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: 811-22810
T. Rowe Price Global Allocation Fund, Inc. |
|
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
|
(Address of principal executive offices) |
David Oestreicher |
100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
|
(Name and address of agent for service) |
Registrants telephone number, including area
code: (410) 345-2000
Date of fiscal year end: October
31
Date of reporting period: October 31, 2013
Item 1. Report to Shareholders
Global
Allocation Fund |
October
31, 2013 |
The views and opinions in this report were current as of October 31, 2013. They are not guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety of factors, and the managers reserve the right to change their views about individual stocks, sectors, and the markets at any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied upon as a forecast of the funds future investment intent. The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires mutual funds and other public companies to affirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the information in their financial reports is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects.
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Managers Letter
Fellow Shareholders
Global stock markets advanced from the funds inception in late May through the end of the reporting period, although there was considerable volatility in emerging market equities. While the highly accommodative monetary policies of developed market central banks continued to support equity market gains, there was widespread uncertainty about when the Federal Reserve would begin to taper its quantitative easing program. The anticipation of an eventually less accommodative monetary policy helped push long-term interest rates notably higher during the reporting period, hurting the prices of most bonds. Against this backdrop, the fund slightly underperformed its benchmark index.
Your fund returned 4.60% for the period since inception on May 28, 2013, through October 31, 2013. The fund slightly lagged the results of the Morningstar Global Allocation Index, its primary benchmark, for the since-inception period.
STRATEGY OVERVIEW
The funds diversified portfolio seeks long-term total return through both capital appreciation and income from investments in U.S. and international stocks, bonds, cash, and alternative investments. The portfolio typically consists of approximately 60% stocks, 30% bonds and cash, and 10% alternative investments. Also, non-U.S. securities usually account for about 40% of the portfolio, which allows us to draw extensively on the global reach of T. Rowe Prices investment management and research capabilities.
We strive to add value primarily through strong security selection supported by the fundamental insights and analysis of T. Rowe Prices global research team. We also seek to add value through tactical weighting of asset classes and sectors. The breadth of the underlying sectors, diversified across geography, asset classes, and investment strategies, provides the ability to position the portfolio according to our views of the economic and market environment.
In addition, the portfolio includes asset classes and strategies that enhance its risk/reward profile by moderating risk and providing alternative sources of uncorrelated returns and diversified sources of income. These asset classes and strategies include a hedge fund allocation, currency hedging, and an equity index option overlay strategy. Hedging a portion of the funds developed market currency exposure helps moderate the foreign exchange volatility associated with a significant international allocation while maintaining robust exposure to non-U.S. investment opportunities. The equity index option overlay strategy, which principally involves writing calls on the Standard & Poors 500 Index, provides an alternative way of being compensated for bearing the downside risk of equities. We expect this strategy to offer a return profile that is less correlated with equity market returns as it earns a volatility premium in exchange for forgoing some of the equity markets upside potential. The potential return enhancement associated with the volatility premium could provide a more consistent pattern of performance, which could be particularly beneficial in an environment of modestly positive or negative equity market performance.
MARKET ENVIRONMENT
Developed equity markets posted healthy returns over the period from the funds inception in late May through October 31 amid favorable monetary policies. Japans central bank has been particularly aggressive, as the Japanese prime ministers Abenomics policies included a massive quantitative easing effort that has contributed to a devaluation in the yen and an increase in the countrys exports.
The eurozone continued to slowly recover from the sovereign debt crisis, but many fiscal and structural challenges, including high levels of national debt and high unemployment, remain. The European Central Bank cut its main lending rate by 0.25 percentage points to 0.50% in May and again shortly after the reporting period ended to 0.25% in an effort to stimulate stronger growth. Markets in the peripheral eurozone countries, such as Greece and Spain, posted particularly impressive gains.
The U.S. economy struggled to attain decent levels of economic growth amid periodic political standoffs about fiscal policy and the government budget. The Fed has continued its monthly purchases of $85 billion in Treasury and agency mortgage-backed securities to try to keep long-term interest rates low and stimulate economic growth. In May, the Fed suggested that it would begin to taper its bond-buying program if economic conditions continued to improve. The comment drove stocks temporarily lower and triggered turmoil in developing countries as many emerging markets currencies lost value. Emerging markets stocks recovered much of their lost ground late in the reporting period as the Fed maintained the pace of its purchases, and some investors began to think that it would not start to taper until early 2014.
The Feds late-spring statements about an eventual tapering of its asset purchase program kicked off a rapid increase in yields on longer-term U.S. Treasuries. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note, for example, rose from less than 2% to nearly 3% in early September before falling when the Fed did not announce that it would start to moderate the pace of its securities purchases at its mid-September Federal Open Market Committee meeting. The worries about Fed tapering also triggered an increase in fixed income risk aversion, and emerging markets bonds were caught up in a summer sell-off, although emerging markets debt recovered somewhat in response to Septembers delay in Fed tapering.
ASSET ALLOCATION STRATEGY
We maintained a tactical overweight to equities during the reporting period, although we have reduced the allocation given the strong equity market performance over the period. Stock prices have outpaced earnings growth, resulting in increased valuation multiples. However, we still think that equities are reasonably priced. Equity market returns are likely to be more muted going forward and more dependent on fundamental improvement in the economic and earnings environment. Stocks also look attractive relative to bonds, particularly if interest rates increase in the context of a gradually improving economic environment, which would be supportive for equities through revenue and earnings growth and which could provide a headwind for bonds. Emerging markets equities seem more attractive from a valuation standpoint, so we were overweight emerging markets. Within U.S. stocks, we were overweight large-cap companies because small-caps have experienced an impressive increase in both price and valuation, making large-caps look better from a relative valuation point of view.
Within the portfolios broad fixed income allocation, we maintained an overweight to high yield bonds, which typically tend to perform better in an improving economic environment. Default rates remain low, and the U.S. economic recovery should allow high yield issuers to maintain healthy balance sheets, particularly as many issuers have refinanced their debt in recent years to extend maturities and reduce interest costs. Additionally, high yield bonds and floating rate debt are generally less adversely impacted by rising interest rates than investment-grade debt. Our allocation to non-U.S. dollar bonds provided an additional source of diversification, one that generally tends to benefit in an environment of a weaker U.S. dollar.
An externally managed investment in the Blackstone Partners Fund, a fund of hedge funds, accounted for about 10% of the portfolio, an exposure that should help dampen portfolio volatility and mitigate losses in a market downturn. Diversified hedge fund strategies can add to portfolio diversification because they have historically delivered returns that are largely uncorrelated with traditional (stock and bond) asset classes represented in the fund. We expect that including a measured allocation to a high-quality diversified hedge fund with an absolute return orientation in the portfolios broader asset mix will help improve the risk-adjusted returns of the portfolio.
PORTFOLIO REVIEW
U.S. Stocks
Stock selection in the U.S. contributed to the
portfolios relative performance. Our holdings of several information technology
companies, including Facebook and LinkedIn, helped
performance as they enjoyed a continuing strong market for social media. Within
consumer discretionary, Amazon.com and Chipotle Mexican Grill contributed to relative performance. In addition, energy company
Pioneer Natural Resources and global gaming operator Las Vegas Sands
were outperformers during the reporting period. (Please refer to the portfolio
of investments for a complete list of holdings and the amount each represents in
the portfolio.)
International
Stocks
Within information technology,
our exposure to Chinese Internet companies such as Baidu and
Tencent Holdings was beneficial. However, stock selection within the
financials sector was a detractor from the portfolios relative performance.
Indian banks in general fared poorly as the Indian rupee weakened when investors
began to anticipate that the Fed would soon begin to taper, causing outflows
from India. In particular, our exposure to HDFC Bank (India) detracted.
