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. |
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| (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
| 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
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| (Address of principal executive offices) |
| David Oestreicher |
| 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
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| (Name and address of agent for service) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (410) 345-2000
Date of fiscal year end: October 31
Date of reporting period: April 30, 2021
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Global Allocation Fund |
April 30, 2021 |
| RPGAX | Investor Class |
| PAFGX | Advisor Class |
| TGAFX | I Class |
| T. ROWE PRICE GLOBAL ALLOCATION FUND |
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HIGHLIGHTS
| ■ | The Global Allocation Fund returned 18.85% in the six months ended April 30, 2021, and outperformed the Morningstar Global Allocation Index. |
| ■ | Strong security selection and exposure to diversifying sectors contributed to relative performance. Tactical allocation decisions had a modest positive impact. |
| ■ | We tilted to an underweight to stocks relative to bonds, as the risk/reward profile for equities looks less compelling after their dramatic rebound from March 2020 lows. We are overweight value stocks globally, as they may continue to be boosted by improving economic growth, and we favor fixed income sectors that would benefit from higher interest rates and inflation. |
| ■ | Strong earnings reports, unprecedented fiscal stimulus, and indications of significant pent-up demand have built expectations for an acceleration in economic activity in the year ahead but have also given rise to inflation fears. Key risks to global markets include the resurgence in coronavirus cases, the pace of vaccinations, geopolitical concerns, and the potential for higher taxes as countries pivot to funding recovery costs. |
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CIO Market Commentary
Dear Shareholder
Global stock markets produced very strong returns during the first half of your fund’s fiscal year, the six-month period ended April 30, 2021, while rising yields weighed on returns for bond investors. Although the coronavirus continued to spread in many regions, the beginning of vaccine distributions led investors to look beyond negative headlines in anticipation of a strong economic recovery.
All major global and regional equity benchmarks recorded positive results during the period, and returns in the 20% to 40% range were common across developed and emerging markets. Reports of successful vaccine trials in November increased hopes for a return to normalcy in 2021 and spurred a rotation toward segments that had been beaten down in the initial phase of the pandemic.
After a long period of underperformance, value shares outperformed their growth counterparts during the six-month period, and sector leaders also changed. Energy stocks produced strong gains as oil prices rebounded to their highest level in more than two years, and financials also outperformed as banks benefited from rising longer-term interest rates and improved lending margins. Meanwhile, information technology and consumer discretionary companies, which had been the big winners in the early days of the pandemic, trailed wider benchmarks, although they continued to produce solid gains. A weaker U.S. dollar aided returns for U.S. investors in most regions.
Besides the rollout of vaccines, extraordinary fiscal and monetary support from global governments and central banks remained a key factor in providing a supportive backdrop for markets. In the U.S., President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act—a $1.9 trillion program that included direct payments of up to $1,400 to most Americans—into law in March. Central banks kept short-term lending rates near or even below zero, and both the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank emphasized that the time had not yet arrived for scaling back asset purchases designed to keep downward pressure on long-term interest rates.
Although some regions continued to be impacted by lockdowns, there were signs of a rebound in many economies. The International Monetary Fund increased its forecast for global growth in 2021 to 6%, which would mark the fastest growth rate since 1976, and corporate earnings reports were generally better than expected.
While stock investors looked favorably on the continued accommodative policies and positive economic news, bond investors became concerned about rising inflation. As a result, yields of longer-term Treasuries and other high-quality sovereign debt surged during the period, weighing on returns in many fixed income sectors. High yield bonds, which are less sensitive to interest rate changes, produced strong results though, and tax-free municipal bonds recorded positive returns as states received pandemic-related financial assistance from the federal government and state tax revenues held up better than expected.
As we look ahead, the widespread rollout of vaccines, very supportive monetary and fiscal policies, and the release of pent-up consumer demand could provide support for additional market gains. However, we are aware that there are risks in this environment. Valuations are expensive under all but the most optimistic scenarios. In addition, there are signs of speculation in markets, as shown by the rapid rise in cryptocurrencies and capital formation through less conventional vehicles.
During the tumultuous market volatility of February and March 2020, our portfolio managers remained rooted in company fundamentals and focused on the long term—identifying companies with balance sheets that appeared strong enough to get them to the other side of this pandemic was a particular focus. As we hopefully move forward to better days, our investment teams will continue to follow this approach, applying strong fundamental analysis as they seek out the best investments for your portfolio.
Thank you for your continued confidence in T. Rowe Price.
Sincerely,
Robert Sharps
Group Chief Investment Officer
Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income.
FUND COMMENTARY
How did the fund perform in the past six months?
The Global Allocation Fund returned 18.85% in the six months ended April 30, 2021. The fund outperformed the Morningstar Global Allocation Index. (Returns for the Advisor and I Class shares varied slightly, reflecting their different fee structures. Past performance cannot guarantee future results.)
What factors influenced the fund’s performance?
Strong security selection among several underlying strategies contributed to relative performance. Notably, our U.S. all-cap growth strategy meaningfully outpaced its benchmark, led by holdings in the health care and financials sectors. The U.S. large-cap value and international developed equity strategies also outperformed and added value. Weak stock selection in emerging markets and Europe, however, partly offset the positive impact, as these regions were weighed down by concerns around virus mutations, renewed lockdown restrictions, and volatility driven by rising U.S. Treasury yields and a stronger U.S. dollar. The U.S. large-cap growth strategy also lagged as investors favored more cyclically oriented stocks amid an optimistic outlook for economic growth. Within the fixed income allocation, security selection in the absolute return-oriented bond strategy and emerging markets bonds was positive.
The fund uses derivatives such as equity index futures as an efficient means of gaining exposure to certain market segments. During the reporting period, small-cap futures contributed to performance. The allocation to alternative investments through a conservative, diversified hedge fund of funds also boosted returns, as the strategy significantly outpaced both cash and its style-specific index.
