed:

 

Concentration Risk

 

Each of the Index Funds, except the FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund and FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, are subject to Concentration Risk. To the extent that the investments of these Funds are concentrated in the securities of issuers in a particular region, country, market, industry, sector or asset class, the Funds may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that region, country, market, industry, sector or asset class.

 

Interest Rate/Maturity Risk

 

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund and FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund are subject to the risk that the value of the Funds’ fixed-income

assets will decline because of rising interest rates. The magnitude of this decline will often be greater for longer-term fixed income securities than shorter-term fixed-income securities. Duration is a measure used to determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates.

 

MLP Risk

 

FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund may invest in Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). MLP Risk is the risk that accompanies an investment in MLP units. Investing in MLPs involves certain risks related to investing in the underlying assets of the MLPs and risks associated with pooled investment vehicles. MLPs that concentrate in a particular industry or a particular geographic region are subject to risks associated with such industry or region. The benefit derived from the Fund’s investment in MLPs is largely dependent on the MLPs being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. If any of the MLPs owned by the Fund were treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the after-tax return to the Fund with respect to its investment in such MLPs would be materially reduced, which could cause a decline in the value of the Fund’s shares. The Fund must include its allocable share of the MLP’s taxable income in its taxable income, whether or not it receives a distribution of cash from the MLP. In such case, the Fund may have to liquidate securities to make required distributions to the Fund’s shareholders.

 

Non-diversification Risk

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, and FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) are non-diversified series of the Trust, pursuant to the 1940 Act. Fund performance may depend on the performance of a small number of issuers because the Funds may invest a large percentage of its assets in securities issued by or representing a small number of issuers.

 

 

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Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

 

Small Cap Stock Risk

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund and FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund may invest in stocks of smaller companies which may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than stocks of larger, more established companies. Small companies may have limited product lines or financial resources, or may be dependent upon a small or inexperienced management group, and their securities may trade less frequently and in lower volume than the securities of larger companies, which could lead to higher transaction costs. Generally the smaller the company size, the greater the risk.

 

Value Investing Risk

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund and FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund’s investment in companies whose securities are believed to be undervalued, relative to their underlying profitability, may not appreciate in value as anticipated.

 

The following risk applies only to the FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund:

 

Global Natural Resource Industry Risk

 

The Fund is subject to the risks associated with investment in the global natural resources sector in addition to the general risk of the stock market. The natural resources sector can significantly be affected by events relating to U.S. and foreign political and economic developments and environmental and other government regulations, as well as other factors including, but not limited to: commodity price volatility, technological developments and natural or man-made disasters. Declines in the demand for, or prices of, natural resources generally would be expected to contribute to declines in the value of the Fund’s equity securities. Such declines may occur quickly and without warning and may negatively impact the value of the Fund and your investment.

The following risks apply only to the FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund and FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund:

 

Dividend Risk

 

The Fund is subject to the risk that an issuer of stock held by the Fund may choose not to declare a dividend or the dividend rate might not remain at current levels. Dividend paying stocks might not experience the same level of earnings growth or capital appreciation as non-dividend paying stocks. The Fund’s performance during a broad market advance could suffer because dividend paying stocks may not experience the same capital appreciation as non-dividend paying stocks.

 

Volatility Risk

 

The Fund is subject to the risk that the actual level of volatility experienced by the Fund may be greater or lower than the targeted overall volatility of the Underlying Index. Although the Underlying Index is designed to have a targeted overall volatility, there is no guarantee that it will have the targeted overall volatility. The Fund will continue to seek to track the Underlying Index even if the Underlying Index does not have the targeted overall volatility. There is also the risk that the Fund may experience volatility greater or lower than that of the Underlying Index as a result of tracking error. A portfolio of securities with greater volatility is generally considered to have a higher risk profile than a portfolio with lower volatility.

 

The following risks apply only to the FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund:

 

Credit (or Default) Risk

 

The Fund is subject to the risk that the inability or unwillingness of an issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or a counterparty to a repurchase or other transaction, to meet its payment or other financial obligations will adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. Changes in the credit rating of a debt security held by the Fund could have a similar effect.

 

 

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Notes to the Financial Statements (cont.)

 

 

 

Debt Extension Risk

 

The Fund is subject to the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as a mortgage-backed security) later than expected. This may happen during a period of rising interest rates. Under these circumstances, the value of the obligation will decrease and the Fund will suffer from the inability to invest in higher yielding securities.

 

Financial Sector Risk

 

The Fund is subject to the risk that the Fund will be impacted by events affecting the U.S. and non-U.S. financial sectors if it invests a relatively large percentage of its assets in those sectors, adversely affecting the Fund’s performance. The U.S. and non-U.S. financial sectors can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, government regulation, the rate of corporate and consumer debt defaulted, price competition, the availability and cost of capital funds and fallout from the housing and sub-prime mortgage crisis. In 2008 and 2009, the U.S. financial sector was significantly impacted by bankruptcies and consolidations of major financial firms. Events affecting the U.S. and non-U.S. financial sectors have had, and may continue to have, a significant negative impact on the valuations and stock prices of companies in this sector and have increased the volatility of investments in those sectors.

 

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Risks

 

The Fund is subject to the risks of investing in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, including Interest Rate/Maturity Risk, Debt Extension Risk and Prepayment (or Call) Risk.