Stock selection in developed Europe also weighed on relative performance. Our
exposure to UK-based financial services company Barclays hampered relative
returns.
Domestic Bonds
The portfolios fixed income holdings consist of a core
allocation to U.S. investment-grade bonds, including both nominal coupon
securities and Treasury inflation-protected securities. This conservative core
emphasizes high-quality, longer-duration
bonds that provide ballast in an environment of heightened risk aversion. We
supplement this core with allocations to diversifying fixed income asset
classes, including high yield bonds and floating rate bank loans. Our allocation
to high yield bonds helped relative performance as market demand for yield in a
low-rate environment fuelled outperformance for noninvestment-grade securities.
International
Bonds
The portfolios fixed income
holdings also include international bonds not denominated in U.S. dollars as
well as emerging market sovereign and corporate debt denominated in dollars or
local currencies. These international bonds can provide an additional source of
diversification relative to our allocations to domestic bonds and equities.
During the second half of the reporting period, our allocation to non-U.S. dollar bonds made a positive contribution to
performance as a result of dollar weakness, demonstrating how broad
diversification within the fixed income universe can benefit returns in certain
environments. However, earlier in the period, strength in the dollar caused the
international bond allocation to underperform.
Diversifying
Strategies
The portfolio incorporates
several diversifying components, such as the hedge fund allocation and the
equity index option strategy, to manage volatility and overall risk, which
should help the funds risk-adjusted performance in a period of elevated market
volatility or a broad sell-off in stocks. Because the portfolios hedge fund
allocation has a low correlation with the broad equity market, that portion of
the fund did not keep pace with the strong performance of stocks in the
reporting period. Similarly, our equity index option strategy did not contribute
to relative performance. In general, we expect these strategies to have a lower
return and lower volatility profile. Diversification cannot assure a profit or
protect against loss in a down market.
INVESTMENT OUTLOOK
Corporate earnings growth has generally not kept pace with rising stock prices, so equity valuation levels have been rising. However, we think that stocks are still reasonably valued, and the low-yield environment makes stocks look attractive relative to bonds. We expect central bank monetary policies to remain accommodative for some time, helping to support economic growth. On the other hand, the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the Feds taper, as well as the potential for more political battles over U.S. fiscal policy, may cause periods of elevated market volatility.
In Europe, heavy sovereign debt loads will likely continue to hinder economic growth, although some countries have started to benefit from an easing of austerity policies. We anticipate that European economies will grow more slowly than the U.S., but the lower valuations of companies in Europe make them somewhat more attractive. Although there is considerable disparity in the strength of emerging markets economies, with weaker demand for commodities hampering growth in countries that depend on raw material exports, valuations of emerging market stocks are generally more attractive than those of developed market companies.
With interest rates still quite low by historical standards and the Fed likely to begin tapering its asset purchase program as the economy strengthens, over time long-term interest rates will continue to rise to levels that are more in line with historical averages. The shorter duration of high yield bonds and leveraged loans should allow them to hold up better than investment-grade debt in an environment of rising interest rates. The U.S. economy is slowly improving, so we dont anticipate a major deterioration in the fundamental health of corporate debt issuers. While valuations for emerging markets debt appear attractive, the sector remains susceptible to shifts in investor sentiment. The expected slowdown in the Feds asset purchases, which has the potential to raise U.S. rates and pressure emerging markets currencies, has heightened the liquidity risk in emerging markets debt.
Although the economic environment should benefit from lessened fiscal headwinds in the coming year, the prospects for elevated levels of market volatility in the months ahead reinforces the importance of the funds broad global diversification, including allocations to several non-traditional strategies, which can dampen volatility and help provide a buffer against potentially turbulent markets. Our hedge fund allocation is designed to have a low correlation with the broad stock market, and our currency hedging techniques should help mitigate the negative effects of volatility in the foreign exchange market. Of course, the portfolios broad diversification across asset classes, regions, and countries, as well as our ability to make changes in the funds allocation to help enhance its risk-reward profile, should help it post attractive risk-adjusted returns in volatile, changing market environments.
Thank you for investing with T. Rowe Price.
Respectfully
submitted,
Charles M. Shriver
Chairman of the funds Investment Advisory Committee
November 21, 2013
The committee chairman has day-to-day responsibility for managing the portfolio and works with committee members in developing and executing the funds investment program.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN STOCKS
As with all stock and bond mutual funds, the funds share price can fall because of weakness in the stock or bond markets, a particular industry, or specific holdings. Stock markets can decline for many reasons, including adverse political or economic developments, changes in investor psychology, or heavy institutional selling. The prospects for an industry or company may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing earnings or changes in the competitive environment. In addition, the investment managers assessment of companies held in a fund may prove incorrect, resulting in losses or poor performance even in rising markets. A sizable cash or fixed income position may hinder the fund from participating fully in a strong, rapidly rising bull market. In addition, significant exposure to bonds increases the risk that the funds share value could be hurt by rising interest rates or credit downgrades or defaults. Convertible securities are also exposed to price fluctuations of the companys stock.
RISKS OF INTERNATIONAL INVESTING
Funds that invest overseas generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. assets. Funds investing in a single country or in a limited geographic region tend to be riskier than more diversified funds. Risks can result from varying stages of economic and political development; differing regulatory environments, trading days, and accounting standards; and higher transaction costs of non-U.S. markets. Non-U.S. investments are also subject to currency risk, or a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN BONDS
Funds that invest in bonds are subject to interest rate risk, the decline in bond prices that usually accompanies a rise in interest rates. Longer-maturity bonds typically decline more than those with shorter maturities. Funds that invest in bonds are also subject to credit risk, the chance that any fund holding could have its credit rating downgraded or that a bond issuer will default (fail to make timely payments of interest or principal), potentially reducing the funds income level and share price.
RISKS OF ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS/HEDGE FUNDS
The funds exposure to alternative investments may prove to be more correlated to the broad markets or the remainder of the funds portfolio than anticipated and thus reduce the value of such investments. A hedge fund is considered an illiquid asset by the fund, is not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds and other investment companies, and could underperform comparable hedge funds with alternative strategies. Hedge funds are not required to provide periodic pricing or valuation information to investors, and often engage in leveraging, short selling commodities investing, and other speculative investment practices that are not fully disclosed and may increase the risk of investment loss. Their underlying holdings are not as transparent to investors or typically as diversified as those of traditional mutual funds, and an investors redemption rights are typically limited. All of these factors make the funds investments in alternative investments and hedge funds more difficult to value and monitor when compared with more traditional investments, and may increase the funds liquidity risks.
GLOSSARY
Call option: Gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy a security or index at a specified price on or before a specified date. Writing a call option means selling it to collect the price or premium.
Duration: A measure of a bonds sensitivity to changes in interest rates. For example, a bond with a duration of five years would fall about 5% in price in response to a one-percentage-point rise in interest rates, and vice versa.
Morningstar Global Allocation Fund Index: An index that represents the performance of a portfolio of 60% global equities and 40% global bonds, with the allocation within each broad asset class determined by Morningstars asset allocation methodology and represented by Morningstar core equity and fixed income indexes.
Nominal coupon bonds: Fixed income securities with coupon payments that do not vary in response to changes in an inflation rate.
Standard & Poors 500 Index: An unmanaged index that tracks the stocks of 500 primarily large-cap U.S. companies.
Fund Expense Example |
As a mutual fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other fund expenses. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the most recent six-month period and held for the entire period.
