N-CSR 1 d497726dncsr.htm COLUMBIA ACORN TRUST COLUMBIA ACORN TRUST
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-01829

 

 

Columbia Acorn Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

227 W. Monroe Street

Suite 3000

Chicago, IL 60606

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Mary C. Moynihan

Perkins Coie LLP

700 13th Street, NW

Suite 600

Washington, DC 20005

Paul B. Goucher, Esq.

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

100 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

P. Zachary Egan

Columbia Acorn Trust

227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 634-9200

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2017

 

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 


Table of Contents
Annual Report
December 31, 2017
Columbia Acorn® Fund
Columbia Acorn International®
Columbia Acorn USA®
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
Columbia Thermostat FundSM
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Not FDIC Insured • No bank guarantee • May lose value


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Columbia Acorn Family of Funds   |  Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Fund at a glance
Columbia Acorn® Fund
Investment objective
Columbia Acorn® Fund (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Portfolio management
P. Zachary Egan, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2015
Matthew A. Litfin, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2016
Morningstar style boxTM
The Morningstar Style Box is based on a fund’s portfolio holdings. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows investment style (value, blend, or growth). Information shown is based on the most recent data provided by Morningstar.
© 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar 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.
Average annual total returns (%) (for the period ended December 31, 2017)
    Inception 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Life
Class A Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 24.91 12.10 7.82 13.98
  Including sales charges   17.77 10.78 7.18 13.84
Advisor Class 11/08/12 25.19 12.35 8.09 14.34
Class C Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 23.88 11.28 7.00 13.12
  Including sales charges   23.10 11.28 7.00 13.12
Institutional Class 06/10/70 25.24 12.42 8.13 14.35
Institutional 2 Class 11/08/12 25.21 12.44 8.14 14.35
Institutional 3 Class 11/08/12 25.31 12.51 8.17 14.36
Russell 2500 Growth Index   24.46 15.47 9.62 -
Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses. Returns for Class A shares are shown with and without the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. Returns for Class C shares are shown with and without the maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for the first year after purchase. Effective November 1, 2017, Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares were renamed Advisor Class, Institutional 2 Class, Institutional 3 Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The Fund’s other classes are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to other fees and expenses, and have limited eligibility. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for details. Performance for different share classes will vary based on differences in sales charges and certain fees and expenses associated with each class.
As stated in the May 1, 2017, prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio is 0.86% for Institutional Class shares and 1.11% for Class A shares.
All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions during the period. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance results may reflect the effect of any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment manager and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results may have been lower.
The performance information shown represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by contacting your financial intermediary, visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com or calling 800.922.6769.
The returns shown for periods prior to the share class inception date (including returns for the Life of the Fund, which are since Fund inception) include the returns of the Fund’s oldest share class. These returns are adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable. Please visit investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/appended-performance for more information.
Effective May 1, 2017, the Fund compares its performance to that of the Russell 2500 Growth Index. Prior to this date, the Fund compared its performance to that of the Russell 2500 Index. The Investment Manager believes that the Fund’s portfolio will generally be more closely aligned with the Russell 2500 Growth Index than with the former core benchmark from an investment style perspective. Information on the Russell 2500 Index will be included for a one-year transition period.
The Russell 2500 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2500 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
The Russell 2500 Index measures the performance of the 2,500 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 17% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
Unlike mutual funds, indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund
The Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Columbia Acorn® Fund Institutional Class Shares
December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2017
This chart shows the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares of the Fund during the stated time period. Although the indexes are provided for use in assessing the Fund’s performance, the Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from those in an index. Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses.
Top ten holdings (%) (at December 31, 2017)  
Pra Health Sciences, Inc.
Global contract research organization
1.7
Masimo Corp.
Medical signal processing and sensor technology for non-invasive monitoring of physiological parameters
1.6
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Inter-regional and multi-regional motor carrier
1.5
ANSYS, Inc.
Software solutions for design analysis and optimization
1.5
HealthSouth Corp.
Inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services
1.5
IPG Photonics Corp.
High-power fiber lasers and amplifiers
1.5
WABCO Holdings, Inc.
Electronic braking, stability, suspension, and transmission control systems commercial vehicles
1.4
TransUnion
Offers consumer reports, risk scores, analytical services, and decisioning capabilities to businesses
1.3
CDW Corp.
IT products and services
1.3
Lazard Ltd., Class A
Corporate Advisory & Asset Management
1.3
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Money Market Funds and Securities Lending Collateral).
For further detail about these holdings, please refer to the section entitled “Portfolio of Investments."
Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
 
 
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund
Portfolio breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Common Stocks 98.2
Limited Partnerships 0.4
Money Market Funds 0.6
Securities Lending Collateral 0.8
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
Equity sector breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Consumer Discretionary 19.0
Consumer Staples 1.7
Energy 0.9
Financials 9.0
Health Care 22.8
Industrials 17.4
Information Technology 23.3
Materials 2.4
Real Estate 2.6
Telecommunication Services 0.9
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total equity investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
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Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
Columbia Acorn® Fund
P. Zachary Egan, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Matthew A. Litfin, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Columbia Acorn® Fund Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares gained 25.24% in 2017. The Fund outperformed its primary benchmark, the Russell 2500 Growth Index, which gained 24.46%.
Although it was a tumultuous year in U.S. politics and global tensions remained high, investors banked on stronger economic growth and lower taxes, which helped drive the financial markets higher in 2017. Economic growth picked up as the year progressed, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding at over 3.0% in back-to-back quarters for the first time in three years. Even though jobs were lost as a result of hurricane disruptions during the third quarter, the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, a rate regarded as full employment and a 17-year low. Congress passed a major tax overhaul in late December, which lowered statutory corporate tax rates from 35% to 21%.
In 2017, corporate profits were much stronger than expected, helped by robust manufacturing activity, higher consumer spending and rising business confidence. Improved global economic growth and a weaker U.S. dollar boosted exports, and expectations for less stringent regulation in certain industries also supported investor confidence. Against this improved backdrop, the Federal Reserve raised the target range on a key short-term interest rate three times.
For the calendar year 2017, equity returns were especially strong. Eight of the eleven sectors that make up the Russell 2500 Growth Index returned 20%+, led by health care and information technology. Energy was the bottom performer and the only sector to lose ground for the year. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks by a significant margin.
The Fund’s outperformance over its primary benchmark in 2017 was generally the result of stock selection. A larger-cap bias within the Russell 2500 Growth Index’s capitalization range also had a small favorable impact on relative returns. The Fund’s relative performance was positive in all sectors except energy, real estate and industrials. Health care was the Fund’s top contributor, driven by solid stock selection, led by Align Technologies, which more than doubled for the year, and Kite Pharma. Align Technologies makes the Invisalign system of plastic teeth aligners, which have been taking market share from traditional wire braces used by dentists. Kite Pharma is a biotech company developing novel cancer drugs. The company’s stock increased throughout the year and particularly in the third quarter, on continued positive data for its drug Axi-Cel, culminating with a proposal by Gilead to acquire Kite at a significant premium. (The acquisition of Kite by Gilead was completed in October 2017.) Health care also produced the Fund’s largest detractor for the period: Evolent Health, a health care services company positioned to benefit from the transition from fee-for-service to value-based care, in which providers are compensated for the quality of outcomes. The company came under pressure, as investors reacted with skepticism to recent strategic maneuvers. However, we remain positive on the longer term outlook for Evolent, on the belief that the company is a leader in the shift to value-based care, a market we believe has good secular growth characteristics.
In the technology sector, IPG Photonics, the global leader in fiber laser technology, also gained significant ground for the Fund. IPG Photonics shares were driven higher by strong results that demonstrate an ongoing displacement of traditional machine cutting and welding tools within global manufacturing.
Stock selection for the Fund in the materials sector was also positive relative to the benchmark. An overweight in the energy sector was the Fund’s largest sector detractor from relative return, with Carrizo Oil & Gas the single biggest detractor from Fund results in 2017.
After rewarding investors in 2017 with strong performance, global stock markets were trading at elevated valuations at the end of the year. We are mindful of the risks posed by the potential reversal of key factors that helped guide this market ascent: low short-term interest rates, low inflation and low market volatility. In this environment, we continued to position the Fund toward higher quality and structural growth as measured across several metrics, including return on invested capital, revenue and earnings growth and superior debt ratios.
 
 
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Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund
Columbia Wanger has specialized in investing in small and mid-cap stocks since 1970. While cognizant of macroeconomic trends, our investment process takes a bottom-up approach, relying on intensive fundamental research and disciplined valuation techniques. We are focused on companies with sustainable competitive advantages, entrepreneurial management and the potential to gain market share. Our team will continue to employ our time-tested process.
Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. Foreign investments subject the Fund to political, economic, market, social and other risks within a particular country, as well as to potential currency instabilities and less stringent financial and accounting standards generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers. The Fund may invest significantly in issuers within a particular sector, which may be negatively affected by market, economic or other conditions, making the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in the sector. See the Fund’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
The views expressed in this report reflect the current views of the respective parties. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Acorn Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Acorn Fund. References to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance
Columbia Acorn International®
Investment objective
Columbia Acorn International® (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Portfolio management
P. Zachary Egan, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2003
Louis J. Mendes, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2003
Tae Han (Simon) Kim, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since December 2017
Morningstar style boxTM
The Morningstar Style Box is based on a fund’s portfolio holdings. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows investment style (value, blend, or growth). Information shown is based on the most recent data provided by Morningstar.
© 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar 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.
Average annual total returns (%) (for the period ended December 31, 2017)
    Inception 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Life
Class A Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 31.91 8.06 4.25 10.18
  Including sales charges   24.33 6.78 3.63 9.92
Advisor Class 11/08/12 32.21 8.29 4.54 10.57
Class C Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 30.93 7.25 3.45 9.37
  Including sales charges   29.93 7.25 3.45 9.37
Institutional Class 09/23/92 32.24 8.35 4.57 10.58
Institutional 2 Class 08/02/11 32.27 8.39 4.59 10.59
Institutional 3 Class 11/08/12 32.36 8.44 4.62 10.60
Class R 08/02/11 31.58 7.68 3.92 9.89
MSCI ACWI ex USA SMID Cap Index (Net)   30.35 9.14 3.81 -
MSCI ACWI ex USA SMID Cap Growth Index (Net)   32.40 9.35 3.17 -
Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses. Returns for Class A shares are shown with and without the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. Returns for Class C shares are shown with and without the maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for the first year after purchase. Effective November 1, 2017, Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares were renamed Advisor Class, Institutional 2 Class, Institutional 3 Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The Fund’s other classes are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to other fees and expenses, and have limited eligibility. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for details. Performance for different share classes will vary based on differences in sales charges and certain fees and expenses associated with each class.
As stated in the May 1, 2017, prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio is 1.01% for Institutional Class shares and 1.26% for Class A shares.
All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions during the period. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance results may reflect the effect of any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment manager and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results may have been lower.
The performance information shown represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by contacting your financial intermediary, visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com or calling 800.922.6769.
The returns shown for periods prior to the share class inception date (including returns for the Life of the Fund, which are since Fund inception) include the returns of the Fund’s oldest share class. These returns are adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable. Please visit investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/appended-performance for more information.
The MSCI ACWI ex USA SMID Cap Index (Net) captures a mid- and small-cap representation across 22 of 23 developed market countries (excluding the U.S.) and 24 emerging market countries. The index covers approximately 28% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.
The MSCI ACWI ex USA SMID Cap Growth Index (Net) captures mid-and small cap representation across 22 developed markets countries and 24 emerging markets countries.
Unlike mutual funds, indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn International®
The Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Columbia Acorn International® Institutional Class Shares
December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2017
This chart shows the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares of the Fund during the stated time period. Although the indexes are provided for use in assessing the Fund’s performance, the Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from those in an index. Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses.
Top ten holdings (%) (at December 31, 2017)  
Hexagon AB, Class B (Sweden)
Design, measurement and visualisation technologies
2.7
Partners Group Holding AG (Switzerland)
Global private markets asset management firm
2.6
CCL Industries, Inc. (Canada)
Manufacturing services and specialty packaging products for the non-durable consumer products market
2.6
Kindred Group PLC (Malta)
Online gambling services
2.2
FamilyMart UNY Holdings Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Chain of convenience stores
2.0
Wirecard AG (Germany)
Internet payment and processing services
1.9
Halma PLC (United Kingdom)
Products that detect hazards and protect assets and people in public and commercial buildings
1.9
Brembo SpA (Italy)
Braking systems and components
1.7
Novozymes AS, Class B (Denmark)
Enzymes for industrial use
1.7
MTU Aero Engines AG (Germany)
Develops and manufactures engines and offers commercial engine services and support
1.7
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Money Market Funds and Securities Lending Collateral).
For further detail about these holdings, please refer to the section entitled “Portfolio of Investments."
Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
 
 
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn International®
Equity sector breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Consumer Discretionary 24.0
Consumer Staples 5.8
Energy 0.5
Financials 10.0
Health Care 8.0
Industrials 21.3
Information Technology 18.2
Materials 9.5
Real Estate 2.7
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total equity investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
Country breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Australia 0.9
Brazil 1.6
Cambodia 0.2
Canada 5.0
Cayman Islands 1.6
China 5.2
Denmark 3.5
France 1.1
Germany 9.9
Hong Kong 0.7
India 2.8
Indonesia 0.8
Ireland 0.9
Italy 2.1
Japan 23.3
Malta 2.1
Mexico 1.4
Netherlands 1.2
New Zealand 0.5
Philippines 0.5
Singapore 1.5
South Africa 1.7
South Korea 3.5
Spain 0.8
Sweden 4.6
Switzerland 2.5
Taiwan 1.4
Thailand 1.4
United Kingdom 12.0
United States(a) 5.3
Total 100.0
    
(a) Includes investments in Money Market Funds.
Country breakdown is based primarily on issuer’s place of organization/incorporation. Percentages indicated are based upon total investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
 
 
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Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
Columbia Acorn International®
P. Zachary Egan, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Louis J. Mendes, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Tae Han (Simon) Kim, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Columbia Acorn International® Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares returned 32.24% in 2017, outperforming the Fund’s primary benchmark, the MSCI ACWI ex USA SMID Cap Index (Net), which returned 30.35% for the same time period.
International equities demonstrated strong performance in 2017 as investors responded favorably to a broad-based acceleration of global growth. The improvement in the world economy translated to positive corporate results, highlighted by rising revenues, rapid earnings growth and strengthening balance sheets. These factors fed through to market performance, with significant gains across major regions. The advance in most foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar provided an additional boost to returns for U.S. investors.
The supportive market environment fueled investors’ risk appetites and led to outperformance for small- and mid-cap stocks relative to larger companies, and for the growth style compared to value. Both of these trends created a tailwind for the Fund’s results given the nature of our approach.
The Fund’s sector allocations also aided returns, led by an overweight in information technology and an underweight in energy. Stock selection was an additional contributor to relative performance, with positive results in Japan and Europe offsetting the Fund’s weaker showing in Australia and Canada. At the sector level, our stock selection added the most value in financials and industrials.
Among individual stocks, the German company Wirecard AG, a global leader in providing online merchants with solutions for electronic payment transactions, was the top contributor to performance. Wirecard, whose business is correlated with trends in online commerce and cashless transactions, reported increased revenues on continued growth in its end markets. The Swiss private equity firm Partners Group Holding AG, which benefited from asset growth and a favorable exit environment, helped the Fund’s performance in financials. TVS Motor Company Limited, an India-based producer of two-wheel motorized vehicles, also rallied behind better-than-expected sales and robust export growth. Hexagon AB, a Swedish provider of measurement technologies, and New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc., China’s leader in after-school tutoring, test preparation and online education, were additional contributors of note.
On the negative side, the Canada-based silver-mining company Tahoe Resources Inc. was the Fund’s most significant detractor. Tahoe was forced to suspend production at its primary mine after a ruling by Guatemala’s Supreme Court, and we exited the position during the year in response to the political uncertainty. PT Matahari Department Store Tbk, the leading department store chain serving middle-class consumers in Indonesia, was another key detractor. Matahari suffered from slower-than-expected fourth-quarter sales stemming from soft consumer spending and merchandise assortment issues among its consignment vendors. Believing the risk/reward profile in the stock remained attractive, we took advantage of the selloff by adding to the position. Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc., Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd. (based in Australia) and the British retailer Next PLC were also meaningful detractors in the annual period.
Entering 2018, we are monitoring risks such as less accommodative monetary policy, the inflation implications of tighter labor markets and the potential for market volatility to revert to more normal levels. We continue to emphasize higher-quality companies with robust structural growth, as measured by metrics such as return on invested capital, revenue and earnings growth, and superior debt ratios. More specifically, we are focused on companies with sustainable competitive advantages, entrepreneurial management and the ability to gain market share. We believe companies with these characteristics can perform well even if rising interest rates begin to fuel higher volatility. While we are mindful of valuations following the rally of the past year, we would also note that the international markets still trade at a discount relative to the United States.
We continue to identify what we believe are compelling investment ideas across regions. Niche companies in Europe that address changing circumstances in their end markets caused by technology, aging populations, tight labor markets or environmental and safety regulation can serve as a source of
 
 
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Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn International®
opportunity. In Japan, companies that are embracing corporate governance changes and improving capital efficiency can offer above-average growth potential. We are also finding the emerging markets to be fertile ground for attractive growth companies due to the combination of healthy demographic trends (such as rapid population growth and increasing middle-class consumption) and compelling valuations relative to the developed world. More broadly speaking, we believe international markets provide an abundance of fast-growing small- and mid-sized companies whose positive attributes have not yet been reflected in their valuations.
Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency instabilities and different, potentially less stringent, financial and accounting standards than those generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. See the Fund’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
The views expressed in this report reflect the current views of the respective parties. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Acorn Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Acorn Fund. References to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance
Columbia Acorn USA®
Investment objective
Columbia Acorn USA® (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Portfolio management
Matthew A. Litfin, CFA
Lead Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2015
Richard Watson, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since November 2017
Morningstar style boxTM
The Morningstar Style Box is based on a fund’s portfolio holdings. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows investment style (value, blend, or growth). Information shown is based on the most recent data provided by Morningstar.
© 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar 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.
Average annual total returns (%) (for the period ended December 31, 2017)
    Inception 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Life
Class A Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 19.14 12.56 7.88 10.34
  Including sales charges   12.30 11.24 7.24 10.03
Advisor Class 11/08/12 19.42 12.85 8.16 10.70
Class C Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 18.30 11.80 7.10 9.54
  Including sales charges   17.65 11.80 7.10 9.54
Institutional Class 09/04/96 19.44 12.85 8.17 10.70
Institutional 2 Class 11/08/12 19.56 12.96 8.22 10.72
Institutional 3 Class 11/08/12 19.60 13.02 8.24 10.74
Russell 2000 Growth Index   22.17 15.21 9.19 -
Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses. Returns for Class A shares are shown with and without the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. Returns for Class C shares are shown with and without the maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for the first year after purchase. Effective November 1, 2017, Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares were renamed Advisor Class, Institutional 2 Class, Institutional 3 Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The Fund’s other classes are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to other fees and expenses, and have limited eligibility. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for details. Performance for different share classes will vary based on differences in sales charges and certain fees and expenses associated with each class.
As stated in the May 1, 2017, prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio is 1.17% for Institutional Class shares and 1.42% for Class A shares.
All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions during the period. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance results may reflect the effect of any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment manager and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results may have been lower.
The performance information shown represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by contacting your financial intermediary, visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com or calling 800.922.6769.
The returns shown for periods prior to the share class inception date (including returns for the Life of the Fund, if shown, which are since Fund inception) include the returns of the Fund’s oldest share class. These returns are adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable. Please visit investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/appended-performance for more information.
Effective May 1, 2017, the Fund compares its performance to that of the Russell 2000 Growth Index. Prior to this date, the Fund compared its performance to that of the Russell 2000 Index. The Investment Manager believes that the Fund’s portfolio will generally be more closely aligned with the Russell 2000 Growth Index than with the former core benchmark from an investment style perspective. Information on the Russell 2000 Index will be included for a one-year transition period.
The Russell 2000 Growth Index, an unmanaged index, measures the performance of those Russell 2000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. The Russell 3000 Index, an unmanaged index, measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.
Unlike mutual funds, indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn USA®
The Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Columbia Acorn USA® Institutional Class Shares
December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2017
This chart shows the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares of the Fund during the stated time period. Although the indexes are provided for use in assessing the Fund’s performance, the Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from those in an index. Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses.
Top ten holdings (%) (at December 31, 2017)  
HealthSouth Corp.
Inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services
2.0
Extended Stay America, Inc.
Hotels and motels
1.8
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.
Temporary healthcare staffing
1.6
Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
Investment bank
1.6
Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.
Venues that combine dining and entertainment for adults and families
1.6
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
Power management solutions
1.5
Brink’s Co. (The)
Provides security services globally
1.5
First Busey Corp.
Multi-bank holding company
1.5
OM Asset Management PLC
Domestic and international equities, fixed income, and alternative investments
1.4
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.
Moderately priced, full service restaurant chain
1.4
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Money Market Funds and Securities Lending Collateral).
For further detail about these holdings, please refer to the section entitled “Portfolio of Investments."
Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
Portfolio breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Common Stocks 98.7
Money Market Funds 0.3
Securities Lending Collateral 1.0
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
Equity sector breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Consumer Discretionary 19.8
Consumer Staples 3.4
Energy 1.4
Financials 12.8
Health Care 28.1
Industrials 10.7
Information Technology 20.0
Materials 1.7
Real Estate 2.1
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total equity investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
 
 
14 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
Columbia Acorn USA®
Matthew A. Litfin, CFA
Lead Portfolio Manager
Richard Watson, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Columbia Acorn USA® Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares gained 19.44% in 2017. The Fund underperformed its primary benchmark, the Russell 2000 Growth Index, which gained 22.17% for the same time period.
Although it was a tumultuous year in U.S. politics and global tensions remained high, investors banked on stronger economic growth and lower taxes, which helped drive the financial markets higher in 2017. Economic growth picked up as the year progressed, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding at over 3.0% in back-to-back quarters for the first time in three years. Even though jobs were lost as a result of hurricane disruptions during the third quarter, the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, a rate regarded as full employment and a 17-year low. Congress passed a major tax overhaul in late December, which lowered statutory corporate tax rates from 35% to 21%.
In 2017, corporate profits were much stronger than expected, helped by robust manufacturing activity, higher consumer spending and rising business confidence. Improved global economic growth and a weaker dollar boosted exports, and expectations for less stringent regulation in certain industries also supported investor confidence. Against this improved backdrop, the Federal Reserve raised the target range on a key short-term interest rate three times.
For the calendar year 2017, equity returns were especially strong. Ten of the eleven sectors that make up the Russell 2000 Growth Index returned 10%+, led by health care and telecommunication services. Energy was the bottom performer and the only sector to lose ground for the year. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks by a significant margin.
A combination of stock selection and industry/sector allocation accounted for the Fund’s shortfall relative to its primary benchmark. The Fund was underweight the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and life sciences industry within the health care sector, which detracted from relative results as it was a strong performer in 2017. However, three of the four top contributors to Fund returns were health care stocks: Exact Sciences, Kite Pharma and iRhythm Technologies. Exact’s stock more than doubled in the first half of the year, driven by the strength of Cologuard, a screen for the early detection of colon cancer that we believe strikes a balance of accuracy, cost-effectiveness and convenience. We took advantage of the stock’s strength to trim our position, and then fully exited our position in Exact during the second half of the year. Kite Pharma is a biotech company developing novel cancer drugs. The company’s stock increased throughout the year and particularly in the third quarter on continued positive data for its drug Axi-Cel, culminating with a proposal by Gilead to acquire Kite at a significant premium. (The acquisition of Kite by Gilead was completed in October 2017.) iRhythm Technologies makes a lightweight, easy-to-wear digital heart monitor for the detection of cardiac arrhythmias. We believe the company is strongly positioned to take significant market share by displacing traditional monitors that have lower detection rates, are less cost-effective and suffer from poor patient compliance.
Stock selection in information technology and in the consumer discretionary sector aided relative performance for the year. In technology, Qualys made a significant contribution to Fund results. Qualys is a leader in enterprise solutions for security and vulnerability management. Qualys shares were driven higher by faster-than-expected growth in recently launched solutions and good cost discipline. We believe that a higher percentage of sales coming from newer solutions has the potential to continue to drive revenue and sales growth. In the consumer discretionary sector, a position in iRobot, a global leader in household robotics, also aided Fund returns. The company enjoyed a technology lead over its competition because of more robust research and development efforts, a growing marketplace for its core products and expansion into other areas that offer the potential for market leadership.
An overweight in energy and in banks in the financials sector detracted from relative results. The Fund’s biggest individual detractor in 2017 was energy exploration and production company Carrizo Oil & Gas. Weak crude oil prices weighed on its shares in the first half of the year, and we sold the stock.
 
 
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Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn USA®
Shares of Papa John’s International pulled back on disappointing same-store restaurant sales in the third quarter. Even though Papa John’s increased its market share in the fragmented U.S. pizza industry, its NFL-oriented marketing strategy was challenged with lower NFL viewership, and the company lost ground to a leading rival in the competitive pizza delivery sector.
Optimism and the potential for inflationary pressures appear to be increasing at a time when stocks are trading at elevated valuations, which have been supported by low interest rates. As we move into 2018, we are monitoring risks such as a less accommodative Federal Reserve, the inflation implications of tighter labor markets and the potential for normalizing volatility. We continued to position the portfolio toward companies that exhibit higher quality and structural growth as measured across several metrics, including return on invested capital, revenue and earnings growth and superior debt ratios.
Columbia Wanger has specialized in investing in small and mid-cap equities since 1970. Columbia Acorn USA® focuses specifically on small-cap stocks. While cognizant of macroeconomic trends, our investment process takes a bottom-up approach, relying on intensive fundamental research and disciplined valuation techniques. We are seeking out companies with sustainable competitive advantages, entrepreneurial management and the potential to gain market share. Our team will continue to employ our time-tested process to look for opportunities for investors to benefit from growth in small-cap businesses.
Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility greater than investments in larger, more established companies. The Fund may invest significantly in issuers within a particular sector, which may be negatively affected by market, economic or other conditions, making the fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in the sector. See the Fund’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
The views expressed in this report reflect the current views of the respective parties. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Acorn Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Acorn Fund. References to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Investment objective
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Portfolio management
Stephen Kusmierczak, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2016
Morningstar style boxTM
The Morningstar Style Box is based on a fund’s portfolio holdings. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows investment style (value, blend, or growth). Information shown is based on the most recent data provided by Morningstar.
© 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar 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.
Average annual total returns (%) (for the period ended December 31, 2017)
    Inception 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Life
Class A Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 35.30 7.46 3.74 8.75
  Including sales charges   27.54 6.20 3.12 8.42
Advisor Class 11/08/12 35.67 7.74 4.06 9.09
Class C Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 34.32 6.64 2.93 7.93
  Including sales charges   33.32 6.64 2.93 7.93
Institutional Class 11/23/98 35.70 7.77 4.07 9.10
Institutional 2 Class 11/08/12 35.72 7.82 4.09 9.11
Institutional 3 Class 11/08/12 35.81 7.87 4.12 9.13
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)   27.19 6.80 1.84 -
MSCI ACWI ex USA Growth Index (Net)   32.01 7.97 2.40 -
Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses. Returns for Class A shares are shown with and without the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. Returns for Class C shares are shown with and without the maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for the first year after purchase. Effective November 1, 2017, Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares were renamed Advisor Class, Institutional 2 Class, Institutional 3 Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The Fund’s other classes are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to other fees and expenses, and have limited eligibility. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for details. Performance for different share classes will vary based on differences in sales charges and certain fees and expenses associated with each class.
As stated in the May 1, 2017, prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio is 1.15% for Institutional Class shares and 1.40% for Class A shares.
All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions during the period. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance results may reflect the effect of any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment manager and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results may have been lower.
The performance information shown represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by contacting your financial intermediary, visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com or calling 800.922.6769.
The returns shown for periods prior to the share class inception date (including returns for the Life of the Fund, if shown, which are since Fund inception) include the returns of the Fund’s oldest share class. These returns are adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable. Please visit investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/appended-performance for more information.
The MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) captures a large- and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 developed market countries (excluding the U.S.) and 24 emerging market countries. The index covers approximately 85% of the global equity opportunity set outside the United States.
The MSCI ACWI ex USA Growth Index (Net) captures large-and mid-cap representation across 22 developed markets countries and 24 emerging markets countries.
Unlike mutual funds, indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
The Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Columbia Acorn International SelectSM Institutional Class Shares
December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2017
This chart shows the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares of the Fund during the stated time period. Although the indexes are provided for use in assessing the Fund’s performance, the Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from those in an index. Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses.
Top ten holdings (%) (at December 31, 2017)  
Partners Group Holding AG (Switzerland)
Global private markets asset management firm
5.0
Hexagon AB, Class B (Sweden)
Design, measurement and visualisation technologies
4.8
MTU Aero Engines AG (Germany)
Develops and manufactures engines and offers commercial engine services and support
4.8
Naspers Ltd., Class N (South Africa)
Electronic and print media industries
4.7
CCL Industries, Inc. (Canada)
Manufacturing services and specialty packaging products for the non-durable consumer products market
4.5
FamilyMart UNY Holdings Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Chain of convenience stores
4.4
Wirecard AG (Germany)
Internet payment and processing services
4.3
NetEase, Inc., ADR (China)
Internet technology company that develops applications, services and Internet technologies
4.3
Novozymes AS, Class B (Denmark)
Enzymes for industrial use
4.1
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (India)
Hindi films, serials, game shows and children’s programs
3.3
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Money Market Funds and Securities Lending Collateral).
For further detail about these holdings, please refer to the section entitled “Portfolio of Investments."
Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
 
 
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Equity sector breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Consumer Discretionary 18.6
Consumer Staples 4.4
Financials 8.1
Health Care 12.5
Industrials 21.2
Information Technology 21.7
Materials 10.7
Real Estate 2.8
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total equity investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
Country breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Australia 1.9
Canada 4.1
China 8.0
Denmark 3.8
France 3.5
Germany 10.1
India 3.0
Ireland 1.5
Italy 1.6
Japan 16.7
Mexico 1.9
Netherlands 2.8
South Africa 4.3
South Korea 2.0
Sweden 6.2
Switzerland 4.5
Taiwan 2.1
United Kingdom 13.8
United States(a) 8.2
Total 100.0
    
(a) Includes investments in Money Market Funds.
Country breakdown is based primarily on issuer’s place of organization/incorporation. Percentages indicated are based upon total investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
 
 
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
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Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Stephen Kusmierczak, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares returned 35.70% in 2017, outperforming the Fund’s primary benchmark, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), which returned 27.19% for the same time period.
The global equity markets staged a robust rally in 2017, reflecting the steady increase in investors’ appetite for risk. Market sentiment was fueled by the combination of a broad-based strengthening of economic conditions, favorable outcomes in the European elections and growth in corporate earnings. This highly supportive backdrop led to sizable outperformance for the growth style relative to value, and for small-cap stocks in relation to larger companies. Both of these trends worked in the Fund’s favor given the nature of our investment approach.
Several aspects of the Fund’s positioning contributed to its return in 2017. In terms of sector allocations, the Fund benefited from an overweight in information technology (the strongest performing area of the market for the year) as well as holding no banks during the year. Stock selection was also strong, highlighted by favorable results in developed Europe, Latin America, the Europe/Middle East/Africa category within the emerging markets, and Japan. At the sector level, the Fund outperformed the corresponding benchmark components in seven of the eleven major sectors, it is important to remember that the Fund’s holdings and position sizes are determined through fundamental equity analysis, not top-down allocations to geographies and sectors. While these allocations can have a varying impact on the Fund over time, our larger goal is to outperform the benchmark by focusing on company fundamentals and valuations.
Among individual stocks, Wirecard AG, a global leader in providing online merchants with outsourcing solutions for electronic payment transactions, was the top contributor to performance during 2017. The German company, whose growth is correlated with trends in online commerce and cashless transactions, reported increased revenues on continued strength in its end markets. The South African holding company Naspers Ltd. was the second largest contributor. The company has a large stake in the Chinese internet giant Tencent Co. Ltd. Naspers largely followed Tencent’s rapid rise during the year. Partners Group Holding AG, a Swiss private equity firm, also delivered a substantial gain thanks to its robust asset growth and a favorable exit environment. MTU Aero Engines AG (Germany) and Novozymes AB (Sweden) were additional contributors in the annual period.
The U.K.-based retailer NEXT PLC was the largest detractor from returns in 2017. NEXT continued to struggle in a changing retail environment where its middle-of-the-road value proposition is suffering from online competition and shifting consumer preferences. U.K. retailer Kingfisher PLC also detracted from the Fund’s returns after the company was impacted by a weakening U.K. housing market. We exited both positions during the period. Similarly, we elected to sell our position in Vermilion Energy Inc. in 2017 based on worries about medium-term energy demand. Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd. became a key performance detractor in 2017 following allegations of wage fraud. The company experienced another downturn in August after it missed earnings estimates and reduced its forward guidance. We continued to maintain the Fund’s position at year end due to Domino’s European expansion strategy and a seemingly attractive valuation.
Optimism, company earnings and the potential for inflationary pressures appear to be increasing at a time when stocks are trading at elevated valuations. We believed during 2017 that higher valuations were partly a response to historically low and in some cases, negative interest rates. We are monitoring risks such as less accommodative monetary policy, the inflation implications of tighter labor markets and the potential for normalizing volatility. During 2017, we continued to position the Fund toward companies that exhibit higher quality and structural growth as measured across several metrics such as return on invested capital, revenue and earnings growth, superior debt ratios, and proven management teams.
 