 

Prepayment (or Call) Risk

 

The Fund is subject to the risk that prepayment of the underlying mortgages or other collateral of some fixed-income securities may result in a decreased rate of return and a decline in value of those securities.

 

U.S. Government Securities Risk

 

The Fund is subject to the risk that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to its agencies, instrumentalities

or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. Many U.S. government securities that may be purchased by the Fund are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

 

13. Guarantees and Indemnifications

 

In the normal course of business each Fund enters into contracts with third-party service providers that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnifications. Additionally, under the Funds’ organizational documents, the officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Funds. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as it involves possible future claims that may or may not be made against the Funds.

 

14. Subsequent Events

 

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no additional recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of FlexShares® Trust

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of FlexShares® Trust (the “Trust”), consisting of FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 5-year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund, and FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund, (collectively, the “Funds”), as of October 31, 2013, and the related statements of operations, statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the periods presented. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds listed above included in the FlexShares® Trust as of October 31, 2013, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Chicago, Illinois

December 23, 2013

 

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Tax Information October 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

QUALIFIED DIVIDEND INCOME (QDI)

 

Under the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of

2003 (the “Act”), the following percentages of ordinary

dividends paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013

are designated as “qualified dividend income”, as defined in

the Act, subject to reduced tax rates in 2013:

 

Fund

 

QDI

PERCENTAGE

 
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund     100.00
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     100.00
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     100.00
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     100.00
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     100.00

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic

Index Fund

    100.00

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive

Index Fund

    100.00
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     100.00
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     100.00
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     100.00

 

CORPORATE DIVIDENDS RECEIVED DEDUCTION (DRD)

 

A percentage of the dividends distributed during the fiscal

year for the following Funds qualifies for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders:

 

Fund  

CORPORATE

DRD

PERCENTAGE

 
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund     100.00
FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund     100.00
Fund  

CORPORATE

DRD

PERCENTAGE

 
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     6.00
FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund     6.85
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund     100.00
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     100.00
FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     100.00

 

FOREIGN TAX CREDIT

 

Each Fund below intends to make an election that will allow its shareholders to treat their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund as having been paid by them. The amounts per share which represent income from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries are as follows:

 

FUND   TAXES     INCOME  
FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund   $ 0.0408      $ 0.5406   
FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund     0.0013        0.0068   
FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund     0.0615        0.7281   

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging

Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

    0.1116        0.9627   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund     0.0223        0.2316   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund     0.0273        0.2603   
FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund     0.0219        0.2053   
 

 

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Fund Expenses (Unaudited)

 

 

As a shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs for purchasing and selling shares and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees and other Fund expenses. The expense examples below are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The actual expense examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of a six month period and held through the period ended, October 31, 2013.

 

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

The hypothetical expense examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of a six month period and held through the period ended October 31, 2013.

 

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

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions on purchases or sales of Fund shares. Therefore, the second line for each Fund in 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 transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

    Beginning
Account
Value
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/13
    Expenses Paid
During the
Period*
    Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
 
Flexshares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,010.20      $ 2.43        0.48
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.79      $ 2.45        0.48
Flexshares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund(a)                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,040.50      $ 0.30        0.47
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.84      $ 2.40        0.47
Flexshares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 984.60      $ 1.00        0.20
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.20      $ 1.02        0.20

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Fund Expenses (cont.)

 

 

    Beginning
Account
Value
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/13
    Expenses Paid
During the
Period*
    Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
 
Flexshares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 965.40      $ 0.99        0.20
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.20      $ 1.02        0.20
Flexshares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,137.10      $ 1.45        0.27
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.84      $ 1.38        0.27
Flexshares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,090.90      $ 2.21        0.42
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.09      $ 2.14        0.42
Flexshares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 996.00      $ 3.27        0.65
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.93      $ 3.31        0.65
Flexshares® Quality Dividend Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,113.60      $ 1.97        0.37
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.34      $ 1.89        0.37
Flexshares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,113.40      $ 1.97        0.37
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.34      $ 1.89        0.37
Flexshares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,092.80      $ 1.95        0.37
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.34      $ 1.89        0.37
Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,062.90      $ 2.44        0.47
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.84      $ 2.40        0.47
Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,091.10      $ 2.48        0.47
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.84      $ 2.40        0.47
Flexshares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,053.80      $ 2.43        0.47
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.84      $ 2.40        0.47

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Fund Expenses (cont.)

 

 

    Beginning
Account
Value
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/13
    Expenses Paid
During the
Period*
    Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
 
Flexshares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund                           
Actual   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,003.10      $ 1.26        0.25
Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,023.95      $ 1.28        0.25

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, 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).

 

(a) The Fund commenced operations on October 8, 2013. Actual Expenses Paid During the Period are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 23 divided by 365 (to reflect the actual days in the period). Hypothetical Expenses Paid during the Period are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 divided by 365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The “Hypothetical Expenses Paid during the Period” reflect projected activity for the full six-month period as opposed to the shorter inception period.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

Trustees and Officers

 

 

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES   
Name, Address(1) and Age   Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee
    Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
 

Sarah N. Garvey

Age: 61

  Trustee   Indefinite; July 2011 to present  

• Vice President of Corporate Relations of The Boeing Company (a manufacturer of commercial and military airplanes and aerospace products) from 2007 to 2008;

• Chairman of the Board of John G. Shedd Aquarium from 2009 to 2012;

• Chairman of the Board of Navy Pier since 2011;

• Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority from 2010 to 2012;

• Member of the Board of Directors of The Civic Federation since 2004.