Actual
Expenses
The first line of the
following table (Actual) provides information about actual account values and
expenses based on the funds actual returns. You may use the information on this
line, together with your account balance, to estimate the expenses that you paid
over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an
$8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the
number on the first line under the heading Expenses Paid During Period to
estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for
Comparison Purposes
The information
on the second line of the table (Hypothetical) is based on hypothetical account
values and expenses derived from the funds actual expense ratio and an assumed
5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the funds actual return). You
may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund with other funds by
contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that
appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account
values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account
balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Note: T. Rowe Price charges an annual account service fee of $20, generally for accounts with less than $10,000. The fee is waived for any investor whose T. Rowe Price mutual fund accounts total $50,000 or more; accounts electing to receive electronic delivery of account statements, transaction confirmations, prospectuses, and shareholder reports; or accounts of an investor who is a T. Rowe Price Preferred Services, Personal Services, or Enhanced Personal Services client (enrollment in these programs generally requires T. Rowe Price assets of at least $100,000). This fee is not included in the accompanying table. If you are subject to the fee, keep it in mind when you are estimating the ongoing expenses of investing in the fund and when comparing the expenses of this fund with other funds.
You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. To the extent a fund charges transaction costs, however, the total cost of owning that fund is higher.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Notes to Financial Statements |
T. Rowe Price Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (the fund), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income. The fund has two classes of shares: the Global Allocation Fund original share class, referred to in this report as the Investor Class, offered since May 28, 2013, and the Global Allocation FundAdvisor Class (Advisor Class), offered since May 28, 2013. Advisor Class shares are sold only through unaffiliated brokers and other unaffiliated financial intermediaries that are compensated by the class for distribution, shareholder servicing, and/or certain administrative services under a Board-approved Rule 12b-1 plan. Each class has exclusive voting rights on matters related solely to that class; separate voting rights on matters that relate to both classes; and, in all other respects, the same rights and obligations as the other class.
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), which require the use of estimates made by management. Management believes that estimates and valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the valuations reflected in the accompanying financial statements may differ from the value ultimately realized upon sale or maturity.
Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized for financial reporting purposes. Paydown gains and losses are recorded as an adjustment to interest income. Inflation adjustments to the principal amount of inflation-indexed bonds are reflected as interest income. Dividends received from mutual fund investments are reflected as dividend income; capital gain distributions are reflected as realized gain/loss. Earnings on investments recognized as partnerships for federal income tax purposes reflect the tax character of such earnings. Dividend income and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income tax-related interest and penalties, if incurred, would be recorded as income tax expense. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses are reported on the identified cost basis. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income distributions are declared and paid by each class annually. Capital gain distributions, if any, are generally declared and paid by the fund annually.
Currency Translation Assets, including investments, and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate, using the mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as quoted by a major bank. Purchases and sales of securities, income, and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on realized and unrealized security gains and losses is reflected as a component of security gains and losses.
Class Accounting The Advisor Class pays distribution, shareholder servicing, and/or certain administrative expenses in the form of Rule 12b-1 fees, in an amount not exceeding 0.25% of the classs average daily net assets. Shareholder servicing, prospectus, and shareholder report expenses incurred by each class are charged directly to the class to which they relate. Expenses common to both classes, investment income, and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated to the classes based upon the relative daily net assets of each class.
NOTE 2 - VALUATION
The funds financial instruments are valued, and each classs net asset value (NAV) per share is computed at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4 p.m. ET, each day the NYSE is open for business.
Fair Value The funds financial instruments are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The T. Rowe Price Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee) has been established by the funds Board of Directors (the Board) to ensure that financial instruments are appropriately priced at fair value in accordance with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee develops and oversees pricing-related policies and procedures and approves all fair value determinations. Specifically, the Valuation Committee establishes procedures to value securities; determines pricing techniques, sources, and persons eligible to effect fair value pricing actions; oversees the selection, services, and performance of pricing vendors; oversees valuation-related business continuity practices; and provides guidance on internal controls and valuation-related matters. The Valuation Committee reports to the funds Board; is chaired by the funds treasurer; and has representation from legal, portfolio management and trading, operations, and risk management.
Various valuation techniques and inputs are used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
Level 1 quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the fund can access at the reporting date
Level 2 inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads)
Level 3 unobservable inputs
Observable inputs are developed using market data, such as publicly available information about actual events or transactions, and reflect the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. Unobservable inputs are those for which market data are not available and are developed using the best information available about the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. GAAP requires valuation techniques to maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. When multiple inputs are used to derive fair value, the financial instrument is assigned to the level within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value of the financial instrument. Input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level but rather the degree of judgment used in determining those values.
Valuation Techniques Equity securities listed or regularly traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) market are valued at the last quoted sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price at the time the valuations are made. OTC Bulletin Board securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the quotation on the exchange determined to be the primary market for such security. Listed securities not traded on a particular day are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for domestic securities and the last quoted sale or closing price for international securities.
For valuation purposes, the last quoted prices of non-U.S. equity securities may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of such securities at the close of the NYSE. If the fund determines that developments between the close of a foreign market and the close of the NYSE will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of its portfolio securities, the fund will adjust the previous quoted prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the NYSE. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust quoted prices to reflect fair value, the fund reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. The fund may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the fund is open. The fund uses outside pricing services to provide it with quoted prices and information to evaluate or adjust those prices. The fund cannot predict how often it will use quoted prices and how often it will determine it necessary to adjust those prices to reflect fair value. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the fund routinely compares quoted prices, the next days opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices.
Actively traded domestic equity securities generally are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Non-U.S. equity securities generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy despite the availability of quoted prices because, as described above, the fund evaluates and determines whether those quoted prices reflect fair value at the close of the NYSE or require adjustment. OTC Bulletin Board securities, certain preferred securities, and equity securities traded in inactive markets generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Debt securities generally are traded in the OTC market. Securities with remaining maturities of one year or more at the time of acquisition are valued at prices furnished by dealers who make markets in such securities or by an independent pricing service, which considers the yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Generally, debt securities are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; however, to the extent the valuations include significant unobservable inputs, the securities would be categorized in Level 3.
Investments in mutual funds are valued at the mutual funds closing NAV per share on the day of valuation and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments in private investment companies are valued at the investees NAV per share as of the valuation date, if available. If the investees NAV is not available as of the valuation date or is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, the Valuation Committee may adjust the investees NAV to reflect fair value at the valuation date. Investments in private investment companies generally are categorized either in Level 2 or 3, depending on the significance of unobservable inputs. Listed options, and bilateral options with a listed equivalent, are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices and generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Financial futures contracts are valued at closing settlement prices and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Forward currency exchange contracts are valued using the prevailing forward exchange rate and are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities other than financial instruments, including short-term receivables and payables, are carried at cost, or estimated realizable value, if less, which approximates fair value.
Thinly traded financial instruments and those for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee. The objective of any fair value pricing determination is to arrive at a price that could reasonably be expected from a current sale. Financial instruments fair valued by the Valuation Committee are primarily private placements, restricted securities, warrants, rights, and other securities that are not publicly traded.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee regularly makes good faith judgments to establish and adjust the fair valuations of certain securities as events occur and circumstances warrant. For instance, in determining the fair value of an equity investment with limited market activity, such as a private placement or a thinly traded public company stock, the Valuation Committee considers a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, the issuers business prospects, its financial standing and performance, recent investment transactions in the issuer, new rounds of financing, negotiated transactions of significant size between other investors in the company, relevant market valuations of peer companies, strategic events affecting the company, market liquidity for the issuer, and general economic conditions and events. In consultation with the investment and pricing teams, the Valuation Committee will determine an appropriate valuation technique based on available information, which may include both observable and unobservable inputs. The Valuation Committee typically will afford greatest weight to actual prices in arms length transactions, to the extent they represent orderly transactions between market participants; transaction information can be reliably obtained; and prices are deemed representative of fair value. However, the Valuation Committee may also consider other valuation methods such as market-based valuation multiples; a discount or premium from market value of a similar, freely traded security of the same issuer; or some combination. Fair value determinations are reviewed on a regular basis and updated as information becomes available, including actual purchase and sale transactions of the issue. Because any fair value determination involves a significant amount of judgment, there is a degree of subjectivity inherent in such pricing decisions and fair value prices determined by the Valuation Committee could differ from those of other market participants. Depending on the relative significance of unobservable inputs, including the valuation technique(s) used, fair valued securities may be categorized in Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Valuation Inputs The following table summarizes the funds financial instruments, based on the inputs used to determine their fair values on October 31, 2013:
There were no material transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the period.