From a structural perspective, exposure to diversifying sectors helped relative returns. High yield bonds posted strong gains, supported by favorable corporate earnings and their lower sensitivity to rising interest rates. The inclusion of Treasury inflation protected securities, nondollar bonds, and emerging markets bonds also proved favorable, as they strongly outpaced core U.S. investment-grade issues. Within equities, a surge in commodity prices during the period boosted real assets stocks, which meaningfully outperformed global equities, as the portfolio benefited from a diversifying allocation to real assets equities. Conversely, our efforts to mitigate potential downside risk within an equity index option call-writing strategy detracted, as our equity hedge positions muted gains in an environment of strong equity performance.
Tactical decisions to overweight and underweight various asset classes were modestly positive. Our overweight to high yield bonds, which outperformed investment-grade bonds, contributed to relative performance. After underperforming in the initial phases of the pandemic, small-cap and value stocks have recently rebounded strongly, and our overweight to these asset classes relative to large-cap growth stocks worked in our favor. However, real assets equities significantly outperformed global equities, and an underweight to the sector weighed on relative results. We did, however, trim our underweight to the sector over the period as commodity prices may continue to benefit as economies fully reopen. An overweight allocation to emerging markets stocks, which trailed developed markets stocks, also detracted.
How is the fund positioned?
We tilted to an underweight to stocks relative to bonds. Although strong economic and earnings growth could support equities, their valuations appear extended and their risk/reward profile appears less compelling after a dramatic rebound from the drastic sell-off in early 2020. Despite higher yields, bonds remain vulnerable to further increases in rates and rising inflation expectations, but the positive economic backdrop could support certain credit sectors.
Stocks
Within equities, we are modestly overweight to international stocks relative to U.S. stocks. International equities offer relatively attractive valuations, and their more cyclical profile could be beneficial as the global growth outlook for 2021 continues to improve. Supportive stimulus measures and pent-up demand could also provide tailwinds for international stocks. Outside the U.S., we are overweight to emerging markets stocks relative to developed market stocks. Although fading Chinese stimulus and virus mutations pose challenges, emerging markets stocks should benefit from recovering global trade and rising commodity prices.
In the U.S., we increased our overweight in value-oriented equities, as their cyclical orientation could benefit from the anticipated release of pent-up demand, the gradual recovery in economic growth, and further fiscal stimulus. As the recovery progresses, we believe upward pressure on interest rates—which are typically a headwind for growth stocks—could benefit value stocks, given their heavy exposure to financials. Secular growth companies, however, remain vulnerable to extended valuations and narrow leadership. We trimmed our overweight to U.S. small-cap stocks relative to larger companies. Following a year of unprecedented strength relative to large-caps, small-cap stocks may be susceptible to a pullback.
Among international equities, we are overweight value stocks relative to growth stocks. The deep cyclical orientation of international value stocks combined with attractive relative valuations and rising interest rates could be catalysts for further rotation out of growth. However, vaccine supply constraints and the ongoing outbreak in several emerging markets are sources of uncertainty. We are neutral between international small-cap stocks and international large-caps. Early-cycle exposure remains supportive for international small-caps, which could also benefit from idiosyncratic opportunities. Meanwhile, the steeper yield curve and an improving global economic outlook should benefit international large-caps given their exposure to cyclical sectors and international trade.
We pared our underweight to inflation-sensitive real assets equities. An anticipated uptick in consumer spending due to pent-up demand continues to buoy commodity prices. Despite rising interest rates, the outlook for real estate benefits from an environment of improving growth and constrained supply, as well as reasonable valuations.
Bonds
We remain overweight to high yield bonds, as their yields are still relatively attractive compared with investment-grade debt. Their fundamentals are also broadly supportive amid an improving backdrop for growth and a rebound in commodities. We are overweight to floating rate bank loans, which should benefit from their shorter-duration profile should rates rise. Floating rate loans also have a higher standing in the capital structure, in addition to favorable relative valuations and credit fundamentals.
We are neutral to dollar-denominated emerging markets bonds. While the sector offers attractive yields compared with developed markets, the shortage of vaccine supply in these regions is a headwind. We are overweight to emerging markets local currency bonds. Valuations remain modestly attractive, and an improving macroeconomic backdrop and a weaker U.S. dollar over the intermediate term could provide tailwinds.
What is portfolio management’s outlook?
Global markets have staged a remarkable recovery from the historic coronavirus-induced sell-off a year ago. While the virus remains a key risk to public health and economic activity, significant progress in the distribution of vaccines and the loosening of government restrictions have driven an uptick in sentiment. Moreover, central banks and governments have continued to deliver on aggressive monetary and fiscal stimulus measures, which have offset economic damage and provided a potent tailwind for risk assets. For the most part, markets appear to have priced in the likelihood that economic activity will continue to normalize over the coming months. However, in our view, there are several risks on the horizon that have yet to be fully appreciated.
Strong earnings reports, unprecedented fiscal stimulus, and indications of significant pent-up demand have built expectations for an acceleration in economic activity in the year ahead but have also given rise to inflation fears. In the U.S., proposals for further stimulus and infrastructure spending are likely to be married to an increase in corporate tax rates. China faces pressures from supply chain disruption, rising commodities costs, moderating growth, and fading stimulus, while virus mutations and significant struggles with vaccine distribution pose challenges in some regions. Although these conditions may not materialize as significant headwinds for growth, we believe they contribute to a less compelling risk/reward profile going forward and have positioned our portfolio accordingly.
The elevated levels of volatility and uncertainty in global markets underscores the value of our thoughtful strategic investing approach. Given the uncertain impact of positive and negative forces driving global financial markets, we believe that the Global Allocation Fund’s broad diversification, combined with our strength in fundamental research, can add value over the long term and help mitigate downside risk in an uncertain market environment.
The views expressed reflect the opinions of T. Rowe Price as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic, or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.