    14        None   

Philip G. Hubbard

Age: 62

  Trustee   Indefinite; July 2011 to present  

• Managing Partner of Solidian Fund, LP and Solidian Management, LLC ( a fund of hedge Funds platform for family and friends investments) since 2001;

• President of Hubbard Management Group, LLC (a personal investment vehicle) since 2001;

• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Wheaton College Trust Company, N.A. since 2004;

• Member since 1998 of the Board of Trustees of Wheaton College; Vice Chairman since 2009;

• Chairman of the Board of Directors of the English Language Institute/China (a nonprofit educational organization) since 1993;

• Member of the Board of Directors of The Film Department, LLC ( an independent movie company) from 2008 to 2010;

• Member of the Board of Directors of BMO Harris Bank Winnetka N.A. from 1996 to 2009.

    14        None   

 

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Trustees and Officers (cont.)

 

 

Name, Address(1) and Age   Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee
    Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
 

Eric T. McKissack

Age: 59

  Trustee and Chairman   Indefinite; July 2011 to present  

• CEO and Founder of Channing Capital Management, LLC (a SEC registered investments adviser) since 2004;

• Member of the Board of Directors of ICMA Retirement Corporation (an SEC registered investment adviser providing retirement administration services) from 2005 to 2012;

• Member of the Board of Trustees, the Investment Committee, and the Finance Committee of the Art Institute of Chicago since 2002;

• Member of the RIC Tree of Life Board of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago since 2001.

    14        None   
INTERESTED TRUSTEE   

Shundrawn A. Thomas(2)

Age: 39

  Trustee and President   Indefinite; July 2011 to present  

• Managing Director and Global Business Head of the Exchange-Traded Funds Group at Northern Trust Global Investments since 2010;

• President of Northern Trust Securities, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation) from 2008 to 2010;

• Head of Corporate Strategy at the Northern Trust Corporation from 2005 to 2008;

• Member of the Board of Trustees of Wheaton College and Secretary of the Finance Committee, Investment Committee and Compensation Committee since May 2009;

• Member of the Board of Trustees of the Wheaton College Trust Company since 2009;

• Member of the Board of Directors of Urban Ministries, Inc. (a publishing and communications company) since 2006;

• Partner at Tree of Life Resources, LLP since 2005.

    14        None   

 

(1) 

Each Non-Interested Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Paul Dykstra, K&L Gates LLP, 70 West Madison Street, Suite 3100, Chicago, IL 60602. Mr. Thomas may be contacted by writing to him at 50 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60603.

 

(2) 

An “interested person,” as defined by the 1940 Act. Mr. Thomas is deemed to be an “interested” Trustee because he is an officer of NTI and its parent company.

 

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Trustees and Officers (cont.)

 

 

 

The Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Trust’s Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by contacting the Fund directly at (855) 933-6287.

 

OFFICERS
Name, Address and Age   Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of
Office
(1) and
Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Craig R. Carberry, Esq.

Age: 52

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

  Secretary  

Indefinite;

July 2011

to present

  Senior Legal Counsel and U.S. Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company since May 2000; Secretary of Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since 2000; Secretary of NT Alpha Strategies Fund since 2004; Secretary of Northern Trust Global Advisers, Inc. from 2007 to 2012; Secretary of The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut since 2009; Secretary of NETS Trust from 2008 to 2009; Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds since 2010; Secretary of Northern Funds since 2010; Secretary of Northern Trust Equity Long/Short Strategies Fund since 2011.

Joseph H. Costello Age: 39

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

  Chief Compliance Officer  

Indefinite;

July 2011

to present

  Vice President, The Northern Trust Company and Compliance Manager for Northern Trust Global Investments, since 2003.

Randal Rein

Age: 42

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

  Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer  

Indefinite;

July 2011

to present

  Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since 2010 and Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of the Northern Trust Company through 2010; Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2007 to 2010.

Peter K. Ewing

Age: 54

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

  Vice President  

Indefinite;

July 2011

to present

  Director of ETF Product Management, Northern Trust Investments, Inc. and Senior Vice President, The Northern Trust Company, since September 2010; Chief Operating Officer of Guggenheim Transparent Value, from July 2009 to January 2010; Senior Vice President, Managing Director of ETF Group, Northern Trust Investments, N.A., and Senior Vice President, The Northern Trust Company, from November 2006 to June 2009.

Marie E. Dzanis

Age: 46

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

  Vice President  

Indefinite;

July 2011

to present

  Director of ETF Sales and Servicing, Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since 2011; Principal and Eastern U.S. Manager for iShares at BlackRock Institutional Trust Company from 2007 to 2010; Vice President and Eastern U.S. Sales Manager, J.P. Morgan Asset Management from 2002 to 2007.