Following is a reconciliation of the funds Level 3 holdings for the period ended October 31, 2013. Gain (loss) reflects both realized and change in unrealized gain/loss on Level 3 holdings during the period, if any, and is included on the accompanying Statement of Operations. The change in unrealized gain/loss on Level 3 instruments held at October 31, 2013, totaled $98,000 for the period ended October 31, 2013.
In accordance with GAAP, the following table provides quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair valuations of the funds Level 3 assets, by class of financial instrument; it also indicates the sensitivity of the Level 3 valuations to changes in those significant unobservable inputs. Because the Valuation Committee considers a wide variety of factors and inputs, both observable and unobservable, in determining fair values, the unobservable inputs presented do not reflect all inputs significant to the fair value determination.
NOTE 3 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund invested in derivative instruments. As defined by GAAP, a derivative is a financial instrument whose value is derived from an underlying security price, foreign exchange rate, interest rate, index of prices or rates, or other variable; it requires little or no initial investment and permits or requires net settlement. The fund invests in derivatives only if the expected risks and rewards are consistent with its investment objectives, policies, and overall risk profile, as described in its prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, such as seeking to hedge against declines in principal value, increase yield, invest in an asset with greater efficiency and at a lower cost than is possible through direct investment, or to adjust credit exposure. The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and potentially much greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the instruments on which the derivatives are based. The fund at all times maintains sufficient cash reserves, liquid assets, or other SEC-permitted asset types to cover its settlement obligations under open derivative contracts.
The fund values its derivatives at fair value, as described in Note 2, and recognizes changes in fair value currently in its results of operations. Accordingly, the fund does not follow hedge accounting, even for derivatives employed as economic hedges. Generally, the fund accounts for its derivatives on a gross basis. It does not offset the fair value of derivative liabilities against the fair value of derivative assets on its financial statements, nor does it offset the fair value of derivative instruments against the right to reclaim or obligation to return collateral.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the funds derivative instruments held as of October 31, 2013, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:
Additionally, the amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in fund earnings during the period ended October 31, 2013, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following table by primary underlying risk exposure:
Counterparty Risk and Collateral The fund invests in derivatives in various markets, which expose it to differing levels of counterparty risk. Counterparty risk on exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivative contracts, such as futures, exchange-traded options, and centrally cleared swaps, is minimal because the clearinghouse provides protection against counterparty defaults. For futures and centrally cleared swaps, the fund is required to deposit collateral in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value (margin requirement), and the margin requirement must be maintained over the life of the contract. Each clearing broker, in its sole discretion, may adjust the margin requirements applicable to the fund.
Derivatives, such as bilateral swaps, forward currency exchange contracts, and options, that are transacted and settle directly with a counterparty (bilateral derivatives) expose the fund to greater counterparty risk. To mitigate this risk, the fund has entered into master netting arrangements (MNAs) with certain counterparties that permit net settlement under specified conditions and, for certain counterparties, also provide collateral agreements. MNAs may be in the form of International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreements (ISDAs) or foreign exchange letter agreements (FX letters).
MNAs govern the ability to offset amounts the fund owes a counterparty against amounts the counterparty owes the fund (net settlement). Both ISDAs and FX letters generally allow net settlement in the event of contract termination and permit termination by either party prior to maturity upon the occurrence of certain stated events, such as failure to pay or bankruptcy. In addition, ISDAs specify other events, the occurrence of which would allow one of the parties to terminate. For example, a downgrade in credit rating of a counterparty would allow the fund to terminate while a decline in the funds net assets of more than a certain percentage would allow the counterparty to terminate. Upon termination, all bilateral derivatives with that counterparty would be liquidated and a net amount settled. ISDAs typically include collateral agreements whereas FX letters do not. Collateral requirements are determined based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on all bilateral derivatives with each counterparty, subject to minimum transfer amounts that typically range from $100,000 to $250,000. Any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is transferred the next business day.
Collateral may be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government or related agencies. Cash and currencies posted by the fund are reflected as cash deposits in the accompanying financial statements and generally are restricted from withdrawal by the fund; securities posted by the fund are so noted in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments; both remain in the funds assets. Collateral pledged by counterparties is not included in the funds assets because the fund does not obtain effective control over those assets. For bilateral derivatives, collateral posted or received by the fund is held in a segregated account by the funds custodian. As of October 31, 2013, no collateral was pledged by either the fund or counterparties for bilateral derivatives. As of October 31, 2013, cash of $74,000 had been posted by the fund for exchange-traded and/or centrally cleared derivatives.
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. It uses forward currency exchange contracts (forwards) primarily to protect its non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities from adverse currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar. A forward involves an obligation to purchase or sell a fixed amount of a specific currency on a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. Although certain forwards may be settled by exchanging only the net gain or loss on the contract, most forwards are settled with the exchange of the underlying currencies in accordance with the specified terms. Forwards are valued at the unrealized gain or loss on the contract, which reflects the net amount the fund either is entitled to receive or obligated to deliver, as measured by the difference between the forward exchange rates at the date of entry into the contract and the forward rates at the reporting date. Appreciated forwards are reflected as assets, and depreciated forwards are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks related to the use of forwards include the possible failure of counterparties to meet the terms of the agreements; that anticipated currency movements will not occur, thereby reducing the funds total return; and the potential for losses in excess of the funds initial investment. During the period ended October 31, 2013, the funds exposure to forwards, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 7% and 8% of net assets.
Futures Contracts The fund is subject to interest rate risk and/or equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses futures contracts to help manage such risks. The fund may enter into futures contracts to manage exposure to interest rates, security prices, foreign currencies, and credit quality; as an efficient means of adjusting exposure to all or part of a target market; to enhance income; as a cash management tool; or to adjust credit exposure. A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another of a specified amount of a particular underlying financial instrument at an agreed-upon price, date, time, and place. The fund currently invests only in exchange-traded futures, which generally are standardized as to maturity date, underlying financial instrument, and other contract terms. Payments are made or received by the fund each day to settle daily fluctuations in the value of the contract (variation margin), which reflect changes in the value of the underlying financial instrument. Variation margin is recorded as unrealized gain or loss until the contract is closed. The value of a futures contract included in net assets is the amount of unsettled variation margin; net variation margin receivable is reflected as an asset and net variation margin payable is reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets, contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to movements in hedged security values and/or interest rates, and potential losses in excess of the funds initial investment. During the period ended October 31, 2013, the funds exposure to futures, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally less than 1% of net assets.
