497K 1 d186933d497k.htm COLUMBIA ACORN TRUST Columbia Acorn Trust
Summary Prospectus
May 1, 2016
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds
Managed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
    
Class   Ticker Symbol
Class A Shares   LAFAX
Class C Shares   LFFCX
Class I Shares   CRSIX
Class R4 Shares   CILRX
Class R5 Shares   CRIRX
Class Y Shares   CSIRX
Class Z Shares   ACFFX
Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information and other information about the Fund online at https://www.columbiathreadneedleus.com/web/columbia/forms-literature/fund-literature. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800.345.6611 or by sending an email to serviceinquiries@columbiathreadneedle.com. This Summary Prospectus incorporates by reference the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated May 1, 2016.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Investment Objective
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and members of your immediate family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain classes of shares of eligible funds distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary, and can be found in the Choosing a Share Class section beginning on page 22 of the Fund’s prospectus and in Appendix S to the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) under Sales Charge Waivers beginning on page S-1.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
  Class A Class C Classes I,
R4, R5, Y
and Z
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a % of offering price) 5.75% None None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on redemptions (as a % of the lower of the original purchase price or current net asset value) 1.00% (a) 1.00% (b) None
    
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
  Class A Class C Class I Class R4 Class R5 Class Y Class Z
Management fees(c) 0.94% 0.94% 0.94% 0.94% 0.94% 0.94% 0.94%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.25% 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other expenses(d) 0.47% 0.48% 0.30% 0.43% 0.35% 0.30% 0.41%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 1.66% 2.42% 1.24% 1.37% 1.29% 1.24% 1.35%
(a) This charge is imposed on certain investments of between $1 million and $50 million redeemed within 18 months after purchase, as follows: 1.00% if redeemed within 12 months after purchase, and 0.50% if redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions.
(b) This charge applies to redemptions within 12 months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions.
(c) Management fees have been restated to reflect current fees based on current asset levels.
(d) Other expenses have been restated and are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s current fiscal year, taking into consideration changes in the Fund’s net assets.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
1 Columbia Acorn International SelectSM

 

Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
  1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
Class A (whether or not shares are redeemed) $734 $1,068 $1,425 $2,427
Class C (assuming redemption of all shares at the end of the period) $345 $ 755 $1,291 $2,756
Class C (assuming no redemption of shares) $245 $ 755 $1,291 $2,756
Class I (whether or not shares are redeemed) $126 $ 393 $ 681 $1,500
Class R4 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $139 $ 434 $ 750 $1,646
Class R5 (whether or not shares are redeemed) $131 $ 409 $ 708 $1,556
Class Y (whether or not shares are redeemed) $126 $ 393 $ 681 $1,500
Class Z (whether or not shares are redeemed) $137 $ 428 $ 739 $1,624
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 59% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 65% of its net assets in foreign companies in developed markets (for example, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom).
The Fund also may invest up to 35% of its total assets in companies in emerging markets (for example, China, India and Brazil). The Fund generally invests in at least three countries other than the United States but may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of U.S. issuers.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund (i) invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and mid-sized companies with market capitalizations under $25 billion at the time of initial investment (“Focus Stocks”) and (ii) may also invest in companies with market capitalizations above $25 billion, provided that immediately after that investment a majority of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in Focus Stocks. The Fund may continue to hold, and make additional investments in, Focus Stocks whose market capitalizations have grown to exceed $25 billion, regardless of whether the Fund’s investments in Focus Stocks are a majority of the Fund’s net assets.
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, the Fund's investment adviser (the Investment Manager), believes that stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, which generally are not as well known by financial analysts as larger companies, may offer higher return potential than stocks of larger companies. The Fund also may invest in larger-sized companies.
The Fund invests in a limited number of foreign companies (generally between 30-60), offering the potential to provide above-average growth over time. In pursuit of the Fund’s objective, the portfolio managers will take advantage of the research and stock-picking capabilities of the Investment Manager and will generally concentrate the Fund’s investments in those sectors, companies, geographic regions or industries that the portfolio managers believe offer the best investment return potential.
The Investment Manager typically seeks companies with:
A strong business franchise that offers growth potential.
Products and services in which the company has a competitive advantage.
A stock price the Investment Manager believes is reasonable relative to the assets and earning power of the company.
The Investment Manager may sell a portfolio holding if the security reaches the Investment Manager's price target, if the company has a deterioration of fundamentals, such as failing to meet key operating benchmarks, or if the Investment Manager believes other securities are more attractive. The Investment Manager also may sell a portfolio holding to fund redemptions.
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 2