Peter J. Flood

Age: 56

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

  Vice President  

Indefinite;

July 2011

to present

  Director of ETF Investment Strategy, Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since 2010; Portfolio Manager, Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since 2007; Director of Fixed Income Strategy, Northern Trust Investments, Inc., from 2004 to 2010;

Edward A. Rosenberg

Age: 40

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

  Vice President  

Indefinite; June 2013

to present

  Director of ETF Capital Markets and Analytics, Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since 2012; Director and Head of ETF Capital Markets and Analytics, Russell investments from 2010 to 2012; Senior ETF Product Manager, The Vanguard Group, Inc. from 2005-2010.

 

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Trustees and Officers (cont.)

 

 

Name, Address and Age   Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of
Office
(1) and
Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Allison Grant Williams

Age: 57

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

  Vice President  

Indefinite;

July 2011

to present

  Chief Administrative Officer of the Exchange-Traded Funds Group at Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since 2011; ; Director of University Relations at CFA Institute from 2008 to 2010; President and Owner, Grant Partners, L.L.C. from 2003 to 2010.

Darlene Chappell

Age: 50

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

  Anti-Money Laundering Officer  

Indefinite;

July 2011

to present

  Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments, Inc., Northern Trust Securities, Inc. and The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut, Northern Funds, Northern Institutional Funds, and NT Alpha Strategies Funds since 2009 and NT Long/Short Equity Strategies Fund since 2011; Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006.

Kelli O’Brien

Age: 30

70 Fargo Street

Boston, MA 02210

  Assistant Secretary  

Indefinite; June 2012

to present

  Vice President, Regulatory Administration Advisor, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2011; Assistant Vice President, Investor Services Associate Counsel, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. from 2008 to 2011; Investor Services Associate, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. from 2006 to 2008.

 

(1) 

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until they die, resign, are removed or become disqualified.

 

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Approval of Advisory Agreement

 

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the FlexShares Trust (the “Trust”) oversees the management of the Trust and each separate series of the Trust covered in this report and, as required by law, determines whether to approve the Trust’s investment advisory and ancillary services agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), an indirect subsidiary of the Northern Trust Corporation.

 

At a meeting on June 20, 2013 (the “June Meeting”), the Board, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party (the “Independent Trustees”), considered whether to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund, FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund, FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund and FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (each, a “Fund” and together the “Funds”).

 

In advance of, and in preparation for, the Trustees’ consideration of the Advisory Agreement at the June Meeting, the Trustees received written materials relating to the Advisory Agreement and had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information in connection with their consideration. At the June Meeting, the Trustees considered NTI’s verbal presentations and discussed all of the information that had been provided. Among other things, the Board considered comparisons with other funds in relevant peer universes and peer groups that had been objectively determined solely by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent provider of fund data, and included the following information: (1) a description of the types of funds

chosen by Lipper to compare to each Fund; (2) performance data for each Fund; (3) data on the Fund’s expenses and fees; and (4) comparative fee data for each Fund’s respective peer group, including expense comparisons of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses.

 

In considering the Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees met with their independent legal counsel separately from the “interested” Trustee of the Trust and officers and employees of NTI. After evaluating all the materials, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the Advisory Agreement was in the best interest of the Funds and their shareholders and approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement.

 

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees reaching their determinations to approve the Advisory Agreement are separately discussed below.

 

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services

 

The Board examined the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by NTI to each Fund. The Board also considered NTI’s responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement to perform securities trading services and ancillary services including, among other things: (i) filing reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) periodically updating the Trust’s registration statement, (iii) establishing and maintaining the Funds’ website to comply with regulatory requirements, (iv) monitoring anticipated purchases and redemptions of creation units by shareholders and new investors, (v) providing information and assistance as required by the Trust’s administrator and fund accountant in connection with the Trust’s shares, and (vi) providing assistance in connection with the operations of the Trust generally.

 

The Board also considered the quality of NTI’s resources that are made available to the Trust. The Board noted NTI’s and its affiliates’ financial position, stability, and commitment to growing the exchange-traded funds business. The Board also considered the operation and strength of NTI’s compliance program.

 

The Board noted that Foreside Fund Services, LLC, an entity unaffiliated with NTI, provides distribution services to the

 

 

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Approval of Advisory Agreement (cont.)

 

 

Funds and that JP Morgan Chase (“JP Morgan”), also an unaffiliated entity, provides custody, transfer agency and fund administration support services, and that these service provider arrangements are relevant to the Board’s considerations of the totality of the circumstances surrounding renewal of the Advisory Agreement with NTI. The Board concluded that each Fund benefits from the services provided under the Advisory Agreement and as a result of NTI’s operations, resources, experience, reputation and personnel.

 

Fees and Expenses—Investment Performance of the Funds and NTI

 

The Board considered the fees, expenses and performance of each Fund and the Adviser, including comparative information provided by Lipper. The comparisons ranked each Fund in various quintiles over the since inception and one-year periods ending March 31, 2013, with the first quintile being the best 20% of the funds in terms of fund cost and fund performance. The Board also considered that, with the exception of FlexShares Ready Access Variable Income Fund (“RAVI”), the investment strategy of each Fund is to track the performance of a specified index (each, an “Underlying Index”). The Board noted that the differences in performance between each Fund and that of its Underlying Index demonstrate the Adviser’s expertise and effectiveness in managing index-based fixed-income and equity exchange-traded funds. The Board reviewed a report of the Funds’ tracking error contained in the meeting materials. In reaching its determinations, the Board considered a large amount of data provided by NTI in response to a written request previously submitted by the Independent Trustees to NTI. Among the information considered by the Board was the following:

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s performance ranked in the second quintile of its performance universe for the one-year and since inception periods ended March 31, 2013. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that performance information with respect to the Lipper peers had limited relevance because each of the peer funds sought to track an index that was different than the Fund’s index. The Board

also considered the information that NTI provided regarding the difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of its underlying index for the one year and since inception periods.