 
20 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM is a concentrated portfolio that typically holds between 30 and 40 stocks. This strategy results in a diversified mix of high-conviction positions, which we believe can maximize the impact of our individual stock selections over time.
Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. Foreign investments subject the Fund to political, economic, market, social and other risks within a particular country, as well as to potential currency instabilities and less stringent financial and accounting standards generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. The Fund may invest significantly in issuers within a particular sector, which may be negatively affected by market, economic or other conditions, making the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in the sector. See the Fund’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
The views expressed in this report reflect the current views of the respective parties. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Acorn Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Acorn Fund. References to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
21


Table of Contents
Fund at a glance
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
Investment objective
Columbia Acorn SelectSM (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Portfolio management
David L. Frank, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2015
Matthew S. Szafranski, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2015
Morningstar style boxTM
The Morningstar Style Box is based on a fund’s portfolio holdings. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows investment style (value, blend, or growth). Information shown is based on the most recent data provided by Morningstar.
© 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar 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.
Average annual total returns (%) (for the period ended December 31, 2017)
    Inception 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Life
Class A Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 26.42 13.85 6.72 10.24
  Including sales charges   19.16 12.51 6.09 9.89
Advisor Class 11/08/12 26.71 14.13 7.01 10.57
Class C Excluding sales charges 10/16/00 25.40 13.01 5.90 9.41
  Including sales charges   24.40 13.01 5.90 9.41
Institutional Class 11/23/98 26.59 14.16 7.02 10.57
Institutional 2 Class 11/08/12 26.72 14.21 7.05 10.59
Institutional 3 Class 11/08/12 26.79 14.27 7.07 10.60
Russell 2500 Growth Index   24.46 15.47 9.62 -
Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses. Returns for Class A shares are shown with and without the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. Returns for Class C shares are shown with and without the maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for the first year after purchase. Effective November 1, 2017, Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares were renamed Advisor Class, Institutional 2 Class, Institutional 3 Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The Fund’s other classes are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to other fees and expenses, and have limited eligibility. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for details. Performance for different share classes will vary based on differences in sales charges and certain fees and expenses associated with each class.
As stated in the May 1, 2017, prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio is 0.93% for Institutional Class shares and 1.18% for Class A shares.
All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions during the period. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance results may reflect the effect of any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment manager and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results may have been lower.
The performance information shown represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by contacting your financial intermediary, visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com or calling 800.922.6769.
The returns shown for periods prior to the share class inception date (including returns for the Life of the Fund, if shown, which are since Fund inception) include the returns of the Fund’s oldest share class. These returns are adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable. Please visit investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/appended-performance for more information.
Effective May 1, 2017, the Fund compares its performance to that of the Russell 2500 Growth Index. Prior to this date, the Fund compared its performance to that of the S&P MidCap 400® Index. The Investment Manager believes that the Fund’s portfolio will generally be more closely aligned with the Russell 2500 Growth Index than with the former core benchmark from an investment style perspective. Information on the S&P MidCap 400® Index will be included for a one-year transition period.
The Russell 2500 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2500 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
The S&P MidCap 400® Index is a market value-weighted index that tracks the performance of 400 mid-cap U.S. companies.
Unlike mutual funds, indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
22 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
The Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Columbia Acorn SelectSM Institutional Class Shares
December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2017
This chart shows the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares of the Fund during the stated time period. Although the indexes are provided for use in assessing the Fund’s performance, the Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from those in an index. Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses.
Top ten holdings (%) (at December 31, 2017)  
SVB Financial Group
Holding company for Silicon Valley Bank
5.8
HealthSouth Corp.
Inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services
5.5
Middleby Corp. (The)
Equipment for use in cooking and preparing food
5.2
LCI Industries
Recreational vehicles and equipment
5.1
GoDaddy, Inc., Class A
Cloud-based web platform for small businesses, web design professionals and individuals
5.1
Oshkosh Corp.
Fire and emergency apparatuses and specialty commercial, and military trucks
5.1
Snap-On, Inc.
Tool and equipment solutions
4.8
LKQ Corp.
Automotive products and services
4.7
Vail Resorts, Inc.
Operates resorts globally
4.7
VeriSign, Inc.
Domain names and Internet security services
4.5
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Money Market Funds).
For further detail about these holdings, please refer to the section entitled “Portfolio of Investments."
Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
Portfolio breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Common Stocks 98.6
Money Market Funds 1.4
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
Equity sector breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Consumer Discretionary 19.8
Financials 15.7
Health Care 17.6
Industrials 25.0
Information Technology 16.1
Materials 3.0
Real Estate 2.8
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total equity investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
 
 
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Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
David L. Frank, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Matthew S. Szafranski, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Columbia Acorn SelectSM Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares returned 26.59% in 2017, outperforming the Fund’s primary benchmark, the Russell 2500 Growth Index, which returned 24.46% for the same time period.
The year 2017 was characterized by an improving economic environment and strong momentum for the stock market. The U.S. economy accelerated during the year, showing some of the strongest GDP growth in three years and with data consistently coming in ahead of expectations across a broad range of measures. Corporations benefited in kind, with rising revenues and profit growth that comfortably exceeded the estimates that were in place when the year began. Stocks were further boosted by the passage of a tax-cut package that included a reduction in the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%. Volatility continued to be conspicuously absent despite political tensions in Washington and abroad. In fact, the broad market, as measured by the S&P 500 Total Return, underwent its longest streak without a 3% correction in the history of the index.
Small- and mid-cap stocks performed particularly well in 2017. The market backdrop also worked strongly in favor of the growth style, especially stocks in the technology sector. Given the nature of the Fund’s investment approach, these two trends combined to create a robust tailwind for performance.
Stock selection also made a substantial contribution to the Fund’s returns. The Fund generated the best results in health care, led by a position in Align Technology, Inc. The stock rose during the year as the company reported better-than-expected profits thanks to the rising adoption of its Invisalign system of plastic teeth aligners, which have been taking market share from traditional wire braces. LivaNova PLC, a medical technology company with a focus on cardiac care, was the second-largest contributor in the sector. The company received product approvals from the Food and Drug Administration and exceeded earnings estimates in each of its four quarterly reports, boosting its stock price.
The consumer sector was an additional area of strength for the Fund. The recreational-vehicle components maker LCI Industries, which experienced rising sales amid accelerating demand in its end market, performed very well, as did Vail Resorts, Inc. As one of the leading operators of world-class ski destinations in North America, Vail Resort’s season sales continue to benefit from the inclusion of prime property acquisitions made over the last few years.
Outside of these two sectors, GoDaddy, Inc., which operates a cloud-based web platform for small businesses, web design professionals and individuals, moved steadily higher and made a sizable contribution to performance. The company reported increases in both total customers and average revenue per user, which translated to accelerating revenues. In addition, investors grew more optimistic about the outlook for small-business spending in anticipation of the reduction in the corporate tax rate.
On the negative side, Papa John’s International, Inc. pulled back due to disappointing same-store sales in the third quarter. In addition, the company was pressured by concerns about adverse developments in its NFL-oriented marketing strategy and the subsequent resignation of its chief executive officer. SPS Commerce, Inc., a provider of a software platform for consumer-products companies to communicate with their retailer customers, was an additional detractor. The company’s stock underperformed during the year because its sales growth ebbed and initial revenue growth guidance for 2018 was below investor expectations. In addition, traditional retailers slowed many information technology initiatives while they struggled to devise strategies to combat Amazon.com. We maintained the position in the belief that the slowdown is transitory. Education Realty Trust, Inc., the rail-components producer Wabtec Corp. and the rare disease-focused biotechnology company Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc. were also notable detractors in the annual period.
At year’s end, optimism and the potential for inflationary pressures appeared to be increasing at a time when stocks were trading at elevated absolute valuations. These higher valuations have been supported by the lower interest rate environment. As we move into 2018, we are monitoring risks such as a less accommodative Federal Reserve, the inflation implications of tighter labor markets and the
 
 
24 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
potential for normalizing volatility. We continue to position the Fund toward higher quality and structural growth as measured across several metrics such as return on invested capital, revenue and earnings growth as well as superior debt ratios.
Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. Foreign investments subject the Fund to risks, including political, economic, market, social and other risks, within a particular country, as well as to potential currency instabilities and less stringent financial and accounting standards generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers. The Fund may invest significantly in issuers within a particular sector, which may be negatively affected by market, economic or other conditions, making the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in the sector. See the Fund’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
The views expressed in this report reflect the current views of the respective parties. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Acorn Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Acorn Fund. References to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance
Columbia Thermostat FundSM
Investment objective
Columbia Thermostat FundSM (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Portfolio management
David L. Frank, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2016
Average annual total returns (%) (for the period ended December 31, 2017)
    Inception 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Life
Class A Excluding sales charges 03/03/03 5.19 4.78 4.86 6.82
  Including sales charges   -0.86 3.55 4.24 6.40
Advisor Class 11/08/12 5.49 5.04 5.12 7.09
Class C Excluding sales charges 03/03/03 4.48 4.00 4.08 6.03
  Including sales charges   3.48 4.00 4.08 6.03
Institutional Class 09/25/02 5.52 5.05 5.12 7.09
Institutional 2 Class 11/08/12 5.51 5.08 5.13 7.10
Institutional 3 Class 11/08/12 5.64 5.13 5.16 7.11
S&P 500 Index   21.83 15.79 8.50 -
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index   3.54 2.10 4.01 -
Blended Benchmark   12.37 8.88 6.54 -
Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses. Returns for Class A shares are shown with and without the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. Returns for Class C shares are shown with and without the maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for the first year after purchase. Effective November 1, 2017, Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares were renamed Advisor Class, Institutional 2 Class, Institutional 3 Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The Fund’s other classes are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to other fees and expenses, and have limited eligibility. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for details. Performance for different share classes will vary based on differences in sales charges and certain fees and expenses associated with each class.
As stated in the May 1, 2017 prospectus, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio is 0.76% for Institutional Class shares and 1.01% for Class A shares.
All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions during the period. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance results may reflect the effect of any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment manager and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results may have been lower.
The performance information shown represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by contacting your financial intermediary, visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com or calling 800.922.6769.
The returns shown for periods prior to the share class inception date (including returns for the Life of the Fund, if shown, which are since Fund inception) include the returns of the Fund’s oldest share class. These returns are adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable. Please visit investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/appended-performance for more information.
The Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500® Index tracks the performance of 500 widely held, large-capitalization U.S. stocks.
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted index that tracks the daily price, coupon, pay-downs and total return performance of fixed-rate, publicly placed, dollar-denominated and non-convertible investment-grade debt issues with at least $250 million par amount outstanding and with at least one year to final maturity.
The Blended Benchmark, established by the Fund’s investment manager, is an equally weighted custom composite of Columbia Thermostat Fund’s primary equity and primary debt benchmarks, the S&P 500® Index and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, respectively. The percentage of the Fund’s assets allocated to underlying stock and bond portfolio funds will vary, and accordingly the composition of the Fund’s portfolio will not always reflect the composition of the Blended Benchmark.
Unlike mutual funds, indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
26 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Thermostat FundSM
The Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Columbia Thermostat FundSM Institutional Class Shares
December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2017
This chart shows the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares of the Fund during the stated time period. Although the indexes are provided for use in assessing the Fund’s performance, the Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from those in an index. Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses.
Portfolio breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Equity Funds 9.9
Fixed-Income Funds 89.9
Money Market Funds 0.2
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
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Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
Columbia Thermostat FundSM
David L. Frank, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Columbia Thermostat Fund Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares returned 5.52% in 2017, which compared to a 12.37% gain for the Blended Benchmark. As designed, the Fund produced a return between those of stocks and bonds. Its primary equity benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, rose 21.83% in 2017, while its primary debt benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, returned 3.54%.
The Fund’s equity portfolio had a weighted average gain of 26.46% in 2017, which compared favorably with the equity benchmark. The underlying equity funds generated gains between 20% to 36%. The two leading performers were Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund, which returned 35.54%, and Columbia Acorn International, which gained 32.36%. Consistent with the broader market environment, our positions in underlying funds that invest in small-cap stocks, international equities and/or the growth style delivered the strongest returns.
The Fund’s bond portfolio generated a weighted average gain of 2.76% for the year, with all underlying funds finishing in positive territory. Columbia Income Opportunities Fund provided the best results with a gain of 6.45%, while Columbia Short Term Bond Fund posted the smallest advance with a return of 1.18%.
There were four reallocation triggers in 2017. After opening the year with an allocation of 10% in stocks and 90% in bonds, the Fund moved to stock/bond weightings of 25%/75% in May 2017 after the adoption of a new allocation table on May 1, 2017. The Fund subsequently shifted to a 20%/80% allocation in June, 15%/85% in September, and 10%/90% in December. The rotation toward bonds in the second half of the year reflects the increase in valuations that occurred as stock prices climbed steadily higher.
Columbia Thermostat Fund’s cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings valuation indicators continued to signal that the U.S. equity market was expensive at the close of the year. As a result, our formula-derived allocation table continued to favor bonds. Within the bond portfolio, we had a 40% allocation to short-duration fixed-income instruments with low credit risk. While these aspects of our strategy prevented the Fund from fully benefiting from the strong returns of the global financial markets in 2017, we believe that when stock volatility and higher rates eventually return the Fund will be well positioned to benefit.
Results of the Funds Owned in Columbia Thermostat Fund as of December 31, 2017
Fund Weightings
in category
4th quarter
performance
1 year
performance
Columbia Acorn International, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 20% 6.37% 32.36%
Columbia Dividend Income Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 20% 6.95% 20.95%
Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 10% 7.64% 24.53%
Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 10% 5.27% 35.54%
Columbia Contrarian Core Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 10% 5.41% 21.89%
Columbia Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 10% 6.42% 24.70%
Columbia Acorn Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 10% 6.03% 25.31%
Columbia Acorn Select, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 10% 7.95% 26.79%
Weighted Average Equity Gain/Loss 100% 6.54% 26.46%
    
Fund Weightings
in category
4th quarter
performance
1 year
performance
Columbia Short Term Bond Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 40% -0.01% 1.18%
Columbia Total Return Bond Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 20% 0.15% 3.95%
Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 20% 0.15% 3.37%
Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 10% -0.04% 2.10%
Columbia Income Opportunities Fund, Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 10% 0.00% 6.45%
Weighted Average Income Gain/Loss 100% 0.05% 2.76%
 
 
28 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance  (continued)
Columbia Thermostat FundSM
Columbia Thermostat Fund Rebalancing in the Second Half
September 13, 2017: 15% Stocks, 85% Bonds
November 9, 2017: 10% Stocks, 90% Bonds
A “fund of fund” bears its allocable share of the costs and expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Such funds are thus subject to two levels of fees and potentially higher expense ratios than would be associated with a fund that invests and trades directly in financial instruments under the direction of a single manager.
The Fund’s investments in the underlying funds may present certain risks, including the following. Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. The Fund’s investment in other funds subjects it to the investment performance (positive or negative), risks and expenses of these underlying funds. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than in investments in larger, more established companies. There are risks associated with fixed-income investments, including credit risk, market risk, interest rate risk and prepayment and extension risk. In general, bond prices fall when interest rates rise and vice versa. This effect is more pronounced for longer term securities. Non-investment-grade (high-yield or junk) securities present greater price volatility and more risk to principal and income than higher rated securities. Foreign investments subject the Fund to political, economic, market, social and other risks within a particular country, as well as to potential currency instabilities and less stringent financial and accounting standards generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers. See the Fund’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
The views expressed in this report reflect the current views of the respective parties. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Acorn Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Acorn Fund. References to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.
The value of an investment in the Fund is based primarily on the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. The Fund is subject to the risk that the investment manager’s decisions regarding asset classes and underlying funds will not anticipate market trends successfully, resulting in a failure to reserve capital or lower total return. The Investment Manager may prefer an underlying fund in the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds over alternative investments. There can be no assurance that the Columbia Acorn Funds will outperform similar funds managed by the Investment Manager’s affiliates. This is not an offer of the shares of any other mutual fund mentioned herein.
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
Investment objective
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Portfolio management
Satoshi Matsunaga, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2015
Charles C. Young
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since November 2017
Morningstar style boxTM
The Morningstar Style Box is based on a fund’s portfolio holdings. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows investment style (value, blend, or growth). Information shown is based on the most recent data provided by Morningstar.
© 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar 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.
Average annual total returns (%) (for the period ended December 31, 2017)
    Inception 1 Year 5 Years Life
Class A Excluding sales charges 08/19/11 34.55 2.63 5.18
  Including sales charges   26.82 1.43 4.21
Advisor Class 11/08/12 34.88 2.92 5.51
Class C Excluding sales charges 08/19/11 33.57 1.87 4.43
  Including sales charges   32.57 1.87 4.43
Institutional Class 08/19/11 34.92 2.86 5.47
Institutional 2 Class 11/08/12 35.02 2.96 5.55
Institutional 3 Class 06/13/13 35.13 3.00 5.58
MSCI Emerging Markets SMID Cap Index (Net)   34.53 4.21 -
Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses. Returns for Class A shares are shown with and without the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. Returns for Class C shares are shown with and without the maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for the first year after purchase. Effective November 1, 2017, Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares were renamed Advisor Class, Institutional 2 Class, Institutional 3 Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The Fund’s other classes are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to other fees and expenses, and have limited eligibility. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for details. Performance for different share classes will vary based on differences in sales charges and certain fees and expenses associated with each class.
As stated in the May 1, 2017 prospectus, as supplemented July 7, 2017, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio is 1.31% for Institutional Class shares and 1.56% for Class A shares.
All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions during the period. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance results may reflect the effect of any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment manager and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results may have been lower.
The performance information shown represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by contacting your financial intermediary, visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com or calling 800.922.6769.
The returns shown for periods prior to the share class inception date (including returns for the Life of the Fund, if shown, which are since Fund inception) include the returns of the Fund’s oldest share class. These returns are adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable. Please visit investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/appended-performance for more information.
The MSCI Emerging Markets SMID Cap Index (Net) captures a mid- and small-cap representation across 24 emerging market countries. The index covers approximately 29% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.
Unlike mutual funds, indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
30 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
The Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM Institutional Class Shares
August 19, 2011 (Fund inception) through December 31, 2017
This chart shows the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares of the Fund during the stated time period. Although the indexes are provided for use in assessing the Fund’s performance, the Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from those in an index. Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses.
Top ten holdings (%) (at December 31, 2017)  
Care Ratings Ltd. (India)
Credit rating services
3.5
NagaCorp Ltd. (Cambodia)
Leisure and tourism company
3.4
GRUH Finance Ltd. (India)
Provides a range of home loans as well as insurance products
3.3
Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong)
Food and beverages
3.1
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc., ADR (China)
Educational services
3.0
Raia Drogasil SA (Brazil)
Chain of pharmaceutical stores
2.9
Silergy Corp. (Taiwan)
High performance analog integrated circuits
2.9
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (India)
Hindi films, serials, game shows and children’s programs
2.9
TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H (China)
IT solutions for China’s air travel and tourism industries
2.8
Modetour Network, Inc. (South Korea)
Travel services
2.8
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Money Market Funds).
For further detail about these holdings, please refer to the section entitled “Portfolio of Investments."
Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
Equity sector breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Consumer Discretionary 29.2
Consumer Staples 10.9
Financials 20.4
Health Care 4.5
Industrials 7.9
Information Technology 18.8
Materials 3.5
Real Estate 1.4
Telecommunication Services 3.4
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total equity investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
 
 
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Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
Country breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Brazil 5.3
Cambodia 3.2
Cayman Islands 9.8
China 11.4
Egypt 1.0
Hong Kong 5.3
India 12.5
Indonesia 5.7
Mexico 4.6
Philippines 1.4
Russian Federation 1.2
South Africa 7.0
South Korea 11.8
Taiwan 7.1
Thailand 5.5
Turkey 2.6
United States(a) 4.6
Total 100.0
    
(a) Includes investments in Money Market Funds.
Country breakdown is based primarily on issuer’s place of organization/incorporation. Percentages indicated are based upon total investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
32 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
Satoshi Matsunaga, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Charles C. Young
Co-Portfolio Manager
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares returned 34.92% in 2017, which compared with a return of 34.53% for the Fund’s primary benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets SMID Cap Index (Net).
Emerging market stocks delivered a robust gain and comfortably beat both U.S. and developed market international equities in 2017. The asset class gained a significant boost from the emergence of synchronized economic growth across regions, which contributed to rising exports and stronger domestic consumption for emerging-market nations. Higher commodity prices were an additional positive for resource-heavy economies. Together, these factors led to strong gains in corporate earnings and supported a general improvement in company fundamentals. Emerging market equities were further aided by investors’ hearty appetite for risk and the resulting surge in investment inflows into the category. While the growth style performed particularly well in this environment, benefiting the Fund, large-cap stocks outperformed small-caps within the growth style, offsetting the tailwind effect.
The Fund’s relative performance was helped by strong stock selection in South Korea and Greater China, but this was offset to some extent by less favorable selection in Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East & Africa and South Asia. At the sector level, we added value to the Fund through positive selection in industrials, consumer discretionary and financials, but selection in materials and real estate detracted.
Among individual stocks, Koh Young Technology, Inc., a maker of inspection systems for computing-related hardware, was the top contributor to Fund performance in 2017. Koh Young rallied on the expansion of digitalization in various industries, such as autos and medical devices, which caused inspection needs to rise. The company also capitalized on the growing automation of inspection, which tends to be an expensive, labor-intensive portion of manufacturing. Modetour Network, Inc., a Korea-based provider of tour packages that outperformed on the strength of rising tour bookings and improved guidance, was an additional contributor. Although Modetour shares weakened in the latter half of the period, we believe the company’s longer-term fundamentals remain robust. New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc., a Chinese after-school tutoring, test preparation and online education company, also added to results. In addition to increasing its efficiency and expanding its K-12 after-school tutoring service, the company benefited from both favorable domestic trends and a resumption of growth in its overseas markets. TVS Motor Company Limited, an India-based producer of two-wheel motorized vehicles, and Korea Investment Holdings Co., Ltd., the second-largest broker and asset manager in South Korea, were further contributors to the Fund’s 12-month results.
PT Matahari Department Store Tbk, a department store chain serving middle-class consumers in Indonesia, was the most significant individual detractor in 2017. The company suffered from slower-than-expected sales growth due to soft consumer spending as a result of a series of tightening policies in Indonesia, including subsidy cuts. Famous Brands Ltd., a South African quick-service restaurant and café, also hurt Fund performance as losses related to its recent acquisitions drove down its share price. Netshoes Cayman Ltd., a leading e-commerce platform focused on selling sports and lifestyle shoes and apparel in Latin America, was an additional detractor. Netshoes missed earnings expectations and failed to provide future guidance, sparking a sell-off in the stock. We retained the investment for the Fund on the belief that the company is well positioned to benefit from growth in e-commerce and online retailing, which is less widely adopted in Latin America than in the developed markets. PChome Online, Inc., a Taiwanese on-line retailer, and RYB Education, Inc., a Chinese education company, were also among the Fund’s largest detractors for the period. We subsequently exited our position in PChome Online in 2017.
Even after their strong performance in 2017, emerging market stocks finished the year with more attractive valuations than most developed regions. Additionally, demographic trends, including growing populations and increasing middle-class consumption, are important long-term tailwinds. Believing China’s transition to a more consumer-based economy represents an important long-term theme, we
 
 
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Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
continued to look for companies that can benefit from this trend. We believe that India also remains a source of compelling investment ideas for the Fund amid ongoing government reform, rising infrastructure spending and the prospects for a recovery in capital expenditures.
With this as the backdrop, we continued to find ample opportunities for the Fund in 2017 at the individual company level. We believe emerging markets offer unique opportunities to discover small and mid-cap companies in the early phases of market development and capital formation. However, we are also realistic about the potential risks following a year of hearty performance for global equities, especially in light of the volatility inherent in the emerging markets. Accordingly, we maintained an emphasis on higher quality companies with robust structural growth, as measured by metrics such as return on invested capital, revenue and earnings growth as well as superior debt ratios. We continue to see attractive potential in small-cap growth companies, which can trade at highly undervalued levels due to the lower efficiency in the emerging markets.
Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency instabilities and different, potentially less stringent, financial and accounting standards than those generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Risks are enhanced for emerging and frontier market issuers. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. See the Fund’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
The views expressed in this report reflect the current views of the respective parties. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Acorn Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Acorn Fund. References to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.
34 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Fund at a glance
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Investment objective
Columbia Acorn European FundSM (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Portfolio management
Stephen Kusmierczak, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2011
Morningstar style boxTM
The Morningstar Style Box is based on a fund’s portfolio holdings. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows investment style (value, blend, or growth). Information shown is based on the most recent data provided by Morningstar.
© 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar 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.
Average annual total returns (%) (for the period ended December 31, 2017)
    Inception 1 Year 5 Years Life
Class A Excluding sales charges 08/19/11 37.89 11.31 11.82
  Including sales charges   29.98 10.00 10.79
Advisor Class 06/25/14 38.29 11.61 12.12
Class C Excluding sales charges 08/19/11 36.95 10.50 11.01
  Including sales charges   35.95 10.50 11.01
Institutional Class 08/19/11 38.35 11.60 12.11
Institutional 2 Class 11/08/12 38.32 11.61 12.12
Institutional 3 Class 03/01/17 38.46 11.62 12.13
MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index (Net)   35.50 13.58 -
Returns for Class A shares are shown with and without the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. Returns for Class C shares are shown with and without the maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for the first year after purchase. Effective November 1, 2017, Class R4, Class R5, Class Y and Class Z shares were renamed Advisor Class, Institutional 2 Class, Institutional 3 Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively. The Fund’s other classes are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to other fees and expenses, and have limited eligibility. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for details. Performance for different share classes will vary based on differences in sales charges and certain fees and expenses associated with each class.
As stated in the May 1, 2017 prospectus, as supplemented July 7, 2017, the Fund’s annual operating expense ratio is 1.20% for Institutional Class shares and 1.45% for Class A shares.
Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses. All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions during the period. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance results may reflect the effect of any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment manager and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results may have been lower.
The performance information shown represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of your investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. You may obtain performance information current to the most recent month-end by contacting your financial intermediary, visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com or calling 800.922.6769.
The returns shown for periods prior to the share class inception date (including returns for the Life of the Fund, if shown, which are since Fund inception) include the returns of the Fund’s oldest share class. These returns are adjusted to reflect any higher class-related operating expenses of the newer share classes, as applicable. Please visit investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/mutual-funds/appended-performance for more information.
The MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index (Net) captures a small-cap representation across 21 markets in Europe. The index covers approximately 14% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization across each market country in Europe.
Unlike mutual funds, indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
35


Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
The Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Columbia Acorn European FundSM Institutional Class Shares
August 19, 2011 (Fund inception) through December 31, 2017
This chart shows the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares of the Fund during the stated time period. Although the indexes are provided for use in assessing the Fund’s performance, the Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from those in an index. Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses.
Top ten holdings (%) (at December 31, 2017)  
Kindred Group PLC (Malta)
Online gambling services
3.9
Wirecard AG (Germany)
Internet payment and processing services
3.6
Nemetschek SE (Germany)
Standard software for designing, constructing and managing buildings and real estate
3.6
Halma PLC (United Kingdom)
Products that detect hazards and protect assets and people in public and commercial buildings
3.6
MTU Aero Engines AG (Germany)
Develops and manufactures engines and offers commercial engine services and support
3.1
WH Smith PLC (United Kingdom)
Retails books, magazines, newspapers, and periodicals
2.9
Stroeer SE & Co. KGaA (Germany)
Digital multi-channel media company
2.8
eDreams ODIGEO SA (Luxembourg)
Online travel company
2.7
Partners Group Holding AG (Switzerland)
Global private markets asset management firm
2.6
Brembo SpA (Italy)
Braking systems and components
2.5
Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Money Market Funds and Securities Lending Collateral).
For further detail about these holdings, please refer to the section entitled “Portfolio of Investments."
Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
Equity sector breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Consumer Discretionary 28.6
Financials 7.5
Health Care 10.0
Industrials 21.9
Information Technology 24.2
Materials 5.1
Real Estate 2.7
Total 100.0
Percentages indicated are based upon total equity investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
 
 
36 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Fund at a glance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Country breakdown (%) (at December 31, 2017)
Australia 0.9
Belgium 1.1
Denmark 4.5
Finland 3.0
France 3.0
Germany 24.9
Ireland 1.8
Italy 3.8
Luxembourg 2.5
Malta 3.6
Netherlands 1.8
Norway 2.6
Spain 1.4
Sweden 9.1
Switzerland 4.5
Turkey 1.5
United Kingdom 22.4
United States(a) 7.6
Total 100.0
    
(a) Includes investments in Money Market Funds.
Country breakdown is based primarily on issuer’s place of organization/incorporation. Percentages indicated are based upon total investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
37


Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Stephen Kusmierczak, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Columbia Acorn European FundSM Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) shares returned 38.35% in 2017, outperforming the 35.50% return of the Fund’s primary benchmark, the MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index (Net).
The annual period was characterized by positive momentum for global equities and improving economic conditions in Europe. Stronger growth, in turn, translated to better-than-expected corporate earnings across the region. In combination with favorable election outcomes and the accommodative monetary policy of the European Central Bank, these developments enhanced investor sentiment and led to a broad-based rally in equities. Small-cap stocks performed particularly well in this environment, as did the growth style, two trends that created a tailwind for the Fund. The strength in European currencies relative to the U.S. dollar provided an added boost to returns for U.S. investors.
Both sector allocations and individual security selection contributed to Fund performance in 2017. The Fund was helped by its overweight position in information technology, the leading performer among the 11 major sectors in 2017, as well as not holding any securities in the energy sector, the weakest performer. Stock selection also added value for the Fund across multiple sectors, with the largest contribution coming from industrials.
At the individual stock level, Wirecard AG, a global leader in providing online merchants with outsourcing solutions for electronic payment transactions, was the top contributor to performance. The German company, whose growth is correlated with trends in online commerce and cashless transactions, reported increased revenues on continued strength in its end markets. French engineering company Akka Technologies SA also made a sizable contribution to results. Akka provides services to the automotive industry, mainly in France and Germany. Through a series of judicious acquisitions, the company positioned itself as a key provider of technical skills in man/machine interfaces and autonomous driving. The Swiss private equity firm Partners Group Holding AG, which benefited from asset growth and a favorable exit environment, was an additional contributor of note. Halma PLC, a U.K. provider of technology-based safety solutions, and Kindred Group PLC, an online gaming operator based in Sweden, also added value for the Fund in 2017.
NetEnt AB was the largest individual detractor for the Fund in 2017. Shares of the Sweden-based developer of online casino games declined on concerns that the company would not meet revenue expectations in the second half of the year. We believe that more jurisdictions will legalize online gaming to boost tax revenues and address issues of money laundering and problem gambling. We believe that NetEnt, as a publicly-listed gaming provider with a record of solid corporate governance and innovative games development, should be a beneficiary of the long-term legalization trend. Connect Group PLC, a U.K.-based distributor of newspapers, books and magazines, was another detractor of note. While the company’s restructuring efforts have weighed on the stock in recent years, we believe the new structure is likely to fuel accelerating top-line growth and create benefits from rising capacity utilization and increased customer acceptance.
Columbia Wanger has specialized in investing in small- and mid-cap stocks since 1970. Our investment process, while cognizant of macroeconomic trends, uses a bottom-up approach that relies on intensive fundamental research and a disciplined analysis of valuation. We are focused on companies with sustainable competitive advantages, entrepreneurial management and the potential to gain market share. Our team continues to employ a rigorous, bottom-up process to identify opportunities in European small- and mid-cap growth companies.
Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency instabilities and different, potentially less stringent, financial and accounting standards than those generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. See the Fund’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
 
 
38 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Manager Discussion of Fund Performance  (continued)
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
The views expressed in this report reflect the current views of the respective parties. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Acorn Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Acorn Fund. References to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
39


Table of Contents
2017 Year-End Distributions
The following table details the year-end distributions for the Columbia Acorn Funds. The information is provided on a per share basis for each share class of the Funds.
Fund Ordinary
income
Short-term
capital
gain
Long-term
capital
gain
Record
date
Ex-dividend
date
Payable
date
Columbia Acorn® Fund            
Class A None 0.38952 2.68178 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) None 0.38952 2.68178 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Class C None 0.38952 2.68178 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) None 0.38952 2.68178 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) None 0.38952 2.68178 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) None 0.38952 2.68178 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Columbia Acorn International®            
Class A 0.28989 None 2.49062 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 0.38650 None 2.49062 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Class C 0.00000 None 2.49062 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 0.39089 None 2.49062 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 0.40845 None 2.49062 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 0.42601 None 2.49062 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Class R 0.16695 None 2.49062 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Columbia Acorn USA®            
Class A None 0.83234 3.82978 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) None 0.83234 3.82978 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Class C None 0.83234 3.82978 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) None 0.83234 3.82978 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) None 0.83234 3.82978 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) None 0.83234 3.82978 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM            
Class A 0.01057 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 0.07464 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Class C 0.00000 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 0.07464 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 0.09257 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 0.10539 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Columbia Acorn SelectSM            
Class A None None 0.61565 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) None None 0.61565 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Class C None None 0.61565 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) None None 0.61565 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) None None 0.61565 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) None None 0.61565 12/4/2017 12/5/2017 12/5/2017
Columbia Thermostat FundSM            
Class A 0.26917 0.02953 0.12837 12/20/2017 12/21/2017 12/21/2017
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 0.30614 0.02953 0.12837 12/20/2017 12/21/2017 12/21/2017
Class C 0.15826 0.02953 0.12837 12/20/2017 12/21/2017 12/21/2017
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 0.30614 0.02953 0.12837 12/20/2017 12/21/2017 12/21/2017
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 0.30910 0.02953 0.12837 12/20/2017 12/21/2017 12/21/2017
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 0.31649 0.02953 0.12837 12/20/2017 12/21/2017 12/21/2017
40 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
2017 Year-End Distributions  (continued)
Fund Ordinary
income
Short-term
capital
gain
Long-term
capital
gain
Record
date
Ex-dividend
date
Payable
date
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM            
Class A None None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) None None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Class C None None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) None None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) None None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) None None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Columbia Acorn European FundSM            
Class A 0.13417 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 0.18177 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Class C 0.00835 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 0.18347 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 0.18347 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 0.22088 None None 12/15/2017 12/18/2017 12/18/2017
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
41


Table of Contents
Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder, you incur two types of costs. There are transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption fees. There are also ongoing costs, which generally include management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. The following information is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
Analyzing your Fund’s expenses
To illustrate these ongoing costs, we have provided examples and calculated the expenses paid by investors in each share class of the Funds during the period. The actual and hypothetical information in the tables is based on an initial investment of $1,000 at the beginning of the period indicated and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different information. The amount listed in the “Actual” column is calculated using the Funds’ actual operating expenses and total return for the period. You may use the Actual information, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the results by the expenses paid during the period under the Actual column. The amount listed in the “Hypothetical” column assumes a 5% annual rate of return before expenses (which is not the Funds’ actual return) and then applies the Funds’ actual expense ratio for the period to the hypothetical return. You should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate either your actual account balance at the end of the period or the expenses you paid during the period. See “Compare with other funds” below for details on how to use the hypothetical data.
In addition to the ongoing expenses which the Funds bear directly, Columbia Thermostat Fund’s shareholders indirectly bear the Fund’s allocable share of the costs and expenses of each underlying fund in which the Fund invests. You can also estimate the effective expenses paid during the period, which includes the indirect fees associated with investing in the underlying funds, by using the amounts listed in the effective expenses paid during the period column in the “Fund of Funds” table.
Compare with other funds
Since all mutual funds are required to include the same hypothetical calculations about expenses in shareholder reports, you can use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Funds with other funds. To do so, compare the hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. As you compare hypothetical examples of other funds, it is important to note that hypothetical examples are meant to highlight the ongoing costs of investing in a fund only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, or redemption or exchange fees. Therefore, the hypothetical calculations are useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included in these calculations, your costs would be higher.
July 1, 2017 — December 31, 2017
  Account value at the
beginning of the
period ($)
Account value at the
end of the
period ($)
Expenses paid during
the period ($)
Fund’s annualized
expense ratio (%)
  Actual Hypothetical Actual Hypothetical Actual Hypothetical Actual
Columbia Acorn® Fund
Class A 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,112.70 1,019.55 5.69 5.44 1.08
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,114.20 1,020.79 4.37 4.18 0.83
Class C 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,107.70 1,015.81 9.62 9.20 1.83
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,114.80 1,020.79 4.38 4.18 0.83
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,114.50 1,020.89 4.27 4.08 0.81
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,115.60 1,021.14 4.01 3.83 0.76
42 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses  (continued)
(Unaudited)
July 1, 2017 — December 31, 2017
  Account value at the
beginning of the
period ($)
Account value at the
end of the
period ($)
Expenses paid during
the period ($)
Fund’s annualized
expense ratio (%)
  Actual Hypothetical Actual Hypothetical Actual Hypothetical Actual
Columbia Acorn International®
Class A 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,113.80 1,018.75 6.53 6.24 1.24
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,115.10 1,020.00 5.22 4.99 0.99
Class C 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,109.50 1,015.01 10.47 10.00 1.99
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,115.20 1,020.00 5.22 4.99 0.99
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,115.40 1,020.29 4.90 4.68 0.93
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,115.80 1,020.54 4.64 4.43 0.88
Class R 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,112.30 1,017.50 7.85 7.49 1.49
Columbia Acorn USA®
Class A 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,070.70 1,017.55 7.64 7.44 1.48
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,071.40 1,018.80 6.35 6.19 1.23
Class C 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,066.80 1,013.81 11.49 11.20 2.23
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,071.90 1,018.95 6.20 6.04 1.20
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,072.70 1,019.15 5.99 5.84 1.16
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,072.70 1,019.50 5.63 5.49 1.09
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Class A 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,126.30 1,017.95 7.42 7.04 1.40
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,127.70 1,019.20 6.10 5.79 1.15
Class C 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,122.00 1,014.21 11.37 10.80 2.15
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,127.90 1,019.20 6.10 5.79 1.15
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,127.60 1,019.55 5.73 5.44 1.08
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,128.20 1,019.80 5.47 5.19 1.03
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
Class A 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,132.20 1,019.15 6.17 5.84 1.16
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,133.60 1,020.34 4.89 4.63 0.92
Class C 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,126.80 1,015.41 10.13 9.60 1.91
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,132.60 1,020.39 4.84 4.58 0.91
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,133.60 1,020.69 4.52 4.28 0.85
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,133.70 1,020.94 4.26 4.03 0.80
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
Class A 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,119.20 1,017.35 8.03 7.64 1.52
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,120.60 1,018.60 6.71 6.39 1.27
Class C 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,115.00 1,013.61 11.97 11.40 2.27
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,120.60 1,018.60 6.71 6.39 1.27
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,120.60 1,019.00 6.29 5.99 1.19
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,120.80 1,019.25 6.03 5.74 1.14
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Class A 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,116.60 1,017.75 7.60 7.24 1.44
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,117.50 1,018.95 6.34 6.04 1.20
Class C 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,112.10 1,014.01 11.53 11.00 2.19
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,117.50 1,019.00 6.28 5.99 1.19
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,118.20 1,019.30 5.97 5.69 1.13
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,118.40 1,019.55 5.70 5.44 1.08
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
43


Table of Contents
Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses  (continued)
(Unaudited)
Fund of Funds—Columbia Thermostat Fund
July 1, 2017 — December 31, 2017
  Account value at the
beginning of the
period ($)
Account value at the
end of the
period ($)
Expenses paid during
the period ($)
Fund’s annualized
expense ratio (%)
Effective expenses
paid during the
period ($)
Fund’s effective
annualized
expense ratio (%)
  Actual Hypothetical Actual Hypothetical Actual Hypothetical Actual Actual Hypothetical Actual
Class A 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,020.20 1,022.44 2.52 2.52 0.50 4.99 4.99 0.99
Advisor Class (formerly Class R4) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,021.50 1,023.68 1.26 1.26 0.25 3.73 3.73 0.74
Class C 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,017.40 1,018.70 6.29 6.29 1.25 8.75 8.76 1.74
Institutional Class (formerly Class Z) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,022.30 1,023.68 1.26 1.26 0.25 3.73 3.73 0.74
Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,022.40 1,023.78 1.16 1.16 0.23 3.63 3.63 0.72
Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,022.90 1,024.03 0.91 0.91 0.18 3.38 3.38 0.67
Expenses paid during the period are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period and then multiplied by the number of days in the Fund’s most recent fiscal half year and divided by 365.
Except with respect to Columbia Thermostat Fund, expenses do not include any fees and expenses incurred indirectly by a Fund from the underlying funds in which the Fund may invest (also referred to as “acquired funds”), including affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investments vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange traded funds).
In the case of Columbia Thermostat Fund, effective expenses paid during the period and the Fund’s effective annualized expense ratio include expenses borne directly by the class plus the Fund’s pro rata portion of the ongoing expenses charged by the underlying funds in which it invests using the expense ratio of each class of each underlying fund as of the underlying fund’s most recent shareholder report.
Had the investment manager and/or certain of its affiliates not waived/reimbursed certain fees and expenses for the Funds, account value at the end of the period would have been reduced.
44 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments
Columbia Acorn® Fund, December 31, 2017
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Common Stocks 98.9%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Consumer Discretionary 18.4%
Auto Components 2.7%
Cooper-Standard Holding, Inc.(a)
Sealing, fuel and brake delivery, fluid transfer systems, anti-vibration systems components, subsystems, and modules
381,375 46,718,437
Gentex Corp.
Products that use electro-optic technology
985,983 20,656,344
LCI Industries
Recreational vehicles and equipment
238,881 31,054,530
Tenneco, Inc.
Emission control and ride control products and systems
457,483 26,781,055
Total   125,210,366
Distributors 1.6%
LKQ Corp.(a)
Automotive products and services
593,633 24,143,054
Pool Corp.
Swimming pool supplies, equipment and leisure products
404,067 52,387,287
Total   76,530,341
Diversified Consumer Services 2.4%
Adtalem Global Education, Inc.(a)
Higher education institutions
969,394 40,763,018
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a)
Child care and early education services
385,295 36,217,730
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.(a)
Online post secondary education
398,464 35,674,482
Total   112,655,230
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 6.0%
Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.(a)
Venues that combine dining and entertainment for adults and families
766,997 42,315,225
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.
Network of company-owned and franchise Domino’s Pizza stores
137,833 26,044,924
Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.
Quick service restaurants serving hot and cold coffee and baked goods
580,202 37,405,623
Extended Stay America, Inc.
Hotels and motels
2,683,657 50,989,483
Papa John’s International, Inc.
Pizza delivery and carry-out restaurants
385,186 21,612,786
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.
Moderately priced, full service restaurant chain
885,011 46,622,379
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Vail Resorts, Inc.
Operates resorts globally
94,762 20,134,082
Wingstop, Inc.
Cooked-to-order chicken wings
843,639 32,885,048
Total   278,009,550
Household Durables 2.0%
Cavco Industries, Inc.(a)
Designs and manufactures systems-built structures
139,806 21,334,396
iRobot Corp.(a),(b)
Manufactures robots for cleaning
376,562 28,882,305
Leggett & Platt, Inc.
Manufactures a wide range of engineered products
404,053 19,285,450
NVR, Inc.(a)
Builds and markets homes and conducts mortgage banking activities
6,100 21,400,142
Total   90,902,293
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 0.7%
Wayfair, Inc., Class A(a)
Retails household goods online
378,419 30,375,693
Leisure Products 0.4%
Brunswick Corp.
Consumer products serving the outdoor and indoor active recreation markets
334,352 18,462,917
Specialty Retail 2.6%
Camping World Holdings, Inc., Class A
Recreational vehicles and accessories
536,203 23,984,360
Five Below, Inc.(a)
Specialty value retailer
419,361 27,812,022
Monro, Inc.
Automotive undercar repair and tire services
362,003 20,616,071
Tractor Supply Co.
Retail farm store chain
391,354 29,253,711
Ulta Beauty, Inc.(a)
Chain of beauty stores
94,556 21,148,395
Total   122,814,559
Total Consumer Discretionary 854,960,949
Consumer Staples 1.7%
Food & Staples Retailing 0.8%
U.S. Foods Holding Corp.(a)
Catering services
1,056,033 33,719,134
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
45