RISKS OF INVESTING
As with all stock and bond mutual funds, the fund’s 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. The investment manager’s 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 fund’s share value could be hurt by rising interest rates or credit downgrades or defaults. Convertible securities are also exposed to price fluctuations of the company’s 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.
The risks of international investing are heightened for securities of issuers in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. In addition to all of the risks of investing in international developed markets, emerging markets are more susceptible to governmental interference, local taxes being imposed on international investments, restrictions on gaining access to sales proceeds, and less liquid and less efficient trading markets.
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 fund’s income level and share price.
BENCHMARK INFORMATION
Note: ©2021 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete, or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
GROWTH OF $10,000
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the fund over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-year records). The result is compared with benchmarks, which include a broad-based market index and may also include a peer group average or index. Market indexes do not include expenses, which are deducted from fund returns as well as mutual fund averages and indexes.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND TOTAL RETURN
EXPENSE RATIO
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.
Please note that the fund has three share classes: The original share class (Investor Class) charges no distribution and service (12b-1) fee, the Advisor Class shares are offered only through unaffiliated brokers and other financial intermediaries and charge a 0.25% 12b-1 fee, and I Class shares are available to institutionally oriented clients and impose no 12b-1 or administrative fee payment. Each share class is presented separately in the table.
Actual Expenses
The first line of the following table (Actual) provides information about actual account values and expenses based on the fund’s actual returns. You may use the information on this line, together with your account balance, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The information on the second line of the table (Hypothetical) is based on hypothetical account values and expenses derived from the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Note: T. Rowe Price charges an annual account service fee of $20, generally for accounts with less than $10,000. The fee is waived for any investor whose T. Rowe Price mutual fund accounts total $50,000 or more; accounts electing to receive electronic delivery of account statements, transaction confirmations, prospectuses, and shareholder reports; or accounts of an investor who is a T. Rowe Price Personal Services or Enhanced Personal Services client (enrollment in these programs generally requires T. Rowe Price assets of at least $250,000). 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.
QUARTER-END RETURNS
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
April 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
April 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
| NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
T. Rowe Price 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 three classes of shares: the Global Allocation Fund (Investor Class), the Global Allocation Fund–Advisor Class (Advisor Class), and the Global Allocation Fund–I Class (I Class). Advisor Class shares are sold only through various brokers and other financial intermediaries. I Class shares require a $1 million initial investment minimum, although the minimum generally is waived for retirement plans, financial intermediaries, and certain other accounts. The Advisor Class operates under a Board-approved Rule 12b-1 plan pursuant to which the class compensates financial intermediaries for distribution, shareholder servicing, and/or certain administrative services; the Investor and I Classes do not pay Rule 12b-1 fees. Each class has exclusive voting rights on matters related solely to that class; separate voting rights on matters that relate to all classes; and, in all other respects, the same rights and obligations as the other classes.
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 (ASC 946). The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. GAAP requires the use of estimates made by management. Management believes that estimates and valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the valuations reflected in the accompanying financial statements may differ from the value ultimately realized upon sale or maturity.
Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date basis. Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses are reported on the identified cost 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. Income tax-related interest and penalties, if incurred, are recorded as income tax expense. Dividends received from mutual fund investments are reflected as dividend income; capital gain distributions are reflected as realized gain/loss. Dividend income and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Earnings on investments recognized as partnerships for federal income tax purposes reflect the tax character of such earnings. Distributions from REITs are initially recorded as dividend income and, to the extent such represent a return of capital or capital gain for tax purposes, are reclassified when such information becomes available. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the asset received. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income distributions, if any, are declared and paid by each class annually. A capital gain distribution may also be 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 respective date of such transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on realized and unrealized security gains and losses is not bifurcated from the portion attributable to changes in market prices.
Class Accounting Shareholder servicing, prospectus, and shareholder report expenses incurred by each class are charged directly to the class to which they relate. Expenses common to all 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. The Advisor Class pays Rule 12b-1 fees, in an amount not exceeding 0.25% of the class’s average daily net assets.
Capital Transactions Each investor’s interest in the net assets of the fund is represented by fund shares. The fund’s 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. However, the NAV per share may be calculated at a time other than the normal close of the NYSE if trading on the NYSE is restricted, if the NYSE closes earlier, or as may be permitted by the SEC. Purchases and redemptions of fund shares are transacted at the next-computed NAV per share, after receipt of the transaction order by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., or its agents.
New Accounting Guidance In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU), ASU 2020–04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional, temporary relief with respect to the financial reporting of contracts subject to certain types of modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. The guidance is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management expects that the adoption of the guidance will not have a material impact on the fund's financial statements.
Indemnification In the normal course of business, the fund may provide indemnification in connection with its officers and directors, service providers, and/or private company investments. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown; however, the risk of material loss is currently considered to be remote.
NOTE 2 - VALUATION
Fair Value The fund’s financial instruments are valued at the close of the NYSE and 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) is an internal committee that has been delegated certain responsibilities by the fund’s Board of Directors (the Board) to ensure that financial instruments are appropriately priced at fair value in accordance with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee develops and oversees pricing-related policies and procedures and approves all fair value determinations. Specifically, the Valuation Committee establishes policies and procedures used in valuing financial instruments, including those which cannot be valued in accordance with normal procedures or using pricing vendors; determines pricing techniques, sources, and persons eligible to effect fair value pricing actions; evaluates the services and performance of the pricing vendors; oversees the pricing process to ensure policies and procedures are being followed; and provides guidance on internal controls and valuation-related matters. The Valuation Committee provides periodic reporting to the Board on valuation matters.
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 (including the fund's own assumptions in determining fair value)
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, including exchange-traded funds, 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.
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 affect the value of some or all of its portfolio securities. Each business day, the fund uses information from outside pricing services to evaluate and, if appropriate, decide whether it is necessary to adjust quoted prices to reflect fair value by reviewing 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 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.