 

The Board noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the first quintile and that its total expenses as well as its actual management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, and contractual management fees were lower than their expense group medians.

 

FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s performance ranked in the fourth quintile of its performance universe for the one-year and in the fifth quintile for the since inception periods ended March 31, 2013. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that performance information with respect to the Lipper peers had limited relevance because each of the peer funds sought to track an index that was different than the Fund’s index. The Board also considered the information that NTI provided regarding the difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of its underlying index for the one year and since inception periods. The Board took into account that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the third quintile and that its total expenses and contractual management fees were equal to their expense group medians. The Board noted that the Fund’s actual management fee, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, was lower than its expense group median.

 

FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

 

The Board noted that the Fund’s performance ranked in the fourth quintile of its performance universe for the one-year and since inception periods ended March 31, 2013. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that performance information with respect to the Lipper peers had limited relevance because each of the peer funds sought to track an index that was different than the Fund’s index. The Board also considered the information that NTI provided regarding the difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of its underlying index for the one year and since inception periods.

 

 

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Approval of Advisory Agreement (cont.)

 

 

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the third quintile and that its total expenses and contractual management fees were equal to the medians of their expense groups. The Board noted that the Fund’s actual management fee, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, was lower than its expense group median.

 

FlexShares® Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s performance ranked in the third quintile of its performance universe for the one-year period and in the first quintile for the since inception period ended March 31, 2013. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that performance information with respect to the Lipper peers had limited relevance because each of the peer funds sought to track an index that was different than the Fund’s index. The Board also considered the information that NTI provided regarding the difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of its underlying index for the one year and since inception periods. The Board noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the second quintile and that its total expenses as well as its actual management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, and contractual management fees were lower than their expense group medians.

 

FlexShares® Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on September 25, 2012 and accordingly did not have a one-year track record. The Board noted that, for the period since inception through March 31, 2013, the Fund ranked second out of two funds in its peer universe. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that performance information with respect to the Lipper peers had limited relevance because each of the peer funds sought to track an index that was different than the Fund’s index. The Board also considered the information that NTI provided regarding the difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of its underlying index since inception.

 

The Board noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the first quintile and that its total expenses as well as its actual management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, and contractual management fees were lower than their expense group medians.

FlexShares® Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on September 25, 2012 and accordingly did not have a one-year track record. The Board noted that the Fund ranked in the second quintile of its performance universe for the period since inception through March 31, 2013. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that performance information with respect to the Lipper peers had limited relevance because each of the peer funds sought to track an index that was different than the Fund’s index. The Board also considered the information that NTI provided regarding the difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of its underlying index since inception.

 

The Board noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the fourth quintile and that its total expenses as well as its actual management fees were higher than the medians of their expense groups. The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee was equal to that of its expense group median. The Board noted that the Fund’s actual management fee, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, compared favorably with the Lipper median management fees for comparable funds set forth in the Lipper report, especially after taking into account, among other factors, important differences between the indexes upon which such comparable funds were based and the Fund’s underlying index and differences between the number of portfolio holdings for comparable funds and the Fund, among other factors.

 

FlexShares® Ready Access Variable Income Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on October 9, 2012 and accordingly did not have a one-year track record. The Board noted the Fund ranked third out of four funds in its peer universe for the period since inception through March 31, 2013. The Board considered NTI’s belief that the performance of the Fund since inception of the Fund compared well with the peer funds determined appropriate for comparison by Northern in light of the Fund’s specific investment strategy, and after taking into account that the Fund had historically had a less volatile net asset value than the other funds over the same time period.

 

 

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Approval of Advisory Agreement (cont.)

 

 

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the fourth quintile and that its total expenses as well as its actual management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, and contractual management fees were higher than the medians of their expense group. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that peer expense information had limited relevance because the Lipper peer funds, with the exception of one, were index based and not actively managed. The Board also considered NTI’s view that the contractual management fee and total expense ratio compared favorably with those of its peer funds determined appropriate for comparison by Northern.

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Index Fund

 

The Board took into account that the Fund commenced operations on December 14, 2012 and accordingly does not have a one-year track record. The Board noted that the Fund ranked in the first quintile of its performance universe for the period since inception through March 31, 2013. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that performance information with respect to the Lipper peers had limited relevance because each of the peer funds sought to track an index that was different than the Fund’s index. The Board also considered the information that NTI provided regarding the difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of its underlying index since inception. The Board considered that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the first quintile and that its total expenses were slightly lower than that of its expense group median. The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fees and actual management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, were equal to their expense group medians.

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

 

The Board noted that the Fund commenced operations on December 14, 2012 and accordingly does not have a one-year track record. The Board noted that the Fund ranked in the second quintile of its performance universe for the period since inception through March 31, 2013. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that performance information with respect to the Lipper peers had limited relevance because each of the peer funds sought to track an index that was different than the Fund’s index. The Board also

considered the information that NTI provided regarding the difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of its underlying index since inception.

