N-CSR 1 d456869dncsr.htm FORM N-CSR Form N-CSR
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: Parnassus Funds (811-04044) and Parnassus Income Funds (811-06673)

Parnassus Funds

Parnassus Income Funds

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

1 Market Street, Suite 1600, San Francisco, California 94105

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Marc C. Mahon

Parnassus Funds

Parnassus Income Funds

1 Market Street, Suite 1600, San Francisco, California 94105

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 778-0200

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2012

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Item 1: Report to Shareholders


Table of Contents

PARNASSUS FUNDS®

 

ANNUAL REPORT  ¡  DECEMBER 31, 2012

 

PARNASSUS FUNDS

Parnassus FundSM    PARNX
Parnassus Equity Income FundSM – Investor Shares    PRBLX
Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Institutional Shares    PRILX
Parnassus Mid-Cap FundSM    PARMX
Parnassus Small-Cap FundSM    PARSX
Parnassus Workplace Fund®    PARWX
Parnassus Fixed-Income FundSM    PRFIX

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

Letter from Parnassus Investments     4   
Fund Performance and Commentary  
Parnassus Fund     6   
Parnassus Equity Income Fund     10   
Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund     14   
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund     17   
Parnassus Workplace Fund     19   
Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund     21   
Responsible Investing Notes     24   
Fund Expenses     26   
Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
    27   
Portfolios of Investments  
Parnassus Fund     28   
Parnassus Equity Income Fund     30   
Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund     32   
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund     34   
Parnassus Workplace Fund     36   
Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund     37   
Financial Statements     39   
Notes to Financial Statements     46   
Financial Highlights     56   
Additional Information     58   

 


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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

February 11, 2013

 

Dear Shareholder:

2012 was a great year for the Parnassus Funds. The Parnassus Fund, the Workplace Fund, the Small-Cap Fund and the Mid-Cap Fund all beat their respective benchmarks by a substantial margin. The Equity Income Fund beat its Lipper peer group, and it was just slightly below the S&P 500 Index. The Equity Income Fund has a relatively conservative investment strategy, so it’s designed to provide downside protection in difficult years and capture most of the upside in good years. Portfolio managers Todd Ahlsten and Ben Allen did a remarkable job this year in capturing almost all of the upside.

Enclosed you will find reports on each of our funds, telling how we achieved this year’s returns. I think you’ll find that it makes for interesting reading.

New Staff Members

Charles Darlington has joined us as a fund accountant. Charles is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where he majored in accounting and was a member of the Beta Alpha Psi accounting fraternity. He previously interned with a forensic accounting firm in Ohio and volunteered with the tax assistance programs LadderUp and Refund Ohio. He enjoys playing golf and softball.

Rachel Tan has come aboard as a permanent employee conducting ESG (environmental, social and governance) research. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles and was part of the campus Research Team for Responsible Investment. She is conversant in Mandarin and was a competitive gymnast.

Scott Chun recently received his bachelor’s degree in financial economics from Emory University in Atlanta and was a member of the varsity tennis team, earning All-UAA honors. Scott will be assisting the Institutional Sales & Marketing team over the next few months, focusing on investment proposals for institutions.

Amy Phan has joined us as a sales and marketing intern. She is working on her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in environment economics and media studies. She enjoys digital photography and videography.

Yours truly,

 

LOGO

Jerome L. Dodson

President

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

PARNASSUS FUND

Ticker: PARNX

 

As of December 31, 2012, the net asset value per share (“NAV”) of the Parnassus Fund was $40.62, so after taking dividends into account, the total return for the quarter was 3.77%. This compares to a loss of 0.38% for the S&P 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and a gain of 1.50% for the Lipper Multi-Cap Core Average, which represents the average multi-cap core fund followed by Lipper (“Lipper average”). For the quarter, we beat both benchmarks by a substantial percentage.

For the year, the Fund was up 26.04%, compared to a gain of 16.00% for the S&P 500 and 15.09% for the Lipper average. Most of the stocks in our portfolio had strong returns, but the standouts were homebuilders and a building materials company. Big improvements in the housing market and increases in construction moved these stocks much higher. There were a number of other companies that also made big contributions, and we’ll discuss these in the Company Analysis section.

We beat the S&P 500 by more than ten percentage points, and this more than made up for our underperformance in 2011. Below is a table, comparing the Parnassus Fund with the S&P 500 and the Lipper average over the past one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. As you can see, we’re ahead of both our benchmarks for all periods, except for the ten-year period, where we’re tied with the Lipper average, but ahead of the S&P 500. On page 8 is a graph showing the growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the last ten years.

 

Parnassus Fund  
Average Annual
Total Returns (%)
  One
Year
    Three
Years
    Five
Years
    Ten
Years
    Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 

for periods ended

December 31, 2012

           
   
Parnassus Fund     26.04        11.80        6.37        7.41        0.94        0.94   
   
S&P 500 Index     16.00        10.86        1.66        7.09        NA        NA   
   

Lipper Multi-Cap Core

Average

    15.09        9.24        0.98        7.41        NA        NA   

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future returns. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current performance information to the most recent month-end is available on the Parnassus website (www.parnassus.com). Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original principal cost. Returns shown in the table do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder may pay on fund distributions or redemption of shares. The S&P 500 Composite Stock Index (also known as the S&P 500) is an unmanaged index of common stocks, and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not take any expenses, fees or taxes into account, but mutual fund returns do. Prior to May 1, 2004, the Parnassus Fund charged a sales load (maximum of 3.5%), which is not reflected in the total return calculations. Before investing, an investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund and should carefully read the prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information. The prospectus or summary prospectus can be obtained on the Parnassus website, or by calling (800) 999-3505. As described in the Fund’s current prospectus dated May 1, 2012, Parnassus Investments has contractually agreed to limit the total operating expenses to 0.99% of net assets, exclusive of acquired fund fees, until May 1, 2013. This limitation may be continued indefinitely by the Adviser on a year-to-year basis.