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Household Products 0.9%
Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.
Global and diversified consumer products company
209,467 23,544,091
WD-40 Co.
Multi-purpose lubricant products and heavy-duty hand cleaners
164,398 19,398,964
Total   42,943,055
Total Consumer Staples 76,662,189
Energy 0.9%
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.9%
Cimarex Energy Co.
Crude oil and natural gas
147,390 17,983,054
Diamondback Energy, Inc.(a)
Independent oil and natural gas company
199,534 25,191,167
Total   43,174,221
Total Energy 43,174,221
Financials 9.0%
Banks 1.6%
BOK Financial Corp.
Multi-bank holding company
250,194 23,097,910
MB Financial, Inc.
Holding company for MB Financial Bank, N.A.
390,269 17,374,776
SVB Financial Group(a)
Holding company for Silicon Valley Bank
148,227 34,651,026
Total   75,123,712
Capital Markets 6.6%
Ares Capital Corp.
Management investment company
2,549,524 40,078,517
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
Marketplace for the trading of standardized and listed options on equity securities
159,000 19,809,810
Eaton Vance Corp.
Creates, markets, and manages mutual funds
943,078 53,180,168
Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Global economic and financial data to analysts, investment bankers, and financial professionals
164,763 31,759,716
Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
Investment bank
624,963 28,392,069
Lazard Ltd., Class A
Corporate Advisory & Asset Management
1,121,299 58,868,198
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.
Electronic, multi-dealer to client platform for bond trading
160,939 32,469,443
Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Financial services to individuals, corporations, and municipalities
446,709 39,891,114
Total   304,449,035
Consumer Finance 0.8%
Credit Acceptance Corp.(a),(b)
Funding, receivables management, collection, sales training, and related services to automobile dealers
109,411 35,392,270
Total Financials 414,965,017
Health Care 22.7%
Biotechnology 6.5%
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)
Therapeutics in the field of cancer metabolism
491,259 28,085,277
Alkermes PLC(a)
Develops treatments for central nervous system disorders
460,000 25,175,800
Bioverativ, Inc.(a)
Innovative therapies for the treatment of blood disorders
1,032,033 55,647,219
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.(a),(c)
Uses applications of immunology to prevent and treat diseases
8,126,489 23,079,229
Clovis Oncology, Inc.(a)
Pre-commercial Biotech Company
376,339 25,591,052
Genomic Health, Inc.(a)
Development and commercialization of genomic-based clinical diagnostic tests for cancer
1,028,735 35,182,737
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)
Drugs that regulate hormone activated intracellular receptors
190,332 26,062,161
Loxo Oncology, Inc.(a)
Researches and develops cancer drugs
342,419 28,824,831
Seattle Genetics, Inc.(a)
Monoclonal antibody-based drugs to treat cancer and related diseases
522,621 27,960,224
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)
Therapeutics and sialic acid for treating metabolic, body myopathy, glucuronidase, and rare genetic diseases
537,651 24,936,253
Total   300,544,783
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
46 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 8.3%
Align Technology, Inc.(a)
Designs, manufactures, and markets the Invisalign System
221,309 49,172,647
Endologix, Inc.(a)
Minimally invasive treatments for vascular diseases
3,386,649 18,118,572
Haemonetics Corp.(a)
Automated blood processing systems
641,870 37,279,810
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a)
Diagnostic, detection, and information systems for veterinary, food, and water testing applications
120,199 18,796,720
iRhythm Technologies, Inc.(a)
Medical instruments
526,673 29,520,022
LivaNova PLC(a)
Medical technology focusing on neuromodulation, cardiac surgery and rhythm management
257,621 20,589,070
Masimo Corp.(a)
Medical signal processing and sensor technology for non-invasive monitoring of physiological parameters
864,552 73,314,010
Natus Medical, Inc.(a)
Medical device company that develops, manufactures, and markets screening products
522,886 19,974,245
ResMed, Inc.
Medical equipment for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing
338,935 28,704,405
Varex Imaging Corp.(a)
X-ray imaging components
1,159,355 46,571,290
Varian Medical Systems, Inc.(a)
Medical equipment
182,447 20,278,984
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
Drug therapies and healthcare products
244,984 24,172,571
Total   386,492,346
Health Care Providers & Services 2.8%
Amedisys, Inc.(a)
Provider of alternate-site health care services
521,678 27,497,647
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.(a)
Temporary healthcare staffing
504,424 24,842,881
Chemed Corp.
Hospice and palliative care services
27,212 6,613,060
HealthSouth Corp.
Inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services
1,380,629 68,216,879
Total   127,170,467
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Health Care Technology 1.5%
Evolent Health, Inc., Class A(a),(b)
Purpose-built platform enables providers to migrate their payment models
1,716,517 21,113,159
Veeva Systems Inc., Class A(a)
Cloud-based business services
908,078 50,198,552
Total   71,311,711
Life Sciences Tools & Services 3.6%
Bio-Techne Corp.
Biotechnology products and clinical diagnostic controls
208,002 26,946,659
Cambrex Corp.(a)
Products, services, and technologies for the Life Sciences and fine chemicals industry
897,649 43,087,152
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)
Weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, and food retailing applications
30,543 18,922,000
Pra Health Sciences, Inc.(a)
Global contract research organization
851,276 77,525,705
Total   166,481,516
Total Health Care 1,052,000,823
Industrials 17.3%
Aerospace & Defense 0.6%
HEICO Corp., Class A
Aerospace products and services
358,269 28,321,164
Air Freight & Logistics 0.5%
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
Global logistics company
330,439 21,376,099
Building Products 0.4%
JELD-WEN Holding, Inc.(a)
Interior and exterior doors, wood, vinyl and aluminum windows
500,000 19,685,000
Commercial Services & Supplies 2.7%
Brink’s Co. (The)
Provides security services globally
355,358 27,966,675
Cintas Corp.
Corporate identity uniform programs
161,422 25,154,390
Copart, Inc.(a)
Services to process and sell salvage vehicles through auctions
995,276 42,985,970
Unifirst Corp.
Workplace uniforms and protective clothing
176,205 29,056,205
Total   125,163,240
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
47


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Industrial Conglomerates 0.5%
Carlisle Companies, Inc.
Construction materials, transportation products, and general industry products
188,663 21,441,550
Machinery 7.0%
Graco, Inc.
Technology for the management of fluids in industrial and commercial applications
1,079,634 48,821,049
Middleby Corp. (The)(a)
Equipment for use in cooking and preparing food
157,562 21,262,992
Nordson Corp.
Systems that apply adhesives, sealants, and coatings to products during manufacturing
258,744 37,880,122
Oshkosh Corp.
Fire and emergency apparatuses and specialty commercial, and military trucks
229,462 20,855,801
REV Group, Inc.
Specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services
722,347 23,497,948
Snap-On, Inc.
Tool and equipment solutions
266,187 46,396,394
Toro Co. (The)
Turf equipment
735,938 48,005,236
WABCO Holdings, Inc.(a)
Electronic braking, stability, suspension, and transmission control systems commercial vehicles
454,678 65,246,293
Woodward, Inc.
Energy control systems and components for aircraft, industrial engines and turbines
172,500 13,203,150
Total   325,168,985
Professional Services 3.0%
ManpowerGroup, Inc.
Non-governmental employment services
320,437 40,410,310
Robert Half International, Inc.
Temporary and permanent staffing services
679,220 37,723,879
TransUnion (a)
Offers consumer reports, risk scores, analytical services, and decisioning capabilities to businesses
1,117,020 61,391,419
Total   139,525,608
Road & Rail 2.0%
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
Logistics services
212,566 24,440,839
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Inter-regional and multi-regional motor carrier
534,818 70,355,308
Total   94,796,147
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Trading Companies & Distributors 0.6%
Watsco, Inc.
Air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment
166,128 28,248,405
Total Industrials 803,726,198
Information Technology 23.1%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 4.5%
CDW Corp.
IT products and services
848,075 58,932,732
Cognex Corp.
Machine vision systems
822,000 50,273,520
II-VI, Inc.(a)
Optical and optoelectronic devices
700,550 32,890,822
IPG Photonics Corp.(a)
High-power fiber lasers and amplifiers
318,098 68,114,325
Total   210,211,399
Internet Software & Services 3.9%
Alteryx, Inc., Class A(a)
Data storage, retrieval, management, reporting, and analytics solutions
983,198 24,845,414
CoStar Group, Inc.(a)
Provides building-specific information to the United States commercial real estate industry and related industries
61,466 18,252,329
GoDaddy, Inc., Class A(a)
Cloud-based web platform for small businesses, web design professionals and individuals
588,811 29,605,417
Mimecast Ltd.(a)
Cloud security and risk management services for corporate information and email
632,000 18,119,440
MINDBODY, Inc., Class A(a)
Business management software
554,360 16,880,262
Nutanix, Inc., Class A(a)
Enterprise cloud platforms
508,253 17,931,166
Q2 Holdings, Inc.(a)
Secure, cloud-based virtual banking solutions
483,131 17,803,377
Quotient Technology, Inc.(a)
Operates a promotion platform
1,281,599 15,058,788
VeriSign, Inc.(a)
Domain names and Internet security services
177,571 20,321,225
Total   178,817,418
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
48 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
IT Services 3.7%
Black Knight, Inc.(a)
Integrated technology, work flow automation, data and analytic solutions
427,215 18,861,542
Booz Allen Hamilton Holdings Corp.
Technology consulting services to the U.S. government in the defense, intelligence, and civil markets
929,903 35,457,201
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
Technology-based outsourcing solutions to the financial services industry
294,817 26,704,524
CoreLogic, Inc.(a)
Consumer, financial and property information, analytics and services to business and government
397,760 18,380,490
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(a)
Electronic financial transaction solutions
301,683 25,422,826
Gartner, Inc.(a)
Research and analysis on computer hardware, software, communications, and information technology
192,622 23,721,399
WNS Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)
Business process outsourcing services
545,490 21,890,514
Total   170,438,496
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 5.4%
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.(a)
Engineered precision power conversion, measurement and control solutions
762,638 51,462,812
Ambarella, Inc.(a)
High definition video compression and image processing semiconductors
323,500 19,005,625
Brooks Automation, Inc.
Automation solutions for the global semiconductor and related industries
708,474 16,897,105
Inphi Corp.(a),(b)
Analog semiconductor solutions
724,916 26,531,926
MKS Instruments, Inc.
Instruments and components used to control and analyze gases in semiconductor manufacturing
329,284 31,117,338
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
Power management solutions
294,141 33,049,683
Semtech Corp.(a)
Analog and mixed-signal semiconductors
621,391 21,251,572
Teradyne, Inc.
Semiconductor test products and services
1,253,396 52,479,690
Total   251,795,751
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Software 5.6%
ANSYS, Inc.(a)
Software solutions for design analysis and optimization
462,531 68,264,950
Blackline, Inc.(a)
Develops and markets enterprise software
672,040 22,042,912
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)
Software technology, design and consulting services and technology
1,138,503 47,612,196
CyberArk Software Ltd.(a)
IT security solutions
423,051 17,510,081
Guidewire Software, Inc.(a)
Enterprise software for the property and casualty insurance industry
226,040 16,785,730
Qualys, Inc.(a)
Information technology security risk and compliance management solutions
743,451 44,123,817
Synopsys, Inc.(a)
Electronic design automation solutions
294,590 25,110,852
Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The)(a)
Software solutions
89,935 19,626,515
Total   261,077,053
Total Information Technology 1,072,340,117
Materials 2.3%
Chemicals 1.1%
Celanese Corp., Class A
Global integrated producer of chemicals and advanced materials
271,263 29,046,842
Quaker Chemical Corp.
Custom-formulated chemical specialty products
151,400 22,829,606
Total   51,876,448
Containers & Packaging 1.2%
Avery Dennison Corp.
Pressure-sensitive materials and a variety of tickets, tags and labels
279,691 32,125,308
Sealed Air Corp.
Packaging and performance-based materials and equipment
482,600 23,792,180
Total   55,917,488
Total Materials 107,793,936
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
49


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Real Estate 2.6%
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) 1.9%
CoreCivic, Inc.
Detention and corrections services
1,255,108 28,239,930
Education Realty Trust, Inc.
Self-managed and self-advised real estate investment trust
514,492 17,966,061
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
Acquires properties such as camping grounds and seasonal resort communities
205,266 18,272,779
Lamar Advertising Co., Class A
Outdoor advertising structures
333,833 24,783,762
Total   89,262,532
Real Estate Management & Development 0.7%
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
Real estate and investment management services
210,632 31,369,424
Total Real Estate 120,631,956
Telecommunication Services 0.9%
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.4%
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.(a)
Global provider of bandwidth infrastructure services
547,191 20,136,629
Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.5%
Boingo Wireless, Inc.(a)
Mobile internet services
965,652 21,727,170
Total Telecommunication Services 41,863,799
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $3,282,735,192)
4,588,119,205
Limited Partnerships 0.5%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Consumer Discretionary 0.5%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.5%
Cedar Fair LP
Owns and operates amusement parks
328,546 21,352,205
Total Consumer Discretionary 21,352,205
Total Limited Partnerships
(Cost: $21,857,117)
21,352,205
Securities Lending Collateral 0.8%
  Shares Value ($)
Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.190%(d),(e)
37,208,360 37,208,360
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $37,208,360)
37,208,360
Money Market Funds 0.6%
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, IM Shares, 1.192%(d) 26,619,576 26,619,576
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost: $26,619,576)
26,619,576
Total Investments
(Cost $3,368,420,245)
4,673,299,346
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities Loaned   (37,208,360)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net   2,082,730
Net Assets $4,638,173,716
 
 
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2017. The total market value of securities on loan at December 31, 2017 was $35,927,492.
(c) An affiliated person of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, may include any company in which the Fund owns five percent or more of its outstanding voting shares. Holdings and transactions in these affiliated companies during the year ended ended December 31, 2017, are as follows. The aggregate cost and value of these companies at December 31, 2017, was $24,580,987 and $23,079,229, respectively. Investments in affiliated companies represented 0.05% of the Fund’s total net assets at December 31, 2017.
    
Issuer Beginning
shares
Shares
purchased
Shares
sold
Ending
shares
Realized gain
(loss) —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation) —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Dividend —
affiliated issuers
($)
Value —
affiliated
issuers
at end of
period ($)
Alteryx, Inc., Class A
  1,165,000 (181,802) 983,198 555,557
Boingo Wireless, Inc.
  2,180,974 84,481 (1,299,803) 965,652 13,458,610 (9,612,747)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
50 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund, December 31, 2017
Notes to Portfolio of Investments  (continued)
Issuer Beginning
shares
Shares
purchased
Shares
sold
Ending
shares
Realized gain
(loss) —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation) —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Dividend —
affiliated issuers
($)
Value —
affiliated
issuers
at end of
period ($)
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.
  6,019,590 5,350,481 (3,243,582) 8,126,489 (5,653,863) (385,498) 23,079,229
Endologix, Inc.
  4,661,700 1,457,196 (2,732,247) 3,386,649 (8,376,418) 7,567,388
Nutanix, Inc., Class A
  898,090 510,829 (900,666) 508,253 (986,045) (816,261)
Total of Affiliated Transactions         (1,002,159) (3,247,118) 23,079,229
    
Issuer was not an affiliate at the end of period.
    
(d) The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at December 31, 2017.
(e) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities lending activity.
Abbreviation Legend
ADR American Depositary Receipt
Fair value measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
¦ Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
¦ Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)
¦ Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical Level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose net asset values are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical Level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by Columbia Wanger Asset Management’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.
The Committee is responsible for applying the Columbia Acorn Trust Portfolio Pricing Policy and the Columbia Wanger Asset Management pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which Columbia Wanger Asset Management believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund’s investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.
For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
51


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund, December 31, 2017
Fair value measurements  (continued)
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2017:
  Level 1
quoted prices in active
markets for identical
assets ($)
Level 2
other significant
observable inputs ($)
Level 3
significant
unobservable inputs ($)
Total ($)
Investments        
Common Stocks        
Consumer Discretionary 854,960,949 854,960,949
Consumer Staples 76,662,189 76,662,189
Energy 43,174,221 43,174,221
Financials 414,965,017 414,965,017
Health Care 1,052,000,823 1,052,000,823
Industrials 803,726,198 803,726,198
Information Technology 1,072,340,117 1,072,340,117
Materials 107,793,936 107,793,936
Real Estate 120,631,956 120,631,956
Telecommunication Services 41,863,799 41,863,799
Total Common Stocks 4,588,119,205 4,588,119,205
Limited Partnerships        
Consumer Discretionary 21,352,205 21,352,205
Total Limited Partnerships 21,352,205 21,352,205
Securities Lending Collateral 37,208,360 37,208,360
Money Market Funds 26,619,576 26,619,576
Total Investments 4,673,299,346 4,673,299,346
There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
52 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments
Columbia Acorn International®, December 31, 2017
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Common Stocks 97.1%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Australia 1.0%
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd.
Pizza delivery stores
1,300,000 47,249,768
Brazil 1.6%
Odontoprev SA
Dental benefits company
3,543,000 16,993,497
Qualicorp SA
Insurance and benefits packages
3,046,000 28,466,431
Raia Drogasil SA
Chain of pharmaceutical stores
1,266,000 35,036,267
Total 80,496,195
Cambodia 0.2%
NagaCorp Ltd.
Leisure and tourism company
12,508,000 9,660,165
Canada 5.2%
Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust(a)
Real estate company
1,053,355 36,109,043
CAE, Inc.
Training solutions based on simulation technology and integrated training services
2,499,934 46,438,710
CCL Industries, Inc.
Manufacturing services and specialty packaging products for the non-durable consumer products market
2,711,220 125,272,600
ShawCor Ltd.
Energy services company
1,082,367 23,610,583
Winpak Ltd.
Packaging materials and machines for the protection of perishables
608,000 22,636,754
Total 254,067,690
Cayman Islands 1.6%
Parade Technologies Ltd.
Fabless semiconductor company
2,225,000 43,871,705
Silicon Motion Technology Corp., ADR
Semiconductor products
658,000 34,847,680
Total 78,719,385
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
China 5.3%
51job, Inc., ADR(b)
Integrated human resource services
404,000 24,583,400
58.Com, Inc., ADR(b)
Local life service platform
518,107 37,080,918
China Medical System Holdings Ltd.
Pharmaceutical and medical products
25,777,000 60,003,485
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc., ADR
Educational services
770,864 72,461,216
Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.
Manufactures and processes textiles
3,618,000 34,453,394
TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H
IT solutions for China’s air travel and tourism industries
10,956,000 32,750,413
Total 261,332,826
Denmark 3.6%
Novozymes AS, Class B
Enzymes for industrial use
1,453,477 83,043,112
SimCorp AS
Global provider of highly specialised software for the investment management industry
838,367 47,737,209
William Demant Holding AS(b)
Hearing aids, audiometers, tympanometers, diagnostic instruments, and wireless communication equipment
1,648,031 46,083,353
Total 176,863,674
France 1.2%
Elior Group SA
Provides catering, cleaning, and facility management services
1,208,500 24,976,558
Ipsen SA
Medical drugs for targeted disease areas
273,000 32,615,035
Total 57,591,593
Germany 9.4%
AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA(a)
Loans to distressed companies
196,793 13,420,135
CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA
Online ticket sales
570,000 26,500,231
Fielmann AG
Prescription eyeglasses, specialty glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and optical supplies
655,000 57,695,000
KION Group AG
Material handling solutions
316,000 27,201,679
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
53


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn International®, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
MTU Aero Engines AG
Develops and manufactures engines and offers commercial engine services and support
445,000 79,519,176
Nemetschek SE
Standard software for designing, constructing and managing buildings and real estate
191,000 17,086,877
Rational AG
Food preparation appliances/processors and kitchen accessories
74,335 47,820,968
Stroeer SE & Co. KGaA
Digital multi-channel media company
884,049 65,140,269
Wirecard AG
Internet payment and processing services
815,000 90,581,048
Zalando SE(b)
Online sale of fashion accessories
714,116 37,653,769
Total 462,619,152
Hong Kong 0.7%
Value Partners Group Ltd.
Independent, value oriented asset management group
33,644,000 35,661,934
India 2.9%
Havells India Ltd
Manufactures electrical products
3,083,000 27,111,284
TVS Motor Co., Ltd.
Motorcycles, mopeds and scooters
4,754,373 57,344,158
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
Hindi films, serials, game shows and children’s programs
6,306,681 57,417,149
Total 141,872,591
Indonesia 0.8%
PT Matahari Department Store Tbk
Retail clothes, accessories, bags, shoes, cosmetics, household appliances, and management consulting services.
52,107,800 38,280,155
Ireland 1.0%
UDG Healthcare PLC
Commercialisation solutions for health care companies
4,148,000 47,224,088
Italy 2.2%
Brembo SpA
Braking systems and components
5,509,337 83,753,440
Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Packaging machinery for the food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics industries
290,000 23,591,437
Total 107,344,877
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Japan 23.9%
Aeon Credit Service Co., Ltd.
Credit card company
1,602,000 37,232,025
Aeon Mall Co., Ltd.
Large-scale shopping malls
2,856,500 55,789,424
Aica Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Manufactures adhesives, melamine boards, and housing materials
764,100 28,326,277
Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd.
Manufactures medical tools and stainless wire rope
1,103,400 37,817,005
Bandai Namco Holdings, Inc.
Manufactures toys, stuffed animals, character goods, video games, commercial- and home-use game equipment and software
1,324,400 43,228,046
CyberAgent, Inc.
Operates websites, internet advertising agency and creates PC and mobile contents
750,300 29,241,201
Daiseki Co., Ltd.
Waste Disposal & Recycling
538,500 14,972,034
Disco Corp.
Abrasive and precision industrial machinery for cutting and grinding purposes
164,300 36,415,376
FamilyMart UNY Holdings Co., Ltd.
Chain of convenience stores
1,365,300 95,623,134
Fuji Oil Holdings, Inc.
Specialty vegetable oils and fats
956,000 27,911,190
Glory Ltd.
Vending machines, coin-operated lockers, money handling machines, and data processing terminals
1,032,900 38,934,407
Hikari Tsushin, Inc.
Distribution network, telecommunication, office automation equipment, in-house products and individual insurance plans
449,428 64,526,446
Kansai Paint
Paints and related products
1,050,000 27,246,712
Mandom Corp.
Cosmetic products for men and women
393,300 12,869,797
Miura Co., Ltd.
Industrial boilers and related equipment
960,400 25,783,365
MonotaRO Co., Ltd(a)
Machine tools, engine parts, and factory consumable goods
1,307,800 41,679,371
Nabtesco Corp.
Aircraft and hydraulic products
640,000 24,455,510
NGK Insulators Ltd.
Electrical insulators, industrial ceramic products, environmental systems and electronic parts
1,375,200 25,904,709
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
54 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn International®, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
Spark plugs for automobiles, motorcycles, agricultural machinery, ships, and aircrafts
1,528,900 37,056,463
Nihon M&A Center, Inc.
Provides M&A advisory services to small and medium-sized enterprises
178,500 8,498,497
Nissan Chemical Industries Ltd.
Variety of chemical products
902,000 35,930,903
NOF Corp.
Diversified chemical producer
1,138,400 30,491,280
Obic Co., Ltd.
Computer system integration, office automation, consultation, and system support services
402,100 29,533,186
Omron Corp.
Electronic components, equipment and systems used for factory automation
432,200 25,706,805
OSG Corp.
Manufactures machine tool equipment
1,128,300 24,373,510
Otsuka Corp.
Computer information system and software
696,500 53,341,756
Persol Holdings Co., Ltd.
Human resource solutions
1,440,000 36,052,380
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Ophthalmic medicine
1,902,000 29,786,014
Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
Unit residential houses in addition to parcels of land
3,137,500 62,813,745
Seven Bank Ltd.
Banking services through Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
8,453,100 28,868,841
Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.
Around the clock security services
787,400 42,795,629
Sony Financial Holdings, Inc.
Financial holding company
1,870,000 33,049,655
Ushio, Inc.
Lamps and optical equipment
1,750,100 24,964,068
Total 1,171,218,761
Malta 2.1%
Kindred Group PLC
Online gambling services
7,374,685 105,544,004
Mexico 1.4%
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR
Operates airports in Mexico
384,900 70,248,099
Netherlands 1.2%
Aalberts Industries NV
Industrial services and flow control systems
1,183,797 60,216,925
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
New Zealand 0.5%
Auckland International Airport Ltd.
Owns and operates the Auckland International Airport
5,805,568 26,649,194
Philippines 0.5%
Universal Robina Corp.
Branded consumer foods
8,800,000 26,618,590
Singapore 1.5%
Mapletree Commercial Trust
Singapore-focused real estate investment trust
32,720,300 39,632,798
Singapore Exchange
Singapore’s Securities and derivatives exchange and clearing houses
6,123,200 34,001,430
Total 73,634,228
South Africa 1.8%
Clicks Group Ltd.
Owns and operates chains of retail stores
2,212,748 32,394,023
PSG Group Ltd.
Diversified financial services
937,000 20,447,767
Rand Merchant Investment Holdings Ltd.
Investment holding company
9,400,384 34,803,514
Total 87,645,304
South Korea 3.6%
GS Retail Co., Ltd.
Chain of retail stores
1,222,700 45,997,238
Koh Young Technology, Inc.
3D measurement and inspection equipment for testing various machineries
231,000 17,801,597
Korea Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.
Financial holding company
787,000 50,673,030
Korea Zinc Co. Ltd.
Non-ferrous metal smelting
114,000 52,498,249
Modetour Network, Inc.
Travel services
403,445 11,494,160
Total 178,464,274
Spain 0.8%
Prosegur Cia de Seguridad SA, Registered Shares
Security and transportation services
5,000,000 39,295,064
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
55


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn International®, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Sweden 4.7%
Hexagon AB, Class B
Design, measurement and visualisation technologies
2,548,121 127,637,469
NetEnt AB
Computer gaming software
3,854,000 26,544,965
Sweco AB, Class B
Consulting company specializing in engineering, environmental technology, and architecture
1,008,443 22,349,470
Trelleborg AB, Class B
Manufactures and distributes industrial products
2,296,587 53,193,491
Total 229,725,395
Switzerland 2.6%
Partners Group Holding AG(a)
Global private markets asset management firm
185,000 126,820,258
Taiwan 1.4%
Largan Precision Co., Ltd.
Optical lens modules and optoelectronic components
174,000 23,356,262
Silergy Corp.
High performance analog integrated circuits
1,946,000 44,467,295
Total 67,823,557
Thailand 1.5%
Home Product Center PCL, Foreign Registered Shares
Building materials and home improvement products
90,670,700 35,611,690
Tisco Financial Group PCL
Bank holding company
13,401,000 36,391,178
Total 72,002,868
United Kingdom 12.3%
Ascential PLC
Media and consultancy services
3,537,056 18,344,508
Croda International PLC
Chemicals and chemical products
691,401 41,216,266
Domino’s Pizza Group PLC
Pizza delivery stores
11,592,000 54,105,328
DS Smith PLC
Provides corrugated packaging services
5,532,000 38,560,764
Halma PLC
Products that detect hazards and protect assets and people in public and commercial buildings
5,294,688 89,962,908
Intermediate Capital Group PLC
Private equity firm
1,957,000 30,217,786
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
LivaNova PLC(b)
Medical technology focusing on neuromodulation, cardiac surgery and rhythm management
280,000 22,377,600
Micro Focus International PLC
Enterprise application management solutions
1,045,454 35,531,646
Rentokil Initial PLC
Fully integrated facilities management and essential support services
18,062,410 77,382,367
Rightmove PLC
Website that lists properties across Britain
944,752 57,332,967
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC
Consultation, service and products for the control and efficient management of steam and industrial fluids
802,262 60,654,807
WH Smith PLC
Retails books, magazines, newspapers, and periodicals
2,401,564 76,100,855
Total 601,787,802
United States 0.6%
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(b)
Therapeutics and sialic acid for treating metabolic, body myopathy, glucuronidase, and rare genetic diseases
590,087 27,368,235
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $3,019,363,709)
4,764,046,651
    
Preferred Stocks 0.7%
Issuer Coupon
Rate
Shares Value ($)
Germany 0.7%
Sartorius AG
Precision electronic equipment and components
360,000 34,197,222
Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost: $35,652,950)
34,197,222
    
Securities Lending Collateral 2.7%
  Shares Value ($)
Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.190%(c),(d)
131,643,758 131,643,758
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $131,643,758)
131,643,758
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
56 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn International®, December 31, 2017
Money Market Funds 2.1%
  Shares Value ($)
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, IM Shares, 1.192%(c)
105,414,690 105,414,690
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost: $105,414,690)
105,414,690
Total Investments
(Cost: $3,292,075,107)
5,035,302,321
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities Loaned   (131,643,758)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net   3,301,440
Net Assets $4,906,960,003
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
(a) All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2017. The total market value of securities on loan at December 31, 2017 was $125,615,479.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at December 31, 2017.
(d) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities lending activity.
Abbreviation Legend
ADR American Depositary Receipt
Fair value measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
¦ Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
¦ Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)
¦ Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical Level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose net asset values are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical Level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by Columbia Wanger Asset Management’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.
The Committee is responsible for applying the Columbia Acorn Trust Portfolio Pricing Policy and the Columbia Wanger Asset Management pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which Columbia Wanger Asset Management believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund’s investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.
For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
57


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn International®, December 31, 2017
Fair value measurements  (continued)
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2017:
  Level 1
quoted prices in active
markets for identical
assets ($)
Level 2
other significant
observable inputs ($)
Level 3
significant
unobservable inputs ($)
Total ($)
Investments        
Common Stocks        
Australia 47,249,768 47,249,768
Brazil 80,496,195 80,496,195
Cambodia 9,660,165 9,660,165
Canada 254,067,690 254,067,690
Cayman Islands 34,847,680 43,871,705 78,719,385
China 134,125,534 127,207,292 261,332,826
Denmark 176,863,674 176,863,674
France 57,591,593 57,591,593
Germany 462,619,152 462,619,152
Hong Kong 35,661,934 35,661,934
India 141,872,591 141,872,591
Indonesia 38,280,155 38,280,155
Ireland 47,224,088 47,224,088
Italy 107,344,877 107,344,877
Japan 1,171,218,761 1,171,218,761
Malta 105,544,004 105,544,004
Mexico 70,248,099 70,248,099
Netherlands 60,216,925 60,216,925
New Zealand 26,649,194 26,649,194
Philippines 26,618,590 26,618,590
Singapore 73,634,228 73,634,228
South Africa 87,645,304 87,645,304
South Korea 178,464,274 178,464,274
Spain 39,295,064 39,295,064
Sweden 229,725,395 229,725,395
Switzerland 126,820,258 126,820,258
Taiwan 67,823,557 67,823,557
Thailand 72,002,868 72,002,868
United Kingdom 22,377,600 579,410,202 601,787,802
United States 27,368,235 27,368,235
Total Common Stocks 623,531,033 4,140,515,618 4,764,046,651
Preferred Stocks        
Germany 34,197,222 34,197,222
Total Preferred Stocks 34,197,222 34,197,222
Securities Lending Collateral 131,643,758 131,643,758
Money Market Funds 105,414,690 105,414,690
Total Investments 860,589,481 4,174,712,840 5,035,302,321
The Fund’s assets assigned to the Level 2 input category are generally valued using a market approach, in which a security’s value is determined through its correlation to prices and information from observable market transactions for similar or identical assets. Foreign equities are generally valued at the last sale price on the foreign exchange or market on which they trade. The Fund may use a statistical fair valuation model, in accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, provided by an independent third party to value securities principally traded in foreign markets in order to adjust for possible stale pricing that may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the time for valuation. These models take into account available market data including intraday index, ADR, and ETF movements.
There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
58 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments
Columbia Acorn USA®, December 31, 2017
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Common Stocks 101.0%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Consumer Discretionary 20.0%
Auto Components 3.7%
Cooper-Standard Holding, Inc.(a)
Sealing, fuel and brake delivery, fluid transfer systems, anti-vibration systems components, subsystems, and modules
24,959 3,057,478
Dorman Products, Inc.(a)
Automotive products and home hardware
51,832 3,169,008
LCI Industries
Recreational vehicles and equipment
23,201 3,016,130
Tenneco, Inc.
Emission control and ride control products and systems
45,179 2,644,779
Total   11,887,395
Distributors 0.7%
Pool Corp.
Swimming pool supplies, equipment and leisure products
15,931 2,065,454
Diversified Consumer Services 2.6%
Adtalem Global Education, Inc.(a)
Higher education institutions
85,398 3,590,986
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a)
Child care and early education services
30,934 2,907,796
Laureate Education, Inc., Class A(a)
Provides educational services
140,926 1,910,956
Total   8,409,738
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 6.7%
Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.(a)
Venues that combine dining and entertainment for adults and families
92,965 5,128,879
Extended Stay America, Inc.
Hotels and motels
304,253 5,780,807
Papa John’s International, Inc.
Pizza delivery and carry-out restaurants
39,937 2,240,865
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.(a)
Chain of specialty restaurants
34,869 1,966,612
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.
Moderately priced, full service restaurant chain
83,666 4,407,525
Wingstop, Inc.
Cooked-to-order chicken wings
54,300 2,116,614
Total   21,641,302
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Household Durables 1.8%
Cavco Industries, Inc.(a)
Designs and manufactures systems-built structures
11,017 1,681,194
iRobot Corp.(a)
Manufactures robots for cleaning
55,269 4,239,132
Total   5,920,326
Leisure Products 1.7%
Brunswick Corp.
Consumer products serving the outdoor and indoor active recreation markets
67,690 3,737,842
MCBC Holdings, Inc.(a)
Sport boats
83,598 1,857,547
Total   5,595,389
Specialty Retail 2.8%
Camping World Holdings, Inc., Class A
Recreational vehicles and accessories
63,651 2,847,109
Five Below, Inc.(a)
Specialty value retailer
61,828 4,100,433
Monro, Inc.
Automotive undercar repair and tire services
36,131 2,057,661
Total   9,005,203
Total Consumer Discretionary 64,524,807
Consumer Staples 3.4%
Beverages 0.7%
MGP Ingredients, Inc.
Distillery ingredients and products
29,324 2,254,429
Food Products 0.8%
Hostess Brands, Inc.(a)
Packaged baked sweet goods
168,259 2,491,916
Household Products 0.9%
WD-40 Co.
Multi-purpose lubricant products and heavy-duty hand cleaners
26,367 3,111,306
Personal Products 1.0%
Inter Parfums, Inc.
Fragrances and related products
73,756 3,204,698
Total Consumer Staples 11,062,349
Energy 1.5%
Energy Equipment & Services 0.8%
Core Laboratories NV(b)
Reservoir description, production enhancement, and reservoir management services
23,516 2,576,178
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
59