Debt securities generally are traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market and are valued at prices furnished by independent pricing services or by broker dealers who make markets in such securities. When valuing securities, the independent pricing services consider 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.
Investments in mutual funds are valued at the mutual fund’s closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Investments in private investment companies are valued at the investee’s NAV per share as of the valuation date, if available. If the investee’s NAV is not available as of the valuation date or is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, the Valuation Committee may adjust the investee’s NAV to reflect fair value at the valuation date. Listed options, and OTC options with a listed equivalent, are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices and exchange-traded options on futures contracts are valued at closing settlement prices. Futures contracts are valued at closing settlement prices. Forward currency exchange contracts are valued using the prevailing forward exchange rate. Swaps are valued at prices furnished by an independent pricing service or independent swap dealers. 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.
Investments for which market quotations or market-based valuations are not readily available or deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with fair valuation policies and procedures. 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. Factors used in determining fair value vary by type of investment and may include market or investment specific considerations. The Valuation Committee typically will afford greatest weight to actual prices in arm’s length transactions, to the extent they represent orderly transactions between market participants, transaction information can be reliably obtained, and prices are deemed representative of fair value. However, the Valuation Committee may also consider other valuation methods such as market-based valuation multiples; a discount or premium from market value of a similar, freely traded security of the same issuer; discounted cash flows; yield to maturity; 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 investment. 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.
Valuation Inputs The following table summarizes the fund’s financial instruments, based on the inputs used to determine their fair values on April 30, 2021 (for further detail by category, please refer to the accompanying Portfolio of Investments):
Following is a reconciliation of the fund’s Level 3 holdings for the six months ended April 30, 2021. 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 April 30, 2021, totaled $6,865,000 for the six months ended April 30, 2021. During the six months, transfers into Level 3 resulted from a lack of observable market data for the security.
In accordance with GAAP, the following table provides quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair valuations of the fund’s Level 3 assets, by class of financial instrument. 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 six months ended April 30, 2021, 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, to enhance return, 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 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 fund’s derivative instruments held as of April 30, 2021, 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 six months ended April 30, 2021, 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 specified by the clearinghouse and the clearing firm (margin requirement), and the margin requirement must be maintained over the life of the contract. Each clearinghouse and clearing firm, in its sole discretion, may adjust the margin requirements applicable to the fund.
Derivatives, such as bilateral swaps, forward currency exchange contracts, and OTC options, that are transacted and settle directly with a counterparty (bilateral derivatives) may 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 require the exchange of collateral to cover mark-to-market exposure. MNAs may be in the form of International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreements (ISDAs) or foreign exchange letter agreements (FX letters).
MNAs provide 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 termination of transactions and net settlement upon the occurrence of contractually specified 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 below a specified rating would allow the fund to terminate, while a decline in the fund’s net assets of more than a specified percentage would allow the counterparty to terminate. Upon termination, all transactions with that counterparty would be liquidated and a net termination amount settled. ISDAs include collateral agreements whereas FX letters do not. Collateral requirements are determined daily based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on all bilateral derivatives with a 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 typically 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 posted by the fund is reflected as cash deposits in the accompanying financial statements and generally is restricted from withdrawal by the fund; securities posted by the fund are so noted in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments; both remain in the fund’s assets. Collateral pledged by counterparties is not included in the fund’s 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 at the fund’s custodian. While typically not sold in the same manner as equity or fixed income securities, exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives may be closed out only on the exchange or clearinghouse where the contracts were traded, and OTC and bilateral derivatives may be unwound with counterparties or transactions assigned to other counterparties to allow the fund to exit the transaction. This ability is subject to the liquidity of underlying positions. As of April 30, 2021, securities valued at $857,000 had been pledged or posted by the fund to counterparties for bilateral derivatives. As of April 30, 2021, no collateral was pledged by counterparties to the fund for bilateral derivatives. As of April 30, 2021, securities valued at $13,419,000 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. 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 fund’s total return; and the potential for losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the six months ended April 30, 2021, the volume of the fund’s activity in forwards, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 5% and 6% of net assets.
Futures Contracts The fund is subject to interest rate risk and 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 specific 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 fund’s initial investment. During the six months ended April 30, 2021, the volume of the fund’s activity in futures, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 6% and 9% of net assets.
Options The fund is subject to interest rate risk, credit risk and equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses options to help manage such risks. The fund may use options to manage exposure to security prices, interest rates, foreign currencies, and credit quality; 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. Options are included in net assets at fair value, options purchased are included in Investments in Securities, and Options written 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. In return for a premium paid, call and put options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell, respectively, a security at a specified exercise price. In return for a premium paid, call and put options on futures give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell, respectively, a position in a particular futures contract at a specified exercise price. In return for a premium paid, call and put index options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to receive cash equal to the difference between the value of the reference index on the exercise date and the exercise price of the option. Risks related to the use of options include possible illiquidity of the options markets; trading restrictions imposed by an exchange or counterparty; movements in the underlying asset values and interest rates and credit ratings; and, for options written, potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the six months ended April 30, 2021, the volume of the fund’s activity in options, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 6% and 8% of net assets.
Swaps The fund is subject to credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses swap contracts to help manage such risk. The fund may use swaps in an effort to manage both long and short exposure to changes in interest rates, inflation rates, and credit quality; to adjust overall exposure to certain markets; to enhance total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; or to adjust credit exposure. Swap agreements can be settled either directly with the counterparty (bilateral swap) or through a central clearinghouse (centrally cleared swap). Fluctuations in the fair value of a contract are reflected in unrealized gain or loss and are reclassified to realized gain or loss upon contract termination or cash settlement. Net periodic receipts or payments required by a contract increase or decrease, respectively, the value of the contract until the contractual payment date, at which time such amounts are reclassified from unrealized to realized gain or loss. For bilateral swaps, cash payments are made or received by the fund on a periodic basis in accordance with contract terms; unrealized gain on contracts and premiums paid are reflected as assets and unrealized loss on contracts and premiums received are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For bilateral swaps, premiums paid or received are amortized over the life of the swap and are recognized as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. For centrally cleared swaps, payments are made or received by the fund each day to settle the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract (variation margin). Accordingly, the value of a centrally cleared swap included in net assets is the 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.