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the first quintile and that its total expenses were slightly lower than that of its expense group median. The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fees and actual management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, were equal to their expense group medians.

 

FlexShares® Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on December 14, 2012 and accordingly does not have a one-year track record. The Board noted that the Fund ranked in the first quintile of its performance universe for the period since inception through March 31, 2013. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that performance information with respect to the Lipper peers had limited relevance because each of the peer funds sought to track an index that was different than the Fund’s index. The Board also considered the information that NTI provided regarding the difference between the Fund’s performance and the performance of its underlying index since inception.

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the first quintile and that its total expenses were slightly lower than that of its expense group median. The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fees and actual management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, were equal to their expense group medians.

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Index Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on April 12, 2013 and accordingly does not have sufficient performance history to compare to its peer group at this time.

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the first quintile and that its total expenses were lower than that of its expense group median. The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fees and actual

 

 

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Approval of Advisory Agreement (cont.)

 

 

management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, were equal to their expense group medians.

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Dynamic Index Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on April 12, 2013 and accordingly does not have sufficient performance history to compare to its peer group at this time.

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the first quintile and that its total expenses were lower than that of its expense group median. The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fees and actual management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, were equal to their expense group medians.

 

FlexShares® International Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund

 

The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on April 12, 2013 and accordingly does not have sufficient performance history to compare to its peer group at this time.

 

The Board considered that the Fund’s total expense ratio was in the first quintile and that its total expenses were lower than that of its expense group median. The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fees and actual management fees, reflecting expense reimbursements made by NTI, were equal to their expense group medians.

 

Costs of Services and Profits of NTI

 

The Board considered the unitary fee structure and the expenses for each Fund. The Board noted that, under the Advisory Agreement, NTI is responsible for most expenses of the Funds, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services. The Board considered that NTI is not responsible under the Advisory Agreement for certain expenses, including the fees and expenses of the Trust’s Independent Trustees and their independent legal counsel, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses. The Board also considered the agreement between the Trust and NTI, whereby NTI agreed to reimburse the fees and expenses of the Independent

Trustees and their independent legal counsel with respect to a Fund until at least one year from the effective date of the applicable Fund’s registration statement.

 

The Board considered the advisory fee for each Fund as compared to that of other comparable funds in relation to the Lipper median. The Board considered NTI’s explanation that each Fund’s contractual management fee (which, owing to the unitary fee structure and the existence of the expense reimbursement agreement, is identical to its total expense ratio) compares favorably with its respective Lipper median contractual management fee for comparable funds set forth in the Lipper report, especially after taking into account, among other factors, important differences between the indexes upon which such comparable funds are based and the Fund’s underlying index and differences between the number of portfolio holdings for comparable funds and the Fund, among other factors.

 

The Board considered the advisory fee schedules for other accounts with similar investment advisory mandates as those of certain Funds, noting that the analysis was applicable only to the FlexShares® iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, FlexShares® iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund and RAVI. The Board determined that the fees charged to these Funds were reasonable compared to the fees charged to the other accounts, taking into account (a) the differences in managing ETFs versus separately managed accounts which involve daily purchase and redemption activity along with robust regulatory and governance requirements; and (b) the Funds’ unitary fee structure.

 

The Board examined NTI’s profitability and noted information provided by NTI regarding its expectations of the length of time required for it to become profitable from its relationship with the Funds.

 

Economies of Scale

 

The Board considered whether NTI may realize economies of scale in managing and supporting the Funds. The Board reviewed each Fund’s fee arrangements, and considered that, in light of the unitary fee structure and expense reimbursement agreement, the length of time NTI expected for it to become profitable from its services to the Trust and the

 

 

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Approval of Advisory Agreement (cont.)

 

 

significant investment that NTI has made and continues to make in the Trust, breakpoints are not necessary.

 

Other Benefits to NTI

 

In addition to considering the profits that may be realized by NTI, the Board considered information regarding other direct and indirect benefits NTI may receive as a result of its relationship with the Funds, including whether any compensation would be paid to its affiliates. The Board also considered that some of the Funds’ shareholders have other client relationships with NTI’s affiliates. The Board also reviewed the extent to which NTI and its other clients, as well as the Funds, benefit from receipt of the research products and services generated by the Funds.

 

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered the data provided by NTI and concluded that sufficient information had been provided to allow them to evaluate the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the reasonableness of each Fund’s investment advisory fee. They determined that each Fund’s advisory fee is reasonable in light of the services provided and the performance achieved by each Fund.

 

****

 

The Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, met on September 24, 2013 (the “September Meeting”) to consider whether to approve the Advisory Agreement for the FlexShares® STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (the “Fund”).

 

In advance of, and in preparation for, the Trustees’ consideration of the Advisory Agreement at the September Meeting, the Trustees received written materials relating to the Advisory Agreement and had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information in connection with their consideration. At the Meeting, the Trustees considered the verbal presentations by NTI and discussed all of the information that had been provided. Among other things, the Board considered comparisons with other funds in relevant peer universes and peer groups that had been objectively determined solely by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent provider of fund data.