Options The fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses options to help manage such risk. The fund may use index call and put options to manage exposure to security prices; as an efficient means of adjusting exposure to all or a part of a target market; to enhance income; as a cash management tool; or to adjust credit exposure. In return for a premium paid, index call and put options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to receive cash, based on market movement, equal to the difference between the exercise settlement value of the index and the exercise price of the option. Options are included in net assets at fair value; purchased options are included in Investments in Securities; and written options are separately reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums on unexercised, expired options are recorded as realized gains or losses; premiums on exercised options are recorded as an adjustment to the proceeds from the sale or cost of the purchase. The difference between the premium and the amount received or paid in a closing transaction is also treated as realized gain or loss. Risks related to the use of options include possible illiquidity of the options market; trading restrictions imposed by an exchange; movements in underlying index values; and, for written options, potential losses in excess of the funds initial investment. During the period ended October 31, 2013, the funds exposure to options, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally less than 1% of net assets. Transactions in written options and related premiums received during the period ended October 31, 2013, were as follows:
NOTE 4 - OTHER INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Consistent with its investment objective, the fund engages in the following practices to manage exposure to certain risks and/or to enhance performance. The investment objective, policies, program, and risk factors of the fund are described more fully in the funds prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Restricted Securities The fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Prompt sale of such securities at an acceptable price may be difficult and may involve substantial delays and additional costs.
Mortgage-Backed Securities The fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities (MBS or pass-through certificates) that represent an interest in a pool of specific underlying mortgage loans and entitle the fund to the periodic payments of principal and interest from those mortgages. MBS may be issued by government agencies or corporations, or private issuers. Most MBS issued by government agencies are guaranteed; however, the degree of protection differs based on the issuer. MBS are sensitive to changes in economic conditions that affect the rate of prepayments and defaults on the underlying mortgages; accordingly, the value, income, and related cash flows from MBS may be more volatile than other debt instruments.
Investment in Blackstone Partners Offshore Fund The fund invested in Blackstone Partners Offshore Fund Ltd. (Blackstone Partners), a multi-strategy private investment company, to gain exposure to alternative investments primarily through Blackstone Partners investments in underlying private investment funds. Blackstone Partners and its underlying funds may use leverage, engage in short-selling, and invest in commodities or other speculative investments, which may increase the risk of investment loss. Blackstone Partners and its underlying funds are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as open-end mutual funds, and, therefore, their investments and related valuations may not be as transparent. Ownership interests in Blackstone Partners and certain of its underlying funds are not transferable and are subject to various redemption restrictions, such as advance notice requirements, limited redemption dates, and possible suspension of redemption rights. All of these restrictions are subject to change at the sole discretion of Blackstone Partners or an underlying funds management. As of October 31, 2013, the funds investment in Blackstone Partners is subject to semi-annual redemption with 95 days prior written notice and is considered an illiquid asset.
Other Purchases and sales of portfolio securities other than short-term and U.S. government securities aggregated $47,680,000 and $4,268,000, respectively, for the period ended October 31, 2013. Purchases and sales of U.S. government securities aggregated $7,428,000 and $4,383,000, respectively, for the period ended October 31, 2013.
NOTE 5 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
No provision for federal income taxes is required since the fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and distribute to shareholders all of its taxable income and gains. Distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains for financial reporting purposes. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character but are not adjusted for temporary differences.
The fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The funds tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return but which can be extended to six years in certain circumstances.
Reclassifications to paid-in capital relate primarily to nondeductible organizational expenses. Reclassifications between income and gain relate primarily to the character of net currency losses. For the period ended October 31, 2013, the following reclassifications were recorded to reflect tax character (there was no impact on results of operations or net assets):
There were no distributions in the period ended October 31, 2013. At October 31, 2013, the tax-basis cost of investments and components of net assets were as follows:
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the deferral of losses from wash sales and the realization of gains/losses on passive foreign investment companies and/or certain open derivative contracts for tax purposes.
NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates), a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Price Group). The investment management agreement between the fund and Price Associates provides for an annual investment management fee, which is computed daily and paid monthly. The fee consists of an individual fund fee, equal to 0.40% of the funds average daily net assets, and a group fee. The group fee rate is calculated based on the combined net assets of certain mutual funds sponsored by Price Associates (the group) applied to a graduated fee schedule, with rates ranging from 0.48% for the first $1 billion of assets to 0.275% for assets in excess of $400 billion. The funds group fee is determined by applying the group fee rate to the funds average daily net assets. At October 31, 2013, the effective annual group fee rate was 0.30%.
The Investor Class and Advisor Class are also each subject to a contractual expense limitation through the limitation dates indicated in the table below. During the limitation period, Price Associates is required to waive its management fee or reimburse expenses, excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses, that would otherwise cause the classs ratio of annualized total expenses to average net assets (expense ratio) to exceed its expense limitation. Each class is required to repay Price Associates for expenses previously reimbursed and management fees waived to the extent the classs net assets grow or expenses decline sufficiently to allow repayment without causing the classs expense ratio to exceed its expense limitation. However, no repayment will be made more than three years after the date of a reimbursement or waiver.
Pursuant to this agreement, management fees in the amount of $109,000 were waived and expenses in the amount of $40,000 were reimbursed by Price Associates during the period ended October 31, 2013. Including these amounts, management fees waived and expenses previously reimbursed by Price Associates in the amount of $149,000 remain subject to repayment at October 31, 2013.
In addition, the fund has entered into service agreements with Price Associates and two wholly owned subsidiaries of Price Associates (collectively, Price). Price Associates computes the daily share prices and provides certain other administrative services to the fund. T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., provides shareholder and administrative services in its capacity as the funds transfer and dividend-disbursing agent. T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., provides subaccounting and recordkeeping services for certain retirement accounts invested in the Investor Class. For the period ended October 31, 2013, expenses incurred pursuant to these service agreements were $83,000 for Price Associates; $9,000 for T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.; and less than $1,000 for T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc. The total amount payable at period-end pursuant to these service agreements is reflected as Due to Affiliates in the accompanying financial statements.
The fund may invest in the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Fund, the T. Rowe Price Government Reserve Investment Fund, or the T. Rowe Price Short-Term Reserve Fund (collectively, the Price Reserve Investment Funds), open-end management investment companies managed by Price Associates and considered affiliates of the fund. The Price Reserve Investment Funds are offered as short-term investment options to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Price Associates or its affiliates and are not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The Price Reserve Investment Funds pay no investment management fees.
The fund may also invest in certain other T. Rowe Price funds as a means of gaining efficient and cost-effective exposure to certain markets. Each underlying T. Rowe Price fund is an open-end management investment company managed by Price Associates and is considered an affiliate of the fund. To ensure that the fund does not incur duplicate management fees (paid by the underlying T. Rowe Price fund(s) and the fund), Price Associates has agreed to permanently waive a portion of its management fee charged to the fund in an amount sufficient to fully offset that portion of management fees paid by each underlying T. Rowe Price fund related to the funds investment therein. The accompanying Statement of Operations reflects management fees permanently waived pursuant to this agreement. Annual fee rates and management fees waived related to investments in the underlying T. Rowe Price fund(s) for the period ended October 31, 2013, are as follows:
As of October 31, 2013, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., or its wholly owned subsidiaries owned 2,475,000 shares of the Investor Class, and 25,000 shares of the Advisor Class, aggregating 50% of the funds net assets.
NOTE 7 BORROWING
The fund may borrow to provide temporary liquidity. The fund, along with several other T. Rowe Price-sponsored mutual funds (collectively, the participating funds), has entered into a $200 million committed credit facility (the facility) provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., pursuant to which the participating funds may borrow on a first-come, first-served basis up to the full amount of the facility. Interest is charged to the borrowing fund at a rate equal to 1.25% plus the greater of (a) the Federal Funds rate or (b) the one-month LIBOR. A commitment fee, equal to 0.10% per annum of the average daily undrawn commitment, is allocated to the participating funds based on each funds relative net assets; it is accrued daily and paid quarterly. Loans are generally unsecured; however, the fund must collateralize any borrowings under the facility on an equivalent basis if it has other collateralized borrowings. During the period ended October 31, 2013, the fund incurred less than $1,000 in commitment fees. At October 31, 2013, the fund had no borrowings outstanding under the facility, and the undrawn amount of the facility was $200,000,000.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of T. Rowe Price Global
Allocation Fund, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of T. Rowe Price Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (hereafter referred to as the Fund) at October 31, 2013, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the period indicated therein, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as financial statements) are the responsibility of the Funds management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2013 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, and confirmation of the underlying funds by correspondence with the transfer agent, provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
December 13, 2013
Tax Information (Unaudited) for the Tax Year Ended 10/31/13 |
We are providing this information as required by the Internal Revenue Code. The amounts shown may differ from those elsewhere in this report because of differences between tax and financial reporting requirements.