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn USA®, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.7%
PDC Energy, Inc.(a)
Petroleum products
40,872 2,106,543
Total Energy 4,682,721
Financials 12.9%
Banks 6.2%
First Busey Corp.
Multi-bank holding company
158,100 4,733,514
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.
Real estate, commercial real estate, commercial business, consumer, and construction loans
52,254 2,698,919
Lakeland Financial Corp.
Bank holding company
83,474 4,047,654
LegacyTexas Financial Group, Inc.
Bank holding company
47,712 2,013,924
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
Holding company for Sandy Spring Bank
83,758 3,268,237
Trico Bancshares
Holding company for Tri Counties Bank
84,461 3,197,693
Total   19,959,941
Capital Markets 4.2%
Hamilton Lane, Inc., Class A
Private market investment solutions
112,404 3,977,978
Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
Investment bank
115,338 5,239,805
OM Asset Management PLC
Domestic and international equities, fixed income, and alternative investments
264,261 4,426,372
Total   13,644,155
Consumer Finance 1.0%
FirstCash, Inc.
Owns and operates pawn stores
48,623 3,279,621
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 1.5%
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
New Jersey banks
105,024 2,756,880
Walker & Dunlop, Inc.(a)
Commercial real estate financial services
40,979 1,946,503
Total   4,703,383
Total Financials 41,587,100
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Health Care 28.3%
Biotechnology 7.3%
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)
Therapeutics in the field of cancer metabolism
71,982 4,115,211
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.(a)
Uses applications of immunology to prevent and treat diseases
708,320 2,011,629
Clovis Oncology, Inc.(a)
Pre-commercial Biotech Company
37,123 2,524,364
Genomic Health, Inc.(a)
Development and commercialization of genomic-based clinical diagnostic tests for cancer
80,229 2,743,832
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a),(b)
biopharmaceutical products
31,439 1,836,666
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)
Drugs that regulate hormone activated intracellular receptors
31,748 4,347,254
Loxo Oncology, Inc.(a)
Researches and develops cancer drugs
30,273 2,548,381
MacroGenics, Inc.(a)
Treatments for autoimmune disorders, cancer and infectious diseases
109,771 2,085,649
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)
Therapeutics and sialic acid for treating metabolic, body myopathy, glucuronidase, and rare genetic diseases
29,473 1,366,958
Total   23,579,944
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 10.8%
Anika Therapeutics, Inc.(a)
Integrated orthopedic medicines company
63,338 3,414,552
Atrion Corp.
Medical products and components
6,749 4,255,920
AxoGen, Inc.(a)
Technologies for peripheral nerve reconstruction and regeneration
91,387 2,586,252
Entellus Medical, Inc.(a)
Therapeutic solutions and medical devices
107,500 2,621,925
Haemonetics Corp.(a)
Automated blood processing systems
70,814 4,112,877
iRhythm Technologies, Inc.(a)
Medical instruments
75,460 4,229,533
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.
Medical devices for vascular surgeons and interventionists
64,474 2,052,852
Masimo Corp.(a)
Medical signal processing and sensor technology for non-invasive monitoring of physiological parameters
45,010 3,816,848
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
60 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn USA®, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Natus Medical, Inc.(a)
Medical device company that develops, manufactures, and markets screening products
49,662 1,897,088
OraSure Technologies, Inc.(a)
Medical devices and diagnostic products
100,714 1,899,466
Sientra, Inc.(a)
Plastic surgery implantable devices
126,252 1,775,103
Varex Imaging Corp.(a)
X-ray imaging components
55,500 2,229,435
Total   34,891,851
Health Care Providers & Services 6.5%
Amedisys, Inc.(a)
Provider of alternate-site health care services
37,017 1,951,166
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.(a)
Temporary healthcare staffing
108,470 5,342,147
Chemed Corp.
Hospice and palliative care services
2,398 582,762
HealthEquity, Inc.(a)
Technology-enabled services platforms for consumers to make healthcare saving and spending decisions
77,415 3,612,184
HealthSouth Corp.
Inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services
133,146 6,578,744
Tivity Health, Inc.(a)
Health fitness solutions
82,371 3,010,660
Total   21,077,663
Health Care Technology 1.0%
Evolent Health, Inc., Class A(a),(b)
Purpose-built platform enables providers to migrate their payment models
147,478 1,813,979
Medidata Solutions, Inc.(a)
Hosted clinical development solutions
24,846 1,574,491
Total   3,388,470
Life Sciences Tools & Services 2.0%
Bio-Techne Corp.
Biotechnology products and clinical diagnostic controls
15,231 1,973,176
Cambrex Corp.(a)
Products, services, and technologies for the Life Sciences and fine chemicals industry
90,067 4,323,216
Total   6,296,392
Pharmaceuticals 0.7%
Optinose, Inc.(a)
Health care services
114,183 2,158,059
Total Health Care 91,392,379
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Industrials 10.9%
Building Products 0.8%
American Woodmark Corp.(a)
Kitchen cabinets and vanities
19,391 2,525,678
Commercial Services & Supplies 3.6%
Brink’s Co. (The)
Provides security services globally
62,255 4,899,469
Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
Housekeeping, laundry, linen, facility maintenance, and food services
41,925 2,210,286
Knoll, Inc.
Branded office furniture products and textiles
102,008 2,350,264
Unifirst Corp.
Workplace uniforms and protective clothing
13,947 2,299,860
Total   11,759,879
Machinery 3.5%
Barnes Group, Inc.
International industrial and aerospace manufacturer and service provider
59,966 3,794,049
ESCO Technologies, Inc.
Engineered products and solutions
40,939 2,466,575
REV Group, Inc.
Specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services
68,936 2,242,488
Toro Co. (The)
Turf equipment
40,574 2,646,642
Total   11,149,754
Professional Services 1.7%
ICF International, Inc.(a)
Management, technology, policy consulting, and implementation services
53,183 2,792,107
Wageworks, Inc.(a)
Tax-advantaged programs for consumer-directed health, commuter, and other employee spending account benefits
43,115 2,673,130
Total   5,465,237
Road & Rail 0.7%
Saia, Inc.(a)
Trucking transportation
29,967 2,120,165
Trading Companies & Distributors 0.6%
SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.(a)
Landscape supplies
25,180 1,931,306
Total Industrials 34,952,019
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
61


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn USA®, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Information Technology 20.2%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 1.0%
II-VI, Inc.(a)
Optical and optoelectronic devices
69,183 3,248,142
Internet Software & Services 5.3%
Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.(a)
Interactive security solutions
42,400 1,600,600
Alteryx, Inc., Class A(a)
Data storage, retrieval, management, reporting, and analytics solutions
154,980 3,916,345
Apptio, Inc., Class A(a)
Cloud-based business management solutions
97,414 2,291,177
LogMeIn, Inc.
Remote connectivity services
24,532 2,808,914
Mimecast Ltd.(a)
Cloud security and risk management services for corporate information and email
116,768 3,347,738
MINDBODY, Inc., Class A(a)
Business management software
49,300 1,501,185
Q2 Holdings, Inc.(a)
Secure, cloud-based virtual banking solutions
46,334 1,707,408
Total   17,173,367
IT Services 4.0%
CoreLogic, Inc.(a)
Consumer, financial and property information, analytics and services to business and government
39,658 1,832,596
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(a)
Electronic financial transaction solutions
42,644 3,593,610
MAXIMUS, Inc.
Program management and consulting services to state and local governments
60,664 4,342,329
WNS Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)
Business process outsourcing services
77,423 3,106,985
Total   12,875,520
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 6.2%
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.(a)
Engineered precision power conversion, measurement and control solutions
34,921 2,356,469
Ambarella, Inc.(a)
High definition video compression and image processing semiconductors
56,660 3,328,775
Brooks Automation, Inc.
Automation solutions for the global semiconductor and related industries
70,570 1,683,095
Cabot Microelectronics Corp.
slurries used in chemical mechanical planarization
38,692 3,640,143
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Inphi Corp.(a),(b)
Analog semiconductor solutions
51,863 1,898,186
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
Power management solutions
44,058 4,950,357
Semtech Corp.(a)
Analog and mixed-signal semiconductors
60,321 2,062,978
Total   19,920,003
Software 3.7%
Aspen Technology, Inc.(a)
Process optimization software, products and services
63,317 4,191,585
Blackline, Inc.(a)
Develops and markets enterprise software
68,381 2,242,897
CyberArk Software Ltd.(a)
IT security solutions
35,526 1,470,421
Qualys, Inc.(a)
Information technology security risk and compliance management solutions
69,811 4,143,283
Total   12,048,186
Total Information Technology 65,265,218
Materials 1.7%
Chemicals 1.7%
Orion Engineered Carbons SA
Global supplier of Carbon Black
130,987 3,353,267
Quaker Chemical Corp.
Custom-formulated chemical specialty products
14,017 2,113,624
Total   5,466,891
Total Materials 5,466,891
Real Estate 2.1%
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) 1.4%
CoreCivic, Inc.
Detention and corrections services
105,070 2,364,075
UMH Properties, Inc.
Real estate investment trust
139,316 2,075,809
Total   4,439,884
Real Estate Management & Development 0.7%
Colliers International Group, Inc.
Commercial real estate, residential property management and property services
38,700 2,335,545
Total Real Estate 6,775,429
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $259,537,701)
325,708,913
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
62 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn USA®, December 31, 2017
Securities Lending Collateral 1.0%
  Shares Value ($)
Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.190%(c),(d)
3,283,375 3,283,375
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $3,283,375)
3,283,375
Money Market Funds 0.3%
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Agency Shares, 1.090%(c) 1,029,679 1,029,679
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost: $1,029,679)
1,029,679
Total Investments
(Cost $263,850,755)
330,021,967
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities Loaned   (3,283,375)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net   (4,060,994)
Net Assets $322,677,598
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2017. The total market value of securities on loan at December 31, 2017 was $3,128,036.
(c) The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at December 31, 2017.
(d) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities lending activity.
Abbreviation Legend
ADR American Depositary Receipt
Fair value measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
¦ Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
¦ Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)
¦ Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical Level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose net asset values are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical Level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by Columbia Wanger Asset Management’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.
The Committee is responsible for applying the Columbia Acorn Trust Portfolio Pricing Policy and the Columbia Wanger Asset Management pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which Columbia Wanger Asset Management believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund’s investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
63


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn USA®, December 31, 2017
Fair value measurements  (continued)
For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2017:
  Level 1
quoted prices in active
markets for identical
assets ($)
Level 2
other significant
observable inputs ($)
Level 3
significant
unobservable inputs ($)
Total ($)
Investments        
Common Stocks        
Consumer Discretionary 64,524,807 64,524,807
Consumer Staples 11,062,349 11,062,349
Energy 4,682,721 4,682,721
Financials 41,587,100 41,587,100
Health Care 91,392,379 91,392,379
Industrials 34,952,019 34,952,019
Information Technology 65,265,218 65,265,218
Materials 5,466,891 5,466,891
Real Estate 6,775,429 6,775,429
Total Common Stocks 325,708,913 325,708,913
Securities Lending Collateral 3,283,375 3,283,375
Money Market Funds 1,029,679 1,029,679
Total Investments 330,021,967 330,021,967
There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
64 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM, December 31, 2017
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Common Stocks 94.0%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Australia 1.9%
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd.(a)
Pizza delivery stores
70,000 2,544,218
Canada 4.3%
CCL Industries, Inc.
Manufacturing services and specialty packaging products for the non-durable consumer products market
121,000 5,590,835
China 8.4%
China Medical System Holdings Ltd.
Pharmaceutical and medical products
1,151,000 2,679,288
NetEase, Inc., ADR
Internet technology company that develops applications, services and Internet technologies
15,600 5,383,092
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc., ADR
Educational services
30,600 2,876,400
Total 10,938,780
Denmark 3.9%
Novozymes AS, Class B
Enzymes for industrial use
89,955 5,139,499
France 3.7%
Ipsen SA
Medical drugs for targeted disease areas
18,000 2,150,442
Legrand SA
Products and systems for electrical installations and information networks
35,000 2,695,641
Total 4,846,083
Germany 8.7%
MTU Aero Engines AG
Develops and manufactures engines and offers commercial engine services and support
33,500 5,986,275
Wirecard AG
Internet payment and processing services
48,800 5,423,749
Total 11,410,024
India 3.1%
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
Hindi films, serials, game shows and children’s programs
452,000 4,115,089
Ireland 1.6%
Ryanair Holdings PLC(b)
Low fare passenger airline services
115,000 2,060,244
Italy 1.7%
Brembo SpA
Braking systems and components
147,000 2,234,707
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Japan 17.4%
Aeon Mall Co., Ltd.
Large-scale shopping malls
178,600 3,488,182
FamilyMart UNY Holdings Co., Ltd.
Chain of convenience stores
78,000 5,462,978
Hoya Corp.
Electro-optics products
46,000 2,290,947
Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.
Information providing services in human resource, housing, bridal, travel, restaurants, beauty, automobiles, and education and more
104,200 2,587,282
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Ophthalmic medicine
151,200 2,367,847
Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
Unit residential houses in addition to parcels of land
129,000 2,582,621
Sony Financial Holdings, Inc.
Financial holding company
224,500 3,967,726
Total 22,747,583
Mexico 2.0%
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR
Operates airports in Mexico
14,000 2,555,140
Netherlands 2.9%
Koninklijke Philips NV
Health technology focused on improving people’s health
100,000 3,784,325
South Africa 4.5%
Naspers Ltd., Class N
Electronic and print media industries
21,300 5,901,236
South Korea 2.1%
Korea Zinc Co. Ltd.
Non-ferrous metal smelting
5,900 2,717,015
Sweden 6.5%
Hexagon AB, Class B
Design, measurement and visualisation technologies
120,000 6,010,898
Trelleborg AB, Class B
Manufactures and distributes industrial products
106,000 2,455,170
Total 8,466,068
Switzerland 4.7%
Partners Group Holding AG(a)
Global private markets asset management firm
9,060 6,210,765
Taiwan 2.2%
Largan Precision Co., Ltd.
Optical lens modules and optoelectronic components
21,000 2,818,859
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
65


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
United Kingdom 14.4%
Ferguson PLC
Bathroom materials, heating and plumbing supplies, and industrial pipes, valves, and fittings
50,000 3,588,198
Halma PLC
Products that detect hazards and protect assets and people in public and commercial buildings
164,286 2,791,410
Micro Focus International PLC
Enterprise application management solutions
62,988 2,140,761
Rentokil Initial PLC
Fully integrated facilities management and essential support services
593,000 2,540,511
Rightmove PLC
Website that lists properties across Britain
43,800 2,658,035
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC
Consultation, service and products for the control and efficient management of steam and industrial fluids
28,000 2,116,933
WH Smith PLC
Retails books, magazines, newspapers, and periodicals
93,930 2,976,457
Total 18,812,305
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $81,187,112)
122,892,775
    
Preferred Stocks 1.8%
Issuer Coupon
Rate
Shares Value ($)
Germany 1.8%
Sartorius AG
Precision electronic equipment and components
25,000 2,374,807
Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost: $2,475,897)
2,374,807
Securities Lending Collateral 4.5%
  Shares Value ($)
Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.190%(c),(d)
5,961,556 5,961,556
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $5,961,556)
5,961,556
Money Market Funds 4.0%
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, IM Shares, 1.192%(c)
5,227,646 5,227,646
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost: $5,227,646)
5,227,646
Total Investments
(Cost: $94,852,211)
136,456,784
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities Loaned   (5,961,556)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net   299,576
Net Assets $130,794,804
 
 
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
(a) All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2017. The total market value of securities on loan at December 31, 2017 was $5,681,155.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at December 31, 2017.
(d) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities lending activity.
Abbreviation Legend
ADR American Depositary Receipt
Fair value measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
¦ Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
66 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM, December 31, 2017
Fair value measurements  (continued)
¦
Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)
¦ Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical Level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose net asset values are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical Level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by Columbia Wanger Asset Management’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.
The Committee is responsible for applying the Columbia Acorn Trust Portfolio Pricing Policy and the Columbia Wanger Asset Management pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which Columbia Wanger Asset Management believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund’s investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.
For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2017:
  Level 1
quoted prices in active
markets for identical
assets ($)
Level 2
other significant
observable inputs ($)
Level 3
significant
unobservable inputs ($)
Total ($)
Investments        
Common Stocks        
Australia 2,544,218 2,544,218
Canada 5,590,835 5,590,835
China 8,259,492 2,679,288 10,938,780
Denmark 5,139,499 5,139,499
France 4,846,083 4,846,083
Germany 11,410,024 11,410,024
India 4,115,089 4,115,089
Ireland 2,060,244 2,060,244
Italy 2,234,707 2,234,707
Japan 22,747,583 22,747,583
Mexico 2,555,140 2,555,140
Netherlands 3,784,325 3,784,325
South Africa 5,901,236 5,901,236
South Korea 2,717,015 2,717,015
Sweden 8,466,068 8,466,068
Switzerland 6,210,765 6,210,765
Taiwan 2,818,859 2,818,859
United Kingdom 18,812,305 18,812,305
Total Common Stocks 16,405,467 106,487,308 122,892,775
Preferred Stocks        
Germany 2,374,807 2,374,807
Total Preferred Stocks 2,374,807 2,374,807
Securities Lending Collateral 5,961,556 5,961,556
Money Market Funds 5,227,646 5,227,646
Total Investments 27,594,669 108,862,115 136,456,784
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
67


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM, December 31, 2017
Fair value measurements  (continued)
The Fund’s assets assigned to the Level 2 input category are generally valued using a market approach, in which a security’s value is determined through its correlation to prices and information from observable market transactions for similar or identical assets. Foreign equities are generally valued at the last sale price on the foreign exchange or market on which they trade. The Fund may use a statistical fair valuation model, in accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, provided by an independent third party to value securities principally traded in foreign markets in order to adjust for possible stale pricing that may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the time for valuation. These models take into account available market data including intraday index, ADR, and ETF movements.
There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
68 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments
Columbia Acorn SelectSM, December 31, 2017
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Common Stocks 98.3%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Consumer Discretionary 19.5%
Auto Components 5.0%
LCI Industries
Recreational vehicles and equipment
119,566 15,543,580
Distributors 4.6%
LKQ Corp.(a)
Automotive products and services
351,942 14,313,481
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 7.0%
Papa John’s International, Inc.
Pizza delivery and carry-out restaurants
128,246 7,195,883
Vail Resorts, Inc.
Operates resorts globally
67,242 14,286,908
Total   21,482,791
Media 2.9%
Liberty Global PLC, Class A(a)
Broadband, distribution, and content companies
250,140 8,965,018
Total Consumer Discretionary 60,304,870
Financials 15.4%
Banks 5.6%
SVB Financial Group(a)
Holding company for Silicon Valley Bank
74,744 17,472,905
Capital Markets 6.9%
Eaton Vance Corp.
Creates, markets, and manages mutual funds
230,547 13,000,545
Lazard Ltd., Class A
Corporate Advisory & Asset Management
159,877 8,393,543
Total   21,394,088
Consumer Finance 2.9%
FirstCash, Inc.
Owns and operates pawn stores
131,448 8,866,167
Total Financials 47,733,160
Health Care 17.3%
Biotechnology 2.5%
Genomic Health, Inc.(a)
Development and commercialization of genomic-based clinical diagnostic tests for cancer
179,278 6,131,308
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)
Therapeutics and sialic acid for treating metabolic, body myopathy, glucuronidase, and rare genetic diseases
34,290 1,590,370
Total   7,721,678
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 9.4%
Align Technology, Inc.(a)
Designs, manufactures, and markets the Invisalign System
31,403 6,977,433
Masimo Corp.(a)
Medical signal processing and sensor technology for non-invasive monitoring of physiological parameters
124,500 10,557,600
Natus Medical, Inc.(a)
Medical device company that develops, manufactures, and markets screening products
303,132 11,579,642
Total   29,114,675
Health Care Providers & Services 5.4%
HealthSouth Corp.
Inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services
337,823 16,691,834
Total Health Care 53,528,187
Industrials 24.6%
Machinery 17.5%
Middleby Corp. (The)(a)
Equipment for use in cooking and preparing food
117,463 15,851,632
Nordson Corp.
Systems that apply adhesives, sealants, and coatings to products during manufacturing
54,714 8,010,130
Oshkosh Corp.
Fire and emergency apparatuses and specialty commercial, and military trucks
169,942 15,446,028
Snap-On, Inc.
Tool and equipment solutions
84,463 14,721,901
Total   54,029,691
Road & Rail 7.1%
AMERCO
Rental of trucks, trailers, and self storage space, as well as property and casualty and life insurance products
22,480 8,495,417
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
Logistics services
116,635 13,410,692
Total   21,906,109
Total Industrials 75,935,800
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn SelectSM, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Information Technology 15.8%
Internet Software & Services 11.9%
GoDaddy, Inc., Class A(a)
Cloud-based web platform for small businesses, web design professionals and individuals
307,794 15,475,883
SPS Commerce, Inc.(a)
On-demand supply chain management solutions through an online hosted software suite
157,214 7,639,028
VeriSign, Inc.(a)
Domain names and Internet security services
120,009 13,733,830
Total   36,848,741
Software 3.9%
ANSYS, Inc.(a)
Software solutions for design analysis and optimization
80,999 11,954,642
Total Information Technology 48,803,383
Materials 2.9%
Chemicals 2.9%
Celanese Corp., Class A
Global integrated producer of chemicals and advanced materials
83,799 8,973,197
Total Materials 8,973,197
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Real Estate 2.8%
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) 2.8%
Education Realty Trust, Inc.
Self-managed and self-advised real estate investment trust
244,432 8,535,565
Total Real Estate 8,535,565
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $221,147,909)
303,814,162
Money Market Funds 1.4%
  Shares Value ($)
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Agency Shares, 1.090%(b) 4,278,755 4,278,755
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost: $4,278,755)
4,278,755
Total Investments
(Cost $225,426,664)
308,092,917
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net   785,019
Net Assets $308,877,936
 
 
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at December 31, 2017.
Fair value measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
¦ Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
¦ Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)
¦ Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical Level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose net asset values are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical Level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by Columbia Wanger Asset Management’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.
The Committee is responsible for applying the Columbia Acorn Trust Portfolio Pricing Policy and the Columbia Wanger Asset Management pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which Columbia Wanger Asset Management believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
70 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn SelectSM, December 31, 2017
Fair value measurements  (continued)
require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund’s investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.
For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2017:
  Level 1
quoted prices in active
markets for identical
assets ($)
Level 2
other significant
observable inputs ($)
Level 3
significant
unobservable inputs ($)
Total ($)
Investments        
Common Stocks        
Consumer Discretionary 60,304,870 60,304,870
Financials 47,733,160 47,733,160
Health Care 53,528,187 53,528,187
Industrials 75,935,800 75,935,800
Information Technology 48,803,383 48,803,383
Materials 8,973,197 8,973,197
Real Estate 8,535,565 8,535,565
Total Common Stocks 303,814,162 303,814,162
Money Market Funds 4,278,755 4,278,755
Total Investments 308,092,917 308,092,917
There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments
Columbia Thermostat FundSM, December 31, 2017
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Equity Funds 9.9%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Dividend Income 2.0%
Columbia Dividend Income Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a)
759,793 17,034,557
Total Dividend Income 17,034,557
International Small Mid Cap 2.0%
Columbia Acorn International, Institutional 3 Class(a)
364,288 17,103,315
Total International Small Mid Cap 17,103,315
U.S. Large Cap 3.9%
Columbia Contrarian Core Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a)
323,920 8,512,622
Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a)
345,654 8,506,542
Columbia Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a)
595,505 8,509,761
Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a),(b)
492,597 8,502,217
Total U.S. Large Cap 34,031,142
U.S. Mid Cap 1.0%
Columbia Acorn Select, Institutional 3 Class(a),(b)
487,249 8,492,758
Total U.S. Mid Cap 8,492,758
U.S. Small Mid Cap 1.0%
Columbia Acorn Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a),(b)
519,202 8,483,765
Total U.S. Small Mid Cap 8,483,765
Total Equity Funds
(Cost: $58,776,497)
85,145,537
Fixed-Income Funds 89.8%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
High Yield 9.0%
Columbia Income Opportunities Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a)
7,774,323 77,276,769
Total High Yield 77,276,769
Investment Grade 80.8%
Columbia Short Term Bond Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a)
31,104,620 308,557,829
Columbia Total Return Bond Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a)
17,065,809 154,274,918
Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a)
28,648,549 154,415,678
Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund, Institutional 3 Class(a)
6,949,835 77,143,166
Total Investment Grades 694,391,591
Total Fixed-Income Funds
(Cost: $769,274,585)
771,668,360
Money Market Funds 0.2%
  Shares Value ($)
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Agency Shares, 1.090%(c) 1,910,983 1,910,983
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost: $1,910,983)
1,910,983
Total Investments
(Cost $829,962,065)
858,724,880
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net   506,166
Net Assets $859,231,046
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
72 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Thermostat FundSM, December 31, 2017
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
(a) An affiliated person of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, may include any company in which the Fund owns five percent or more of its outstanding voting shares. Holdings and transactions in these affiliated companies during the year ended ended December 31, 2017, are as follows. The aggregate cost and value of these companies at December 31, 2017, was $828,051,082 and $856,813,897, respectively. Investments in affiliated companies represented 99.72% of the Fund’s total net assets at December 31, 2017.
    
Issuer Beginning
shares
Shares
purchased
Shares
sold
Ending
shares
Realized gain
(loss) —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation) —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Dividend —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Capital gain
distributions —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Value —
affiliated
issuers
at end of
period ($)
Columbia Acorn Fund, Class I Shares
  704,294 (704,294) 1 (25,299) 615,947
Columbia Acorn Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  1,589,226 1 (1,070,024) 519,202 492,242 (215,764) 2,179,061 8,483,765
Columbia Acorn International, Class I Shares
  587,054 (587,054) 1 393,821 (3,095,669)
Columbia Acorn International, Institutional 3 Class
  1,214,232 1 (849,944) 364,288 3,245,980 5,736,859 568,852 888,555 17,103,315
Columbia Acorn Select, Class I Shares
  738,151 (738,151) 1 94,331 (881,292)
Columbia Acorn Select, Institutional 3 Class
  1,669,063 1 (1,181,814) 487,249 370,313 1,528,227 2,039,185 8,492,758
Columbia Contrarian Core Fund, Class I Shares
  966,230 (966,230) 1 428,650 (5,344,696)
Columbia Contrarian Core Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  1,060,193 1 (736,273) 323,920 3,575,513 4,406,187 90,131 406,133 8,512,622
Columbia Dividend Income Fund, Class I Shares
  1,141,969 5,458 (1,147,427) 1 347,840 (5,811,199) 109,213
Columbia Dividend Income Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  2,520,730 1 (1,760,937) 759,793 2,485,043 7,258,830 402,219 453,609 17,034,557
Columbia Income Opportunities Fund, Class I Shares
  10,148,993 79,762 (10,228,755) 1 125,579 (3,520,955) 1,094,168
Columbia Income Opportunities Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  11,195,847 1 (3,421,524) 7,774,323 966,822 3,913,900 2,948,826 77,276,769
Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund, Class I Shares
  483,277 (483,277) 1 295,597 (5,100,344)
Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  1,118,253 1 (772,599) 345,654 1,196,864 5,134,763 164,898 1,358,999 8,506,542
Columbia Select Large Cap Equity Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  1,932,751 (1,337,246) 595,505 905,477 595,150 92,919 515,791 8,509,761
Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund, Class I Shares
  788,763 (788,763) 1 285,040 (633,937)
Columbia Select Large Cap Growth Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  1,609,785 1 (1,117,188) 492,597 1,030,048 1,924,787 1,590,732 8,502,217
Columbia Short Term Bond Fund, Class I Shares
  39,832,272 90,204 (39,922,476) 1 (44,802) (278,925) 1,260,302
Columbia Short Term Bond Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  43,265,618 1 (12,160,998) 31,104,620 (187,385) (600,796) 3,953,466 308,557,829
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
73


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Thermostat FundSM, December 31, 2017
Notes to Portfolio of Investments  (continued)
Issuer Beginning
shares
Shares
purchased
Shares
sold
Ending
shares
Realized gain
(loss) —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation) —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Dividend —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Capital gain
distributions —
affiliated
issuers ($)
Value —
affiliated
issuers
at end of
period ($)
Columbia Total Return Bond Fund, Class I Shares
  22,201,461 102,335 (22,303,796) 1 (228,265) 1,313,626 1,254,651
Columbia Total Return Bond Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  24,102,846 1 (7,037,037) 17,065,809 (240,036) 854,368 3,507,781 154,274,918
Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, Class I Shares
  36,866,439 145,269 (37,011,708) 1 (294,353) 1,942,555 1,096,479
Columbia U.S. Government Mortgage Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  40,303,717 1 (11,655,168) 28,648,549 (190,063) (578,083) 3,758,157 154,415,678
Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund, Class I Shares
  9,050,066 21,032 (9,071,098) 1 (216,893) 2,482,972 324,653
Columbia U.S. Treasury Index Fund, Institutional 3 Class
  9,726,791 1 (2,776,956) 6,949,835 (590,056) (1,195,614) 950,267 77,143,166
Total of Affiliated Transactions         14,222,008 10,450,897 21,576,982 9,432,065 856,813,897
    
1 Includes the effect of underlying share class exchange.
    
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at December 31, 2017.
Fair value measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
¦ Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
¦ Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)
¦ Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical Level 1 securities include mutual funds whose net asset values are published each day.
The Committee is responsible for applying the Columbia Acorn Trust Portfolio Pricing Policy and the Columbia Wanger Asset Management pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which Columbia Wanger Asset Management believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund’s investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.
For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Thermostat FundSM, December 31, 2017
Fair value measurements  (continued)
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2017:
  Level 1
quoted prices in active
markets for identical
assets ($)
Level 2
other significant
observable inputs ($)
Level 3
significant
unobservable inputs ($)
Total ($)
Investments        
Equity Funds 85,145,537 85,145,537
Fixed-Income Funds 771,668,360 771,668,360
Money Market Funds 1,910,983 1,910,983
Total Investments 858,724,880 858,724,880
There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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75


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM, December 31, 2017
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Common Stocks 96.8%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Brazil 5.4%
Odontoprev SA
Dental benefits company
407,000 1,952,118
Qualicorp SA
Insurance and benefits packages
85,000 794,368
Raia Drogasil SA
Chain of pharmaceutical stores
109,000 3,016,551
Total 5,763,037
Cambodia 3.3%
NagaCorp Ltd.
Leisure and tourism company
4,514,000 3,486,248
Cayman Islands 9.9%
China Lodging Group Ltd.
Chain of hotels
18,000 2,599,740
Netshoes Cayman Ltd.(a),(b)
Online sports goods and apparel
78,358 619,028
Parade Technologies Ltd.
Fabless semiconductor company
133,000 2,622,443
RYB Education, Inc., ADR(a),(b)
Operates kindergarten and pre-schools
50,050 844,844
Silicon Motion Technology Corp., ADR
Semiconductor products
41,799 2,213,675
Xiabuxiabu Catering Management China Holdings Co., Ltd.
Chain of restaurants in China
814,000 1,639,909
Total 10,539,639
China 11.6%
51job, Inc., ADR(a)
Integrated human resource services
41,912 2,550,345
58.Com, Inc., ADR(a)
Local life service platform
25,893 1,853,162
China Medical System Holdings Ltd.
Pharmaceutical and medical products
808,000 1,880,856
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc., ADR
Educational services
33,000 3,102,000
TravelSky Technology Ltd., Class H
IT solutions for China’s air travel and tourism industries
970,000 2,899,589
Total 12,285,952
Egypt 1.0%
Commercial International Bank of Egypt
Provides a range of financial services
237,000 1,031,434
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Hong Kong 5.4%
Value Partners Group Ltd.
Independent, value oriented asset management group
2,382,000 2,524,870
Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd.
Food and beverages
1,261,000 3,224,328
Total 5,749,198
India 12.7%
Care Ratings Ltd.
Credit rating services
171,000 3,568,953
GRUH Finance Ltd.
Provides a range of home loans as well as insurance products
428,074 3,368,124
Havells India Ltd
Manufactures electrical products
129,000 1,134,400
TVS Motor Co., Ltd.
Motorcycles, mopeds and scooters
198,523 2,394,455
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
Hindi films, serials, game shows and children’s programs
329,472 2,999,572
Total 13,465,504
Indonesia 5.8%
PT Link Net Tbk
High-speed internet connection through fiber optic lines
4,150,000 1,683,892
PT Matahari Department Store Tbk
Retail clothes, accessories, bags, shoes, cosmetics, household appliances, and management consulting services.
2,400,000 1,763,121
PT Media Nusantara Citra Tbk
Integrated media company in Southeast Asia
10,000,000 947,116
PT Tower Bersama Infrastructure Tbk
Telecommunication infrastructure services to Indonesian wireless carriers
3,800,000 1,795,574
Total 6,189,703
Mexico 4.7%
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV
Operates international airports in the northern and central regions of Mexico
223,000 1,155,801
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR
Operates airports in Mexico
7,000 1,277,570
Qualitas Controladora SAB de CV
Insurance holding company
1,390,000 2,566,861
Total 5,000,232
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
76 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Philippines 1.4%
D&L Industries, Inc.
Customized raw materials
6,700,000 1,484,415
Russian Federation 1.2%
X5 Retail Group NV GDR, Registered Shares(a)
Food retailer company
33,000 1,246,410
South Africa 7.1%
Clicks Group Ltd.
Owns and operates chains of retail stores
93,687 1,371,552
Famous Brands Ltd.(a),(b)
Food and beverage company
305,936 2,546,644
PSG Group Ltd.
Diversified financial services
55,000 1,200,242
Rand Merchant Investment Holdings Ltd.
Investment holding company
654,511 2,423,229
Total 7,541,667
South Korea 11.9%
GS Retail Co., Ltd.
Chain of retail stores
63,100 2,373,784
Koh Young Technology, Inc.
3D measurement and inspection equipment for testing various machineries
34,515 2,659,836
Korea Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.
Financial holding company
42,676 2,747,805
Korea Zinc Co. Ltd.
Non-ferrous metal smelting
4,500 2,072,299
Modetour Network, Inc.
Travel services
99,518 2,835,271
Total 12,688,995
Taiwan 7.2%
Basso Industry Corp.
Pneumatic nailers and staplers
568,000 1,269,732
Largan Precision Co., Ltd.
Optical lens modules and optoelectronic components
10,000 1,342,314
Silergy Corp.
High performance analog integrated circuits
132,000 3,016,281
Voltronic Power Technology Corp.
Uninterruptible power supply products, inverters, multiple surface mounted devices and other power products
116,000 2,007,494
Total 7,635,821
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Thailand 5.6%
Beauty Community PCL
Cosmetic and beauty products
2,760,000 1,761,522
Home Product Center PCL, Foreign Registered Shares
Building materials and home improvement products
3,197,000 1,255,649
Samui Airport Property Fund Leasehold
Closed-end property fund incorporated in Thailand
2,092,100 1,476,475
Tisco Financial Group PCL
Bank holding company
550,000 1,493,556
Total 5,987,202
Turkey 2.6%
Logo Yazilim Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS(a)
Enterprise resource planning software
178,000 2,758,871
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $78,018,490)
102,854,328
Securities Lending Collateral 1.4%
  Shares Value ($)
Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.190%(c),(d)
1,505,875 1,505,875
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $1,505,875)
1,505,875
Money Market Funds 3.3%
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, IM Shares, 1.192%(c)
3,458,712 3,458,712
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost: $3,458,712)
3,458,712
Total Investments
(Cost: $82,983,077)
107,818,915
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities Loaned   (1,505,875)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net   (90,805)
Net Assets $106,222,235
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
77


Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM, December 31, 2017
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2017. The total market value of securities on loan at December 31, 2017 was $1,444,123.
(c) The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at December 31, 2017.
(d) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities lending activity.
Abbreviation Legend
ADR American Depositary Receipt
GDR Global Depositary Receipt
Fair value measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
¦ Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
¦ Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)
¦ Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical Level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose net asset values are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical Level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by Columbia Wanger Asset Management’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.
The Committee is responsible for applying the Columbia Acorn Trust Portfolio Pricing Policy and the Columbia Wanger Asset Management pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which Columbia Wanger Asset Management believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund’s investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.
For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2017:
  Level 1
quoted prices in active
markets for identical
assets ($)
Level 2
other significant
observable inputs ($)
Level 3
significant
unobservable inputs ($)
Total ($)
Investments        
Common Stocks        
Brazil 5,763,037 5,763,037
Cambodia 3,486,248 3,486,248
Cayman Islands 6,277,287 4,262,352 10,539,639
China 7,505,507 4,780,445 12,285,952
Egypt 1,031,434 1,031,434
Hong Kong 5,749,198 5,749,198
India 13,465,504 13,465,504
Indonesia 6,189,703 6,189,703
Mexico 5,000,232 5,000,232
Philippines 1,484,415 1,484,415
Russian Federation 1,246,410 1,246,410
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM, December 31, 2017
Fair value measurements  (continued)
  Level 1
quoted prices in active
markets for identical
assets ($)
Level 2
other significant
observable inputs ($)
Level 3
significant
unobservable inputs ($)
Total ($)
South Africa 7,541,667 7,541,667
South Korea 12,688,995 12,688,995
Taiwan 7,635,821 7,635,821
Thailand 5,987,202 5,987,202
Turkey 2,758,871 2,758,871
Total Common Stocks 24,546,063 78,308,265 102,854,328
Securities Lending Collateral 1,505,875 1,505,875
Money Market Funds 3,458,712 3,458,712
Total Investments 29,510,650 78,308,265 107,818,915
The Fund’s assets assigned to the Level 2 input category are generally valued using a market approach, in which a security’s value is determined through its correlation to prices and information from observable market transactions for similar or identical assets. Foreign equities are generally valued at the last sale price on the foreign exchange or market on which they trade. The Fund may use a statistical fair valuation model, in accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, provided by an independent third party to value securities principally traded in foreign markets in order to adjust for possible stale pricing that may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the time for valuation. These models take into account available market data including intraday index, ADR, and ETF movements.
There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments
Columbia Acorn European FundSM, December 31, 2017
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Common Stocks 94.9%
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Australia 0.9%
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd.
Pizza delivery stores
26,236 953,573
Belgium 1.1%
Melexis NV
Advanced integrated semiconductors, sensor ICs, and programmable sensor IC systems
11,328 1,146,748
Denmark 4.7%
ALK-Abello AS
Pharmaceuticals for allergy vaccinations
8,000 954,115
SimCorp AS
Global provider of highly specialised software for the investment management industry
40,716 2,318,398
William Demant Holding AS(a)
Hearing aids, audiometers, tympanometers, diagnostic instruments, and wireless communication equipment
56,417 1,577,570
Total 4,850,083
Finland 3.1%
Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj
Industrial paper
66,959 1,459,791
Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj(b)
Industrial paper
81,220 1,755,471
Total 3,215,262
France 3.1%
Akka Technologies
High-technology engineering consulting services
28,468 1,581,484
Elior Group SA
Provides catering, cleaning, and facility management services
38,012 785,609
Korian SA
Healthcare facilities & medical establishments
22,124 781,631
Total 3,148,724
Germany 24.7%
AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA
Loans to distressed companies
17,182 1,171,712
CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA
Online ticket sales
50,642 2,354,429
Deutsche Beteiligungs AG
Private equity company, investing in domestic medium-sized companies
19,672 1,108,116
Fielmann AG
Prescription eyeglasses, specialty glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and optical supplies
21,878 1,927,101
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
MTU Aero Engines AG
Develops and manufactures engines and offers commercial engine services and support
17,396 3,108,574
Nemetschek SE
Standard software for designing, constructing and managing buildings and real estate
39,719 3,553,265
Norma Group SE
Plastic and metal-based components and systems in connecting technology
20,772 1,390,801
Rational AG
Food preparation appliances/processors and kitchen accessories
3,563 2,292,139
Stroeer SE & Co. KGaA
Digital multi-channel media company
37,274 2,746,498
Vapiano SE(a),(c)
Chain of restaurants
70,299 2,045,444
Wirecard AG
Internet payment and processing services
32,300 3,589,899
Total 25,287,978
Ireland 1.9%
UDG Healthcare PLC
Commercialisation solutions for health care companies
167,169 1,903,183
Italy 3.9%
Brembo SpA
Braking systems and components
164,845 2,505,989
Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Packaging machinery for the food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics industries
18,549 1,508,957
Total 4,014,946
Luxembourg 2.6%
eDreams ODIGEO SA(a)
Online travel company
460,388 2,634,930
Malta 3.7%
Kindred Group PLC
Online gambling services
267,905 3,834,166
Netherlands 1.9%
Aalberts Industries NV
Industrial services and flow control systems
37,735 1,919,489
Norway 2.7%
Atea ASA
Nordic and Baltic supplier of IT infrastructure
160,172 2,253,169
XXL ASA
Multi-sports retail store
49,387 511,277
Total 2,764,446
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn European FundSM, December 31, 2017
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Spain 1.5%
Prosegur Cia de Seguridad SA, Registered Shares
Security and transportation services
192,983 1,516,656
Sweden 9.5%
Byggmax Group AB
Discount provider of building materials
169,627 1,137,312
NetEnt AB
Computer gaming software
251,342 1,731,153
Recipharm AB, B Shares(c)
Contract development and manufacture of pharmaceuticals
87,952 1,058,778
Sectra AB, B Shares
Medical and communication systems
109,397 2,293,802
Sweco AB, Class B
Consulting company specializing in engineering, environmental technology, and architecture
64,982 1,440,154
Trelleborg AB, Class B
Manufactures and distributes industrial products
90,761 2,102,204
Total 9,763,403
Switzerland 4.7%
Inficon Holding AG
Vacuum instruments used to monitor and control production processes
3,625 2,263,649
Partners Group Holding AG(c)
Global private markets asset management firm
3,779 2,590,561
Total 4,854,210
Turkey 1.6%
Logo Yazilim Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS(a)
Enterprise resource planning software
105,919 1,641,668
United Kingdom 23.3%
Ascential PLC
Media and consultancy services
294,357 1,526,646
Assura PLC
Primary healthcare property group
1,564,565 1,349,823
Big Yellow Group PLC
Self-storage company
111,007 1,303,173
Connect Group PLC
Distribution of newspapers and magazines, and books
197,388 298,484
Croda International PLC
Chemicals and chemical products
17,712 1,055,860
Domino’s Pizza Group PLC
Pizza delivery stores
450,122 2,100,932
DS Smith PLC
Provides corrugated packaging services
108,743 757,992
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer Shares Value ($)
Halma PLC
Products that detect hazards and protect assets and people in public and commercial buildings
207,214 3,520,807
Hastings Group Holdings PLC
General insurance services to the automobile and home insurance products
307,577 1,328,881
Intermediate Capital Group PLC
Private equity firm
75,792 1,170,295
Polypipe Group PLC
Plastic piping systems
191,479 1,016,522
Rentokil Initial PLC
Fully integrated facilities management and essential support services
562,861 2,411,390
Rightmove PLC
Website that lists properties across Britain
29,893 1,814,079
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC
Consultation, service and products for the control and efficient management of steam and industrial fluids
17,832 1,348,184
WH Smith PLC
Retails books, magazines, newspapers, and periodicals
90,889 2,880,094
Total 23,883,162
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $74,521,269)
97,332,627
    