The Independent Trustees met with their independent legal counsel separately from the “interested” Trustee of the Trust and officers and employees of the Trust and NTI to consider approval of the Advisory Agreement. After evaluating all the materials, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders and approved the Advisory Agreement.

 

In approving the Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees advised by independent legal counsel, considered the factors they deemed relevant, including, but not limited to: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services that NTI is expected to provide to the Fund; (2) the anticipated fees and projected expenses for the Fund; (3) the projected profits to be realized by NTI and its affiliates from the relationship with the Fund; (4) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the Fund grew and whether the fee levels in the Advisory Agreement reflected these economies of scale; and (5) other benefits that NTI and its affiliates may realize as a result of their relationship with the Fund. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any single factor which alone was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreement.

 

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees reaching their determinations to approve the Advisory Agreement are separately discussed below.

 

Nature, Quality and Extent of the Services

 

The Trustees examined the nature, quality and extent of the services to be provided by NTI to the Fund. They evaluated information regarding NTI’s organizational structure and the experience and professional qualifications of NTI’s key personnel. They also considered NTI’s responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement to perform securities trading services and ancillary services, including among other things, filing reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, periodically updating the Fund’s’ registration statement and establishing and maintaining the Fund’s website to comply with regulatory requirements. The Trustees also considered the quality of NTI’s resources that would be made available to the Fund. The Trustees noted NTI and its affiliates’

 

 

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Approval of Advisory Agreement (cont.)

 

 

financial positions, stability, and commitment to continuing to grow the exchange-traded funds business. The Board also considered the operation and strength of NTI’s compliance program. The Trustees concluded that they were satisfied with the nature, quality and extent of the investment management services proposed to be provided by NTI to the Fund. They further determined that there was a reasonable basis on which conclude that the Fund would benefit from the services proposed to be provided by NTI under the Advisory Agreement.

 

Performance

 

The Trustees considered that, because the Fund had not yet commenced investment operations, meaningful data relating to its performance was not available and could not be a factor in the initial approval of the Advisory Agreement.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

The Trustees considered the proposed unitary fee structure and the Fund’s projected expenses. They noted that under the Advisory Agreement, NTI would be responsible for most expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services. The Trustees considered that NTI would not be responsible under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund’s advisory fees, 12b-1 fees (to the extent applicable), interest, taxes, brokers and other trading expenses, fees and expenses of the Trust’s Independent Trustees and independent legal counsel to the Trust’s Independent Trustees, as well as any litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses. The Trustees also considered the agreement between the Fund and NTI, whereby NTI agreed to reimburse certain fees and expenses of the Fund for at least one year from the effective date of the Fund’s prospectus. The Trustees considered comparative fee data for the Fund, which included fees and expenses paid by comparable ETFs selected by Lipper, an independent data service. The Trustees considered that the Fund’s contractual management fee and its total expenses (after expense reimbursements) were lower than the median contractual management fee and median total expense of the comparable ETFs selected by Lipper.

Projected Profits of NTI

 

The Trustees examined NTI’s projected profits in serving as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Trustees noted information provided by NTI with respect to the length of time it would take to become profitable with respect to the Fund. The Trustees also considered NTI’s projection of asset levels in the Fund.

 

Economies of Scale

 

The Trustees further considered whether NTI may realize economies of scale in managing and supporting the Fund. In this regard, the Trustees considered that the management fee did not contain any breakpoints. The Trustees determined that in light of the unitary fee structure, the fact that NTI will not initially make any profit from its services to the Fund, as well as the significant investment NTI was making into the Fund, that breakpoints were not necessary at the present time.

 

Other Benefits to NTI

 

In addition to considering the profits that may be realized by NTI, the Trustees considered information regarding the direct and indirect benefits that NTI may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund, including any compensation to be paid to NTI’s affiliates. The Trustees also considered that some of the Fund’s expected shareholders may have other client relationships with the NTI’s affiliates. The Trustees also considered the extent to which NTI and its other clients, as well as the Fund, will benefit from receipt of the research products and services generated by the Fund.

 

For the foregoing reasons, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, determined that the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable in light of the services to be provided, fees to be charged and such other matters as the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment.

 

 

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Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

 

Premium/Discount Information

 

Information about the differences between the daily market prices on secondary markets for shares of the Funds and the Funds’ net asset values for various time periods, as applicable, is available by visiting the Funds’ website at www.flexshares.com.

 

 

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For More Information

 

 

Portfolio Holdings

 

FlexShares® Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. You may also review and obtain copies at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

Proxy Voting

 

FlexShares® Trust Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are available upon request and without charge by calling 1-855-FLEXETF (1-855-353-9383) or by visiting the Funds’ Web site www.flexshares.com or the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. Each Fund’s portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-855-FLEXETF (1-855-353-9383) or by visiting the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov.