Credit default swaps are agreements where one party (the protection buyer) agrees to make periodic payments to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for protection against specified credit events, such as certain defaults and bankruptcies related to an underlying credit instrument, or issuer or index of such instruments. Upon occurrence of a specified credit event, the protection seller is required to pay the buyer the difference between the notional amount of the swap and the value of the underlying credit, either in the form of a net cash settlement or by paying the gross notional amount and accepting delivery of the relevant underlying credit. For credit default swaps where the underlying credit is an index, a specified credit event may affect all or individual underlying securities included in the index and will be settled based upon the relative weighting of the affected underlying security(ies) within the index. Generally, the payment risk for the seller of protection is inversely related to the current market price or credit rating of the underlying credit or the market value of the contract relative to the notional amount, which are indicators of the markets’ valuation of credit quality. As of April 30, 2021, the notional amount of protection sold by the fund totaled $4,000,000 (0.4% of net assets), which reflects the maximum potential amount the fund could be required to pay under such contracts. Risks related to the use of credit default swaps include the possible inability of the fund to accurately assess the current and future creditworthiness of underlying issuers, the possible failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements, potential government regulation that could adversely affect the fund’s swap investments, and potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment.
During the six months ended April 30, 2021, the volume of the fund’s activity in swaps, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 0% and 1% of net assets.
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 fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Emerging and Frontier Markets The fund invests, either directly or through investments in other T. Rowe Price funds, in securities of companies located in, issued by governments of, or denominated in or linked to the currencies of emerging and frontier market countries. Emerging markets, and to a greater extent frontier markets, generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than developed countries. These markets may be subject to greater political, economic, and social uncertainty and differing regulatory environments that may potentially impact the fund’s ability to buy or sell certain securities or repatriate proceeds to U.S. dollars. Such securities are often subject to greater price volatility, less liquidity, and higher rates of inflation than U.S. securities. Investing in frontier markets is significantly riskier than investing in other countries, including emerging markets.
Restricted Securities The fund invests 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.
Collateralized Loan Obligations The fund invests in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) which are entities backed by a diversified pool of syndicated bank loans. The cash flows of the CLO can be split into multiple segments, called “tranches” or “classes”, which will vary in risk profile and yield. The riskiest segments, which are the subordinate or “equity” tranches, bear the greatest risk of loss from defaults in the underlying assets of the CLO and serve to protect the other, more senior, tranches. Senior tranches will typically have higher credit ratings and lower yields than the securities underlying the CLO. Despite the protection from the more junior tranches, senior tranches can experience substantial losses.
Contingent Purchases The fund enters into agreements to purchase investments at a future date contingent upon the occurrence of another event (e.g., the consummation of a related transaction or a capital call). These purchase agreements generally commit the issuer to sell, and the fund to purchase, a fixed number of shares, typically of a private investment, at a specific price upon the occurrence of the event. Such purchase agreements are not included in fund assets until the fund has a legally enforceable right to the shares. Until closing of the agreement, the fund maintains liquid assets sufficient to settle its unfunded commitment.
Private Investments Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) are shell companies that have no operations but are formed to raise capital with the intention of merging with or acquiring a company with the proceeds of the SPAC’s initial public offering (“IPO”). The fund may enter into a contingent commitment with a SPAC to purchase private investments in public equity (PIPE) if and when the SPAC completes its merger or acquisition. The fund maintains liquid assets sufficient to settle its commitment to purchase the PIPE. However, if the commitment expires, then no shares are purchased. Purchased PIPE shares will be restricted from trading until the registration statement for the shares is declared effective. Upon registration, the shares can be freely sold; however, in certain circumstances, the issuer may have the right to temporarily suspend trading of the shares in the first year after the merger or acquisition. The securities issued by a SPAC may be considered illiquid, more difficult to value, and/or be subject to restrictions on resale.
Securities Lending The fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers to earn additional income. Its securities lending activities are administered by a lending agent in accordance with a securities lending agreement. Security loans generally do not have stated maturity dates, and the fund may recall a security at any time. The fund receives collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than the value of loaned securities; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the fund the next business day. Cash collateral is invested in accordance with investment guidelines approved by fund management. Additionally, the lending agent indemnifies the fund against losses resulting from borrower default. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral and indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and a possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return the securities, collateral investments decline in value, and the lending agent fails to perform. Securities lending revenue consists of earnings on invested collateral and borrowing fees, net of any rebates to the borrower, compensation to the lending agent, and other administrative costs. In accordance with GAAP, investments made with cash collateral are reflected in the accompanying financial statements, but collateral received in the form of securities is not. At April 30, 2021, the value of loaned securities was $6,156,000; the value of cash collateral and related investments was $6,550,000.
Mortgage-Backed Securities The fund invests 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 hedge fund-of-funds offered by Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM), a unit of Blackstone Group L.P. (Blackstone). Blackstone Partners provides the fund exposure to alternative investments primarily through Blackstone Partners’ investments in underlying private investment funds, and the underlying funds are mostly managed by investment managers unaffiliated with BAAM or Blackstone. Blackstone Partners and the 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 the 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 are not transferable and are subject to various redemption restrictions, such as advance notice requirements, limited redemption dates, and possible suspension of redemption rights. In addition, Blackstone Partners’ ownership in the underlying funds may also be subject to transfer and 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 fund’s management. As of April 30, 2021, the fund’s investment in Blackstone Partners is subject to semi-annual redemption with 95 days prior written notice and is considered an illiquid asset.