Preferred Stocks 1.3%
Issuer Coupon
Rate
Shares Value ($)
Germany 1.3%
Sartorius AG
Precision electronic equipment and components
14,034 1,333,122
Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost: $1,384,144)
1,333,122
    
Securities Lending Collateral 2.8%
  Shares Value ($)
Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.190%(d),(e)
2,892,531 2,892,531
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $2,892,531)
2,892,531
 
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn European FundSM, December 31, 2017
Money Market Funds 5.2%
  Shares Value ($)
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, IM Shares, 1.192%(d)
5,272,202 5,272,202
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost: $5,272,202)
5,272,202
Total Investments
(Cost: $84,070,146)
106,830,482
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities Loaned   (2,892,531)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net   (1,380,528)
Net Assets $102,557,423
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Security is traded on a Swedish exchange.
(c) All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2017. The total market value of securities on loan at December 31, 2017 was $2,762,415.
(d) The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at December 31, 2017.
(e) Investment made with cash collateral received from securities lending activity.
Fair value measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
¦ Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
¦ Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)
¦ Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical Level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose net asset values are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical Level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by Columbia Wanger Asset Management’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.
The Committee is responsible for applying the Columbia Acorn Trust Portfolio Pricing Policy and the Columbia Wanger Asset Management pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.
The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which Columbia Wanger Asset Management believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund’s investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.
For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments   (continued)
Columbia Acorn European FundSM, December 31, 2017
Fair value measurements  (continued)
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2017:
  Level 1
quoted prices in active
markets for identical
assets ($)
Level 2
other significant
observable inputs ($)
Level 3
significant
unobservable inputs ($)
Total ($)
Investments        
Common Stocks        
Australia 953,573 953,573
Belgium 1,146,748 1,146,748
Denmark 4,850,083 4,850,083
Finland 3,215,262 3,215,262
France 3,148,724 3,148,724
Germany 25,287,978 25,287,978
Ireland 1,903,183 1,903,183
Italy 4,014,946 4,014,946
Luxembourg 2,634,930 2,634,930
Malta 3,834,166 3,834,166
Netherlands 1,919,489 1,919,489
Norway 2,764,446 2,764,446
Spain 1,516,656 1,516,656
Sweden 9,763,403 9,763,403
Switzerland 4,854,210 4,854,210
Turkey 1,641,668 1,641,668
United Kingdom 23,883,162 23,883,162
Total Common Stocks 97,332,627 97,332,627
Preferred Stocks        
Germany 1,333,122 1,333,122
Total Preferred Stocks 1,333,122 1,333,122
Securities Lending Collateral 2,892,531 2,892,531
Money Market Funds 5,272,202 5,272,202
Total Investments 8,164,733 98,665,749 106,830,482
The Fund’s assets assigned to the Level 2 input category are generally valued using a market approach, in which a security’s value is determined through its correlation to prices and information from observable market transactions for similar or identical assets. Foreign equities are generally valued at the last sale price on the foreign exchange or market on which they trade. The Fund may use a statistical fair valuation model, in accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, provided by an independent third party to value securities principally traded in foreign markets in order to adjust for possible stale pricing that may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the time for valuation. These models take into account available market data including intraday index, ADR, and ETF movements.
There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2017
  Columbia
Acorn®
Fund
Columbia
Acorn
International®
Columbia
Acorn
USA®
Columbia
Acorn
International
SelectSM
Assets        
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at cost $3,343,839,258 $3,292,075,107 $263,850,755 $94,852,211
Investments in affiliated issuers, at cost 24,580,987
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (including securities on loan: $35,927,492, 125,615,479, 3,128,036 and 5,681,155, respectively) 4,650,220,117 5,035,302,321 330,021,967 136,456,784
Investments in affiliated issuers, at value 23,079,229
Receivable for:        
Investments sold 21,590,773 3,398,701 864,280
Capital shares sold 1,504,375 4,838,289 149,393 329,478
Regulatory settlements  (Note 7) 33,279
Dividends 1,892,550 5,070,556 151,971 49,205
Securities lending income 25,078 24,368 2,475 224
Foreign tax reclaims 2,980,068 193 65,904
Expense reimbursement due from Investment Manager 474
Prepaid expenses 94,491 98,727 6,686 2,453
Trustees’ deferred compensation plan 3,203,749 1,577,980 311,456
Total assets 4,701,610,362 5,053,291,010 331,508,421 136,937,801
Liabilities        
Due to custodian 277,081
Due upon return of securities on loan 37,208,360 131,643,758 3,283,375 5,961,556
Payable for:        
Investments purchased 9,918,141 3,549,268 40,227
Capital shares purchased 11,907,502 8,358,000 5,095,481 54,818
Foreign capital gains taxes deferred 14,814
Investment advisory fee 85,941 103,083 8,346 3,186
Distribution and/or service fees 12,601 5,147 606 317
Transfer agent fees 423,757 471,114 28,368 11,810
Administration fees 6,038 6,328 426 168
Trustees’ fees 12,331 12,510 1,924 53,867
Compensation of chief compliance officer 7,229 7,506 801 174
Other expenses 373,916 574,912 59,813 42,287
Trustees’ deferred compensation plan 3,203,749 1,577,980 311,456
Other liabilities 21,401
Total liabilities 63,436,646 146,331,007 8,830,823 6,142,997
Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock $4,638,173,716 $4,906,960,003 $322,677,598 $130,794,804
Represented by        
Paid in capital 3,137,690,010 3,041,875,892 246,699,051 95,755,312
Undistributed (excess of distributions over) net investment income (2,220,754) 4,411,242 (254,453) (53,622)
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) 197,825,359 117,314,526 10,061,788 (6,500,696)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:        
Investments - unaffiliated issuers 1,306,380,859 1,743,227,214 66,171,212 41,604,573
Investments - affiliated issuers (1,501,758)
Foreign currency translations 131,129 4,051
Foreign capital gains tax (14,814)
Total - representing net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock $4,638,173,716 $4,906,960,003 $322,677,598 $130,794,804
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Assets and Liabilities  (continued)
December 31, 2017
  Columbia
Acorn®
Fund
Columbia
Acorn
International®
Columbia
Acorn
USA®
Columbia
Acorn
International
SelectSM
Class A        
Net assets $830,453,904 $465,829,790 $47,959,906 $26,335,763
Shares outstanding 64,264,622 10,016,089 3,842,664 911,546
Net asset value per share(a) $12.92 $46.51 $12.48 $28.89
Maximum offering price per share(b) $13.71 $49.35 $13.24 $30.65
Advisor Class(c)        
Net assets $38,587,545 $99,578,069 $16,354,747 $1,820,332
Shares outstanding 2,402,202 2,120,998 1,016,837 61,790
Net asset value per share(d) $16.06 $46.95 $16.08 $29.46
Class C        
Net assets $246,449,676 $63,787,452 $9,802,468 $5,026,983
Shares outstanding 37,432,288 1,431,137 1,495,177 187,235
Net asset value per share(a) $6.58 $44.57 $6.56 $26.85
Institutional Class(e)        
Net assets $3,407,214,054 $3,116,383,483 $189,408,217 $89,266,371
Shares outstanding 221,458,807 66,925,208 12,455,486 3,052,280
Net asset value per share(d) $15.39 $46.57 $15.21 $29.25
Institutional 2 Class(f)        
Net assets $67,932,344 $422,916,456 $10,132,867 $613,805
Shares outstanding 4,193,532 9,086,725 625,210 20,846
Net asset value per share(d) $16.20 $46.54 $16.21 $29.44
Institutional 3 Class(g)        
Net assets $47,536,193 $725,247,067 $49,019,393 $7,731,550
Shares outstanding 2,909,525 15,446,492 2,997,137 262,788
Net asset value per share(d) $16.34 $46.95 $16.36 $29.42
Class R        
Net assets $— $13,217,686 $— $—
Shares outstanding 284,187
Net asset value per share(d) $— $46.51 $— $—
    
(a) Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
(b) On sales of $50,000 or more the offering price is reduced.
(c) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(d) Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(f) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(g) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Assets and Liabilities  (continued)
December 31, 2017
  Columbia
Acorn
SelectSM
Columbia
Thermostat
FundSM
Columbia
Acorn
Emerging Markets
FundSM
Columbia
Acorn
European
FundSM
Assets        
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at cost $225,426,664 $1,910,983 $82,983,077 $84,070,146
Investments in affiliated issuers, at cost 828,051,082
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (including securities on loan: $—, —, 1,444,123 and 2,762,415, respectively) 308,092,917 1,910,983 107,818,915 106,830,482
Investments in affiliated issuers, at value 856,813,897
Receivable for:        
Investments sold 1,262,926 2,391,940 13 58,802
Capital shares sold 131,377 968,787 44,473 612,894
Dividends 184,971 1,638,418 180,675 59,462
Securities lending income 4,755 4,626
Foreign tax reclaims 10,776 80,242
Expense reimbursement due from Investment Manager 136 786 1,134
Prepaid expenses 6,163 18,312 2,027 1,703
Trustees’ deferred compensation plan 260,013
Other assets 2,739
Total assets 309,938,367 863,742,473 108,062,420 107,652,084
Liabilities        
Due upon return of securities on loan 1,505,875 2,892,531
Payable for:        
Investments purchased 1,638,418 31,867 1,989,431
Capital shares purchased 706,046 2,529,778 166,346 153,284
Foreign capital gains taxes deferred 33,847
Investment advisory fee 5,560 2,360 3,587 3,309
Distribution and/or service fees 1,354 8,657 657 603
Transfer agent fees 30,591 76,379 12,363 8,511
Administration fees 402 1,109 136 131
Trustees’ fees 811 171,456 34,560 8,180
Compensation of chief compliance officer 473 1,514 158 94
Other expenses 55,181 81,756 48,843 38,587
Trustees’ deferred compensation plan 260,013
Other liabilities 1,946
Total liabilities 1,060,431 4,511,427 1,840,185 5,094,661
Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock $308,877,936 $859,231,046 $106,222,235 $102,557,423
Represented by        
Paid in capital 203,204,712 821,658,915 163,858,627 88,174,431
Undistributed (excess of distributions over) net investment income (231,199) 731,622 (572,645) (202,643)
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) 23,238,170 8,077,694 (81,866,145) (8,177,711)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:        
Investments - unaffiliated issuers 82,666,253 24,835,838 22,760,336
Investments - affiliated issuers 28,762,815
Foreign currency translations 407 3,010
Foreign capital gains tax (33,847)
Total - representing net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock $308,877,936 $859,231,046 $106,222,235 $102,557,423
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Assets and Liabilities  (continued)
December 31, 2017
  Columbia
Acorn
SelectSM
Columbia
Thermostat
FundSM
Columbia
Acorn
Emerging Markets
FundSM
Columbia
Acorn
European
FundSM
Class A        
Net assets $106,329,974 $257,752,361 $33,982,215 $32,486,521
Shares outstanding 7,275,357 17,614,443 2,566,875 1,685,907
Net asset value per share(a) $14.62 $14.63 $13.24 $19.27
Maximum offering price per share(b) $15.51 $15.52 $14.05 $20.45
Advisor Class(c)        
Net assets $5,589,599 $16,226,545 $1,336,981 $2,942,394
Shares outstanding 325,249 1,118,814 99,932 151,958
Net asset value per share(d) $17.19 $14.50 $13.38 $19.36
Class C        
Net assets $22,558,622 $250,783,960 $15,545,602 $13,965,075
Shares outstanding 2,351,967 17,019,023 1,187,827 730,421
Net asset value per share(a) $9.59 $14.74 $13.09 $19.12
Institutional Class(e)        
Net assets $157,663,840 $320,483,190 $53,415,034 $48,965,011
Shares outstanding 9,530,372 22,215,139 4,017,934 2,541,227
Net asset value per share(d) $16.54 $14.43 $13.29 $19.27
Institutional 2 Class(f)        
Net assets $1,734,914 $13,464,394 $1,030,171 $3,988,146
Shares outstanding 100,420 927,432 76,965 204,890
Net asset value per share(d) $17.28 $14.52 $13.38 $19.46
Institutional 3 Class(g)        
Net assets $15,000,987 $520,596 $912,232 $210,276
Shares outstanding 860,446 35,914 68,726 10,970
Net asset value per share(d) $17.43 $14.50 $13.27 $19.17
    
(a) Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
(b) On sales of $50,000 or more the offering price is reduced.
(c) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(d) Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(f) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(g) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2017
  Columbia
Acorn®
Fund
Columbia
Acorn
International®
Columbia
Acorn
USA®
Columbia
Acorn
International
SelectSM
Net investment income        
Income:        
Dividends — unaffiliated issuers $42,132,788 $96,832,015 $3,973,872 $1,919,026
Income from securities lending — net 3,183,634 1,619,814 452,239 30,101
Foreign taxes withheld (38,556) (9,208,984) (30,468) (216,850)
Total income 45,277,866 89,242,845 4,395,643 1,732,277
Expenses:        
Investment advisory fee 31,741,253 37,729,491 4,463,500 1,035,732
Distribution and/or service fees        
Class A 2,162,306 1,265,450 149,631 55,225
Class B(a) 1,526
Class C 2,729,135 642,236 111,462 46,893
Class R 53,251
Transfer agent fees        
Class A 691,048 533,170 86,521 29,491
Advisor Class(b) 29,223 105,644 18,885 1,953
Class B(a) 211
Class C 216,635 66,069 16,241 6,243
Institutional Class(c) 2,769,995 3,571,183 504,951 114,128
Institutional 2 Class(d) 30,615 207,834 4,558 318
Institutional 3 Class(e) 68 240 19 12
Class R 11,213
Administration fees 2,222,205 2,306,975 231,229 54,465
Trustees’ fees 456,449 469,502 53,543 10,557
Custodian fees 43,104 763,192 14,100 22,244
Printing and postage fees 339,797 432,591 51,437 30,411
Registration fees 114,121 145,350 90,801 90,337
Audit fees 124,798 177,306 42,158 55,237
Legal fees 875,736 898,537 97,685 21,333
Compensation of chief compliance officer 14,750 14,432 1,838 321
Other 255,539 331,837 46,942 25,670
Total expenses 44,816,777 49,727,240 5,985,501 1,600,570
Fees waived or expenses reimbursed by Investment Manager and its affiliates (165,619)
Fees waived by transfer agent        
Class A (103,938) (141,368) (3,418)
Advisor Class(b) (4,529) (4,348) (1,276)
Class B(a) (211)
Class C (31,581) (9,193) (751)
Institutional Class(c) (422,922) (151,535) (8,865)
Institutional 2 Class(d) (4,859) (17,538) (120) (56)
Institutional 3 Class(e) (68) (240) (19) (12)
Class R (515)
Expense reduction (10,206) (10,492) (1,720) (816)
Total net expenses 44,238,674 49,391,800 5,969,332 1,434,067
Net investment income (loss) 1,039,192 39,851,045 (1,573,689) 298,210
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Operations  (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2017
  Columbia
Acorn®
Fund
Columbia
Acorn
International®
Columbia
Acorn
USA®
Columbia
Acorn
International
SelectSM
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) — net        
Net realized gain (loss) on:        
Investments — unaffiliated issuers $1,178,101,659 $452,786,613 $212,473,392 $8,209,957
Investments — affiliated issuers (1,002,159)
Foreign currency translations 5,907 (897,730) (17,399)
Futures contracts (846,958) (111,277)
Net realized gain 1,176,258,449 451,888,883 212,362,115 8,192,558
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:        
Investments — unaffiliated issuers (106,824,734) 879,901,697 (119,147,241) 26,154,093
Investments — affiliated issuers (3,247,118)
Foreign currency translations 446,749 10,577
Foreign capital gains tax (3,652)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (110,071,852) 880,348,446 (119,147,241) 26,161,018
Net realized and unrealized gain 1,066,186,597 1,332,237,329 93,214,874 34,353,576
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $1,067,225,789 $1,372,088,374 $91,641,185 $34,651,786
    
(a) Effective July 17, 2017, Class B shares were automatically converted to Class A shares.
(b) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(c) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Operations  (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2017
  Columbia
Acorn
SelectSM
Columbia
Thermostat
FundSM
Columbia
Acorn
Emerging Markets
FundSM
Columbia
Acorn
European
FundSM(a)
Net investment income        
Income:        
Dividends — unaffiliated issuers $2,954,990 $16,841 $1,860,453 $1,431,772
Dividends — affiliated issuers 21,576,982
Interest 167
Income from securities lending — net 5,639 13,164 52,695
Foreign taxes withheld (165,183) (127,115)
Total income 2,960,629 21,593,823 1,708,434 1,357,519
Expenses:        
Investment advisory fee 2,640,268 977,373 1,288,662 800,001
Distribution and/or service fees        
Class A 274,273 770,365 89,673 58,156
Class C 241,033 2,944,899 155,232 101,990
Transfer agent fees        
Class A 137,636 247,759 51,008 25,912
Advisor Class(b) 2,738 12,303 1,704 999
Class C 30,029 238,192 21,913 11,281
Institutional Class(c) 195,117 283,129 70,476 33,801
Institutional 2 Class(d) 789 7,052 567 1,389
Institutional 3 Class(e) 10 28 13 15
Administration fees 145,346 457,272 48,634 31,480
Trustees’ fees 30,017 98,928 9,991 5,394
Custodian fees 4,238 2,652 80,656 37,385
Printing and postage fees 57,676 97,569 28,663 20,436
Registration fees 88,630 110,901 88,190 82,208
Audit fees 41,801 23,768 60,559 40,820
Legal fees 58,111 187,361 18,698 11,602
Compensation of chief compliance officer 950 3,180 313 161
Other 34,837 62,668 32,490 33,574
Total expenses 3,983,499 6,525,399 2,047,442 1,296,604
Fees waived or expenses reimbursed by Investment Manager and its affiliates (621,240) (367,668) (314,962) (257,322)
Fees waived by transfer agent        
Class A (16,920)
Advisor Class(b) (437)
Class C (3,522)
Institutional Class(c) (25,172)
Institutional 2 Class(d) (114) (778) (99) (197)
Institutional 3 Class(e) (10) (28) (13) (15)
Expense reduction (1,847) (680) (80) (20)
Total net expenses 3,314,237 6,156,245 1,732,288 1,039,050
Net investment income (loss) (353,608) 15,437,578 (23,854) 318,469
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Operations  (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2017
  Columbia
Acorn
SelectSM
Columbia
Thermostat
FundSM
Columbia
Acorn
Emerging Markets
FundSM
Columbia
Acorn
European
FundSM(a)
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) — net        
Net realized gain (loss) on:        
Investments — unaffiliated issuers $40,516,594 $— $5,008,488 $2,108,520
Investments — affiliated issuers 14,222,008
Capital gain distributions from underlying affiliated funds 9,432,065
Foreign currency translations (49,155) 4,917
Net realized gain 40,516,594 23,654,073 4,959,333 2,113,437
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:        
Investments — unaffiliated issuers 32,742,921 26,106,868 17,434,649
Investments — affiliated issuers 10,450,897
Foreign currency translations 106 8,899
Foreign capital gains tax (25,658)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 32,742,921 10,450,897 26,081,316 17,443,548
Net realized and unrealized gain 73,259,515 34,104,970 31,040,649 19,556,985
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $72,905,907 $49,542,548 $31,016,795 $19,875,454
    
(a) Institutional 3 Class shares are based on operations from March 1, 2017 (commencement of operations) through the stated period end.
(b) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(c) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
  Columbia
Acorn® Fund
Columbia Acorn
International®
  Year Ended
December 31, 2017
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Operations        
Net investment income (loss) $1,039,192 $(2,693,471) $39,851,045 $63,212,029
Net realized gain (loss) 1,176,258,449 1,510,848,459 451,888,883 (14,787,593)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (110,071,852) (1,031,158,606) 880,348,446 (171,914,114)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 1,067,225,789 476,996,382 1,372,088,374 (123,489,678)
Distributions to shareholders        
Net investment income        
Class A (7,118,778) (2,294,349)
Advisor Class(a) (1,687,012) (643,271)
Class B(b) (2,069)
Class C (387,660)
Class I(c) (250,719)
Institutional Class(d) (57,030,081) (22,632,732)
Institutional 2 Class(e) (7,070,007) (2,042,254)
Institutional 3 Class(f) (8,860,457) (1,616,789)
Class R (149,105) (1,758)
Net realized gains        
Class A (198,597,993) (355,213,879) (23,914,812) (4,791,671)
Advisor Class(a) (7,546,403) (10,648,130) (5,256,918) (3,192,056)
Class B(b) (6,422)
Class C (98,221,494) (162,765,900) (3,412,394) (553,766)
Class I(c) (6,394,000) (367,390)
Institutional Class(d) (708,224,553) (1,202,301,687) (160,560,346) (27,548,483)
Institutional 2 Class(e) (13,004,610) (15,236,759) (21,942,004) (2,010,528)
Institutional 3 Class(f) (11,007,435) (25,706,160) (35,892,439) (1,662,627)
Class R (676,321) (30,861)
Total distributions to shareholders (1,036,602,488) (1,778,266,515) (333,960,403) (69,645,676)
Decrease in net assets from capital stock activity (221,183,341) (1,063,279,983) (784,106,134) (1,887,104,246)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets (190,560,040) (2,364,550,116) 254,021,837 (2,080,239,600)
Net assets at beginning of year 4,828,733,756 7,193,283,872 4,652,938,166 6,733,177,766
Net assets at end of year $4,638,173,716 $4,828,733,756 $4,906,960,003 $4,652,938,166
Undistributed (excess of distributions over) net investment income $(2,220,754) $(3,783,993) $4,411,242 $30,644,829
    
(a) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(b) Effective July 17, 2017, Class B shares were automatically converted to Class A shares.
(c) Effective March 27, 2017, Class I shares were redeemed or exchanged for Institutional 3 Class shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(f) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Changes in Net Assets   (continued)
  Columbia
Acorn USA®
Columbia Acorn
International SelectSM
  Year Ended
December 31, 2017
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Operations        
Net investment income (loss) $(1,573,689) $(2,585,435) $298,210 $727,712
Net realized gain 212,362,115 173,306,331 8,192,558 406,852
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (119,147,241) (116,920,216) 26,161,018 (727,228)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 91,641,185 53,800,680 34,651,786 407,336
Distributions to shareholders        
Net investment income        
Class A (9,521) (128,440)
Advisor Class(a) (4,562) (10,361)
Class I(b) (21)
Institutional Class(c) (228,058) (688,337)
Institutional 2 Class(d) (1,921) (4,257)
Institutional 3 Class(e) (26,734) (3,239)
Net realized gains        
Class A (15,531,538) (32,380,146)
Advisor Class(a) (4,118,797) (2,636,761)
Class C (4,827,537) (6,855,670)
Class I(b) (535)
Institutional Class(c) (61,910,319) (176,812,357)
Institutional 2 Class(d) (3,183,971) (6,082,950)
Institutional 3 Class(e) (12,346,845) (13,772,136)
Return of capital        
Class A (21,491)
Advisor Class(a) (1,231)
Class I(b) (2)
Institutional Class(c) (79,155)
Institutional 2 Class(d) (474)
Institutional 3 Class(e) (333)
Total distributions to shareholders (101,919,007) (238,540,555) (270,796) (937,341)
Decrease in net assets from capital stock activity (310,665,005) (129,621,627) (3,597,759) (38,779,298)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets (320,942,827) (314,361,502) 30,783,231 (39,309,303)
Net assets at beginning of year 643,620,425 957,981,927 100,011,573 139,320,876
Net assets at end of year $322,677,598 $643,620,425 $130,794,804 $100,011,573
Excess of distributions over net investment income $(254,453) $(324,258) $(53,622) $(76,287)
    
(a) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(b) Effective March 27, 2017, Class I shares were redeemed or exchanged for Institutional 3 Class shares.
(c) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Changes in Net Assets   (continued)
  Columbia
Acorn SelectSM
Columbia
Thermostat FundSM
  Year Ended
December 31, 2017
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Operations        
Net investment income (loss) $(353,608) $(636,264) $15,437,578 $13,815,474
Net realized gain 40,516,594 51,359,334 23,654,073 6,455,376
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 32,742,921 (13,696,714) 10,450,897 27,501,996
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 72,905,907 37,026,356 49,542,548 47,772,846
Distributions to shareholders        
Net investment income        
Class A (9,278,829) (2,065,216)
Advisor Class(a) (559,209) (116,893)
Class C (5,769,999) (1,254,586)
Institutional Class(b) (12,343,315) (2,661,104)
Institutional 2 Class(c) (468,756) (93,729)
Institutional 3 Class(d) (17,424) (3,227)
Net realized gains        
Class A (13,531,635) (20,956,929) (3,927,704) (7,330,165)
Advisor Class(a) (268,631) (137,648) (231,441) (270,622)
Class C (4,068,306) (6,613,573) (3,875,776) (6,807,442)
Class I(e) (3,413,863)
Institutional Class(b) (17,384,449) (23,230,145) (4,913,074) (6,421,250)
Institutional 2 Class(c) (135,711) (169,378) (192,959) (227,023)
Institutional 3 Class(d) (2,568,205) (675,691) (7,159) (6,939)
Total distributions to shareholders (37,956,937) (55,197,227) (41,585,645) (27,258,196)
Decrease in net assets from capital stock activity (34,460,018) (72,642,815) (256,152,474) (15,113,859)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets 488,952 (90,813,686) (248,195,571) 5,400,791
Net assets at beginning of year 308,388,984 399,202,670 1,107,426,617 1,102,025,826
Net assets at end of year $308,877,936 $308,388,984 $859,231,046 $1,107,426,617
Undistributed (excess of distributions over) net investment income $(231,199) $(319,341) $731,622 $13,506,415
    
(a) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(b) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(c) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
(e) Effective March 27, 2017, Class I shares were redeemed or exchanged for Institutional 3 Class shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Changes in Net Assets   (continued)
  Columbia Acorn
Emerging Markets FundSM
Columbia Acorn
European FundSM
  Year Ended
December 31, 2017
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Year Ended
December 31, 2017 (a)
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Operations        
Net investment income (loss) $(23,854) $(284,926) $318,469 $590,637
Net realized gain (loss) 4,959,333 (45,598,080) 2,113,437 (4,579,308)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 26,081,316 36,302,688 17,443,548 1,960,685
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 31,016,795 (9,580,318) 19,875,454 (2,027,986)
Distributions to shareholders        
Net investment income        
Class A (194,500) (276,319) (259,174)
Advisor Class(b) (9,157) (26,878) (4,237)
Class C (21,994) (14,070)
Class I(c) (15) (29)
Institutional Class(d) (333,824) (555,415) (127,499)
Institutional 2 Class(e) (6,632) (51,520) (14,327)
Institutional 3 Class(f) (14) (2,414)
Return of capital        
Class A (199,268)
Advisor Class(b) (5,302)
Class I(c) (8)
Institutional Class(d) (196,472)
Institutional 2 Class(e) (3,262)
Institutional 3 Class(f) (7)
Total distributions to shareholders (948,461) (934,540) (419,336)
Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock activity (30,554,959) (159,031,334) 37,264,196 (13,086,756)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets 461,836 (169,560,113) 56,205,110 (15,534,078)
Net assets at beginning of year 105,760,399 275,320,512 46,352,313 61,886,391
Net assets at end of year $106,222,235 $105,760,399 $102,557,423 $46,352,313
Undistributed (excess of distributions over) net investment income $(572,645) $(1,216,803) $(202,643) $55,698
    
(a) Institutional 3 Class shares are based on operations from March 1, 2017 (commencement of operations) through the stated period end.
(b) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(c) Effective March 27, 2017, Class I shares were redeemed or exchanged for Institutional 3 Class shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(f) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Changes in Net Assets   (continued)
  Columbia
Acorn® Fund
Columbia Acorn
International®
  Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
  Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($)
Capital stock activity
Class A(a)                
Subscriptions 5,214,954 73,286,260 4,853,520 75,803,085 1,610,233 69,246,137 1,974,708 75,655,038
Distributions reinvested 13,895,471 179,901,741 22,814,791 328,819,766 650,590 29,823,976 175,532 6,887,710
Redemptions (24,594,980) (349,452,663) (36,704,218) (594,559,320) (7,526,663) (320,009,215) (7,659,549) (295,352,503)
Net decrease (5,484,555) (96,264,662) (9,035,907) (189,936,469) (5,265,840) (220,939,102) (5,509,309) (212,809,755)
Advisor Class(b)                
Subscriptions 1,188,440 20,475,315 495,492 9,093,680 507,657 22,001,991 2,310,115 89,193,756
Distributions reinvested 404,423 6,463,098 568,047 9,572,736 149,964 6,941,523 95,799 3,833,333
Redemptions (1,298,639) (22,111,783) (1,492,520) (27,409,512) (1,218,557) (52,979,195) (12,076,499) (488,580,771)
Net increase (decrease) 294,224 4,826,630 (428,981) (8,743,096) (560,936) (24,035,681) (9,670,585) (395,553,682)
Class B(a)                
Distributions reinvested 48 2,052 166 6,407
Redemptions (93,870) (1,194,420) (13,438) (556,263) (29,829) (1,084,349)
Net decrease (93,870) (1,194,420) (13,390) (554,211) (29,663) (1,077,942)
Class C                
Subscriptions 1,151,804 9,081,597 2,850,481 28,830,261 90,241 3,793,139 88,146 3,250,023
Distributions reinvested 14,018,509 94,772,247 15,224,608 142,292,662 83,543 3,674,876 12,938 497,985
Redemptions (13,966,397) (120,313,372) (16,527,105) (189,293,788) (526,608) (21,906,351) (670,819) (24,917,914)
Net increase (decrease) 1,203,916 (16,459,528) 1,547,984 (18,170,865) (352,824) (14,438,336) (569,735) (21,169,906)
Class I(c)                
Subscriptions 2,241,456 40,012,558 2,023,643 76,814,214
Distributions reinvested 384,162 6,393,601 15,790 618,080
Redemptions (704,360) (11,413,339) (3,318,699) (60,309,700) (587,108) (24,144,151) (2,841,410) (108,946,434)
Net decrease (704,360) (11,413,339) (693,081) (13,903,541) (587,108) (24,144,151) (801,977) (31,514,140)
Institutional Class(d)                
Subscriptions 11,660,704 189,841,275 12,510,656 225,203,283 7,013,514 296,426,276 10,938,039 423,737,709
Distributions reinvested 41,736,204 640,071,038 65,323,103 1,066,953,832 3,676,468 168,682,272 1,012,550 39,453,071
Redemptions (55,995,598) (919,152,154) (115,579,393) (2,071,442,868) (32,696,730) (1,462,774,955) (41,785,744) (1,603,157,736)
Net decrease (2,598,690) (89,239,841) (37,745,634) (779,285,753) (22,006,748) (997,666,407) (29,835,155) (1,139,966,956)
Institutional 2 Class(e)                
Subscriptions 1,892,132 34,420,349 904,623 16,475,579 4,209,934 183,599,629 2,366,752 90,215,384
Distributions reinvested 809,341 13,002,370 896,900 15,226,488 525,236 24,092,915 103,055 4,001,510
Redemptions (1,361,035) (23,541,410) (2,784,189) (50,798,909) (3,251,747) (145,206,557) (3,057,775) (116,417,523)
Net increase (decrease) 1,340,438 23,881,309 (982,666) (19,096,842) 1,483,423 62,485,987 (587,968) (22,200,629)
Institutional 3 Class(c),(f)                
Subscriptions 3,152,141 55,149,044 631,619 11,532,036 14,596,689 678,353,931 1,867,415 72,910,693
Distributions reinvested 669,887 11,007,435 1,502,317 25,706,160 964,050 44,705,035 83,697 3,278,372
Redemptions (5,871,346) (102,670,389) (3,702,598) (70,187,193) (6,419,328) (294,475,318) (3,723,583) (138,860,801)
Net increase (decrease) (2,049,318) (36,513,910) (1,568,662) (32,948,997) 9,141,411 428,583,648 (1,772,471) (62,671,736)
Class R                
Subscriptions 247,904 10,356,515 42,672 1,642,911
Distributions reinvested 17,022 780,530 704 28,080
Redemptions (103,693) (4,534,926) (46,971) (1,810,491)
Net increase (decrease) 161,233 6,602,119 (3,595) (139,500)
Total net decrease (7,998,345) (221,183,341) (49,000,817) (1,063,279,983) (18,000,779) (784,106,134) (48,780,458) (1,887,104,246)
    
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Changes in Net Assets   (continued)
(a) Effective July 17, 2017, Class B shares were automatically converted to Class A shares.
(b) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(c) Effective March 27, 2017, Class I shares were redeemed or exchanged for Institutional 3 Class shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(f) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Changes in Net Assets   (continued)
  Columbia
Acorn USA®
Columbia Acorn
International SelectSM
  Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
  Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($)
Capital stock activity
Class A                
Subscriptions 488,025 7,442,932 570,239 10,137,511 433,475 11,022,848 144,898 3,073,366
Distributions reinvested 1,137,099 14,397,674 1,919,989 30,640,598 318 9,147 6,931 145,542
Redemptions (3,181,282) (49,739,118) (1,785,208) (32,134,125) (466,338) (11,345,132) (791,209) (16,621,178)
Net increase (decrease) (1,556,158) (27,898,512) 705,020 8,643,984 (32,545) (313,137) (639,380) (13,402,270)
Advisor Class(a)                
Subscriptions 591,993 11,469,434 182,950 4,045,095 22,202 594,789 37,828 786,212
Distributions reinvested 255,091 4,118,796 139,452 2,636,761 156 4,554 541 11,569
Redemptions (174,410) (3,344,051) (338,183) (6,985,619) (11,360) (303,363) (28,908) (628,248)
Net increase (decrease) 672,674 12,244,179 (15,781) (303,763) 10,998 295,980 9,461 169,533
Class B                
Redemptions (1,541) (21,538) (984) (18,165)
Net decrease (1,541) (21,538) (984) (18,165)
Class C                
Subscriptions 99,275 974,077 117,283 1,391,102 27,511 676,101 14,021 278,937
Distributions reinvested 703,494 4,761,201 573,317 6,404,572
Redemptions (510,499) (5,076,159) (566,118) (7,483,741) (57,659) (1,371,955) (66,643) (1,312,570)
Net increase (decrease) 292,270 659,119 124,482 311,933 (30,148) (695,854) (52,622) (1,033,633)
Class I(b)                
Redemptions (70) (1,266) (92) (2,211)
Net decrease (70) (1,266) (92) (2,211)
Institutional Class(c)                
Subscriptions 1,272,209 22,899,278 2,044,441 42,076,329 632,322 15,614,831 496,718 10,632,273
Distributions reinvested 3,701,495 58,121,333 9,206,155 166,971,786 5,869 170,675 25,779 547,806
Redemptions (21,166,533) (389,628,621) (17,240,685) (343,518,307) (992,393) (25,627,432) (1,578,100) (33,618,763)
Net decrease (16,192,829) (308,608,010) (5,990,089) (134,470,192) (354,202) (9,841,926) (1,055,603) (22,438,684)
Institutional 2 Class(d)                
Subscriptions 494,678 10,218,003 204,798 4,201,531 6,125 155,951 6,007 129,000
Distributions reinvested 194,941 3,183,608 314,491 6,082,419 65 1,913 220 4,710
Redemptions (828,227) (15,512,332) (939,630) (19,229,210) (5,576) (139,156) (90,410) (1,874,479)
Net increase (decrease) (138,608) (2,110,721) (420,341) (8,945,260) 614 18,708 (84,183) (1,740,769)
Institutional 3 Class(b),(e)                
Subscriptions 540,484 10,276,457 160,115 3,363,597 268,318 7,467,361 9,194 207,948
Distributions reinvested 694,408 11,402,230 722,739 13,771,606 914 26,725 166 3,550
Redemptions (340,563) (6,628,481) (591,947) (11,971,994) (21,261) (553,405) (24,953) (526,808)
Net increase (decrease) 894,329 15,050,206 290,907 5,163,209 247,971 6,940,681 (15,593) (315,310)
Total net decrease (16,028,392) (310,665,005) (5,307,343) (129,621,627) (157,404) (3,597,759) (1,838,904) (38,779,298)
    
(a) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(b) Effective March 27, 2017, Class I shares were redeemed or exchanged for Institutional 3 Class shares.
(c) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
    