 

 

252    FLEXSHARES ANNUAL REPORT


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LOGO

 

 

FlexShares® Trust

50 S. LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

800.595.9111

www.flexshares.com

 

FlexShares® is a registered trademark of NTI. Morningstar® is a registered trademark of Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). Morningstar® Global Upstream Natural Resources IndexSM, Morningstar® US Market Factor Tilt IndexSM, Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt IndexSM and Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt IndexSM are service marks of Morningstar, Inc. STOXX and its licensors (the “Licensors”) have no relationship to FlexShares® Trust other than the licensing of the STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index and the related trademarks for use in connection with the FlexShares® STOXX® Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund. The iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index and iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index are each the property of Markit North America, Inc. (“Markit”) and have been licensed for use in connection the FlexShares iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund and the FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund, respectively. Northern Trust Quality Dividend IndexSM, Northern Trust Quality Dividend Dynamic IndexSM, Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive IndexSM, Northern Trust International Quality Dividend IndexSM, Northern Trust Quality Dividend Dynamic IndexSM, Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Defensive IndexSM are service marks of NTI and have been licensed for use by FlexShares Trust.

 

FS00058-1213


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Item 2. Code Of Ethics.

 

(a)

As of the end of the period, October 31, 2013, the Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Registrant or a third party (the “Code of Ethics”).

 

(b)

Not Applicable.

 

(c)

The Registrant has not amended its Code of Ethics during the period covered by this report.

 

(d)

The Registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from any provisions of its Code of Ethics during the period covered by this report.

 

(e)

Not Applicable.


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Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The Registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the Registrant has at least one “audit committee financial expert” (as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR), serving on its audit committee. Philip G. Hubbard is the “audit committee financial expert” and is “independent” (as each term is defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR).

Under applicable securities laws and regulations, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Registrant’s Audit Committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Registrant’s Audit Committee or Board of Trustees.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

In response to Items 4(a)-4(d), aggregate fees for professional services rendered for FlexShares Trust by Deloitte & Touche, LLP (“Deloitte”) for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012 were:

 

     2013
     

All fees and
services to the
Trust that were
pre-approved

   All fees and
services to
Service Affiliates(a)
that were pre-
approved

Audit Fees

   $310,500    N/A

Audit Related Fees(b)

   $0    $0

Tax Fees(c)

   $35,000(1)    $0

All Other Fees (d)

   $0    $0

Total:

   $345,500    $0

 

     2012
      All fees and
services to the
Trust that were
pre-approved
   All fees and
services to
Service Affiliates(a)
that were pre-
approved

Audit Fees

   $144,000    N/A

Audit Related Fees(b)

   $0    $0

Tax Fees(c)

   $17,500(1)    $0

All Other Fees(d)

   $0    $0

Total:

   $161,500    $0

 

(1)

Amounts relate to tax fees for the review of federal income tax returns, excise tax returns and year end distribution calculations.

(a)

“Service affiliates” as it relates to the aggregate “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” that were billed by Deloitte for the periods ended October 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012 are Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) and entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with NTI that provide ongoing services to the Registrant.

(b)

“Audit-Related Fees” are fees for assurance and related services rendered by Deloitte that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Registrant’s financial statements, but not reported as “Audit Fees.”

(c)

“Tax Fees” are fees for professional services rendered by Deloitte for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

(d)

“All Other Fees” are for products and services provided by Deloitte other than those reported as Audit, Audit-Related or Tax Fees.


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(e)(1)

The Registrant’s Audit Committee Charter provides that the Audit Committee is responsible for the approval of, prior to the appointment of, the engagement of the principal accountant to annually audit the Registrant’s financial statements. The Audit Committee must also pre-approve the engagement of the principal accountant to provide non-audit services to the Registrant, NTI or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with NTI that provides ongoing services to the Registrant, if the engagement has a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Registrant. The pre-approvals may be delegated to a designated representative (or representatives) of the audit committee and such pre-approvals and approvals must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next meeting. Each designated representative must be a member of the Audit Committee.

 

(e)(2)

No percentage of the principal accountant’s fees or services were approved pursuant to the waiver provision of paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) or (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(f)

Not Applicable.

 

(g)

The aggregate non-audit fees and services billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant and Service Affiliates for the periods ended October 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, respectively, were $980,000 and $963,000.

 

(h)

The Registrant’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services to Service Affiliates, not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the registered public accountant’s independence in performing audit services.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a)

The Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All of the Board’s independent Trustees, Philip G. Hubbard, Eric T. McKissack and Sarah N. Garvey, are members of the Audit Committee.

 

(b)

Not Applicable.

Item 6. Investments

 

(a)

Schedule I – Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers.

The complete schedule of investments is included in the report to shareholders in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

(b)

Securities Divested of in accordance with Section 13(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Not Applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure Of Proxy Voting Policies And Procedures For Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not Applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not Applicable.

Item 9. Purchase Of Equity Securities By Closed-End Management Investment Company And Affiliated Purchasers.

Not Applicable.

Item 10. Submission Of Matters To A Vote Of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees.


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Item 11. Controls And Procedures.

 

(a)

The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) are effective, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

 

(b)

There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a - 3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the Registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)

The Code of Ethics is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12(a)(1) to the report filed on Form N-CSR on January 6, 2012 (Accession Number 0001193125-12-005127).

 

(a)(2)

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

(b)

Certification required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is attached hereto.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

FlexShares Trust

By:

/s/ Shundrawn A. Thomas

Shundrawn A. Thomas

President

January 3, 2014

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

By:

/s/ Shundrawn A. Thomas

Shundrawn A. Thomas

President

January 3, 2014

By:

/s/ Randal Rein                 

Randal Rein

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

January 3, 2014