LIBOR The fund may invest in instruments that are tied to reference rates, including the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). On March 5, 2021, the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, announced its intention to cease publishing a majority of the USD LIBOR settings immediately after publication on June 30, 2023, with the remaining USD LIBOR settings to end immediately after publication on December 31, 2021. There remains uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. Any potential effects of the transition away from LIBOR on the fund, or on certain instruments in which the fund invests, are not known. The transition process may result in, among other things, an increase in volatility or illiquidity of markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, a reduction in the value of certain instruments held by the fund, or a reduction in the effectiveness of related fund transactions such as hedges. Any such effects could have an adverse impact on the fund’s performance.
Other Purchases and sales of portfolio securities other than short-term and U.S. government securities aggregated $254,620,000 and $162,188,000, respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 2021. Purchases and sales of U.S. government securities aggregated $59,305,000 and $21,134,000, respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 2021.
NOTE 5 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
No provision for federal income taxes is required since the fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and distribute to shareholders all of its taxable income and gains. Distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains for financial reporting purposes. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character but are not adjusted for temporary differences. The amount and character of tax-basis distributions and composition of net assets are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax-basis balances have not been determined as of the date of this report.
The fund intends to retain realized gains to the extent of available capital loss carryforwards. Net realized capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future realized capital gains. As of October 31, 2020, the fund had $4,277,000 of available capital loss carryforwards.
At April 30, 2021, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $906,289,000. Net unrealized gain aggregated $223,071,000 at period-end, of which $242,867,000 related to appreciated investments and $19,796,000 related to depreciated investments.
NOTE 6 - FOREIGN TAXES
The fund is subject to foreign income taxes imposed by certain countries in which it invests. Additionally, capital gains realized upon disposition of securities issued in or by certain foreign countries are subject to capital gains tax imposed by those countries. All taxes are computed in accordance with the applicable foreign tax law, and, to the extent permitted, capital losses are used to offset capital gains. Taxes attributable to income are accrued by the fund as a reduction of income. Current and deferred tax expense attributable to capital gains is reflected as a component of realized or change in unrealized gain/loss on securities in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent that the fund has country specific capital loss carryforwards, such carryforwards are applied against net unrealized gains when determining the deferred tax liability. Any deferred tax liability incurred by the fund is included in either Other liabilities or Deferred tax liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
NOTE 7 - 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 fund’s average daily net assets, and a group fee. The group fee rate is calculated based on the combined net assets of certain mutual funds sponsored by Price Associates (the group) applied to a graduated fee schedule, with rates ranging from 0.48% for the first $1 billion of assets to 0.260% for assets in excess of $845 billion. The fund’s group fee is determined by applying the group fee rate to the fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly. At April 30, 2021, the effective annual group fee rate was 0.28%.
The Advisor Class is subject to a contractual expense limitation through the expense limitation date indicated in the table below. During the limitation period, Price Associates is required to waive its management fee or pay any expenses (excluding interest; expenses related to borrowings, taxes, and brokerage; and other non-recurring expenses permitted by the investment management agreement) that would otherwise cause the class’s ratio of annualized total expenses to average net assets (net expense ratio) to exceed its expense limitation. The class is required to repay Price Associates for expenses previously waived/paid to the extent the class’s net assets grow or expenses decline sufficiently to allow repayment without causing the class’s net expense ratio (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed the lesser of: (1) the expense limitation in place at the time such amounts were waived; or (2) the class’s current expense limitation. However, no repayment will be made more than three years after the date of a payment or waiver.
The I Class is also subject to an operating expense limitation (I Class Limit) pursuant to which Price Associates is contractually required to pay all operating expenses of the I Class, excluding management fees; interest; expenses related to borrowings, taxes, and brokerage; and other non-recurring expenses permitted by the investment management agreement, to the extent such operating expenses, on an annualized basis, exceed the I Class Limit. This agreement will continue through the expense limitation date indicated in the table below, and may be renewed, revised, or revoked only with approval of the fund’s Board. The I Class is required to repay Price Associates for expenses previously paid to the extent the class’s net assets grow or expenses decline sufficiently to allow repayment without causing the class’s operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed the lesser of: (1) the I Class Limit in place at the time such amounts were paid; or (2) the current I Class Limit. However, no repayment will be made more than three years after the date of a payment or waiver.
Pursuant to these agreements, expenses were waived/paid by and/or repaid to Price Associates during the six months ended April 30, 2021 as indicated in the table below. Including these amounts, expenses previously waived/paid by Price Associates in the amount of $32,000 remain subject to repayment by the fund at April 30, 2021. Any repayment of expenses previously waived/paid by Price Associates during the period would be included in the net investment income and expense ratios presented on the accompanying Financial Highlights.
In addition, the fund has entered into service agreements with Price Associates and two wholly owned subsidiaries of Price Associates, each an affiliate of the fund (collectively, Price). Price Associates provides certain accounting and administrative services to the fund. T. Rowe Price Services, Inc. provides shareholder and administrative services in its capacity as the fund’s transfer and dividend-disbursing agent. T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc. provides subaccounting and recordkeeping services for certain retirement accounts invested in the Investor Class and Advisor Class. For the six months ended April 30, 2021, expenses incurred pursuant to these service agreements were $34,000 for Price Associates; $64,000 for T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.; and $1,000 for T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc. All amounts due to and due from Price, exclusive of investment management fees payable, are presented net on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The fund may invest its cash reserves in certain open-end management investment companies managed by Price Associates and considered affiliates of the fund: the T. Rowe Price Government Reserve Fund or the T. Rowe Price Treasury Reserve Fund, organized as money market funds, or the T. Rowe Price Short-Term Fund, a short-term bond fund (collectively, the Price Reserve Funds). The Price Reserve 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. Cash collateral from securities lending is invested in the T. Rowe Price Short-Term Fund. The Price Reserve Funds pay no investment management fees.