For taxable non-corporate shareholders, $154,000 of the funds income represents qualified dividend income subject to the 15% rate category.
For corporate shareholders, $59,000 of the funds income qualifies for the dividends-received deduction.
Information on Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures, and Records |
A description of the policies and procedures used by T. Rowe Price funds and portfolios to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in each funds Statement of Additional Information. You may request this document by calling 1-800-225-5132 or by accessing the SECs website, sec.gov.
The description of our proxy voting policies and procedures is also available on our website, troweprice.com. To access it, click on the words Social Responsibility at the top of our corporate homepage. Next, click on the words Conducting Business Responsibly on the left side of the page that appears. Finally, click on the words Proxy Voting Policies on the left side of the page that appears.
Each funds most recent annual proxy voting record is available on our website and through the SECs website. To access it through our website, follow the above directions to reach the Conducting Business Responsibly page. Click on the words Proxy Voting Records on the left side of that page, and then click on the View Proxy Voting Records link at the bottom of the page that appears.
How to Obtain Quarterly Portfolio Holdings |
The fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The funds Form N-Q is available electronically on the SECs website (sec.gov); hard copies may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room, 100 F St. N.E., Washington, DC 20549. For more information on the Public Reference Room, call 1-800-SEC-0330.
About the Funds Directors and Officers |
Your fund is overseen by a Board of Directors (Board) that meets regularly to review a wide variety of matters affecting or potentially affecting the fund, including performance, investment programs, compliance matters, advisory fees and expenses, service providers, and business and regulatory affairs. The Board elects the funds officers, who are listed in the final table. At least 75% of the Boards members are independent of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price), and its affiliates; inside or interested directors are employees or officers of T. Rowe Price. The business address of each director and officer is 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the fund directors and is available without charge by calling a T. Rowe Price representative at 1-800-638-5660.
Independent Directors | ||
Name | ||
(Year of Birth) | ||
Year Elected* | ||
[Number of T. Rowe Price | Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships of Public Companies and | |
Portfolios Overseen] | Other Investment Companies During the Past Five Years | |
William R. Brody | President and Trustee, Salk Institute for Biological Studies (2009 | |
(1944) | to present); Director, Novartis, Inc. (2009 to present); Director, IBM | |
2013 | (2007 to present); President and Trustee, Johns Hopkins University | |
[157] | (1996 to 2009); Chairman of Executive Committee and Trustee, | |
Johns Hopkins Health System (1996 to 2009) | ||
Anthony W. Deering | Chairman, Exeter Capital, LLC, a private investment firm (2004 to | |
(1945) | present); Director and Member of the Advisory Board, Deutsche | |
2013 | Bank North America (2004 to present); Director, Under Armour | |
[157] | (2008 to present); Director, Vornado Real Estate Investment Trust | |
(2004 to 2012) | ||
Donald W. Dick, Jr. | Principal, EuroCapital Partners, LLC, an acquisition and management | |
(1943) | advisory firm (1995 to present) | |
2013 | ||
[157] | ||
Bruce W. Duncan | President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, First Industrial Realty | |
(1951) | Trust, owner and operator of industrial properties (2009 to present); | |
2013 | Chairman of the Board (2005 to present), Interim Chief Executive | |
[157] | Officer (2007), and Director (1999 to present), Starwood Hotels & | |
Resorts, a hotel and leisure company; Senior Advisor, Kohlberg, | ||
Kravis, Roberts & Co. LP, a global investment firm (2008 to 2009); | ||
Trustee, Starwood Lodging Trust, a real estate investment trust and | ||
former subsidiary of Starwood (1995 to 2006) | ||
Robert J. Gerrard, Jr. | Advisory Board Member, Pipeline Crisis/Winning Strategies (1997 | |
(1952) | to present); Chairman of Compensation Committee and Director, | |
2013 | Syniverse Holdings, Inc. (2008 to 2011); Executive Vice President | |
[157] | and General Counsel, Scripps Networks, LLC (1997 to 2009) | |
Karen N. Horn | Limited Partner and Senior Managing Director, Brock Capital Group, | |
(1943) | an advisory and investment banking firm (2004 to present); Director, | |
2013 | Eli Lilly and Company (1987 to present); Director, Simon Property | |
[157] | Group (2004 to present); Director, Norfolk Southern (2008 to | |
present); Director, Fannie Mae (2006 to 2008) | ||
Paul F. McBride | Former Company Officer and Senior Vice President, Human | |
(1956) | Resources and Corporate Initiatives (2004 to 2010) | |
2013 | ||
[157] | ||
Theo C. Rodgers | Founder and President, A&R Development Corporation (1977 to | |
(1941) | present) and A&R Management, Inc. (1984 to present) | |
2005 | ||
[157] | ||
Cecilia E. Rouse, Ph.D. | Dean, Woodrow Wilson School (2012 to present); Professor and | |
(1963) | Researcher, Princeton University (1992 to present); Director, MDRC | |
2013 | (2011 to present); Member, National Academy of Education (2010 | |
[157] | to present); Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic | |
Researchs Labor Studies Program (1998 to 2009 and 2011 to | ||
present); Member, Presidents Council of Economic Advisors | ||
(2009 to 2011); Member, The MacArthur Foundation Network on | ||
the Transition to Adulthood and Public Policy (2000 to 2008); | ||
Member, National Advisory Committee for the Robert Wood | ||
Johnson Foundations Scholars in Health Policy Research Program | ||
(2008); Director and Member, National Economic Association | ||
(2006 to 2008); Member, Association of Public Policy Analysis and | ||
Management Policy Council (2006 to 2008); Member, Hamilton | ||
Projects Advisory Board at The Brookings Institute (2006 to 2008); | ||
Chair of Committee on the Status of Minority Groups in the Economic | ||
Profession, American Economic Association (2006 to 2008 and | ||
2012 to present) | ||
John G. Schreiber | Owner/President, Centaur Capital Partners, Inc., a real estate | |
(1946) | investment company (1991 to present); Cofounder and Partner, | |
2013 | Blackstone Real Estate Advisors, L.P. (1992 to present); Director, | |
[157] | General Growth Properties, Inc. (2010 to present); Director, BXMT | |
(formerly Capital Trust, Inc.), a real estate investment company | ||
(2012 to present); Director and Chairman of the Board, Brixmor | ||
Property Group, Inc. (2013 to present) | ||
Mark R. Tercek | President and Chief Executive Officer, The Nature Conservancy (2008 | |
(1957) | to present); Managing Director, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | |
2013 | (1984 to 2008) | |
[157] | ||
*Each independent director serves until retirement, resignation, or election of a successor. | ||
Inside Directors | ||
Name | ||
(Year of Birth) | ||
Year Elected* | ||
[Number of T. Rowe Price | Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships of Public Companies and | |
Portfolios Overseen] | Other Investment Companies During the Past Five Years | |
Edward C. Bernard | Director and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; Vice Chairman of the | |
(1956) | Board, Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; | |
2013 | Chairman of the Board, Director, and President, T. Rowe Price | |
[157] | Investment Services, Inc.; Chairman of the Board and Director, | |
T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., T. Rowe Price Savings | ||
Bank, and T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.; Chairman of the Board, Chief | ||
Executive Officer, and Director, T. Rowe Price International; Chairman | ||
of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Director, and President, T. Rowe | ||
Price Trust Company; Chairman of the Board, all funds | ||
Brian C. Rogers, CFA, CIC | Chief Investment Officer, Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; | |
(1955) | Chairman of the Board, Chief Investment Officer, Director, and Vice | |
2013 | President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Vice President, T. Rowe Price | |
[105] | Trust Company | |
*Each inside director serves until retirement, resignation, or election of a successor. |
Officers | ||
Name (Year of Birth) | ||
Position Held With Global Allocation Fund | Principal Occupation(s) | |
Roger L. Fiery III, CPA (1959) | Vice President, Price Hong Kong, Price | |
Vice President | Singapore, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, | |
Inc., T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe | ||
Price Trust Company | ||
John R. Gilner (1961) | Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President, | |
Chief Compliance Officer | T. Rowe Price; Vice President, T. Rowe Price | |
Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Investment | ||
Services, Inc. | ||
Gregory S. Golczewski (1966) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price | |
Vice President | Trust Company | |
Robert L. Harlow, CAIA, CFA (1986) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price | |
Vice President | ||
Gregory K. Hinkle, CPA (1958) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price | |
Treasurer | Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Steven C. Huber, CFA, FSA (1958) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price | |
Vice President | Group, Inc. | |
Stefan Hubrich, Ph.D., CFA (1974) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price | |
Vice President | Group, Inc. | |
Robert M. Larkins, CFA (1973) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price | |