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Changes in Net Assets   (continued)
  Columbia
Acorn SelectSM
Columbia
Thermostat FundSM
  Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
  Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($)
Capital stock activity
Class A                
Subscriptions 831,684 11,552,003 504,342 6,690,492 1,609,689 23,841,063 8,041,017 116,448,340
Distributions reinvested 859,784 11,678,407 1,437,616 19,010,001 840,860 12,338,875 598,148 8,686,416
Redemptions (3,504,699) (48,437,824) (3,388,242) (45,317,466) (12,154,415) (179,914,818) (8,433,395) (122,528,839)
Net increase (decrease) (1,813,231) (25,207,414) (1,446,284) (19,616,973) (9,703,866) (143,734,880) 205,770 2,605,917
Advisor Class(a)                
Subscriptions 297,546 4,898,165 20,875 314,488 565,162 8,354,290 628,375 9,077,683
Distributions reinvested 16,388 268,631 9,104 137,648 54,380 790,505 26,865 387,442
Redemptions (45,047) (730,797) (32,975) (491,350) (582,985) (8,576,681) (803,020) (11,457,488)
Net increase (decrease) 268,887 4,435,999 (2,996) (39,214) 36,557 568,114 (147,780) (1,992,363)
Class B                
Redemptions (26,947) (277,346) (20,546) (294,082)
Net decrease (26,947) (277,346) (20,546) (294,082)
Class C                
Subscriptions 86,931 825,976 247,884 2,349,868 1,107,876 16,440,929 3,516,437 51,108,804
Distributions reinvested 428,882 3,895,445 573,270 5,430,627 536,248 7,916,684 433,622 6,322,208
Redemptions (1,148,372) (11,025,586) (1,129,045) (11,022,448) (7,807,143) (116,029,441) (6,071,444) (88,504,045)
Net decrease (632,559) (6,304,165) (307,891) (3,241,953) (6,163,019) (91,671,828) (2,121,385) (31,073,033)
Class I(b)                
Subscriptions 2,747,662 39,487,939
Distributions reinvested 231,745 3,413,645
Redemptions (738,244) (11,402,065) (3,993,682) (59,895,103)
Net decrease (738,244) (11,402,065) (1,014,275) (16,993,519)
Institutional Class(c)                
Subscriptions 1,381,191 21,252,498 573,558 8,420,465 8,573,428 125,070,056 7,615,049 109,081,660
Distributions reinvested 1,040,184 15,939,038 1,406,945 20,616,589 844,055 12,217,159 426,415 6,116,187
Redemptions (2,758,485) (43,032,113) (4,164,970) (61,166,990) (10,927,093) (160,162,349) (7,344,820) (105,190,921)
Net increase (decrease) (337,110) (5,840,577) (2,184,467) (32,129,936) (1,509,610) (22,875,134) 696,644 10,006,926
Institutional 2 Class(d)                
Subscriptions 61,419 987,353 34,905 518,997 385,136 5,673,263 641,667 9,116,272
Distributions reinvested 8,423 135,545 11,146 169,161 45,470 661,715 22,173 319,988
Redemptions (37,575) (614,799) (35,794) (532,564) (333,143) (4,893,764) (264,332) (3,843,375)
Net increase 32,267 508,099 10,257 155,594 97,463 1,441,214 399,508 5,592,885
Institutional 3 Class(b),(e)                
Subscriptions 1,808,898 29,600,372 86,025 1,305,072 36,425 537,605 4,847 70,136
Distributions reinvested 161,019 2,568,039 44,223 675,474 1,683 24,446 701 10,096
Redemptions (1,396,136) (22,818,306) (162,905) (2,480,014) (29,767) (442,011) (2,796) (40,341)
Net increase (decrease) 573,781 9,350,105 (32,657) (499,468) 8,341 120,040 2,752 39,891
Total net decrease (2,646,209) (34,460,018) (5,005,260) (72,642,815) (17,234,134) (256,152,474) (985,037) (15,113,859)
    
(a) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(b) Effective March 27, 2017, Class I shares were redeemed or exchanged for Institutional 3 Class shares.
(c) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
    
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Statement of Changes in Net Assets   (continued)
  Columbia Acorn
Emerging Markets FundSM
Columbia Acorn
European FundSM
  Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
  December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017 (a) December 31, 2016
  Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($) Shares Dollars ($)
Capital stock activity
Class A                
Subscriptions 441,162 5,127,794 511,014 5,151,768 1,140,391 20,187,059 614,988 8,800,628
Distributions reinvested 38,980 390,579 14,776 276,319 18,095 259,128
Redemptions (2,868,148) (31,102,071) (4,201,955) (43,044,856) (1,330,219) (21,179,443) (1,508,418) (21,629,960)
Net decrease (2,426,986) (25,974,277) (3,651,961) (37,502,509) (175,052) (716,065) (875,335) (12,570,204)
Advisor Class(b)                
Subscriptions 47,248 568,561 48,605 497,849 126,977 2,378,990 6,570 97,107
Distributions reinvested 1,429 14,438 1,412 26,840 296 4,213
Redemptions (78,974) (905,107) (253,438) (2,611,137) (1,986) (33,180) (8,873) (126,268)
Net increase (decrease) (31,726) (336,546) (203,404) (2,098,850) 126,403 2,372,650 (2,007) (24,948)
Class C                
Subscriptions 86,043 990,408 87,820 876,756 337,990 5,828,257 189,633 2,692,628
Distributions reinvested 1,230 21,994 926 14,070
Redemptions (483,515) (5,492,520) (752,453) (7,590,091) (117,103) (1,947,925) (175,620) (2,481,569)
Net increase (decrease) (397,472) (4,502,112) (664,633) (6,713,335) 222,117 3,902,326 14,939 225,129
Class I(c)                
Distributions reinvested 2 23 2 29
Redemptions (205) (2,252) (173) (2,700)
Net increase (decrease) (205) (2,252) 2 23 (173) (2,700) 2 29
Institutional Class(d)                
Subscriptions 2,164,060 23,600,425 1,761,120 18,169,951 2,162,206 36,835,519 767,402 10,950,673
Distributions reinvested 50,737 508,887 29,529 554,395 8,898 126,581
Redemptions (2,100,848) (24,137,744) (12,253,429) (119,474,532) (454,340) (7,965,911) (770,123) (10,997,473)
Net increase (decrease) 63,212 (537,319) (10,441,572) (100,795,694) 1,737,395 29,424,003 6,177 79,781
Institutional 2 Class(e)                
Subscriptions 34,601 400,968 79,534 799,097 283,318 5,035,710 13,780 200,355
Distributions reinvested 966 9,749 2,733 51,481 997 14,301
Redemptions (38,991) (455,733) (1,224,039) (12,729,815) (169,753) (2,999,705) (68,695) (1,011,199)
Net increase (decrease) (4,390) (54,765) (1,143,539) (11,920,969) 116,298 2,087,486 (53,918) (796,543)
Institutional 3 Class(f)                
Subscriptions 72,757 905,959 11,313 202,597
Distributions reinvested 126 2,367
Redemptions (4,221) (53,647) (469) (8,468)
Net increase 68,536 852,312 10,970 196,496
Total net increase (decrease) (2,729,031) (30,554,959) (16,105,107) (159,031,334) 2,037,958 37,264,196 (910,142) (13,086,756)
    
(a) Institutional 3 Class shares are based on operations from March 1, 2017 (commencement of operations) through the stated period end.
(b) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(c) Effective March 27, 2017, Class I shares were redeemed or exchanged for Institutional 3 Class shares.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(f) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Financial Highlights
Columbia Acorn® Fund
The following tables are intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of a class held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect payment of sales charges, if any. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.
Year Ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Class A
12/31/2017 $13.35 (0.02) 3.23 3.21 (3.64)
12/31/2016 $17.63 (0.03) 1.73 1.70 (5.98)
12/31/2015 $30.30 (0.12) (0.27) (d) (0.39) (12.28)
12/31/2014 $35.78 (0.08) 0.21 0.13 (5.61)
12/31/2013 $29.36 (0.06) 8.84 8.78 (0.04) (2.32)
Advisor Class(e)
12/31/2017 $15.83 0.02 3.85 3.87 (3.64)
12/31/2016 $19.84 0.00 (f) 1.97 1.97 (5.98)
12/31/2015 $32.51 (0.07) (0.32) (d) (0.39) (12.28)
12/31/2014 $37.88 0.02 0.22 0.24 (5.61)
12/31/2013 $30.90 0.06 9.29 9.35 (0.05) (2.32)
Class C
12/31/2017 $8.34 (0.08) 1.96 1.88 (3.64)
12/31/2016 $13.16 (0.11) 1.27 1.16 (5.98)
12/31/2015 $25.92 (0.27) (0.21) (d) (0.48) (12.28)
12/31/2014 $31.64 (0.28) 0.17 (0.11) (5.61)
12/31/2013 $26.34 (0.26) 7.88 7.62 (2.32)
Institutional Class(g)
12/31/2017 $15.29 0.02 3.72 3.74 (3.64)
12/31/2016 $19.34 0.01 1.92 1.93 (5.98)
12/31/2015 $31.95 (0.04) (0.29) (d) (0.33) (12.28)
12/31/2014 $37.32 0.02 0.22 0.24 (5.61)
12/31/2013 $30.45 0.04 9.19 9.23 (0.04) (2.32)
Institutional 2 Class(h)
12/31/2017 $15.94 0.02 3.88 3.90 (3.64)
12/31/2016 $19.92 0.01 1.99 2.00 (5.98)
12/31/2015 $32.55 (0.04) (0.31) (d) (0.35) (12.28)
12/31/2014 $37.89 0.04 0.23 0.27 (5.61)
12/31/2013 $30.88 0.07 9.30 9.37 (0.04) (2.32)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(3.64) $12.92 24.91% 1.09% 1.08% (b) (0.13%) 72% $830,454
(5.98) $13.35 10.06% 1.10% (c) 1.10% (c) (0.21%) 85% $931,460
(12.28) $17.63 (1.87%) 1.08% 1.08% (0.39%) 21% $1,388,893
(5.61) $30.30 0.55% 1.08% 1.08% (0.22%) 17% $2,694,610
(2.36) $35.78 30.53% 1.07% 1.07% (0.17%) 18% $3,869,734
 
(3.64) $16.06 25.19% 0.84% 0.83% (b) 0.12% 72% $38,588
(5.98) $15.83 10.32% 0.89% (c) 0.89% (c) 85% $33,378
(12.28) $19.84 (1.75%) 0.89% 0.89% (0.23%) 21% $50,335
(5.61) $32.51 0.81% 0.84% 0.84% 0.05% 17% $250,457
(2.37) $37.88 30.85% 0.80% 0.80% 0.16% 18% $74,188
 
(3.64) $6.58 23.88% 1.84% 1.83% (b) (0.88%) 72% $246,450
(5.98) $8.34 9.29% 1.84% (c) 1.84% (c) (0.95%) 85% $302,119
(12.28) $13.16 (2.57%) 1.80% 1.80% (1.11%) 21% $456,348
(5.61) $25.92 (0.16%) 1.77% 1.77% (0.92%) 17% $776,370
(2.32) $31.64 29.58% 1.78% 1.78% (0.88%) 18% $938,644
 
(3.64) $15.39 25.24% 0.84% 0.83% (b) 0.12% 72% $3,407,214
(5.98) $15.29 10.39% 0.82% (c) 0.82% (c) 0.07% 85% $3,425,935
(12.28) $19.34 (1.57%) 0.80% 0.80% (0.11%) 21% $5,062,313
(5.61) $31.95 0.82% 0.79% 0.79% 0.07% 17% $11,340,770
(2.36) $37.32 30.90% 0.78% 0.78% 0.12% 18% $14,703,948
 
(3.64) $16.20 25.21% 0.82% 0.81% 0.14% 72% $67,932
(5.98) $15.94 10.43% 0.81% (c) 0.81% (c) 0.08% 85% $45,475
(12.28) $19.92 (1.60%) 0.77% 0.77% (0.11%) 21% $76,412
(5.61) $32.55 0.89% 0.76% 0.76% 0.10% 17% $458,223
(2.36) $37.89 30.94% 0.75% 0.75% 0.20% 18% $496,906
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Table of Contents
Financial Highlights  (continued)
Columbia Acorn® Fund
Year Ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Institutional 3 Class(i)
12/31/2017 $16.04 0.03 3.91 3.94 (3.64)
12/31/2016 $20.00 0.02 2.00 2.02 (5.98)
12/31/2015 $32.61 (0.02) (0.31) (d) (0.33) (12.28)
12/31/2014 $37.93 0.05 0.24 0.29 (5.61)
12/31/2013 $30.90 0.09 9.31 9.40 (0.05) (2.32)
    
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(b) The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%.
(c) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
(d) Calculation of the net gain (loss) per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized gain (loss) presented in the Statements of Operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to fluctuations in the market value of the portfolio.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(f) Rounds to zero.
(g) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(h) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(i) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
104 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(3.64) $16.34 25.31% 0.76% 0.76% 0.19% 72% $47,536
(5.98) $16.04 10.50% 0.76% (c) 0.76% (c) 0.12% 85% $79,518
(12.28) $20.00 (1.54%) 0.73% 0.73% (0.06%) 21% $130,546
(5.61) $32.61 0.94% 0.70% 0.70% 0.13% 17% $378,780
(2.37) $37.93 30.99% 0.70% 0.70% 0.26% 18% $1,227,891
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Table of Contents
Financial Highlights
Columbia Acorn International®
Year ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Class A
12/31/2017 $37.71 0.25 11.71 11.96 (0.67) (2.49)
12/31/2016 $39.08 0.35 (1.31) (0.96) (0.15) (0.26)
12/31/2015 $41.68 0.39 (1.02) (0.63) (0.40) (1.57)
12/31/2014 $46.63 0.42 (2.51) (2.09) (0.55) (2.31)
12/31/2013 $40.79 0.45 8.37 8.82 (1.05) (1.93)
Advisor Class(d)
12/31/2017 $38.03 0.36 11.82 12.18 (0.77) (2.49)
12/31/2016 $39.41 0.48 (1.38) (0.90) (0.22) (0.26)
12/31/2015 $42.02 0.47 (1.03) (0.56) (0.48) (1.57)
12/31/2014 $46.99 0.50 (2.52) (2.02) (0.64) (2.31)
12/31/2013 $41.08 0.34 8.67 9.01 (1.17) (1.93)
Class C
12/31/2017 $36.18 (0.06) 11.20 11.14 (0.26) (2.49)
12/31/2016 $37.65 0.05 (1.26) (1.21) (0.26)
12/31/2015 $40.20 0.07 (0.97) (0.90) (0.08) (1.57)
12/31/2014 $45.04 0.07 (2.40) (2.33) (0.20) (2.31)
12/31/2013 $39.50 0.10 8.08 8.18 (0.71) (1.93)
Institutional Class(e)
12/31/2017 $37.74 0.37 11.73 12.10 (0.78) (2.49)
12/31/2016 $39.12 0.44 (1.32) (0.88) (0.24) (0.26)
12/31/2015 $41.73 0.51 (1.03) (0.52) (0.52) (1.57)
12/31/2014 $46.68 0.56 (2.51) (1.95) (0.69) (2.31)
12/31/2013 $40.84 0.58 8.38 8.96 (1.19) (1.93)
Institutional 2 Class(f)
12/31/2017 $37.72 0.38 11.72 12.10 (0.79) (2.49)
12/31/2016 $39.10 0.44 (1.30) (0.86) (0.26) (0.26)
12/31/2015 $41.71 0.54 (1.05) (0.51) (0.53) (1.57)
12/31/2014 $46.66 0.57 (2.51) (1.94) (0.70) (2.31)
12/31/2013 $40.81 0.63 8.34 8.97 (1.19) (1.93)
Institutional 3 Class(g)
12/31/2017 $38.02 0.40 11.83 12.23 (0.81) (2.49)
12/31/2016 $39.41 0.47 (1.32) (0.85) (0.28) (0.26)
12/31/2015 $42.02 0.53 (1.01) (0.48) (0.56) (1.57)
12/31/2014 $46.99 0.58 (2.52) (1.94) (0.72) (2.31)
12/31/2013 $41.08 0.57 8.48 9.05 (1.21) (1.93)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
106 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Proceeds from
regulatory
settlements
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(3.16) $46.51 31.91% (b) 1.23% 1.20% (c) 0.56% 37% $465,830
(0.41) $37.71 (2.51%) (b) 1.27% 1.23% 0.90% 46% $576,235
(1.97) $39.08 (1.59%) (b) 1.28% 1.24% 0.93% 50% $812,479
(2.86) $41.68 (4.58%) (b) 1.26% 1.22% 0.91% 28% $946,553
(2.98) $46.63 22.00% (b) 1.27% 1.23% 1.02% 45% $1,089,263
 
(3.26) $46.95 32.21% 0.98% 0.98% (c) 0.81% 37% $99,578
(0.48) $38.03 (2.32%) 1.05% 1.05% 1.22% 46% $101,988
(2.05) $39.41 (1.41%) 1.06% 1.06% 1.10% 50% $486,763
(2.95) $42.02 (4.39%) 1.04% 1.04% 1.07% 28% $424,425
(3.10) $46.99 22.32% 1.03% 1.03% 0.73% 45% $355,616
 
(2.75) $44.57 30.93% (b) 1.98% 1.97% (c) (0.15%) 37% $63,787
(0.26) $36.18 (3.26%) (b) 2.01% 1.99% 0.13% 46% $64,548
(1.65) $37.65 (2.33%) (b) 2.01% 1.99% 0.18% 50% $88,606
(2.51) $40.20 (5.27%) (b) 1.99% 1.97% 0.16% 28% $103,691
(2.64) $45.04 21.07% (b) 2.01% 1.99% 0.23% 45% $110,875
 
(3.27) $46.57 32.24% 0.98% 0.98% (c) 0.85% 37% $3,116,383
(0.50) $37.74 (2.28%) 0.98% 0.98% 1.13% 46% $3,356,348
(2.09) $39.12 (1.33%) 0.97% 0.97% 1.21% 50% $4,645,797
(3.00) $41.73 (4.28%) 0.93% 0.93% 1.20% 28% $5,585,035
(3.12) $46.68 22.33% 0.93% 0.93% 1.30% 45% $6,293,552
 
(3.28) $46.54 32.27% 0.93% 0.93% 0.87% 37% $422,916
(0.52) $37.72 (2.23%) 0.93% 0.93% 1.15% 46% $286,786
(2.10) $39.10 (1.29%) 0.92% 0.92% 1.26% 50% $320,252
(3.01) $41.71 (4.25%) 0.90% 0.90% 1.23% 28% $397,882
(3.12) $46.66 22.38% 0.91% 0.91% 1.40% 45% $274,415
 
(3.30) $46.95 32.36% 0.88% 0.88% 0.89% 37% $725,247
(0.54) $38.02 (2.19%) 0.88% 0.88% 1.20% 46% $239,733
(2.13) $39.41 (1.23%) 0.88% 0.88% 1.26% 50% $318,326
(3.03) $42.02 (4.21%) 0.85% 0.85% 1.25% 28% $225,012
(3.14) $46.99 22.44% 0.86% 0.86% 1.26% 45% $155,140
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Table of Contents
Financial Highlights  (continued)
Columbia Acorn International®
Year ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Class R
12/31/2017 $37.71 0.21 11.63 11.84 (0.55) (2.49)
12/31/2016 $39.07 0.21 (1.30) (1.09) (0.01) (0.26)
12/31/2015 $41.67 0.23 (1.02) (0.79) (0.24) (1.57)
12/31/2014 $46.60 0.24 (2.50) (2.26) (0.36) (2.31)
12/31/2013 $40.79 0.26 8.36 8.62 (0.88) (1.93)
    
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(b) Had the Investment Manager and/or Transfer Agent not waived fees and/or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.
(c) The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(f) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(g) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Proceeds from
regulatory
settlements
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(3.04) $46.51 31.58% 1.49% 1.48% (c) 0.46% 37% $13,218
(0.27) $37.71 (2.82%) 1.55% 1.55% 0.55% 46% $4,637
(1.81) $39.07 (1.98%) 1.62% 1.62% 0.54% 50% $4,945
(2.67) $41.67 (4.95%) 1.63% 1.63% 0.52% 28% $5,560
(2.81) $46.60 21.50% 1.63% 1.63% 0.58% 45% $5,822
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Table of Contents
Financial Highlights
Columbia Acorn USA®
Year Ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Class A
12/31/2017 $14.95 (0.09) 2.84 2.75 (5.22)
12/31/2016 $20.25 (0.11) 2.43 2.32 (7.62)
12/31/2015 $29.13 (0.18) (0.18) (d) (0.36) (8.52)
12/31/2014 $34.15 (0.20) 1.22 1.02 (6.04)
12/31/2013 $28.21 (0.15) 9.09 8.94 (3.00)
Advisor Class(e)
12/31/2017 $17.93 (0.06) 3.43 3.37 (5.22)
12/31/2016 $22.85 (0.07) 2.77 2.70 (7.62)
12/31/2015 $31.70 (0.13) (0.20) (d) (0.33) (8.52)
12/31/2014 $36.55 (0.11) 1.30 1.19 (6.04)
12/31/2013 $29.92 0.00 (f) 9.63 9.63 (3.00)
Class C
12/31/2017 $10.05 (0.13) 1.86 1.73 (5.22)
12/31/2016 $16.00 (0.18) 1.85 1.67 (7.62)
12/31/2015 $24.98 (0.33) (0.13) (d) (0.46) (8.52)
12/31/2014 $30.33 (0.37) 1.06 0.69 (6.04)
12/31/2013 $25.49 (0.33) 8.17 7.84 (3.00)
Institutional Class(g)
12/31/2017 $17.20 (0.05) 3.28 3.23 (5.22)
12/31/2016 $22.19 (0.07) 2.70 2.63 (7.62)
12/31/2015 $31.03 (0.12) (0.20) (d) (0.32) (8.52)
12/31/2014 $35.90 (0.12) 1.29 1.17 (6.04)
12/31/2013 $29.45 (0.07) 9.52 9.45 (3.00)
Institutional 2 Class(h)
12/31/2017 $18.02 (0.03) 3.44 3.41 (5.22)
12/31/2016 $22.90 (0.06) 2.80 2.74 (7.62)
12/31/2015 $31.71 (0.10) (0.19) (d) (0.29) (8.52)
12/31/2014 $36.53 (0.06) 1.28 1.22 (6.04)
12/31/2013 $29.90 0.02 9.61 9.63 (3.00)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
110 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(5.22) $12.48 19.14% (b) 1.44% 1.43% (c) (0.55%) 84% $47,960
(7.62) $14.95 12.70% 1.41% 1.41% (0.58%) 98% $80,721
(8.52) $20.25 (1.60%) 1.34% 1.34% (0.63%) 35% $95,048
(6.04) $29.13 3.35% 1.33% 1.33% (0.60%) 12% $148,089
(3.00) $34.15 32.34% 1.32% 1.32% (0.46%) 17% $201,559
 
(5.22) $16.08 19.42% (b) 1.21% 1.20% (c) (0.31%) 84% $16,355
(7.62) $17.93 12.93% 1.18% 1.18% (0.35%) 98% $6,172
(8.52) $22.85 (1.36%) 1.12% 1.12% (0.40%) 35% $8,224
(6.04) $31.70 3.60% 1.07% 1.07% (0.32%) 12% $7,952
(3.00) $36.55 32.80% 1.00% 1.00% 0.01% 17% $6,441
 
(5.22) $6.56 18.30% (b) 2.19% 2.19% (c) (1.31%) 84% $9,802
(7.62) $10.05 11.92% 2.13% 2.13% (1.31%) 98% $12,088
(8.52) $16.00 (2.28%) 2.02% 2.02% (1.32%) 35% $17,255
(6.04) $24.98 2.67% 2.00% 2.00% (1.26%) 12% $36,476
(3.00) $30.33 31.47% 2.00% 2.00% (1.14%) 17% $40,395
 
(5.22) $15.21 19.44% (b) 1.16% 1.16% (c) (0.27%) 84% $189,408
(7.62) $17.20 13.00% 1.16% 1.16% (0.34%) 98% $492,739
(8.52) $22.19 (1.36%) 1.10% 1.10% (0.40%) 35% $768,658
(6.04) $31.03 3.61% 1.08% 1.08% (0.34%) 12% $1,132,223
(3.00) $35.90 32.72% 1.06% 1.06% (0.20%) 17% $1,496,775
 
(5.22) $16.21 19.56% (b) 1.08% 1.08% (0.17%) 84% $10,133
(7.62) $18.02 13.09% 1.07% 1.07% (0.27%) 98% $13,764
(8.52) $22.90 (1.23%) 1.01% 1.01% (0.30%) 35% $27,112
(6.04) $31.71 3.68% 0.99% 0.99% (0.17%) 12% $36,689
(3.00) $36.53 32.83% 0.97% 0.97% 0.06% 17% $6,068
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Table of Contents
Financial Highlights  (continued)
Columbia Acorn USA®
Year Ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Institutional 3 Class(i)
12/31/2017 $18.14 (0.03) 3.47 3.44 (5.22)
12/31/2016 $22.99 (0.04) 2.81 2.77 (7.62)
12/31/2015 $31.80 (0.08) (0.21) (d) (0.29) (8.52)
12/31/2014 $36.59 (0.07) 1.32 1.25 (6.04)
12/31/2013 $29.93 0.02 9.64 9.66 (3.00)
    
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(b) Had the Investment Manager and/or Transfer Agent not waived fees and/or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.
(c) The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%.
(d) Calculation of the net gain (loss) per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized gain (loss) presented in the Statements of Operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to fluctuations in the market value of the portfolio.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(f) Rounds to zero.
(g) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(h) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(i) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
112 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(5.22) $16.36 19.60% (b) 1.05% 1.05% (0.17%) 84% $49,019
(7.62) $18.14 13.18% 1.01% 1.01% (0.18%) 98% $38,136
(8.52) $22.99 (1.23%) 0.97% 0.97% (0.25%) 35% $41,658
(6.04) $31.80 3.76% 0.93% 0.93% (0.19%) 12% $35,551
(3.00) $36.59 32.89% 0.93% 0.93% 0.07% 17% $48,479
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Table of Contents
Financial Highlights
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Year Ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Tax
return of
capital
Class A
12/31/2017 $21.36 0.02 7.52 7.54 (0.01)
12/31/2016 $21.33 0.10 0.09 (d) 0.19 (0.14) (0.02)
12/31/2015 $22.04 0.17 (0.45) (0.28) (0.42) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $26.91 0.29 (2.17) (1.88) (0.10) (2.89)
12/31/2013 $25.61 0.29 3.29 3.58 (0.37) (1.91)
Advisor Class(h)
12/31/2017 $21.77 0.08 7.68 7.76 (0.07)
12/31/2016 $21.74 0.17 0.08 (d) 0.25 (0.20) (0.02)
12/31/2015 $22.45 0.22 (0.44) (0.22) (0.48) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $27.36 0.37 (2.22) (1.85) (0.17) (2.89)
12/31/2013 $25.99 0.29 3.42 3.71 (0.43) (1.91)
Class C
12/31/2017 $19.99 (0.15) 7.01 6.86
12/31/2016 $19.96 (0.06) 0.09 (d) 0.03
12/31/2015 $20.54 (0.01) (0.41) (0.42) (0.15) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $25.39 0.07 (2.03) (1.96) (2.89)
12/31/2013 $24.28 0.08 3.10 3.18 (0.16) (1.91)
Institutional Class(i)
12/31/2017 $21.61 0.09 7.62 7.71 (0.07)
12/31/2016 $21.58 0.16 0.09 (d) 0.25 (0.20) (0.02)
12/31/2015 $22.30 0.24 (0.46) (0.22) (0.49) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $27.20 0.38 (2.21) (1.83) (0.18) (2.89)
12/31/2013 $25.86 0.37 3.33 3.70 (0.45) (1.91)
Institutional 2 Class(j)
12/31/2017 $21.76 0.11 7.66 7.77 (0.09)
12/31/2016 $21.72 0.16 0.11 (d) 0.27 (0.21) (0.02)
12/31/2015 $22.43 0.22 (0.42) (0.20) (0.50) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $27.34 0.36 (2.19) (1.83) (0.19) (2.89)
12/31/2013 $25.98 0.38 3.35 3.73 (0.46) (1.91)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
114 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Proceeds from
regulatory
settlements
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(0.01) $28.89 35.30% (b) 1.54% 1.40% (c) 0.07% 49% $26,336
(0.16) $21.36 0.90% (b) 1.55% (e) 1.48% (e) 0.49% 49% $20,165
(0.43) 0.00 (f) $21.33 (1.30%) (g) 1.55% 1.55% 0.74% 59% $33,772
(2.99) $22.04 (7.06%) 1.47% 1.47% 1.05% 58% $53,419
(2.28) $26.91 14.42% 1.47% 1.47% 1.08% 72% $73,911
 
(0.07) $29.46 35.67% (b) 1.29% 1.15% (c) 0.30% 49% $1,820
(0.22) $21.77 1.15% (b) 1.29% (e) 1.21% (e) 0.77% 49% $1,106
(0.49) 0.00 (f) $21.74 (1.00%) (g) 1.27% 1.27% 0.97% 59% $898
(3.06) $22.45 (6.83%) 1.21% 1.21% 1.33% 58% $974
(2.34) $27.36 14.72% 1.24% 1.24% 1.06% 72% $417
 
$26.85 34.32% (b) 2.29% 2.15% (c) (0.64%) 49% $5,027
$19.99 0.15% (b) 2.31% (e) 2.23% (e) (0.29%) 49% $4,346
(0.16) 0.00 (f) $19.96 (2.05%) (g) 2.32% 2.32% (0.06%) 59% $5,390
(2.89) $20.54 (7.80%) 2.23% 2.23% 0.29% 58% $8,057
(2.07) $25.39 13.52% 2.26% 2.26% 0.32% 72% $10,311
 
(0.07) $29.25 35.70% (b) 1.29% 1.15% (c) 0.36% 49% $89,266
(0.22) $21.61 1.18% (b) 1.26% (e) 1.19% (e) 0.74% 49% $73,631
(0.50) 0.00 (f) $21.58 (1.03%) (g) 1.24% 1.24% 1.05% 59% $96,311
(3.07) $22.30 (6.79%) 1.17% 1.17% 1.36% 58% $175,764
(2.36) $27.20 14.75% 1.19% 1.19% 1.37% 72% $256,100
 
(0.09) $29.44 35.72% (b) 1.22% 1.08% 0.41% 49% $614
(0.23) $21.76 1.25% (b) 1.23% (e) 1.19% (e) 0.76% 49% $440
(0.51) 0.00 (f) $21.72 (0.94%) (g) 1.21% 1.21% 0.96% 59% $2,268
(3.08) $22.43 (6.77%) 1.15% 1.15% 1.30% 58% $2,593
(2.37) $27.34 14.80% (b) 1.15% 1.15% 1.40% 72% $956
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
115


Table of Contents
Financial Highlights  (continued)
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Year Ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Tax
return of
capital
Institutional 3 Class(k)
12/31/2017 $21.74 (0.07) 7.86 7.79 (0.11)
12/31/2016 $21.71 0.16 0.12 (d) 0.28 (0.23) (0.02)
12/31/2015 $22.42 0.28 (0.47) (0.19) (0.51) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $27.33 0.40 (2.21) (1.81) (0.21) (2.89)
12/31/2013 $25.98 0.11 3.62 3.73 (0.47) (1.91)
    
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(b) Had the Investment Manager and/or Transfer Agent not waived fees and/or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.
(c) The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%.
(d) Calculation of the net gain (loss) per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized gain (loss) presented in the Statements of Operations due to the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to fluctuations in the market value of the portfolio.
(e) Expenses have been reduced due to a reimbursement of expenses overbilled by a third party. If the reimbursement had been excluded, the expense ratios would have been higher by the percentages shown for each class in the table below. All fee waivers and expense reimbursements by the Investment Manager and its affiliates were applied before giving effect to this third party reimbursement.
    
  Class A Advisor
Class
Class C Institutional
Class
Institutional 2
Class
Institutional 3
Class
12/31/2016 0.06 % 0.06 % 0.06 % 0.06 % 0.04 % 0.09 %
    
(f) Rounds to zero.
(g) The Fund received proceeds from regulatory settlements. Had the Fund not received these proceeds, the total return would have been lower by 0.02%.
(h) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(i) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(j) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(k) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
116 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Proceeds from
regulatory
settlements
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(0.11) $29.42 35.81% (b) 1.17% 1.03% (0.24%) 49% $7,732
(0.25) $21.74 1.29% (b) 1.12% (e) 1.04% (e) 0.74% 49% $322
(0.52) 0.00 (f) $21.71 (0.89%) (g) 1.14% 1.14% 1.21% 59% $660
(3.10) $22.42 (6.71%) 1.09% 1.09% 1.43% 58% $11,755
(2.38) $27.33 14.82% 1.09% 1.09% 0.40% 72% $13,318
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117


Table of Contents
Financial Highlights
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
Year ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Class A
12/31/2017 $13.13 (0.03) 3.31 3.28 (1.79)
12/31/2016 $13.94 (0.04) 1.56 1.52 (2.33)
12/31/2015 $21.03 (0.09) 0.14 0.05 (7.14)
12/31/2014 $25.57 (0.14) 0.64 0.50 (5.04)
12/31/2013 $24.72 (0.15) 7.92 7.77 (0.07) (6.85)
Advisor Class(e)
12/31/2017 $15.13 0.01 3.84 3.85 (1.79)
12/31/2016 $15.69 (0.00) (f) 1.77 1.77 (2.33)
12/31/2015 $22.75 (0.04) 0.12 0.08 (7.14)
12/31/2014 $27.20 (0.10) 0.69 0.59 (5.04)
12/31/2013 $25.92 (0.06) 8.32 8.26 (0.13) (6.85)
Class C
12/31/2017 $9.22 (0.09) 2.25 2.16 (1.79)
12/31/2016 $10.51 (0.10) 1.14 1.04 (2.33)
12/31/2015 $17.69 (0.19) 0.15 (0.04) (7.14)
12/31/2014 $22.46 (0.28) 0.55 0.27 (5.04)
12/31/2013 $22.48 (0.32) 7.15 6.83 (6.85)
Institutional Class(g)
12/31/2017 $14.63 0.01 3.69 3.70 (1.79)
12/31/2016 $15.24 (0.00) (f) 1.72 1.72 (2.33)
12/31/2015 $22.28 (0.03) 0.13 0.10 (7.14)
12/31/2014 $26.72 (0.08) 0.68 0.60 (5.04)
12/31/2013 $25.57 (0.07) 8.21 8.14 (0.14) (6.85)
Institutional 2 Class(h)
12/31/2017 $15.20 0.02 3.85 3.87 (1.79)
12/31/2016 $15.74 0.01 1.78 1.79 (2.33)
12/31/2015 $22.78 (0.08) 0.18 0.10 (7.14)
12/31/2014 $27.20 (0.07) 0.69 0.62 (5.04)
12/31/2013 $25.93 (0.04) 8.31 8.27 (0.15) (6.85)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
118 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(1.79) $14.62 26.42% (b) 1.37% 1.16% (c) (0.20%) 41% $106,330
(2.33) $13.13 11.54% (b) 1.37% 1.17% (0.27%) 75% $119,364
(7.14) $13.94 (0.73%) (b) 1.35% (d) 1.22% (d) (0.42%) 55% $146,864
(5.04) $21.03 2.17% 1.32% 1.32% (0.58%) 17% $264,234
(6.92) $25.57 33.77% 1.31% (d) 1.31% (d) (0.54%) 20% $333,193
 
(1.79) $17.19 26.71% (b) 1.14% 0.91% (c) 0.05% 41% $5,590
(2.33) $15.13 11.86% (b) 1.13% 0.93% (0.02%) 75% $853
(7.14) $15.69 (0.53%) (b) 1.12% (d) 0.99% (d) (0.18%) 55% $932
(5.04) $22.75 2.39% 1.12% 1.12% (0.37%) 17% $1,193
(6.98) $27.20 34.16% 1.02% (d) 1.02% (d) (0.20%) 20% $1,383
 
(1.79) $9.59 25.40% (b) 2.12% 1.91% (c) (0.95%) 41% $22,559
(2.33) $9.22 10.67% (b) 2.11% 1.91% (1.01%) 75% $27,524
(7.14) $10.51 (1.41%) (b) 2.08% (d) 1.95% (d) (1.15%) 55% $34,589
(5.04) $17.69 1.42% 2.04% 2.04% (1.30%) 17% $48,591
(6.85) $22.46 32.85% 2.04% (d) 2.04% (d) (1.28%) 20% $61,537
 
(1.79) $16.54 26.59% (b) 1.13% 0.91% (c) 0.04% 41% $157,664
(2.33) $14.63 11.88% (b) 1.10% 0.90% (0.02%) 75% $144,313
(7.14) $15.24 (0.44%) (b) 1.07% (d) 0.95% (d) (0.15%) 55% $183,642
(5.04) $22.28 2.47% 1.04% 1.04% (0.30%) 17% $318,487
(6.99) $26.72 34.16% 1.02% (d) 1.02% (d) (0.26%) 20% $431,990
 
(1.79) $17.28 26.72% (b) 1.06% 0.85% 0.11% 41% $1,735
(2.33) $15.20 11.96% (b) 1.05% 0.85% 0.07% 75% $1,036
(7.14) $15.74 (0.44%) (b) 1.02% (d) 0.95% (d) (0.33%) 55% $911
(5.04) $22.78 2.50% 1.00% 1.00% (0.26%) 17% $10,697
(7.00) $27.20 34.21% 0.97% (d) 0.97% (d) (0.13%) 20% $11,996
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
119


Table of Contents
Financial Highlights  (continued)
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
Year ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Institutional 3 Class(i)
12/31/2017 $15.31 0.02 3.89 3.91 (1.79)
12/31/2016 $15.83 0.02 1.79 1.81 (2.33)
12/31/2015 $22.86 0.00 (f) 0.11 0.11 (7.14)
12/31/2014 $27.27 (0.06) 0.69 0.63 (5.04)
12/31/2013 $25.98 (0.03) 8.34 8.31 (0.17) (6.85)
    
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(b) Had the Investment Manager and/or Transfer Agent not waived fees and/or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.
(c) The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%.
(d) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(f) Rounds to zero.
(g) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(h) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(i) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
120 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(1.79) $17.43 26.79% (b) 1.00% 0.80% 0.15% 41% $15,001
(2.33) $15.31 12.02% (b) 1.00% 0.80% 0.10% 75% $4,389
(7.14) $15.83 (0.39%) (b) 0.98% (d) 0.85% (d) 0.02% 55% $5,056
(5.04) $22.86 2.53% 0.95% 0.95% (0.22%) 17% $3,644
(7.02) $27.27 34.30% 0.93% (d) 0.93% (d) (0.09%) 20% $4,847
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121