The fund may also invest in certain other T. Rowe Price funds (Price Funds) as a means of gaining efficient and cost-effective exposure to certain markets. The fund does not invest for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, investments by the fund may represent a significant portion of an underlying Price Fund’s net assets. Each underlying 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 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 Price Fund related to the fund’s investment therein. Annual management fee rates and amounts waived related to investments in the underlying Price Fund(s) for the six months ended April 30, 2021, are as follows:
Total management fee waived was allocated ratably in the amounts of $476,000, $4,000 and $71,000 for the Investor Class, Advisor Class and I Class, respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 2021.
As of April 30, 2021, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., or its wholly owned subsidiaries, owned 15,533,328 shares of the Investor Class, representing 26% of the Investor Class's net assets.
The fund may participate in securities purchase and sale transactions with other funds or accounts advised by Price Associates (cross trades), in accordance with procedures adopted by the fund’s Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules, which require, among other things, that such purchase and sale cross trades be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the six months ended April 30, 2021, the fund had no purchases or sales cross trades with other funds or accounts advised by Price Associates.
Effective January 1, 2020, Price Associates has voluntarily agreed to reimburse the fund from its own resources on a monthly basis for the cost of investment research embedded in the cost of the fund’s securities trades. This agreement may be rescinded at any time. For the six months ended April 30, 2021, this reimbursement amounted to $3,000, which is included in Net realized gain (loss) on Securities in the Statement of Operations.
NOTE 8 - OTHER MATTERS
Unpredictable events such as environmental or natural disasters, war, terrorism, pandemics, outbreaks of infectious diseases, and similar public health threats may significantly affect the economy and the markets and issuers in which a fund invests. Certain events may cause instability across global markets, including reduced liquidity and disruptions in trading markets, while some events may affect certain geographic regions, countries, sectors, and industries more significantly than others, and exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks. During 2020, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) resulted in disruptions to global business activity and caused significant volatility and declines in global financial markets.
These types of events, such as the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, may also cause widespread fear and uncertainty, and result in, among other things: enhanced health screenings, quarantines, cancellations, and travel restrictions, including border closings; disruptions to business operations and supply chains and customer activity; exchange trading suspensions and closures, and overall reduced liquidity of securities, derivatives, and commodities trading markets; reductions in consumer demand and economic output; and significant challenges in healthcare service preparation and delivery. The fund could be negatively impacted if the value of a portfolio holding were harmed by such political or economic conditions or events. In addition, the operations of the fund, its investment advisers, and the fund’s service providers may be significantly impacted, or even temporarily halted, as a result of any impairment to their information technology and other operation systems, extensive employee illnesses or unavailability, government quarantine measures, and restrictions on travel or meetings and other factors related to public emergencies.
Governmental and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators have in the past responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, including but not limited to, direct capital infusions into companies, new monetary programs, and dramatically lower interest rates. An unexpected or quick reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of these policies, could negatively impact overall investor sentiment and further increase volatility in securities markets.
INFORMATION ON PROXY VOTING POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND RECORDS
A description of the policies and procedures used by T. Rowe Price funds to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in each fund’s Statement of Additional Information. You may request this document by calling 1-800-225-5132 or by accessing the SEC’s website, sec.gov.
The description of our proxy voting policies and procedures is also available on our corporate website. To access it, please visit the following Web page:
https://www.troweprice.com/corporate/en/utility/policies.html
Scroll down to the section near the bottom of the page that says, “Proxy Voting Policies.” Click on the Proxy Voting Policies link in the shaded box.
Each fund’s most recent annual proxy voting record is available on our website and through the SEC’s website. To access it through T. Rowe Price, visit the website location shown above, and scroll down to the section near the bottom of the page that says, “Proxy Voting Records.” Click on the Proxy Voting Records link in the shaded box.
HOW TO OBTAIN QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The fund’s reports on Form N-PORT are available electronically on the SEC’s website (sec.gov). In addition, most T. Rowe Price funds disclose their first and third fiscal quarter-end holdings on troweprice.com.
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Each year, the fund’s Board of Directors (Board) considers the continuation of the investment management agreement (Advisory Contract) between the fund and its investment advisor, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Advisor). In that regard, at a meeting held on March 8–9, 2021 (Meeting), the Board, including all of the fund’s independent directors, approved the continuation of the fund’s Advisory Contract. At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of the Advisor and the approval of the Advisory Contract. The independent directors were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Contract by independent legal counsel from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.
In providing information to the Board, the Advisor was guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted by independent legal counsel on behalf of the independent directors. In considering and approving the Advisory Contract, the Board considered the information it believed was relevant, including, but not limited to, the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with the Advisor about various topics. The Board meets regularly and, at each of its meetings, covers an extensive agenda of topics and materials and considers factors that are relevant to its annual consideration of the renewal of the T. Rowe Price funds’ advisory contracts, including performance and the services and support provided to the funds and their shareholders.
Services Provided by the Advisor
The Board considered the nature, quality, and extent of the services provided to the fund by the Advisor. These services included, but were not limited to, directing the fund’s investments in accordance with its investment program and the overall management of the fund’s portfolio, as well as a variety of related activities such as financial, investment operations, and administrative services; compliance; maintaining the fund’s records and registrations; and shareholder communications. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the Advisor’s senior management team and investment personnel involved in the management of the fund, as well as the Advisor’s compliance record. The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, quality, and extent of the services provided by the Advisor.
Investment Performance of the Fund
The Board took into account discussions with the Advisor and reports that it receives throughout the year relating to fund performance. In connection with the Meeting, the Board reviewed the fund’s net annualized total returns for the one-, two-, three-, four-, and five-year periods as of September 30, 2020, and compared these returns with the performance of a peer group of funds with similar investment programs and a wide variety of other previously agreed-upon comparable performance measures and market data, including those supplied by Broadridge, which is an independent provider of mutual fund data.