Vice President | Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Patricia B. Lippert (1953) | Assistant Vice President, T. Rowe Price and | |
Secretary | T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc. | |
David Oestreicher (1967) | Director, Vice President, and Secretary, | |
Vice President | T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., T. Rowe | |
Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., T. Rowe | ||
Price Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust | ||
Company; Chief Legal Officer, Vice President, | ||
and Secretary, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Vice | ||
President and Secretary, T. Rowe Price and | ||
T. Rowe Price International; Vice President, | ||
Price Hong Kong and Price Singapore; | ||
Secretary, T. Rowe Price Savings Bank | ||
Robert A. Panariello (1983) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price | |
Vice President | ||
Deborah D. Seidel (1962) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price | |
Vice President | Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price Investment Services, | |
Inc., and T. Rowe Price Services, Inc. | ||
Charles M. Shriver, CFA (1967) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price | |
President | Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Julie L. Waples (1970) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price | |
Vice President | ||
Richard T. Whitney, CFA (1958) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price | |
Vice President | Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price International, and | |
T. Rowe Price Trust Company | ||
Unless otherwise noted, officers have been employees of T. Rowe Price or T. Rowe Price International for at least 5 years. |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of this code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR. No substantive amendments were approved or waivers were granted to this code of ethics during the period covered by this report.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The registrants Board of Directors/Trustees has determined that Mr. Anthony W. Deering qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mr. Deering is considered independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a) (d) Aggregate fees billed for the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered to, or on behalf of, the registrant by the registrants principal accountant were as follows:
Audit fees include amounts related to the audit of the registrants annual financial statements and services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. Audit-related fees include amounts reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrants financial statements and specifically include the issuance of a report on internal controls and, if applicable, agreed-upon procedures related to fund acquisitions. Tax fees include amounts related to services for tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice. The nature of these services specifically includes the review of distribution calculations and the preparation of Federal, state, and excise tax returns. All other fees include the registrants pro-rata share of amounts for agreed-upon procedures in conjunction with service contract approvals by the registrants Board of Directors/Trustees.
(e)(1) The registrants audit committee has adopted a policy whereby audit and non-audit services performed by the registrants principal accountant for the registrant, its investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant require pre-approval in advance at regularly scheduled audit committee meetings. If such a service is required between regularly scheduled audit committee meetings, pre-approval may be authorized by one audit committee member with ratification at the next scheduled audit committee meeting. Waiver of pre-approval for audit or non-audit services requiring fees of a de minimis amount is not permitted.
(2) No services included in (b) (d) above were approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountants engagement to audit the registrants financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountants full-time, permanent employees.
(g) The aggregate fees billed for the most recent fiscal year and the preceding fiscal year by the registrants principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant, its investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant were $1,828,000 and $1,333,000, respectively.
(h) All non-audit services rendered in (g) above were pre-approved by the registrants audit committee. Accordingly, these services were considered by the registrants audit committee in maintaining the principal accountants independence.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) Not applicable. The complete schedule of investments is included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrants disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely.
(b) The registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants second fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) The registrants code of ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is attached.
(2) Separate certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.
(3) Written solicitation to repurchase securities issued by closed-end companies: not applicable.
(b) A certification by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
T. Rowe Price Global Allocation Fund, Inc.
By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
Edward C. Bernard | ||
Principal Executive Officer | ||
Date December 13, 2013 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
Edward C. Bernard | ||
Principal Executive Officer | ||
Date December 13, 2013 | ||
By | /s/ Gregory K. Hinkle | |
Gregory K. Hinkle | ||
Principal Financial Officer | ||
Date December 13, 2013 |
Item 12(a)(2).
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Edward C. Bernard, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of T. Rowe Price Global Allocation Fund; | |||
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | |||
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | |||
4. | The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: | |||
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | |||
(b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |||
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and | |||
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and | |||
5. | The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | |||
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and | |||
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: December 13, 2013 | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
Edward C. Bernard | ||
Principal Executive Officer |
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Gregory K. Hinkle, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of T. Rowe Price Global Allocation Fund; | |||
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | |||
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | |||
4. | The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: | |||
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | |||
(b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |||
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and | |||
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and | |||
5. | The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | |||
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and | |||
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: December 13, 2013 | /s/ Gregory K. Hinkle | |
Gregory K. Hinkle | ||
Principal Financial Officer |
Item 12(b).
CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 906 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 | ||
Name of Issuer: T. Rowe Price Global Allocation Fund | ||
In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR for the above named Issuer, the undersigned hereby | ||
certifies, to the best of his knowledge, that: | ||
1. | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities | |
Exchange Act of 1934; | ||
2. | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial | |
condition and results of operations of the Issuer. |
Date: December 13, 2013 | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
Edward C. Bernard | ||
Principal Executive Officer | ||
Date: December 13, 2013 | /s/ Gregory K. Hinkle | |
Gregory K. Hinkle | ||
Principal Financial Officer |
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE
AND SENIOR FINANCIAL
OFFICERS OF THE PRICE FUNDS
UNDER THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I. General Statement. This Code of Ethics (the Price Funds S-O Code) has been designed to bring the Price Funds into compliance with the applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act) rules promulgated by The Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder (Regulations). The Price Funds S-O Code applies solely to the Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer or Controller of, or persons performing similar functions for, a Price Fund (whether such persons are employed by a Price Fund or third party) (Covered Officers). The Price Funds shall include each mutual fund that is managed, sponsored and distributed by affiliates of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Group). The investment managers to the Price Funds will be referred to as the Price Fund Advisers. A list of Covered Officers is attached as Exhibit A.
The Price Fund Advisers have, along with their parent, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Group) also maintained a comprehensive Code of Ethics and Conduct (the Group Code) since 1972, which applies to all officers, directors and employees of the Price Funds, Group and its affiliates.
As mandated by the Act, Group has adopted a Code (the Group S-O Code), similar to the Price Funds S-O Code, which applies solely to its principal executive and senior financial officers. The Group S-O Code and the Price Funds S-O Code will be referred to collectively as the S-O Codes.