Table of Contents
Financial Highlights
Columbia Thermostat FundSM
Year Ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Class A
12/31/2017 $14.60 0.25 0.50 0.75 (0.50) (0.22)
12/31/2016 $14.31 0.20 0.44 0.64 (0.08) (0.27)
12/31/2015 $14.86 0.27 (0.26) 0.01 (0.28) (0.28)
12/31/2014 $14.58 0.28 0.49 0.77 (0.28) (0.21)
12/31/2013 $14.29 0.29 1.00 1.29 (0.25) (0.75)
Advisor Class(d)
12/31/2017 $14.47 0.29 0.50 0.79 (0.54) (0.22)
12/31/2016 $14.19 0.24 0.42 0.66 (0.11) (0.27)
12/31/2015 $14.74 0.30 (0.25) 0.05 (0.32) (0.28)
12/31/2014 $14.46 0.32 0.49 0.81 (0.32) (0.21)
12/31/2013 $14.19 0.36 0.95 1.31 (0.29) (0.75)
Class C
12/31/2017 $14.62 0.14 0.51 0.65 (0.31) (0.22)
12/31/2016 $14.41 0.09 0.44 0.53 (0.05) (0.27)
12/31/2015 $14.96 0.16 (0.26) (0.10) (0.17) (0.28)
12/31/2014 $14.68 0.17 0.49 0.66 (0.17) (0.21)
12/31/2013 $14.39 0.18 1.00 1.18 (0.14) (0.75)
Institutional Class(e)
12/31/2017 $14.40 0.29 0.50 0.79 (0.54) (0.22)
12/31/2016 $14.12 0.23 0.43 0.66 (0.11) (0.27)
12/31/2015 $14.67 0.31 (0.26) 0.05 (0.32) (0.28)
12/31/2014 $14.40 0.32 0.48 0.80 (0.32) (0.21)
12/31/2013 $14.13 0.32 0.99 1.31 (0.29) (0.75)
Institutional 2 Class(f)
12/31/2017 $14.49 0.29 0.50 0.79 (0.54) (0.22)
12/31/2016 $14.20 0.24 0.43 0.67 (0.11) (0.27)
12/31/2015 $14.75 0.31 (0.26) 0.05 (0.32) (0.28)
12/31/2014 $14.47 0.31 0.50 0.81 (0.32) (0.21)
12/31/2013 $14.19 0.37 0.96 1.33 (0.30) (0.75)
Institutional 3 Class(g)
12/31/2017 $14.46 0.30 0.51 0.81 (0.55) (0.22)
12/31/2016 $14.18 0.25 0.42 0.67 (0.12) (0.27)
12/31/2015 $14.74 0.31 (0.26) 0.05 (0.33) (0.28)
12/31/2014 $14.46 0.32 0.50 0.82 (0.33) (0.21)
12/31/2013 $14.18 0.33 1.01 1.34 (0.31) (0.75)
    
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) Had the Investment Manager and/or Transfer Agent not waived fees and/or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.
(b) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(c) The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(f) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(g) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
122 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return(a)
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(b)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(0.72) $14.63 5.19% 0.54% 0.50% (c) 1.70% 33% $257,752
(0.35) $14.60 4.47% 0.54% 0.50% 1.39% 95% $398,781
(0.56) $14.31 0.07% 0.52% 0.50% 1.82% 69% $387,967
(0.49) $14.86 5.30% 0.51% 0.50% 1.88% 95% $450,258
(1.00) $14.58 9.07% 0.52% 0.50% 1.91% 92% $513,293
 
(0.76) $14.50 5.49% 0.29% 0.25% (c) 1.98% 33% $16,227
(0.38) $14.47 4.69% 0.30% 0.25% 1.64% 95% $15,664
(0.60) $14.19 0.33% 0.28% 0.25% 2.06% 69% $17,453
(0.53) $14.74 5.61% 0.26% 0.25% 2.14% 95% $23,412
(1.04) $14.46 9.26% 0.28% 0.25% 2.39% 92% $14,651
 
(0.53) $14.74 4.48% 1.29% 1.25% (c) 0.96% 33% $250,784
(0.32) $14.62 3.69% 1.28% 1.25% 0.63% 95% $338,930
(0.45) $14.41 (0.68%) 1.27% 1.25% 1.08% 69% $364,684
(0.38) $14.96 4.50% 1.26% 1.25% 1.14% 95% $404,456
(0.89) $14.68 8.23% 1.27% 1.25% 1.16% 92% $430,173
 
(0.76) $14.43 5.52% 0.29% 0.25% (c) 1.97% 33% $320,483
(0.38) $14.40 4.72% 0.28% 0.25% 1.64% 95% $341,629
(0.60) $14.12 0.33% 0.26% 0.25% 2.08% 69% $325,159
(0.53) $14.67 5.57% 0.25% 0.24% 2.16% 95% $377,119
(1.04) $14.40 9.30% 0.26% 0.25% 2.14% 92% $375,444
 
(0.76) $14.52 5.51% 0.26% 0.23% 1.97% 33% $13,464
(0.38) $14.49 4.77% 0.27% 0.24% 1.66% 95% $12,024
(0.60) $14.20 0.33% 0.25% 0.24% 2.14% 69% $6,114
(0.53) $14.75 5.62% 0.24% 0.23% 2.11% 95% $3,536
(1.05) $14.47 9.35% 0.25% 0.23% 2.44% 92% $979
 
(0.77) $14.50 5.64% 0.21% 0.18% 2.04% 33% $521
(0.39) $14.46 4.76% 0.21% 0.19% 1.71% 95% $399
(0.61) $14.18 0.32% 0.20% 0.19% 2.08% 69% $352
(0.54) $14.74 5.68% 0.19% 0.18% 2.19% 95% $401
(1.06) $14.46 9.46% 0.14% 0.14% 2.23% 92% $3
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Table of Contents
Financial Highlights
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
Year ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Tax
return of
capital
Class A
12/31/2017 $9.84 (0.02) 3.42 3.40
12/31/2016 $10.24 (0.01) (0.32) (0.33) (0.03) (0.04)
12/31/2015 $12.72 0.10 (2.42) (2.32) (0.15) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $13.37 0.06 (0.63) (0.57) (0.08)
12/31/2013 $12.04 0.07 1.34 1.41 (0.08)
Advisor Class(e)
12/31/2017 $9.92 0.02 3.44 3.46
12/31/2016 $10.32 0.01 (0.31) (0.30) (0.06) (0.04)
12/31/2015 $12.83 0.17 (2.49) (2.32) (0.18) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $13.49 0.09 (0.63) (0.54) (0.12)
12/31/2013 $12.14 0.12 1.35 1.47 (0.12)
Class C
12/31/2017 $9.80 (0.09) 3.38 3.29
12/31/2016 $10.20 (0.09) (0.31) (0.40)
12/31/2015 $12.65 0.01 (2.39) (2.38) (0.06) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $13.32 (0.05) (0.62) (0.67)
12/31/2013 $12.01 (0.03) 1.34 1.31
Institutional Class(f)
12/31/2017 $9.85 0.03 3.41 3.44
12/31/2016 $10.26 (0.00) (g) (0.31) (0.31) (0.06) (0.04)
12/31/2015 $12.74 0.13 (2.42) (2.29) (0.18) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $13.40 0.08 (0.63) (0.55) (0.11)
12/31/2013 $12.07 0.11 1.33 1.44 (0.11)
Institutional 2 Class(h)
12/31/2017 $9.91 0.04 3.43 3.47
12/31/2016 $10.32 (0.02) (0.28) (0.30) (0.07) (0.04)
12/31/2015 $12.82 0.15 (2.45) (2.30) (0.19) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $13.48 0.10 (0.64) (0.54) (0.12)
12/31/2013 $12.14 0.12 1.34 1.46 (0.12)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
124 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
$13.24 34.55% (b) 1.98% 1.70% (c) (0.14%) 47% $33,982
(0.07) $9.84 (3.20%) (b) 1.84% (d) 1.84% (d) (0.11%) 43% $49,141
(0.16) $10.24 (18.25%) 1.67% 1.67% 0.88% 58% $88,574
(0.08) $12.72 (4.28%) 1.56% 1.56% 0.42% 45% $160,969
(0.08) $13.37 11.73% (b) 1.80% 1.76% 0.52% 36% $177,158
 
$13.38 34.88% (b) 1.73% 1.43% (c) 0.19% 47% $1,337
(0.10) $9.92 (2.91%) 1.57% (d) 1.57% (d) 0.09% 43% $1,306
(0.19) $10.32 (18.04%) 1.36% 1.36% 1.37% 58% $3,459
(0.12) $12.83 (4.03%) 1.28% 1.28% 0.66% 45% $15,467
(0.12) $13.49 12.13% (b) 1.44% 1.44% 0.92% 36% $13,583
 
$13.09 33.57% (b) 2.74% 2.43% (c) (0.78%) 47% $15,546
$9.80 (3.92%) (b) 2.60% (d) 2.59% (d) (0.87%) 43% $15,534
(0.07) $10.20 (18.83%) 2.42% 2.42% 0.12% 58% $22,953
$12.65 (5.03%) 2.33% 2.33% (0.36%) 45% $41,208
$13.32 10.91% (b) 2.55% 2.51% (0.23%) 36% $32,636
 
$13.29 34.92% (b) 1.74% 1.42% (c) 0.28% 47% $53,415
(0.10) $9.85 (3.04%) (b) 1.59% (d) 1.58% (d) (0.04%) 43% $38,969
(0.19) $10.26 (17.98%) 1.42% 1.42% 1.12% 58% $147,688
(0.11) $12.74 (4.12%) 1.33% 1.33% 0.62% 45% $245,053
(0.11) $13.40 11.92% (b) 1.58% 1.54% 0.89% 36% $177,693
 
$13.38 35.02% (b) 1.65% 1.33% 0.33% 47% $1,030
(0.11) $9.91 (2.90%) 1.46% (d) 1.46% (d) (0.23%) 43% $806
(0.20) $10.32 (17.96%) 1.34% 1.34% 1.22% 58% $12,643
(0.12) $12.82 (4.02%) 1.26% 1.26% 0.72% 45% $19,632
(0.12) $13.48 12.07% (b) 1.42% 1.42% 0.94% 36% $13,625
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Table of Contents
Financial Highlights  (continued)
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
Year ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Tax
return of
capital
Institutional 3 Class(i)
12/31/2017 $9.82 0.02 3.43 3.45
12/31/2016 $10.23 0.03 (0.33) (0.30) (0.07) (0.04)
12/31/2015 $12.71 0.15 (2.43) (2.28) (0.19) (0.01)
12/31/2014 $13.36 0.09 (0.62) (0.53) (0.12)
12/31/2013 (j) $12.22 0.07 1.20 1.27 (0.13)
    
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(b) Had the Investment Manager and/or Transfer Agent not waived fees and/or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.
(c) The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%.
(d) Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.
(e) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(f) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(g) Rounds to zero.
(h) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(i) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
(j) Institutional 3 Class shares commenced operations on June 13, 2013. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(k) Annualized.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
126 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
$13.27 35.13% (b) 1.59% 1.14% 0.16% 47% $912
(0.11) $9.82 (2.92%) (b) 1.45% 1.45% 0.29% 43% $2
(0.20) $10.23 (17.90%) 1.27% 1.27% 1.24% 58% $2
(0.12) $12.71 (3.95%) 1.22% 1.22% 0.68% 45% $2
(0.13) $13.36 10.43% (b) 1.36% (k) 1.36% (k) 0.97% (k) 36% $3
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Table of Contents
Financial Highlights
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Year ended Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Distributions
from net
investment
income
Distributions
from net
realized
gains
Class A
12/31/2017 $14.12 0.06 5.28 5.34 (0.19)
12/31/2016 $14.75 0.16 (0.67) (0.51) (0.12)
12/31/2015 $14.34 0.10 0.50 0.60 (0.19)
12/31/2014 $15.68 0.13 (1.34) (1.21) (0.05) (0.08)
12/31/2013 $11.76 (0.02) 3.97 3.95 (0.01) (0.02)
Advisor Class(d)
12/31/2017 $14.18 0.10 5.32 5.42 (0.24)
12/31/2016 $14.82 0.17 (0.65) (0.48) (0.16)
12/31/2015 $14.40 0.24 0.41 0.65 (0.23)
12/31/2014 (e) $15.85 (0.02) (1.34) (1.36) (0.09)
Class C
12/31/2017 $13.99 (0.04) 5.21 5.17 (0.04)
12/31/2016 $14.63 0.03 (0.64) (0.61) (0.03)
12/31/2015 $14.16 (0.00) (g) 0.48 0.48 (0.01)
12/31/2014 $15.54 (0.01) (1.29) (1.30) (0.08)
12/31/2013 $11.73 (0.15) 3.98 3.83 (0.02)
Institutional Class(h)
12/31/2017 $14.11 0.14 5.26 5.40 (0.24)
12/31/2016 $14.75 0.19 (0.67) (0.48) (0.16)
12/31/2015 $14.34 0.15 0.49 0.64 (0.23)
12/31/2014 $15.68 0.15 (1.32) (1.17) (0.09) (0.08)
12/31/2013 $11.76 0.11 3.88 3.99 (0.05) (0.02)
Institutional 2 Class(i)
12/31/2017 $14.25 0.20 5.25 5.45 (0.24)
12/31/2016 $14.89 0.18 (0.66) (0.48) (0.16)
12/31/2015 $14.47 0.15 0.50 0.65 (0.23)
12/31/2014 $15.82 0.14 (1.32) (1.18) (0.09) (0.08)
12/31/2013 $11.86 (0.04) 4.06 4.02 (0.04) (0.02)
Institutional 3 Class(j)
12/31/2017 (k) $15.02 0.03 4.40 4.43 (0.28)
    
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a) Had the Investment Manager and/or Transfer Agent not waived fees and/or reimbursed a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.
(b) In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(c) The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%.
(d) Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
(e) Advisor Class shares commenced operations on June 25, 2014. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(f) Annualized.
(g) Rounds to zero.
(h) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
(i) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
(j) Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
(k) Institutional 3 Class shares commenced operations on March 1, 2017. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
128 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Total
distributions to
shareholders
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return(a)
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(b)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(b)
Net investment
income (loss)
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
 
(0.19) $19.27 37.89% 1.94% 1.58% (c) 0.33% 34% $32,487
(0.12) $14.12 (3.47%) 2.00% 1.75% 1.07% 40% $26,269
(0.19) $14.75 4.17% 2.06% 1.75% 0.67% 37% $40,368
(0.13) $14.34 (7.77%) 2.05% 1.75% 0.86% 74% $21,101
(0.03) $15.68 33.64% 3.33% 1.74% (0.11%) 42% $19,078
 
(0.24) $19.36 38.29% 1.71% 1.28% (c) 0.55% 34% $2,942
(0.16) $14.18 (3.27%) 1.79% 1.50% 1.15% 40% $362
(0.23) $14.82 4.48% 1.81% 1.50% 1.59% 37% $408
(0.09) $14.40 (8.60%) 1.87% (f) 1.50% (f) (0.30%) (f) 74% $302
 
(0.04) $19.12 36.95% 2.69% 2.31% (c) (0.25%) 34% $13,965
(0.03) $13.99 (4.21%) 2.75% 2.50% 0.18% 40% $7,112
(0.01) $14.63 3.41% 2.82% 2.50% (0.02%) 37% $7,220
(0.08) $14.16 (8.44%) 2.84% 2.50% (0.10%) 74% $5,096
(0.02) $15.54 32.63% 4.19% 2.50% (1.10%) 42% $1,400
 
(0.24) $19.27 38.35% 1.69% 1.29% (c) 0.77% 34% $48,965
(0.16) $14.11 (3.29%) 1.73% 1.50% 1.29% 40% $11,345
(0.23) $14.75 4.43% 1.78% 1.50% 1.01% 37% $11,766
(0.17) $14.34 (7.52%) 1.79% 1.50% 0.97% 74% $8,499
(0.07) $15.68 33.98% 3.98% 1.45% 0.83% 42% $4,407
 
(0.24) $19.46 38.32% 1.64% 1.28% 1.14% 34% $3,988
(0.16) $14.25 (3.23%) 1.68% 1.47% 1.26% 40% $1,262
(0.23) $14.89 4.48% 1.75% 1.48% 0.98% 37% $2,122
(0.17) $14.47 (7.54%) 1.75% 1.52% 0.92% 74% $1,633
(0.06) $15.82 33.97% 2.76% 1.51% (0.29%) 42% $1,891
 
(0.28) $19.17 29.55% 1.58% (f) 1.09% (f) 0.17% (f) 34% $210
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Table of Contents
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
Note 1. Organization
Columbia Acorn® Fund, Columbia Acorn International®, Columbia Acorn USA®, Columbia Acorn International SelectSM, Columbia Acorn SelectSM, Columbia Thermostat FundSM, Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM and Columbia Acorn European FundSM (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) are each a series of Columbia Acorn Trust (the Trust). The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The investment objective of each Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
Columbia Thermostat FundSM pursues its investment objective by investing in shares of other mutual funds. As a “fund of funds”, under normal circumstances, the Fund allocates at least 95% of its net assets among a selected group of affiliated stock and bond mutual funds (underlying funds) according to the current level of the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index in relation to predetermined ranges set by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (the Investment Manager or CWAM). The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets plus any cash received that day in cash, repurchase agreements, high quality short-term paper and government securities.
Fund shares
Each Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares. Columbia Acorn® Fund, Columbia Acorn USA®, Columbia Acorn International SelectSM, Columbia Acorn SelectSM, Columbia Thermostat FundSM, Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM and Columbia Acorn European FundSM each currently offers Class A, Advisor Class, Class C, Institutional Class, Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class shares. Columbia Acorn International® currently offers Class A, Advisor Class, Class C, Class R, Institutional Class, Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class shares. Effective March 27, 2017, Class I shares were no longer offered by Columbia Acorn® Fund, Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM, Columbia Acorn European FundSM, Columbia Acorn International®, Columbia Acorn International SelectSM, Columbia Acorn SelectSM and Columbia Acorn USA®. Effective July 17, 2017, Class B shares were no longer offered by Columbia Acorn International®.
Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge in accounts aggregating $1 million to $50 million at the time of purchase are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) if the shares are redeemed within 12 months after purchase, and a 0.50% CDSC if the shares are redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions.
Advisor Class shares are offered at net asset value. There are certain restrictions on who may purchase these shares. Prior to November 1, 2017, Advisor Class shares were known as Class R4 shares.
When available, Class B shares were subject to maximum CDSC of 5.00%, based upon the holding period after purchase. Effective July 17, 2017, Class B shares were automatically converted to Class A shares without a CDSC. On August 4, 2017, the capital owned by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC in Class B shares was redeemed without a CDSC.
Class C shares are offered at net asset value but are subject to a CDSC on redemptions made within one year after purchase.
Class I shares are no longer offered for sale. When available, Class I shares were not subject to sales charges or distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and were made only to the Columbia Family of Funds. On March 27, 2017, Class I shares were redeemed or exchanged for Institutional 3 Class shares of the applicable Fund in a tax free transaction that had no impact on the fees and expenses paid by shareholders.
Institutional Class shares are offered at net asset value. There are certain restrictions on who may purchase Institutional Class shares. Generally, Institutional Class shares of a Fund may be exchanged for shares of another fund distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (CMID) at no additional charge. Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional Class shares were known as Class Z shares.
Institutional 2 Class shares are offered at net asset value. There are certain restrictions on who may purchase these shares. Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 2 Class shares were known as Class R5 shares.
130 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2017
Institutional 3 Class shares are offered at net asset value. There are certain restrictions on who may purchase these shares. Prior to November 1, 2017, Institutional 3 Class shares were known as Class Y shares.
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses are allocated pro rata on the basis of the relative net assets of all classes, except that each class bears certain expenses specific to that class such as distribution services, transfer agent fees, and certain other class specific expenses. Differences in class expenses may result in payment of different dividend distributions for each class. All of the Funds’ share classes have equal rights with respect to voting, subject to Fund or class-specific matters.
Note 2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation
Each Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies (ASC 946). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements.
Security valuation
Securities of the Funds are valued at market value or, if a market quotation for a security is not readily available or is deemed not to be reliable because of events or circumstances that have occurred between the market quotation and the time as of which the security is to be valued, the security is valued at a fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. With respect to Columbia Thermostat FundSM, investments in underlying funds are valued at their net asset values as reported by the underlying funds. A security traded on a securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market in which transaction prices are reported is valued at the last sales price at the time of valuation. A security traded principally on NASDAQ is valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Exchange traded funds are valued at their closing net asset value as reported on the applicable exchange. A security for which there is no reported sale on the valuation date is valued by comparison of the mean of the latest bid and ask quotations.
Foreign equity securities are generally valued based on the closing price on the foreign exchange in which such securities are primarily traded. If any foreign equity security closing prices are not readily available, the securities are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and ask prices on such exchanges or markets. Foreign currency exchange rates are generally determined at 4:00 p.m. Eastern (U.S.) time. Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange; therefore, the closing prices for securities in such markets or on such exchanges may not fully reflect events that occur after such close but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. In situations where foreign markets are closed, where a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund’s share price is calculated, and in the event of significant movement in the trigger index for the statistical fair valuation process established by the Board of Trustees, foreign securities will be fair valued pursuant to a policy adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Trust has retained an independent statistical fair value pricing service that employs a systematic methodology to assist in the fair valuation process for securities principally traded in a foreign market in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time as of which the securities are to be valued. If a security is valued at a fair value, that value may be different from the last quoted market price for the security.
Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
The Trust has retained an independent statistical fair value pricing service that employs a systematic methodology to assist in the fair valuation process for securities principally traded in a foreign market in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign exchange and the time as of which the securities are to be valued. If a security is valued at fair value, that value may be different from the last quoted market price for the security.
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017
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Table of Contents
Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2017
Foreign currency transactions and translations
Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the New York spot market rate of exchange at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and dividend and interest income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot market rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates is included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments, as appropriate.
Derivative instruments
Columbia Acorn® Fund and Columbia Acorn USA® invested in futures contracts on a limited basis during the year ended December 31, 2017, as detailed below. Derivatives may involve various risks, including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligation under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market (making it difficult for the Fund to sell, including at favorable prices) and the potential for market movements which may expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amount shown in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Futures contracts
Futures contracts are exchange-traded and represent commitments for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date. Columbia Acorn® Fund and Columbia Acorn USA® bought and sold futures contracts to maintain appropriate equity market exposure while keeping sufficient cash to accommodate daily redemptions. These instruments may be used for other purposes in future periods. Upon entering into futures contracts, the Fund bears risks that it may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss. Additional risks include counterparty credit risk, the possibility of an illiquid market, and that a change in the value of the contract or option may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying asset.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits cash or securities with the broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), in an amount sufficient to meet the initial margin requirement. The initial margin deposit must be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Cash deposited as initial margin is recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as margin deposits. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Portfolio of Investments. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day. The variation margin payments are equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable and are offset in unrealized gains or losses. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed or expires. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Effects of derivative transactions in the financial statements
The following tables are intended to provide additional information about the effect of derivatives on the financial statements of Columbia Acorn® Fund and Columbia Acorn USA® including: the fair value of derivatives by risk category and the location of those fair values in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities; and the impact of derivative transactions over the period in the Statements of Operations, including realized gains or losses and unrealized gains or losses. The derivative schedules following the Portfolio of Investments present additional information regarding derivative instruments outstanding at the end of the period, if any.
Columbia Acorn® Fund
At December 31, 2017, the Fund had no outstanding derivatives.
Amount of realized gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income
Risk exposure category Futures
contracts
($)
Equity risk (846,958)
    
132 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


Table of Contents
Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2017
Derivative instrument Average notional
amounts ($)**
Futures contracts — long 1,543,835
    
** Based on the ending daily outstanding amounts for the entire year ended December 31, 2017, however actual investments in futures were made only between November 29, 2017 and December 5, 2017.
Columbia Acorn USA®
At December 31, 2017, the Fund had no outstanding derivatives.
Amount of realized gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income
Risk exposure category Futures
contracts
($)
Equity risk (111,277)
    
Derivative instrument Average notional
amounts ($)**
Futures contracts — long 150,447
    
** Based on the ending daily outstanding amounts for the entire year ended December 31, 2017, however actual investments in futures were made only between November 29, 2017 and December 5, 2017.
Security transactions and investment income
Security transactions, investment income and shareholder fund transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income and realized gain distributions from other funds are recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Funds. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of discounts on debt obligations when required for federal income tax purposes. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis.
Awards, if any, from class action litigation related to securities owned may be recorded as a reduction of cost of those securities. If the applicable securities are no longer owned, the proceeds are recorded as realized gains.
The Funds may receive distributions from holdings in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), limited partnerships (LPs), other regulated investment companies (RICs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which report information on the character of their distributions annually. These distributions are allocated to dividend income, capital gain and return of capital based on actual information reported. To the extent actual information has not yet been reported by the REITs, estimates for return of capital may be made by the Funds’ management. Return of capital is recorded as a reduction of the cost basis of securities held. If the Funds no longer own the applicable securities, return of capital is recorded as a realized gain. Management’s estimates are subsequently adjusted when the actual character of the distributions is disclosed by the REITs, which could result in a proportionate change in return of capital to shareholders. No estimates are made for ETFs and RICs.
Fund share valuation
Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a daily basis at net asset value, subject to any applicable sales charge. Net asset value per share is determined daily as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open for trading. Generally, income, expenses and realized and unrealized gain/(losses) of a Fund are allocated to each class proportionately on a daily basis for purposes of determining the net asset value of each class. The distribution and service fees and transfer agent fees are charged to each specific class as expenses are incurred. Redemption fees are accounted for as an addition to paid in capital for purposes of determining the net asset value of each class.
Securities lending
Each Fund, except Columbia Thermostat FundSM, may lend securities up to one-third of the value of its total assets to certain approved brokers, dealers and other financial institutions to earn additional income. The Funds retain the benefits of owning the securities, including the economic equivalent of dividends or interest generated by the security. The Funds also receive a
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December 31, 2017
fee for the loan. The Funds have the ability to recall the loans at any time and could do so in order to vote proxies or to sell the loaned securities. Each loan is collateralized by cash that exceeds the value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined daily at the close of business of a Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. The Funds have elected to invest the cash collateral in the Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund. The income earned from the securities lending program is paid to each Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, the Funds’ lending agent, and net of any borrower rebates. The Investment Manager does not retain any fees earned by the lending program. Generally, in the event of borrower default, a Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. In the event a Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral, there may be a potential loss to the Fund. Some of these losses may be indemnified by the lending agent. The Funds bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of collateral. The net securities lending income earned as of December 31, 2017 by each Fund is included in the Statements of Operations.
Offsetting of assets and liabilities
The following table presents each Fund’s gross and net amount of assets and liabilities available for offset under netting agreements and under a securities lending agreement as well as the related collateral received by each Fund as of December 31, 2017:
  Columbia Acorn
Fund®
Columbia Acorn
International®
Columbia Acorn
USA®
Columbia Acorn
International SelectSM
Columbia Acorn
Emerging Markets FundSM
Columbia Acorn
European FundSM
   
  Goldman
Sachs ($)
Goldman
Sachs ($)
Goldman
Sachs ($)
Goldman
Sachs ($)
Goldman
Sachs ($)
Goldman
Sachs ($)
   
Liabilities                
Collateral on Securities loaned 37,208,360 131,643,758 3,283,375 5,961,556 1,505,875 2,892,531    
Total Liabilities 37,208,360 131,643,758 3,283,375 5,961,556 1,505,875 2,892,531    
Total Financial and Derivative Net Assets (37,208,360) (131,643,758) (3,283,375) (5,961,556) (1,505,875) (2,892,531)    
Financial Instruments 35,927,492 125,615,479 3,128,036 5,681,155 1,444,123 2,762,415    
Net Amount (a) (1,280,868) (6,028,279) (155,339) (280,401) (61,752) (130,116)    
    
(a) Represents the net amount due from/(to) counterparties in the event of default.
Securities lending transactions
The following table indicates the total amount of securities loaned by type, reconciled to gross liability payable upon return of the securities loaned by the Fund as of December 31, 2017:
  Overnight and
continuous
Up to
30 days
30-90
days
Greater than
90 days
Total
Columbia Acorn® Fund          
Securities lending transactions          
Equity securities $35,927,492 $— $— $— $35,927,492
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)         37,208,360
Amounts due to counterparty in the event of default         $1,280,868
Columbia Acorn International®          
Securities lending transactions          
Equity securities $125,615,479 $— $— $— $125,615,479
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)         131,643,758
Amounts due to counterparty in the event of default         $6,028,279
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December 31, 2017
  Overnight and
continuous
Up to
30 days
30-90
days
Greater than
90 days
Total
Columbia Acorn USA®          
Securities lending transactions          
Equity securities $3,128,036 $— $— $— $3,128,036
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)         3,283,375
Amounts due to counterparty in the event of default         $155,339
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM          
Securities lending transactions          
Equity securities $5,681,155 $— $— $— $5,681,155
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)         5,961,556
Amounts due to counterparty in the event of default         $280,401
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM          
Securities lending transactions          
Equity securities $1,444,123 $— $— $— $1,444,123
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)         1,505,875
Amounts due to counterparty in the event of default         $61,752
Columbia Acorn European FundSM          
Securities lending transactions          
Equity securities $2,762,415 $— $— $— $2,762,415
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending (collateral received)         2,892,531
Amounts due to counterparty in the event of default         $130,116
Federal income tax status
It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code available to regulated investment companies and, in the manner provided therein, distribute substantially all their taxable income, as well as any net realized gain on sales of investments and foreign currency transactions reportable for federal income tax purposes. Columbia Thermostat FundSM distributes all of its taxable income, as well as any net realized gain on sales of portfolio fund shares and any distributions of net realized gains received by the Fund from its portfolio funds, reportable for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Funds paid no federal income taxes and no federal income tax provision was required.
Foreign taxes
Realized gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the fund level. The Funds accrue for such foreign taxes on realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction. The amount, if any, is disclosed as a liability on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Distributions to shareholders
Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Guarantees and indemnification
In the normal course of business, the Trust on behalf of the Funds enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnities. A Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims against the Fund. Also, under the Trust’s organizational documents, the trustees and officers of the Trust are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of their duties to the Trust. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities to be remote.
Recent accounting pronouncement
Accounting Standards Update 2017-08 Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2017-08 Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. ASU No. 2017-08 updates the accounting standards to shorten the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities, held at a premium, to be amortized to the earliest call date.
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December 31, 2017
The update applies to securities with explicit, noncontingent call features that are callable at fixed prices and on preset dates. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implication of this guidance and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts and footnote disclosures, if any.
Note 3. Fees and other transactions with affiliates
Investment management fees
CWAM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). CWAM furnishes continuing investment supervision to the Funds and is responsible for the overall management of the Funds’ business affairs.
CWAM receives a monthly advisory fee based on each Fund’s daily net assets at the following annual rates:
Columbia Acorn® Fund
Average daily net assets Annual
fee rate
Up to $700 million 0.74%
$700 million to $2 billion 0.69%
$2 billion to $6 billion 0.64%
$6 billion and over 0.63%
    
Columbia Acorn International®
Average daily net assets Annual
fee rate
Up to $100 million 1.19%
$100 million to $500 million 0.94%
$500 million and over 0.74%
    
Columbia Acorn USA®
Average daily net assets Annual
fee rate
Up to $200 million 0.94%
$200 million to $500 million 0.89%
$500 million to $2 billion 0.84%
$2 billion to $3 billion 0.80%
$3 billion and over 0.70%
    
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Average daily net assets Annual
fee rate
Up to $500 million 0.89%
$500 million and over 0.85%
    
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
Average daily net assets Annual
fee rate
Up to $700 million 0.85%
$700 million to $2 billion 0.80%
$2 billion to $3 billion 0.75%
$3 billion and over 0.70%
    
Columbia Thermostat FundSM
  Annual
fee rate
All Average Daily Net Assets 0.10%
    
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December 31, 2017
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
Average daily net assets Annual
fee rate
Up to $100 million 1.25%
$100 million to $500 million 1.00%
$500 million and over 0.80%
    