On the basis of this evaluation and the Board’s ongoing review of investment results, and factoring in the relative market conditions during certain of the performance periods, the Board concluded that the fund’s performance was satisfactory.
Costs, Benefits, Profits, and Economies of Scale
The Board reviewed detailed information regarding the revenues received by the Advisor under the Advisory Contract and other direct and indirect benefits that the Advisor (and its affiliates) may have realized from its relationship with the fund. In considering soft-dollar arrangements pursuant to which research may be received from broker-dealers that execute the fund’s portfolio transactions, the Board noted that the Advisor bears the cost of research services for all client accounts that it advises, including the T. Rowe Price funds. The Board received information on the estimated costs incurred and profits realized by the Advisor from managing the T. Rowe Price funds. The Board also reviewed estimates of the profits realized from managing the fund in particular, and the Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the fund.
The Board also considered whether the fund benefits under the fee levels set forth in the Advisory Contract from any economies of scale realized by the Advisor. Under the Advisory Contract, the fund pays a fee to the Advisor for investment management services composed of two components—a group fee rate based on the combined average net assets of most of the T. Rowe Price funds (including the fund) that declines at certain asset levels and an individual fund fee rate based on the fund’s average daily net assets—and the fund pays its own expenses of operations (subject to contractual expense limitations agreed to by the Advisor with respect to the Advisor Class and I Class). The Board concluded that the advisory fee structure for the fund continued to provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the fund’s investors.
Fees and Expenses
The Board was provided with information regarding industry trends in management fees and expenses. Among other things, the Board reviewed data for peer groups that were compiled by Broadridge, which compared: (i) contractual management fees, total expenses, actual management fees, and nonmanagement expenses of the Investor Class of the fund with a group of competitor funds selected by Broadridge (Investor Class Expense Group); (ii) total expenses and actual management fees of the Advisor Class of the fund with a group of competitor funds selected by Broadridge (Advisor Class Expense Group); and (iii) total expenses, actual management fees, and nonmanagement expenses of the Investor Class of the fund with a broader set of funds within the Lipper investment classification (Expense Universe). The Board considered the fund’s contractual management fee rate, actual management fee rate (which reflects the management fees actually received from the fund by the Advisor after any applicable waivers, reductions, or reimbursements), operating expenses, and total expenses (which reflects the net total expense ratio of the fund after any waivers, reductions, or reimbursements) in comparison with the information for the Broadridge peer groups.
Broadridge generally constructed the peer groups by seeking the most comparable funds based on similar investment classifications and objectives, expense structure, asset size, and operating components and attributes and ranked funds into quintiles, with the first quintile representing the funds with the lowest relative expenses and the fifth quintile representing the funds with the highest relative expenses. The information provided to the Board indicated that the fund’s contractual management fee ranked in the second quintile (Investor Class Expense Group), the fund’s actual management fee rate ranked in the second quintile (Investor Class Expense Group and Advisor Class Expense Group) and first quintile (Expense Universe), and the fund’s total expenses ranked in the first and second quintiles (Investor Class Expense Group and Expense Universe) and first quintile (Advisor Class Expense Group).
The Board also reviewed the fee schedules for other investment portfolios with similar mandates that are advised or subadvised by the Advisor and its affiliates, including separately managed accounts for institutional and individual investors; subadvised funds; and other sponsored investment portfolios, including collective investment trusts and pooled vehicles organized and offered to investors outside the United States. Management provided the Board with information about the Advisor’s responsibilities and services provided to subadvisory and other institutional account clients, including information about how the requirements and economics of the institutional business are fundamentally different from those of the proprietary mutual fund business. The Board considered information showing that the Advisor’s mutual fund business is generally more complex from a business and compliance perspective than its institutional account business and considered various relevant factors, such as the broader scope of operations and oversight, more extensive shareholder communication infrastructure, greater asset flows, heightened business risks, and differences in applicable laws and regulations associated with the Advisor’s proprietary mutual fund business. In assessing the reasonableness of the fund’s management fee rate, the Board considered the differences in the nature of the services required for the Advisor to manage its mutual fund business versus managing a discrete pool of assets as a subadvisor to another institution’s mutual fund or for an institutional account and that the Advisor generally performs significant additional services and assumes greater risk in managing the fund and other T. Rowe Price funds than it does for institutional account clients, including subadvised funds.
On the basis of the information provided and the factors considered, the Board concluded that the fees paid by the fund under the Advisory Contract are reasonable.
Approval of the Advisory Contract
As noted, the Board approved the continuation of the Advisory Contract. No single factor was considered in isolation or to be determinative to the decision. Rather, the Board concluded, in light of a weighting and balancing of all factors considered, that it was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders for the Board to approve the continuation of the Advisory Contract (including the fees to be charged for services thereunder).
Item 1. (b) Notice pursuant to Rule 30e-3.
Not applicable.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
A code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions is filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR. No substantive amendments were approved or waivers were granted to this code of ethics during the registrant’s most recent fiscal half-year.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) Not applicable. The complete schedule of investments is included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There has been no change to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely.
(b) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 13. Exhibits.
(a)(1) The registrant’s code of ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed with the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
(3) Written solicitation to repurchase securities issued by closed-end companies: not applicable.
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/ David Oestreicher | |||||
| David Oestreicher | ||||||
| Principal Executive Officer | ||||||
| Date | June 16, 2021 | |||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By | /s/ David Oestreicher | |||||
| David Oestreicher | ||||||
| Principal Executive Officer | ||||||
| Date | June 16, 2021 | |||||
| By | /s/ Alan S. Dupski | |||||
| Alan S. Dupski | ||||||
| Principal Financial Officer | ||||||
| Date | June 16, 2021 | |||||