The Price Funds S-O Code has been adopted by the Price Funds in accordance with the Act and Regulations thereunder and will be administered in conformity with the disclosure requirements of Item 2 of Form N-CSR. The S-O Codes are attachments to the Group Code. In many respects the S-O Codes are supplementary to the Group Code, but the Group Code is administered separately from the S-O Codes, as the S-O Codes are from each other.
II. Purpose of the Price Funds S-O Code. The purpose of the Price Funds S-O Code, as mandated by the Act and the Regulations, is to establish standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
Ethical Conduct. Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
Disclosure. Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Price Funds file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Price Funds.
Compliance. Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations.
Reporting of Violations. The prompt internal reporting of violations of the Price Funds S-O Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Price Funds S-O Code.
Accountability. Accountability for adherence to the Price Funds S-O Code.
III. Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest.
Overview. Each Covered Officer owes a duty to the Price Funds to adhere to a high standard of honesty and business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.
A conflict of interest occurs when a Covered Officers private interest interferes with the interests of, or his or her service to, the Price Funds. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position with a Price Fund.
Certain conflicts of interest covered by the Price Funds S-O Code arise out of the relationships between Covered Officers and the Price Funds and may already be subject to provisions regulating conflicts of interest in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Investment Company Act), the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Investment Advisers Act) and the Group Code. For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with a Price Fund because of their status as affiliated persons of a Price Fund. The compliance programs and procedures of the Price Funds and Price Fund Advisers are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions.
Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between a Price Fund and its Price Fund Adviser (and its affiliates) of which the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees. As a result, the Price Funds S-O Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Price Funds or for the Price Fund Advisers, or for both), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions which will have different effects on these entities. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between each Price Fund and its respective Price Fund Adviser. Such participation is also consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Price Funds and, if consistent with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, it will be deemed to have been handled ethically.
Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Price Funds S-O Code, even if these conflicts of interest are not addressed by or subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act.
Whenever a Covered Officer is confronted with a conflict of interest situation where he or she is uncertain as to the appropriate action to be taken, he or she should discuss the matter with the Chairperson of Groups Ethics Committee or another member of the Committee.
Handling of Specific Types of Conflicts. Each Covered Officer (and close family members) must not:
Entertainment. Accept entertainment from any company with which any Price Fund or any Price Fund Adviser has current or prospective business dealings, including portfolio companies, unless such entertainment is in full compliance with the policy on entertainment as set forth in the Group Code.
Gifts. Accept any gifts, except as permitted by the Group Code.
Improper Personal Influence. Use his or her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions, brokerage allocations or financial reporting by the Price Funds to the detriment of any one or more of the Price Funds.
Taking Action at the Expense of a Price Fund. Cause a Price Fund to take action, or fail to take action, for the personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than for the benefit of one or more of the Price Funds.
Misuse of Price Funds Transaction Information. Use knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for a Price Fund or any other clients of the Price Fund Advisers to trade personally or cause others to trade in order to take advantage of or avoid the market impact of such portfolio transactions.
Outside Business Activities. Engage in any outside business activity that detracts from a Covered Officers ability to devote appropriate time and attention to his or her responsibilities to a Price Fund.
Service Providers. Excluding Group and its affiliates, have any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Price Funds service providers, except that an ownership interest in public companies is permitted
Receipt of Payments. Have a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges, spreads or other payments paid by a Price Fund for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest (such as compensation or equity ownership) arising from the Covered Officers employment by Group or any of its affiliates.
Service as a Director or Trustee. Serve as a director, trustee or officer of any public or private company or a non-profit organization that issues securities eligible for purchase by any of the Price Funds, unless approval is obtained as required by the Group Code.
IV. Covered Officers Specific Obligations and Accountabilities.
A. Disclosure Requirements and Controls. Each Covered Officer must familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements (Form N-1A registration statement, proxy (Schedule 14A), shareholder reports, Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, etc.) applicable to the Price Funds and the disclosure controls and procedures of the Price Fund and the Price Fund Advisers.
B. Compliance with Applicable Law. It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Price Funds and the Price Fund Advisers. Each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within his or her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Price Funds and the Price Fund Advisers and take other appropriate steps with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Price Funds file with, or submit to, the SEC, and in other public communications made by the Price Funds.
C. Fair Disclosure. Each Covered Officer must not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about a Price Fund to others, whether within or outside the Price organization, including to the Price Funds directors and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations.
D. Initial and Annual Affirmations. Each Covered Officer must:
1. Upon adoption of the Price Funds S-O Code (or thereafter, as applicable, upon becoming a Covered Officer), affirm in writing that he or she has received, read, and understands the Price Funds S-O Code.
2. Annually affirm that he or she has complied with the requirements of the Price Funds S-O Code.
E. Reporting of Material Violations of the Price Funds S-O Code. If a Covered Officer becomes aware of any material violation of the Price Funds S-O Code or laws and governmental rules and regulations applicable to the operations of the Price Funds, he or she must promptly report the violation (Report) to the Chief Legal Counsel of the Price Funds (CLC). Failure to report a material violation will be considered itself a violation of the Price Funds S-O Code. The CLC is identified in the attached Exhibit B.
It is the Price Funds policy that no retaliation or other adverse action will be taken against any Covered Officer or other employee of a Price Fund, a Price Fund Adviser or their affiliates based upon any lawful actions of the Covered Officer or employee with respect to a Report made in good faith.
F. Annual Disclosures. Each Covered Officer must report, at least annually, all affiliations or other relationships as called for in the Annual Questionnaire for Executive Officers and/or Employee Directors/Trustees of Group and the Price Funds.
V. Administration of the Price Funds S-O Code. The Ethics Committee is responsible for administering the Price Funds S-O Code and applying its provisions to specific situations in which questions are presented.
A. Waivers and Interpretations. The Chairperson of the Ethics Committee has the authority to interpret the Price Funds S-O Code in any particular situation and to grant waivers where justified, subject to the approval of the Joint Audit Committee of the Price Funds. All material interpretations concerning Covered Officers will be reported to the Joint Audit Committee of the Price Funds at its next meeting. Waivers, including implicit waivers, to Covered Officers will be publicly disclosed as required in the Instructions to N-CSR. Pursuant to the definition in the Regulations, an implicit waiver means a Price Funds failure to take action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of the Price Funds S-O Code that has been made known to an executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of a Price Fund. An executive officer of a Price Fund includes its president and any vice-president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function.
B. Violations/Investigations. The following procedures will be followed in investigating and enforcing the Price Funds S-O Code:
1. The CLC will take or cause to be taken appropriate action to investigate any potential or actual violation reported to him or her.
2. The CLC, after consultation if deemed appropriate with Outside Counsel to the Price Funds, will make a recommendation to the appropriate Price Funds Board regarding the action to be taken with regard to each material violation. Such action could include any of the following: a letter of censure or suspension, a fine, a suspension of trading privileges or termination of officership or employment. In addition, the violator may be required to surrender any profit realized (or loss avoided) from any activity that is in violation of the Price Funds S-O Code.
VI. Amendments to the Price Funds S-O Code. Except as to the contents of Exhibit A and Exhibit B, the Price Funds S-O Code may not be materially amended except in written form, which is specifically approved or ratified by a majority vote of each Price Fund Board, including a majority of the independent directors on each Board.
VII. Confidentiality. All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to the Price Funds S-O Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law, the Price Funds S-O Code or as necessary in connection with regulations under the Price Funds S-O Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the directors of the appropriate Price Fund Board, Outside Counsel to the Price Funds, members of the Ethics Committee and the CLC and authorized persons on his or her staff.
Preparation Date: 9/30/03
Adoption Date: 10/22/03
Exhibit A
Persons Covered by the Price Funds S-O Code of
Ethics
Edward C. Bernard, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
Gregory K. Hinkle, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer
Exhibit B
David Oestreicher, Chief Legal Counsel to the Price Funds
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