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Average daily net assets Annual
fee rate
Up to $100 million 1.19%
$100 million to $500 million 0.94%
$500 million and over 0.74%
Through April 30, 2018, CWAM has contractually agreed to waive 0.20% of the advisory fee otherwise payable to it by Columbia Acorn Select. When determining whether the Fund’s total expenses exceed the voluntary expense cap described below, the Fund’s net advisory fee, reflecting application of the 0.20% waiver, will be used to calculate the Fund’s total expenses. This arrangement may be modified or amended with approval from all parties to the arrangement, including the Fund and CWAM.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the effective investment advisory fee rates (net of the advisory fee waiver for Columbia Acorn SelectSM) were as follows:
Fund Effective investment advisory fee rate (%)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 0.67
Columbia Acorn International® 0.77
Columbia Acorn USA® 0.90
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 0.89
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 0.65
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 0.10
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 1.24
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 1.19
Administration fees
CWAM provides administrative services and receives an administration fee from the Funds at the following annual rates:
Columbia Acorn Trust
Aggregate average daily
net assets of the trust
Annual
fee rate
Up to $8 billion 0.050%
$8 billion to $16 billion 0.040%
$16 billion to $35 billion 0.030%
$35 billion to $45 billion 0.025%
$45 billion and over 0.015%
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the effective administration fee rate was 0.047% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. CWAM has delegated to Columbia Management responsibility to provide certain sub-administrative services to the Funds.
Compensation of board members
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers of CWAM or Columbia Management. The Trust makes no direct payments to its officers and trustees who are affiliated with CWAM or Columbia Management. The Trust offers a deferred compensation plan for its independent trustees. Under that plan, a trustee may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her compensation. Amounts deferred are retained by the Trust and may represent an unfunded obligation of the Trust. The value
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December 31, 2017
of amounts deferred is determined by reference to the change in value of Institutional Class shares of one or more series of Columbia Acorn Trust or a money market fund as specified by the trustee. Benefits under the deferred compensation plan are payable in accordance with the plan.
Compensation of Chief Compliance Officer
The Board of Trustees has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds in accordance with federal securities regulations. A portion of the Chief Compliance Officer’s total compensation is allocated to the Funds, along with other affiliated funds governed by the Board, based on relative net assets. The total amount allocated to all affiliated funds governed by the Board will not exceed $40,000 annually.
Transactions with affiliates
An affiliated person of a Fund may include any company in which a Fund owns five percent or more of its outstanding voting shares during the year. On December 31, 2017, Columbia Thermostat FundSM and Columbia Acorn® Fund held five percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of one or more companies or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Funds. Details of investments in those affiliated companies are presented in the Notes to Portfolio of Investments of each Fund listed above.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Funds engaged in purchase and sales transactions with funds that have a common investment manager (or affiliated investment managers), common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. Those transactions complied with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and totaled as follows.
Fund Purchases ($) Sales ($) Realized
gain/(loss)
from sale
transactions ($)
Columbia Acorn International® 762,759 354,209
Transfer agency fees
Under a Transfer, Dividend Disbursing and Shareholders’ Servicing Agent Agreement, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, is responsible for providing transfer agency, dividend disbursing and shareholder services to the Funds for which the Funds pay transfer agency fees. The Transfer Agent has contracted with DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (DST) to provide certain services and assist the Transfer Agent carrying out its duties. The Transfer Agent pays the fees of DST for its services and DST is not entitled to reimbursement for such fees from the Fund (with the exception of out-of-pocket fees). In addition, the Transfer Agent enters into agreements with various financial intermediaries through which investors may hold Fund shares, including Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. These intermediaries also may provide shareholder services (Additional Shareholder Services) for which they are compensated by the Transfer Agent, which is in turn compensated by the Funds. Additional Shareholder Services may include sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, shareholder or participant tax monitoring and reporting and/or the provision of call center support and other customer services.
The Fund pays the Transfer Agent a monthly transfer agency fee that varies by account type (on a per account or asset-based basis) based on the cost of servicing the Funds. In addition, subject to certain limitations described in the Funds’ prospectuses and except with respect to Institutional 3 Class shares, the Funds pay a fee to the Transfer Agent for the Additional Shareholder Services provided by financial intermediaries who maintain shares through omnibus or networked accounts in amounts that vary by share class and with the distribution channel, type of intermediary and type of services provided.
The Funds compensate the Transfer Agent for certain out-of-pocket expenses as approved by the Board from time to time. Such out-of-pocket expenses may include networking account fees paid to dealer firms by the Transfer Agent with respect to shareholder accounts established or maintained pursuant to the National Securities Clearing Corporation’s (NSCC) networking system. A significant portion of such networking account fees are paid by the Transfer Agent to dealer firms affiliated with Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates.
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December 31, 2017
Effective July 1, 2017 total fees payable to the Transfer Agent by Institutional 2 Class (formerly Class R5 shares) and Institutional 3 Class (formerly Class Y) shares of the Funds are subject to an annual limitation of not more than 0.07% and 0.02%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to each share class. In addition, effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019, CMIS has contractually agreed to limit the total fees payable to it by Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class shares of the Funds to not more than 0.05% and 0.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to each share class. Prior to July 1, 2017, total fees payable to CMIS by Institutional 2 Class shares, were subject to an annual limitation of not more than 0.05% of the average daily net assets attributable to Institutional 2 Class shares and Institutional 3 Class did not pay any fees to CMIS.
Effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019, the Transfer Agent has contractually agreed to limit the total fees payable to it by Columbia Acorn® Fund to an annual rate of not more than 0.07% for all share classes of the Fund other than Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees.
Effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019, the Transfer Agent has contractually agreed to limit the total fees payable to it by Columbia Acorn International® to an annual rate of not more than 0.11% for all share classes of the Fund other than Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees.
Effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019, the Transfer Agent has contractually agreed to limit the total fees payable to it by Columbia Acorn SelectSM to an annual rate of not more than 0.11% for all share classes of the Fund other than Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees.
Effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019, the Transfer Agent has contractually agreed to limit the total fees payable to it by Columbia Acorn USA® to an annual rate of not more than 0.14% for all share classes of the Fund other than Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Funds’ effective transfer agency fee rates, excluding any voluntary transfer agency fee waivers, as a percentage of average daily net assets of each class were as follows:
Fund Class A
(%)
Advisor
Class (%)
Class B
(%)
Class C
(%)
Institutional
Class (%)
Institutional 2
Class (%)
Institutional 3
Class (%)
Class R
(%)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.05
Columbia Acorn International® 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.05 0.10
Columbia Acorn USA® 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.05
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.05
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.05
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.05
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.05
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.05
Columbia Acorn International® and certain other associated investment companies, have severally, but not jointly, guaranteed the performance and observance of all the terms and conditions of a lease entered into by Seligman Data Corp. (SDC), the former transfer agent to certain associated investment companies, including the payment of rent by SDC (the Guaranty). The lease and the Guaranty expire in January 2019. At December 31, 2017, Columbia Acorn International®’s total potential future obligation over the life of the Guaranty is $22,116. The liability remaining at December 31, 2017 for non-recurring charges associated with the lease amounted to $16,715 and is included within the payable for other liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
An annual minimum account balance fee of $20 may apply to certain accounts with a value below the applicable share class’s initial minimum investment requirements to reduce the impact of small accounts on transfer agency fees. These minimum account balance fees are remitted to the Funds and recorded as part of expense reductions in the Statement of Operations.
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December 31, 2017
For the year ended December 31, 2017, these minimum account balance fees reduced total expenses as follows:
Fund Amount ($)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 10,206
Columbia Acorn International® 10,492
Columbia Acorn USA® 1,720
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 816
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 1,847
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 680
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 80
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 20
The Transfer Agent had contractually agreed to waive transfer agency fees payable by Class B shares of Columbia Acorn International® through the conversion of Class B to Class A shares. This fee waiver was in effect through August 4, 2017.
Prior to July 1, 2017, the Transfer Agent had voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the total annual Fund operating expenses attributable to transfer agency fees incurred by Class A and Class C shares of Columbia Acorn International® such that the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses would be reduced by 0.04% and 0.02% for Class A and Class C shares of the Fund, respectively.
Distribution and service fees
CMID, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, is the distributor of the Funds. Each Fund has adopted a distribution and service plan which requires it to pay CMID a monthly service fee equal to 0.25% annually of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class B and Class C shares and a monthly distribution fee equal to 0.50%, 0.75% and 0.50%, annually, of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B, Class C and Class R shares, respectively. CMID receives no compensation with respect to Advisor Class, Institutional Class, Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class shares. As a result of all Class B shares of the applicable Funds being redeemed or converted to Class A shares, August 4, 2017 was the last day the Funds paid a distribution fee for Class B shares.
Sales charges (unaudited)
Sales charges, including front-end charges and CDSCs, received by the Distributor for distributing Fund shares for the year ended December 31, 2017, if any, are listed below:
  Underwriting discounts ($)   CDSCs ($)  
Fund Class A Class A Class B Class C
Columbia Acorn® Fund 306,791 231 4,135
Columbia Acorn International® 241,989 131 1,311
Columbia Acorn USA® 33,124 21 172
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 53,340 303
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 34,325 17 83
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 286,559 355 37,402
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 32,427 63 444
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 120,775 766
Expenses waived/reimbursed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates
Effective July 1, 2017, CWAM has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through June 30, 2019 so that the Funds’ ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with the Fund’s investments in other investment companies, if any) do not exceed the following annual rates as a percentage of each class’ average daily net assets:
Fund Class A Advisor Class Class C Institutional Class Institutional 2 Class Institutional 3 Class
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets Fund 1.55% 1.30% 2.30% 1.30% 1.19% 1.14%
Columbia Acorn European Fund 1.45% 1.20% 2.20% 1.20% 1.13% 1.08%
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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2017
This arrangement may not be modified or terminated, except by a vote of the Fund’s Board and CWAM.
From May 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017, CWAM contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses so that the Funds’ ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with the Fund’s investments in other investment companies, if any) did not exceed the following annual rates as a percentage of each class’ average daily net assets:
Fund Class A Advisor Class Class C Institutional Class Institutional 2 Class Institutional 3 Class
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets Fund 1.85% 1.60% 2.60% 1.60% 1.49% 1.44%
Columbia Acorn European Fund 1.75% 1.50% 2.50% 1.50% 1.43% 1.38%
Effective May 1, 2017, CWAM has voluntarily agreed to reimburse expenses so that the Fund’s ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with each Fund’s investments in other investment companies, if any) after giving effect to any balance credits or overdraft charges from the Funds’ custodian, do not exceed the following annual rates as a percentage of each class’ average daily net assets:
Fund Class A Advisor Class Class C Institutional Class Institutional 2 Class Institutional 3 Class
Columbia Acorn Select 1.60% 1.35% 2.35% 1.35% 1.29% 1.24%
This arrangement may be modified or terminated by either the Fund or CWAM on 30 days notice.
Effective May 1, 2017, CWAM has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through April 30, 2018, so that the Funds’ ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with each Fund’s investments in other investment companies, if any, and in the case of Columbia Thermostat FundSM its underlying portfolio funds), do not exceed the following annual rates as a percentage of each class’ average daily net assets:
Fund Class A Advisor Class Class C Institutional Class Institutional 2 Class Institutional 3 Class
Columbia Acorn International Select 1.40% 1.15% 2.15% 1.15% 1.08% 1.03%
Columbia Thermostat Fund 0.50% 0.25% 1.25% 0.25% 0.23% 0.18%
There is no guarantee that these agreements will continue thereafter.
Prior to May 1, 2017, CWAM voluntarily agreed to reimburse expenses so that the Funds’ ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with each Fund’s investments in other investment companies, if any) after giving effect to any balance credits or overdraft charges from the Funds’ custodian, did not exceed the following annual rates as a percentage of each class’ average daily net assets:
Fund Class A Advisor Class Class C Institutional Class Institutional 2 Class Institutional 3 Class
Columbia Acorn Select 1.60% 1.35% 2.35% 1.35% 1.30% 1.25%
Prior to May 1, 2017, CWAM contractually waived fees and/or reimburse expenses so that the Funds’ ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with each Fund’s investments in other investment companies, if any, and in the case of Columbia Thermostat FundSM its underlying portfolio funds), did not exceed the following annual rates as a percentage of each class’ average daily net assets:
Fund Class A Advisor Class Class C Institutional Class Institutional 2 Class Institutional 3 Class
Columbia Acorn International Select 1.40% 1.15% 2.15% 1.15% 1.07% 1.02%
Columbia Thermostat Fund 0.50% 0.25% 1.25% 0.25% 0.24% 0.19%
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets Fund 1.85% 1.60% 2.60% 1.60% 1.50% 1.45%
Columbia Acorn European Fund 1.75% 1.50% 2.50% 1.50% 1.47% 1.42%
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In addition to the contractual agreement, CWAM has voluntarily agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse Fund expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described above) so that Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM and Columbia Acorn European FundSM Fund level expenses (expenses directly attributable to the Fund and not to a specific share class) are waived proportionately across all share classes, but each Fund’s net operating expenses shall not exceed the contractual annual rates listed in the table above. This arrangement may be revised or discontinued at any time.
Expenses waived and/or reimbursed by CWAM and its affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2017, were as follows:
Fund Expenses waived and/or
reimbursed ($)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 567,897
Columbia Acorn International® 324,948
Columbia Acorn USA® 14,449
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 165,687
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 667,415
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 368,474
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 315,074
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 257,534
Prior to July 1, 2017, CWAM was contractually entitled to recoup from each of Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM and Columbia Acorn European FundSM any fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed with respect to any share class offered by Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM and Columbia Acorn European FundSM for a one year period following the date of such fee waiver and/or reimbursement, if such recovery did not cause the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with the Fund’s investment in other investment companies, if any) to exceed the annual rates set forth above, or to exceed such annual rate as was in place at the time of the recoupment, whichever was less. For the year ended December 31, 2017, there was no recoupment of fees.
Note 4. Federal tax information
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP because of temporary or permanent book to tax differences.
At December 31, 2017, these differences were primarily due to differing treatment for deferral/reversal of wash sale losses, passive foreign investment company (PFIC) holdings, re-characterization of distributions for investments, derivative investments, late-year ordinary losses, capital loss carryforwards, trustees’ deferred compensation, foreign currency transactions, net operating loss reclassification, reversal of capital gains (losses) on a redemption-in-kind, earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares, investments in partnerships, former PFIC holdings, excess distributions and foreign capital gains tax. To the extent these differences were permanent, reclassifications were made among the components of the Fund’s net assets in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Temporary differences do not require reclassifications.
In the Statement of Assets and Liabilities the following reclassifications were made:
Fund Undistributed
(excess of distributions over)
net investment income ($)
Accumulated
net realized
gain (loss) ($)
Paid in capital
increase
(decrease) ($)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 524,047 (100,822,335) 100,298,288
Columbia Acorn International® 16,220,537 (16,220,537)
Columbia Acorn USA® 1,643,494 (118,042,167) 116,398,673
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM (4,749) 17,400 (12,651)
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 441,750 (4,473,546) 4,031,796
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 225,161 (3,317,437) 3,092,276
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 668,012 (322,791) (345,221)
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 357,730 (357,730)
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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2017
Net investment income (loss) and net realized gains (losses), as disclosed in the Statement of Operations, and net assets were not affected by these reclassifications.
The tax character of distributions paid during the years indicated was as follows:
  Year Ended December 31, 2017 Year Ended December 31, 2016
Fund Ordinary
income ($)
Long-term
capital gains ($)
Total ($) Ordinary
income ($)
Long-term
capital gains ($)
Tax return
of capital ($)
Total ($)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 131,865,579 904,736,909 1,036,602,488 1,778,266,515 1,778,266,515
Columbia Acorn International® 82,305,169 251,655,234 333,960,403 29,981,674 39,664,002 69,645,676
Columbia Acorn USA® 14,725,782 87,193,225 101,919,007 238,540,555 238,540,555
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 270,796 270,796 834,655 102,686 937,341
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 37,956,937 37,956,937 55,197,227 55,197,227
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 30,150,540 11,435,105 41,585,645 6,194,754 21,063,441 27,258,195
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 544,142 404,319 948,461
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 934,540 934,540 419,336 419,336
Short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions for tax purposes.
At December 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Fund Undistributed
ordinary
income ($)
Undistributed
long-term
capital gains ($)
Capital loss
carryforwards ($)
Net unrealized
appreciation ($)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 38,036,318 169,873,329 1,295,387,341
Columbia Acorn International® 20,627,781 120,661,915 1,725,147,024
Columbia Acorn USA® 2,284,574 8,423,546 65,524,880
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM (6,453,644) 41,557,521
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 5,760,563 17,604,720 82,539,140
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 2,427,872 8,008,823 27,303,976
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM (81,214,778) 23,703,831
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 676,746 (7,749,232) 21,460,585
At December 31, 2017, the cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes along with the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on that cost was:
Fund Tax cost ($) Gross
unrealized
appreciation ($)
Gross
unrealized
(depreciation) ($)
Net unrealized
appreciation ($)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 3,377,912,005 1,395,238,534 (99,851,193) 1,295,387,341
Columbia Acorn International® 3,310,286,427 1,804,820,370 (79,673,346) 1,725,147,024
Columbia Acorn USA® 264,497,087 72,790,218 (7,265,338) 65,524,880
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 94,899,263 43,000,275 (1,442,754) 41,557,521
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 225,553,777 85,031,740 (2,492,600) 82,539,140
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 831,420,904 29,894,232 (2,590,256) 27,303,976
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 84,115,084 32,071,817 (8,367,986) 23,703,831
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 85,369,896 22,127,907 (667,322) 21,460,585
Tax cost of investments and unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) may also include timing differences that do not constitute adjustments to tax basis.
The following capital loss carryforwards, determined at December 31, 2017, may be available to reduce taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code. Capital loss carryforwards with no expiration are required to be utilized prior to any capital losses which carry an expiration date. As a
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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2017
result of this ordering rule, capital loss carryforwards which carry an expiration date may be more likely to expire unused. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2017, capital loss carryforwards utilized, expired unused and permanently lost, if any, were as follows:
Fund 2018 ($) 2019 ($) No expiration
short-term ($)
No expiration
long-term ($)
Total ($) Utilized ($) Expired ($) Permanently
lost ($)
Columbia Acorn International® 46,821,711
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 6,453,644 6,453,644 8,208,369
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 44,045,008 37,169,770 81,214,778 4,484,740
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 5,685,111 2,064,121 7,749,232 1,694,612
Under current tax rules, regulated investment companies can elect to treat certain late-year ordinary losses incurred and post-October capital losses (capital losses realized after October 31) as arising on the first day of the following taxable year. As of December 31, 2017, the Funds will elect to treat the following late-year ordinary losses and post-October capital losses as arising on January 1, 2018.
Fund Late year
ordinary losses ($)
Post-October
capital losses ($)
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 57,729
Management of the Funds has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions in the Funds that would require recognition in the financial statements. However, management’s conclusion may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). Generally, the Funds’ federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Note 5. Line of credit
Effective April 25, 2017, each Fund has access to a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by Citibank, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. whereby each Fund may borrow for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for other temporary or emergency purposes. The credit facility, which is a collective agreement between each Fund and other participating Funds, including other funds managed by another affiliated investment manager, severally and not jointly, permits collective borrowings up to $1 billion. Interest is charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate equal to the higher of (i) the overnight federal funds rate plus 1.00% or (ii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. Each borrowing under the credit facility matures no later than 60 days after the date of borrowing. Each Fund also pays a commitment fee equal to its pro rata share of the amount of the credit facility at a rate of 0.15% per annum. Prior to April 25, 2017, the Trust participated together with Wanger Advisors Trust, another trust managed by the Investment Manager, in a revolving credit facility in the amount of $200 million with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Under this facility, interest was charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the higher of (i) the overnight federal funds rate plus 1.00% or (ii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum of the unutilized line of credit was accrued and apportioned among the participating funds based on their relative net assets. The commitment fee is disclosed as a part of other expenses in the Statement of Operations.
No Fund had borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2017.
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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2017
Note 6. Portfolio information
The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales, other than short-term obligations, for the year ended December 31, 2017, were:
  Purchases
($)
Proceeds
from sales
($)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 3,389,510,036 4,630,139,508
Columbia Acorn International® 1,791,982,692 2,905,225,970
Columbia Acorn USA® 410,000,080 816,946,812
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 55,314,810 60,880,744
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 124,277,914 197,374,630
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 317,957,548 597,053,567
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 47,868,156 76,032,702
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 56,095,853 22,081,087
The amount of purchase and sales activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.
Redemption-in-kind
Proceeds from the sales of securities for Columbia Acorn USA® include the value of securities delivered through an in-kind redemption of certain fund shares. During the year ended December 31, 2017, securities and other assets with a value of $299,386,352 were distributed to shareholders to satisfy their redemption requests. The net realized gain on these securities was $74,684,958, which is not taxable to remaining shareholders in the Fund.
Note 7. Regulatory settlements
During the year ended December 31, 2015, Columbia Acorn International SelectSM recorded a receivable of $33,279 as a result of a regulatory settlement proceeding brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission against a third party relating to market timing and/or late trading of mutual funds. This amount represented the Fund’s portion of the proceeds from the settlement (neither the Fund nor the Investment Manager were a party to the proceeding) and is disclosed as a receivable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Note 8. Significant risks
Consumer discretionary sector risk
Columbia Acorn International®, Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM and Columbia Acorn European FundSM may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the consumer discretionary sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the discretionary sector are subject to certain risks, including fluctuations in the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rate changes, increased competition and consumer confidence. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including reduced disposable household income, reduced consumer spending, changing demographics and consumer tastes.
Financial sector risk
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financial services sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the financial services sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that industry. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments or agreements that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financial services sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2017
Foreign securities and emerging market countries risk
Investing in foreign securities may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. In addition, certain foreign securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks. These countries are also more likely to experience high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluation which could hurt their economies and securities markets. To the extent that Columbia Acorn International® , Columbia Acorn International SelectSM, Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM and Columbia Acorn European FundSM concentrates their investment exposure to any one or a few specific countries, the Funds will be particularly susceptible to the various conditions, events or other factors impacting those countries and may, therefore, have a greater risk than that of a fund which is more geographically diversified.
Health care sector risk
Columbia Acorn® Fund and Columbia Acorn USA® may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the health care sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the health care sector are subject to certain risks, including restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, government approval of medical products and services, competitive pricing pressures, and the rising cost of medical products and services (especially for companies dependent upon a relatively limited number of products or services). Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, government regulation, obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so), product liability and other similar litigation as well as product obsolescence.
Industrial sector risk
Columbia Acorn International®, Columbia Acorn International SelectSM, Columbia Acorn SelectSM and Columbia Acorn European FundSM may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events and economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Shareholder concentration risk
At December 31, 2017, the table below details the affiliated and significant unaffiliated shareholder account ownership of outstanding shares of each Fund. The Funds have no knowledge about whether any portion of these unaffiliated shares were owned beneficially. Subscription and redemption activity of these accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the Funds.
Fund Number of
unaffiliated
accounts
Percentage of
shares
outstanding
held —
unaffiliated (%)
Percentage of
shares
outstanding
held —
affiliated (%)
Columbia Acorn® Fund 1 10.4
Columbia Acorn International® 2 27.9
Columbia Acorn USA® 1 26.3
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 2 27.9 14.8
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 1 19.7 11.9
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 1 17.6 25.1
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 2 23.9 29.4
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 2 23.1 30.4
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Table of Contents
Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2017
Technology and technology-related investment risk
Columbia Acorn® Fund, Columbia Acorn USA®, Columbia Acorn International SelectSM and Columbia Acorn European FundSM may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector, as well as other technology-related sectors (collectively, the technology sectors) than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the technology sectors are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.
Note 9. Subsequent events
Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.
Note 10. Information regarding pending and settled legal proceedings
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Funds are not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Funds or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Funds. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased Fund redemptions, reduced sale of Fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Funds. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Funds or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Funds, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Trustees of Columbia Acorn Trust and Shareholders of Columbia Acorn Fund, Columbia Acorn International, Columbia Acorn USA, Columbia Acorn International Select, Columbia Acorn Select, Columbia Thermostat Fund, Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets Fund and Columbia Acorn European Fund:
Opinions on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Columbia Acorn Fund, Columbia Acorn International, Columbia Acorn USA, Columbia Acorn International Select, Columbia Acorn Select, Columbia Thermostat Fund, Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets Fund and Columbia Acorn European Fund (constituting Columbia Acorn Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the "Funds") as of December 31, 2017, the related statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of December 31, 2017, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017 and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinions
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2017 by correspondence with the custodians, transfer agents and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 21, 2018
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Columbia Acorn Trust since 2004.
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Table of Contents
Federal Income Tax Information
(Unaudited)
The Funds hereby designate the following tax attributes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Shareholders were notified in early 2018 of the amounts for use in preparing 2017 income tax returns.
  Qualified
dividend
income
Dividends
received
deduction
Capital
gain
dividend
Foreign
taxes paid
to foreign
countries
Foreign
taxes paid
per share
to foreign
countries
Foreign
source
income
Foreign
source
income per
share
Columbia Acorn® Fund 32.31% 31.82% $1,056,953,266 $0 $0.00 $0 $0.00
Columbia Acorn International® 100.00% 0.00% $390,933,006 $7,856,731 $0.07 $88,181,220 $0.84
Columbia Acorn USA® 22.10% 20.40% $115,045,515 $0 $0.00 $0 $0.00
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM 100.00% 0.00% $0 $187,281 $0.04 $1,686,595 $0.38
Columbia Acorn SelectSM 0.00% 0.00% $34,702,708 $0 $0.00 $0 $0.00
Columbia Thermostat FundSM 18.18% 14.82% $18,800,469 $25,444 $0.00 $504,970 $0.01
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM 0.00% 0.00% $0 $215,138 $0.03 $1,841,894 $0.23
Columbia Acorn European FundSM 100.00% 0.00% $0 $101,578 $0.02 $1,289,156 $0.24
Qualified dividend income. For taxable, non-corporate shareholders, the percentage of ordinary income distributed during the fiscal year that represents qualified dividend income subject to reduced tax rates.
Dividends received deduction. The percentage of ordinary income distributed during the fiscal year that qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.
Capital gain dividend. The Fund designates as a capital gain dividend the amount reflected above, or if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such fiscal period.
Foreign taxes. The Fund makes the election to pass through to shareholders the foreign taxes paid. Eligible shareholders may claim a foreign tax credit. These taxes, and the corresponding foreign source income, are provided.
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Board of Trustees and Management of the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds
Each trustee may serve a term of unlimited duration. The Trust’s Bylaws generally require that a trustee retire at the end of the calendar year in which the trustee attains the age of 75 years. The trustees appoint their own successors, provided that at least two-thirds of the trustees, after such appointment, have been elected by shareholders. Shareholders may remove a trustee, with or without cause, upon the vote of two-thirds of the Trust’s outstanding shares at any meeting called for that purpose. A trustee may be removed, with or without cause, upon the vote of a majority of the trustees. The names of the trustees and officers of the Trust, the date each was first elected or appointed to office and the principal business occupations of each during at least the last five years, and for the trustees, the number of portfolios in the fund complex they oversee and other directorships they hold, are shown below. Each trustee and officer serves in such capacity for each of the eight series of Columbia Acorn Trust and for each of the three series of Wanger Advisors Trust.
The address for the trustees and officers of the Trust is Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, 227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Funds’ trustees and officers. You may obtain a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information by writing or calling toll-free:
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC
Shareholder Services Group
227 W. Monroe, Suite 3000
800.922.6769
Independent trustees
Name and age at
December 31, 2017
Year first appointed or elected to a Board in the Columbia Funds Complex Principal occupation(s)
during the past five years
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
overseen (1)
Other directorships
held by the Trustee
during the past five years
in addition to
Columbia Acorn Trust and
Wanger Advisors Trust
Laura M. Born, 52,
Chair
2007 Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business since 2007; Director, Carlson Inc. (private global hospitalities and travel company) since 2015; Managing Director – Investment Banking, JP Morgan Chase & Co. (broker-dealer) 2002-2007. 11 None.
Maureen M. Culhane, 69 2007 Retired. Formerly, Vice President, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (investment adviser), 2005-2007; Vice President (Consultant) – Strategic Relationship Management, Goldman, Sachs & Co., 1999-2005. 11 None.
Margaret M. Eisen, 64 2002 Chief Investment Officer, EAM International LLC (corporate finance and asset management), 2003-2013; Managing Director, CFA Institute, 2005-2008. 11 RMB Investors Trust (formerly Burnham Investors Trust) (3 series).
Thomas M. Goldstein, 58 2014 Retired. Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Allstate Protection Division, 2011-2014; Founding Partner, The GRG Group LLC, 2009-2011; Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, Madison Dearborn Partners, 2007-2009. 11 Federal Home Loan Bank – Chicago; Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; Kemper Corporation (insurance).
John C. Heaton, 58 2010 Deputy Dean for Faculty, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; Joseph L. Gidwitz Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business since July 2000. 11 None.
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Table of Contents
Board of Trustees and Management of the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  (continued)
Independent trustees  (continued)
Name and age at
December 31, 2017
Year first appointed or elected to a Board in the Columbia Funds Complex Principal occupation(s)
during the past five years
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
overseen (1)
Other directorships
held by the Trustee
during the past five years
in addition to
Columbia Acorn Trust and
Wanger Advisors Trust
Charles R. Phillips, 61 2015 Consultant, Finger Rock, LLC (strategic consulting business). Director, University of North Carolina School of Law Foundation since 2010. Formerly, Vice Chairman, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, 2011-2014; Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, 2001-2011. 11 None.
David J. Rudis, 64,
Vice Chair
2010 Retired. Formerly, National Checking and Debit Executive, and Illinois President, Bank of America, 2007-2009; President, Consumer Banking Group, LaSalle National Bank, 2004-2007. 11 None.
Interested trustee affiliated with Investment Manager*
Name and age at
December 31, 2017
Year first
appointed or
elected to a
Board in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
Principal occupation(s)
during the past five years
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
overseen (1)
Other directorships
held by the Trustee
during the past five years
in addition to
Columbia Acorn Trust and
Wanger Advisors Trust
P. Zachary Egan, 49 (2) 2015 President, CWAM and President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since April 2014; Global Chief Investment Officer, CWAM since October 2015; International Chief Investment Officer, CWAM, April 2014-September 2015; Director of International Research, CWAM, December 2004-March 2014; Vice President of Columbia Acorn Trust, 2003-2014, and Wanger Advisors Trust, 2007-2014; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1999. 11 None.
Trustee Emeritus
Name and age at
December 31, 2017
Year first
appointed or
elected to a
Board in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
Principal occupation(s)
during the past five years
Number of
Funds in the
Columbia
Funds
Complex
overseen (1)
Other directorships
held by the Trustee
during the past five years
in addition to
Columbia Acorn Trust and
Wanger Advisors Trust
Ralph Wanger, 83 (3) 1970 (4) Founder, CWAM. Formerly, President, Chief Investment Officer and portfolio manager, CWAM or its predecessors, July 1992-September 2003; Director, Wanger Investment Company PLC; Consultant to CWAM or its predecessors, September 2003-September 2005. 11 None.
(1) The Trustees oversee the series of Wanger Advisors Trust and Columbia Acorn Trust.
(2) Mr. Egan is an "interested person" of Wanger Advisors Trust and Columbia Acorn Trust, and of CWAM, as defined in the 1940 Act, because he is an officer of each Trust and an employee of CWAM.
(3) As permitted under the Trust’s Bylaws, Mr. Wanger serves as a non-voting Trustee Emeritus of Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust.
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Board of Trustees and Management of the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  (continued)
(4) Dates prior to 1992 relate to the Acorn Fund, Inc., the predecessor trust to Columbia Acorn Trust.
Fund officers
Name and age at
December 31, 2017
Position
held with
Columbia
Acorn
Trust and
Wanger
Advisors Trust
Year first
appointed
or elected
to office
Principal occupation(s) during
the past five years
Alan G. Berkshire, 57 Vice President 2015 Chief Operating Officer, CWAM since April 2015. Formerly, Independent Director, ValueQuest India Moat Fund Limited (Mauritius), April 2014-March 2015; President – North America, Religare Global Asset Management, Inc., June 2011-November 2013; Partner, Estancia Capital Management LLC, September 2009-June 2011.
Michael G. Clarke, 48 Assistant Treasurer 2004 Vice President – Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010; Managing Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, September 2004-April 2010; Senior officer of Columbia funds and affiliated funds since 2002.
P. Zachary Egan, 49 President 2007 President, CWAM and President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since April 2014; Global Chief Investment Officer, CWAM since October 2015; International Chief Investment Officer, CWAM, April 2014-September 2015; Director of International Research, CWAM, December 2004-March 2014; Vice President of Columbia Acorn Trust, 2003-2014, and Wanger Advisors Trust, 2007-2014; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1999.
David L. Frank, 54 Vice President 2014 Portfolio manager and/or analyst, CWAM or its predecessors since 2002; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2014.
Paul B. Goucher, 49 Assistant Secretary 2015 Senior Vice President and Assistant General Cousel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since January 2017 (previously Vice President and Lead Chief Counsel, November 2008 - January 2017 and January 2013 - January 2017, respectively, and Chief Counsel, January 2010 - January 2013); Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since May 2010.
John Kunka, 47 Vice President, Treasurer and
Principal Accounting and Financial Officer
2006 Treasurer and Principal Accounting and Financial Officer, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2014; Vice President of Accounting and Operations, CWAM since May 2006; formerly, Assistant Treasurer, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust 2006-2014.
Stephen Kusmierczak, 50 Vice President 2011 Portfolio manager and/or analyst, CWAM or its predecessors since 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2011.
Joseph C. LaPalm, 48 Vice President 2006 Chief Compliance Officer, CWAM since 2005.
Ryan C. Larrenaga, 47 Assistant Secretary 2015 Vice President and Group Counsel, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. since August 2011 (previously, Counsel, May 2010-August 2011); Assistant General Counsel, Bank of America, 2005-April 2010; officer of Columbia funds and affiliated funds since 2005.
Matthew A. Litfin, 46 Vice President 2016 Director of Research (U.S.) and portfolio manager, CWAM since December 2015; formerly, portfolio manager, William Blair & Company 1993-2015; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2016.
Satoshi Matsunaga, 46 Vice President 2015 Portfolio manager and/or analyst, CWAM or its predecessors since 2005; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2015.
Thomas P. McGuire, 45 Chief Compliance Officer 2015 Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Columbia Funds since 2012; Vice President – Asset Management Compliance, Ameriprise Financial, Inc., since May 2010; Chief Compliance Officer, Ameriprise Certificate Company since September 2010; Compliance Executive, Bank of America, 2005-April 2010.
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Board of Trustees and Management of the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  (continued)
Fund officers  (continued)
Name and age at
December 31, 2017
Position
held with
Columbia
Acorn
Trust and
Wanger
Advisors Trust
Year first
appointed
or elected
to office
Principal occupation(s) during
the past five years
Louis J. Mendes III, 53 Vice President 2003 International Director of Research, CWAM, since 2015; portfolio manager and/or analyst, CWAM or its predecessors since 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust since 2003 and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2005.
Julian Quero, 50 Assistant Treasurer 2015 Vice President – Tax, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC since 2009.
Martha A. Skinner, 43 Assistant Treasurer 2016 Vice President of Financial Reporting and Administration, Columbia Management since November 2015; Director of Financial Reporting, Columbia Management, April 2013-November 2015; Manager of Financial Reporting, Columbia Management, August 2010-April 2013.
Matthew S. Szafranski, 40 Vice President 2015 Portfolio manager and/or analyst, CWAM or its predecessors since 2008; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2015.
Linda Roth-Wiszowaty, 48 Secretary 2006 Business support analyst, CWAM since April 2007; Secretary, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2014; Assistant Secretary, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, 2006-2014.
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Expense Information
as of December 31, 2017
Columbia Acorn® Fund Class A Class ADV Class C Class I1 Class I2 Class I3 Class R
Investment advisory fee 0.67% 0.67% 0.67% 0.67% 0.67% 0.67%      
Distribution and/or service fees 0.25% 0.00% 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%      
Other expenses (a) 0.16% 0.16% 0.16% 0.16% 0.14% 0.09%      
Net expense ratio 1.08% 0.83% 1.83% 0.83% 0.81% 0.76%      
Columbia Acorn International®
Investment advisory fee 0.77% 0.77% 0.77% 0.77% 0.77% 0.77% 0.77%    
Distribution and/or service fees 0.25% 0.00% 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.50%    
Other expenses (a) 0.18% 0.21% 0.20% 0.21% 0.16% 0.11% 0.21%    
Net expense ratio 1.20% 0.98% 1.97% 0.98% 0.93% 0.88% 1.48%    
Columbia Acorn USA®
Investment advisory fee 0.90% 0.90% 0.90% 0.90% 0.90% 0.90%      
Distribution and/or service fees 0.25% 0.00% 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%      
Other expenses (a) 0.28% 0.30% 0.29% 0.26% 0.18% 0.15%      
Net expense ratio 1.43% 1.20% 2.19% 1.16% 1.08% 1.05%      
Columbia Acorn International SelectSM
Investment advisory fee 0.89% 0.89% 0.89% 0.89% 0.89% 0.89%      
Distribution and/or service fees 0.25% 0.00% 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%      
Other expenses (a) 0.26% 0.26% 0.26% 0.26% 0.19% 0.14%      
Net expense ratio 1.40% 1.15% 2.15% 1.15% 1.08% 1.03%      
Columbia Acorn SelectSM
Investment advisory fee 0.65% 0.65% 0.65% 0.65% 0.65% 0.65%      
Distribution and/or service fees 0.25% 0.00% 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%      
Other expenses (a) 0.26% 0.26% 0.26% 0.26% 0.20% 0.15%      
Net expense ratio 1.16% 0.91% 1.91% 0.91% 0.85% 0.80%      
Columbia Thermostat FundSM
Investment advisory fee 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10%      
Distribution and/or service fees 0.25% 0.00% 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%      
Other expenses (a) 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.15% 0.13% 0.08%      
Net expense ratio (b) 0.50% 0.25% 1.25% 0.25% 0.23% 0.18%      
Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets FundSM
Investment advisory fee 1.24% 1.24% 1.24% 1.24% 1.24% 1.24%      
Distribution and/or service fees 0.25% 0.00% 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%      
Other expenses (a) 0.21% 0.19% 0.19% 0.18% 0.09% -0.10%      
Net expense ratio 1.70% 1.43% 2.43% 1.42% 1.33% 1.14%      
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Investment advisory fee 1.19% 1.19% 1.19% 1.19% 1.19% 1.19%      
Distribution and/or service fees 0.25% 0.00% 1.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%      
Other expenses (a) 0.14% 0.09% 0.12% 0.10% 0.09% -0.10%      
Net expense ratio 1.58% 1.28% 2.31% 1.29% 1.28% 1.09%      
See the Funds’ prospectuses for information on minimum initial investment amounts and other details of buying, selling and exchanging shares of the Funds.
Fees and expenses are for the year ended December 31, 2017. Please see Note 3, “Fees and Other Transactions With Affiliates” in the Notes to Financial Statements of this report for information on fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in place for Columbia Acorn Fund, Columbia Acorn International, Columbia Acorn USA, Columbia Acorn International Select, Columbia Acorn Select, Columbia Acorn Emerging Markets Fund, Columbia Acorn European Fund and Columbia Thermostat Fund.
(a) Other expenses include certain fee waivers and/or reimbursements, if applicable, which can potentially exceed other expenses charged.
(b) Does not include estimated fees and expenses of 0.49% incurred by the Fund from the underlying portfolio funds in which it invests.
154 Columbia Acorn Family of Funds  | Annual Report 2017


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Additional information
The Fund mails one shareholder report to each shareholder address. If you would like more than one report, please call shareholder services at 800.345.6611 and additional reports will be sent to you.
Proxy voting policies and procedures
The policy of the Board of Trustees is to vote the proxies of the companies in which the Fund holds investments consistent with the procedures as stated in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). You may obtain a copy of the SAI without charge by calling 800.345.6611; contacting your financial intermediary; visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com; or searching the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is filed with the SEC by August 31st for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30th of that year, and is available without charge by visiting investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com, or searching the website of the SEC at sec.gov.
Quarterly schedule of investments
The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800.SEC.0330. The Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings, as filed on Form N-Q, can also be obtained without charge, upon request, by calling 800.345.6611.
Additional Fund information
For more information about the Fund, please visit investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com or call 800.345.6611. Customer Service Representatives are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Fund investment manager
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC
227 West Monroe, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
888.4.WANGER
(888.492.6437)
Fund distributor
Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Fund transfer agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 8081
Boston, MA 02266-8081
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Columbia Acorn Family of Funds
P.O. Box 8081
Boston, MA 02266-8081
  
Please read and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other important information about the Fund, go to
investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com. The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) 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
© 2018 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
investor.columbiathreadneedleus.com
ANN110_12_H01_(02/18)


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Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

  (a) The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

  (b) During the period covered by this report, there were not any amendments to a provision of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above.

 

  (c) During the period covered by this report, there were no waivers, including any implicit waivers, from a provision of the code of ethics described in 2(a) above that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that Thomas Goldstein, a member of the registrant’s Board of Trustees and Audit Committee, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert. Mr. Goldstein is an independent trustee, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this item’s instructions.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Fee information below is disclosed for the eight series of the registrant whose reports to stockholders are included in this annual filing.

(a) Audit Fees. Aggregate Audit Fees billed by the principal accountant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are approximately as follows:

 

2017   2016

$304,700

  $295,800

Audit Fees include amounts related to the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

(b) Audit-Related Fees. Aggregate Audit-Related Fees billed to the registrant by the principal accountant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are approximately as follows:

 

2017   2016

$25,700

  $25,000

Audit-Related Fees include amounts for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported in Audit Fees above. In fiscal years 2017 and

2016, Audit-Related Fees consist of agreed-upon procedures performed for other audit-related additional testing.


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During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for an engagement that related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

(c) Tax Fees. Aggregate Tax Fees billed by the principal accountant to the registrant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are approximately as follows:

 

2017   2016

$72,900

  $70,800

Tax Fees incurred in both fiscal years 2017 and 2016 relate to the review of annual tax returns, the review of required shareholder distribution calculations and include amounts for professional services by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no Tax Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for an engagement that related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

(d) All Other Fees. Aggregate All Other Fees billed by the principal accountant to the registrant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

2017   2016

$0

  $0

All Other Fees include amounts for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) above. Aggregate All Other Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for an engagement that related directly to the


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operations and financial reporting of the registrant during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are approximately as follows:

 

2017   2016

$225,000

  $225,000

In both fiscal years 2017 and 2016, All Other Fees primarily consist of professional services rendered for internal control reviews.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The policy of the registrant’s Audit Committee is to specifically pre-approve (i) all audit and non-audit (including audit related, tax and all other) services provided by the registrant’s independent auditor to the registrant and individual funds (collectively “Fund Services”) and (ii) all non-audit services provided by the registrant’s independent auditor to the funds’ adviser or a control affiliate of the adviser, that relate directly to the funds’ operations and financial reporting (collectively “Fund-related Adviser Services”). A “control affiliate” is an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the funds, and the term “adviser” is deemed to exclude any unaffiliated sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is sub-contracted or overseen by another investment adviser.

If such Fund Services or Fund-related Adviser Services are required during the period between the Audit Committee’s regularly scheduled meetings, the Chairman of the Audit Committee has the authority to pre-approve the service, with reporting to the full Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

The Audit Committee will waive pre-approval of Fund Services or Fund-related Adviser Services provided that the requirements under paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are met.

(e)(2) The percentage of services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item approved pursuant to the “de minimis” exception under paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during both fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was zero.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are approximately as follows:

 

2017   2016

$323,700

  $320,800


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(h) The registrant’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments

 

  (a) The registrant’s “Schedule I – Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers” (as set forth in 17 CFR 210.12-12) 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 were no material changes 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, based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a


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  date within 90 days of the filing of this report, have concluded that such controls and procedures are adequately designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by the registrant in Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

  (b) There was no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of 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) Code of ethics required to be disclosed under Item 2 of Form N-CSR attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(registrant)                                          Columbia Acorn Trust                                                                                             

 

By (Signature and Title)                     /s/ P. Zachary Egan                                                                                                 
                                                             P. Zachary Egan, President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Date                                                      February 21, 2018                                                                                                

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 (Signature and Title)                      /s/ P. Zachary Egan                                                                                              
                                                              P. Zachary Egan, President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Date                                                      February 21, 2018                                                                                                

 

By (Signature and Title)                     /s/ John M. Kunka                                                                                                 
                                                             John M. Kunka, Treasurer and Principal Accounting and Financial Officer

 

Date                                                      February 21, 2018