 

Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risk, including those described below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money. The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down.
Active Management Risk. The Investment Manager’s active management of the Fund could cause the Fund to underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in a related group of industries within an economic sector. Companies in the same economic sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that economic sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more the Fund diversifies its investments, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Select Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of its portfolio securities decline in price. In addition, the Fund’s holdings and weightings will diverge significantly from its primary benchmark’s holdings and weightings and the Fund may therefore experience greater risk and volatility relative to the benchmark. Because the Fund may invest in more than one company concentrated in a similar industry, sector or geographic region, the Fund may be even more concentrated than the number of companies it may hold would suggest.
Liquidity and Trading Volume Risk. Due to market conditions, including uncertainty regarding the price of a security, it may be difficult for the Fund to buy or sell portfolio securities at a desirable time or price, which could result in investment losses. This risk of portfolio illiquidity is heightened with respect to small- and mid-cap securities, generally, and foreign small- and mid-cap securities in particular. The Fund may have to lower the selling price, liquidate other investments, or forego another, more appealing investment opportunity as a result of illiquidity in the markets. As a result of significant and sustained reductions in emerging and developed international market trading volumes in the wake of the 2007-2009 financial crisis, it may take longer to buy or sell securities, which can exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to volatile markets. The Fund may also be limited in its ability to execute favorable trades in portfolio securities in response to changes in share prices and fundamentals, and may be forced to dispose of securities under disadvantageous circumstances and at a loss. As the Fund grows in size or, conversely, if it faces significant redemption pressure, these considerations take on increasing significance and may adversely impact performance.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular country of an issuer, including the political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities.
3 Columbia Acorn International SelectSM

 

Operational and Settlement Risks of Foreign Securities. The Fund’s foreign securities are generally held outside the United States in the primary market for the securities in the custody of foreign sub-custodians. Some countries have limited governmental oversight and regulation, which increases the risk of corruption and fraud and the possibility of losses to the Fund. In particular, under certain circumstances, foreign securities may settle on a delayed delivery basis, meaning that the Fund may be required to make payment for securities before the Fund has actually received delivery of the securities or deliver securities prior to the receipt of payment. As a result, there is a risk that the security will not be delivered to the Fund or that payment will not be received. Losses can also result from lost, stolen or counterfeit securities; defaults by brokers and banks; failures or defects of the settlement system; or poor and improper record keeping by registrars and issuers.
Share Blocking. In certain non-U.S. markets, an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent the Fund from buying or selling securities during this period. As a consequence of these restrictions, the Investment Manager, on behalf of the Fund, may abstain from voting proxies in markets that require share blocking.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Operational and Settlement Risks of Securities in Emerging Markets. Foreign sub-custodians in emerging markets may be recently organized, lack extensive operating experience or lack effective government oversight or regulation. In addition, there may be legal restrictions or limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by a foreign sub-custodian in the event of the bankruptcy of the sub-custodian. There may also be a greater risk that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities of the Fund may be lost because of failures of or defects in the system, including fraud or corruption. Settlement systems in emerging markets also have a higher risk of failed trades.
Risks Related to Currencies and Corporate Actions in Emerging Markets. Risks related to currencies and corporate actions are also greater in emerging market countries than in developed countries. Emerging market currencies may not be traded and are subject to a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Risks Related to Corporate and Securities Laws in Emerging Markets. Securities laws in emerging markets may be relatively new and unsettled and, consequently, there is a risk of rapid and unpredictable change in laws regarding foreign investment, securities regulation, title to securities and shareholder rights.
Small- and Mid-Cap Company Securities Risk. Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Market Risk. Market risk refers to the possibility that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 4

 

Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class Z share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with those of the MSCI ACWI Ex USA Index (Net), the Fund's primary benchmark (the New benchmark), and the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2 Billion and $10 Billion® Index, (the Former benchmark).  The MSCI ACWI Ex USA Index (Net) captures large- and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 developed market countries (excluding the United States) and 23 emerging markets countries.  It has 1,856 constituents (as of March 31, 2016) and covers approximately 85% of the global equity opportunity set outside the United States.  Prior to January 1, 2016, the Fund’s primary benchmark was the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2 Billion and $10 Billion® Index, a subset of the broad market selected by S&P that represents the mid-cap developed market excluding the United States. The Fund changed its primary benchmark because the Investment Manager believes that the New benchmark is well-recognized and more widely used than the Former benchmark, and provides greater transparency for investors measuring relative performance.  Information on the New benchmark and the Former benchmark will be provided for a one year transition period.  Thereafter, only information on the New benchmark will be provided.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the Average Annual Total Returns table below includes the Fund’s Class Z share returns (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such classes, where applicable) for periods prior to the indicated inception date of such share classes. Except for differences in fees and expenses, all share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The after-tax returns shown in the Average Annual Total Returns table below are calculated using the highest historical individual U.S. federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your personal tax situation and may differ from those shown in the table. In addition, the after-tax returns shown in the table do not apply to shares held in tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). The after-tax returns are shown only for Class Z shares and will vary for other share classes. Returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares are higher than before-tax returns for certain periods shown because they reflect the tax benefit of capital losses realized on the redemption of Fund shares.
The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedle.com/us.
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year*
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart

Best 2nd Quarter 2009 23.44%
Worst

3rd Quarter 2008 -24.76%
* Year to Date return as of March 31, 2016: -1.90%
5 Columbia Acorn International SelectSM

 

Average Annual Total Returns After Applicable Sales Charges (for periods ended December 31, 2015)
  Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class Z 11/23/1998      
returns before taxes   -1.03% 3.18% 6.07%
returns after taxes on distributions   -1.55% 1.39% 4.99%
returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares   -0.14% 2.63% 5.07%
Class A returns before taxes 10/16/2000 -6.96% 1.65% 5.11%
Class C returns before taxes 10/16/2000 -3.02% 2.06% 4.90%
Class I returns before taxes 09/27/2010 -0.97% 3.25% 6.10%
Class R4 returns before taxes 11/08/2012 -1.00% 3.16% 6.06%
Class R5 returns before taxes 11/08/2012 -0.94% 3.20% 6.08%
Class Y returns before taxes 11/08/2012 -0.89% 3.24% 6.10%
MSCI ACWI Ex USA Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)   -5.66% 1.06% 2.92%
S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2 Billion and $10 Billion® Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)   3.96% 4.46% 4.71%
  
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC
Portfolio Manager   Title   Role with Fund   Service with the Fund Since
Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg   Portfolio Manager and Analyst   Co-manager since 2015   2002
Stephen Kusmierczak, CFA   Portfolio Manager and Analyst   Co-manager since January 2016   2001
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on any business day by contacting the Fund in the ways described below:
Online   Regular Mail   Express Mail   By Telephone
columbiathreadneedle.com/us   Columbia Funds,
c/o Columbia Management
Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 8081
Boston, MA 02266-8081
  Columbia Funds,
c/o Columbia Management
Investment Services Corp.
30 Dan Road, Suite 8081
Canton, MA 02021-2809
  800.422.3737
You may purchase shares and receive redemption proceeds by electronic funds transfer, by check or by wire. If you maintain your account with a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, you must contact that financial intermediary to buy, sell or exchange shares of the Fund through your account with the intermediary.
The minimum initial investment amounts for the share classes offered by the Fund are shown below:
Minimum Initial Investment
Class Category of eligible account For accounts other than
systematic investment
plan accounts
For systematic investment
plan accounts
Classes A & C All accounts other than IRAs $2,000 $100
IRAs $1,000 $100
Classes I, R4 & Y All eligible accounts None N/A
Class R5 Combined underlying accounts of eligible registered investment advisers $100,000 N/A
Omnibus retirement plans None N/A
Class Z All eligible accounts $0, $1,000 or $2,000
depending upon the category
of eligible investor
$100
  
There is no minimum additional investment for any share class.
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 6

 

Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders. These distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, you may be taxed upon withdrawals from that account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies – including the Investment Manager, the Distributor and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) – may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial advisor to recommend the Fund over another investment. These potential conflicts of interest may be heightened with respect to broker-dealers owned by Ameriprise Financial and/or its affiliates. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
All rights reserved. Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110-2804
© 2016 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
columbiathreadneedle.com/us SUM112_12_F01_(05/16)