 

Company Analysis

Our strong performance in 2012 was paced by seven stocks, each of them adding 46¢ or more to the NAV. No stock accounted for a loss of 46¢ or more per fund share, but the worst performer was W&T Offshore, which dropped 24.4% from $21.21 to $16.03, for a loss of 28¢ per fund share. Oil- and gas-producer W&T performed well for the Parnassus Fund in 2010 and 2011, but in 2012, concerns about weak oil demand, particularly in Europe, caused oil prices to fall 10.6% from $101.34 to $90.62 per barrel in 2012, so earnings slumped. Investor sentiment sank in late 2012, after W&T reported higher than expected operating costs and production delays due to third-party pipeline outages for its onshore wells. If the economy strengthens and energy prices move upward, earnings should move much higher.

The most important driver for our outstanding results in 2012 was the housing recovery. Many years ago, I spent six years as president of a small savings and loan in San Francisco. This experience was invaluable, since it gave me a keen insight into banking, monetary policy and the housing market. One thing my fellow executives and I often complained about was the fact that when the economy got going with the housing industry leading the way, the Federal Reserve would increase interest rates, and this would depress housing construction and sharply slow down the sale of homes. Since a savings and loan is a bank that specializes in housing, this would hurt our business and reduce our earnings. After one of

 

 

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these complaint sessions, an elder statesman of the savings and loan industry said to us, “You have to realize that the Fed uses the housing industry to control the economy. They don’t have anything against us personally, it’s just that controlling interest rates and the housing market is the best way for them to carry out monetary policy that will have an effect on the economy. Booms and busts come with the territory, so if you’re going to stay in this industry, you have to get used to it.”

It’s almost always housing that drives the economy into a recession and pulls the economy out of a recession. As we have seen, housing created the boom that ended in late 2007; the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008 ended that boom. The crash of

‘08 was different from most other housing recessions, because of its severity and because it was not caused by the Fed’s raising interest rates, but rather, by speculation in the housing market. After housing crashed in 2008, the Fed lowered interest rates, but the housing market did not come back right away. High unemployment and too many houses on the market delayed the recovery.

We had a few shares of homebuilders at the end of 2007, but we didn’t start serious investing in the sector until 2008 and 2009. I had expected the homebuilders to snap back by 2010, but it didn’t happen until 2012. All I can say is “better late than never.” New home construction increased 22% this year and prices are moving higher.

The housing recovery of 2012 produced the Fund’s biggest winner. The PulteGroup soared an astonishing 188% during the year from $6.31 to $18.16 for a gain of $1.61 for each Parnassus Fund share. Pulte was a prime beneficiary of the housing recovery. After losses in 2011, Pulte started earning money in 2012 because of the increase in demand for housing.

Another homebuilder, DR Horton, added 70¢ to the NAV, as its shares rocketed up 56.9% from $12.61 to $19.78. Horton weathered the housing market collapse better than many of its peers because of its broad geographic base and strong balance sheet. For 2012, its order backlog increased by 61% and operating profit surged an amazing 333%.

Toll Brothers saw its stock climb 58.3%, shooting up from $20.42 to $32.33 for an increase of 69¢ for each fund share. Toll and Horton moved up substantially, but not as much as Pulte, because the two former had already returned to profitability in 2011, while Pulte just turned profitable in 2012. Pulte’s stock price dropped more in 2011 than those of Toll and Horton, so much of Pulte’s gain was a bounce-back from very depressed levels.

Gilead Sciences, specializing in medicine to treat HIV and liver diseases, soared 79.5% from $40.93 to $73.45, while adding 72¢ to the NAV. The company has had positive clinical trials for its new drug, Sofosbuvir, an innovative treatment for hepatitis C (HCV), a chronic virus that leads to liver failure. Gilead has also had success in its core HIV franchise, receiving FDA approval for Stribild, a four-in-one pill that combines two new Gilead-patented molecules with two existing therapies that offers patients higher HIV viral suppression with fewer side effects.

Ciena makes optical equipment for telecommunications, and it contributed 57¢ to each Parnassus Fund share, as its stock shot up 29.8% from $12.10 to $15.70. The company had a challenging 2011, when its customers delayed capital expenditures because of the weak economic environment. However, enormous increases in the use of wireless devices is finally forcing telecommunications carriers to

 

Parnassus Fund

as of December 31, 2012

(percentage of net assets)

   

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings

(percentage of net assets)

 

Ciena Corp.      5.4
Applied Materials Inc.      4.7
Finisar Corp.      4.6
Intel Corp.      3.7
Charles Schwab Corp.      3.6
Microsoft Corp.      3.6
Gilead Sciences Inc.      3.5
PulteGroup Inc.      3.3
Wells Fargo & Co.      3.3
Cisco Systems Inc.      3.2

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically.

 

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purchase more equipment. AT&T recently announced that it is increasing capital expenditures by 15% each year for the next three years, while Sprint-Nextel received an $8 billion investment from Softbank to upgrade the network.

Lowe’s, the second largest home-improvement retailer, benefited from some of the same trends as the homebuilders, as its stock rose 40% from $25.38 to $35.52 for a contribution of 49¢ to the NAV. Rising home prices improved consumer sentiment and increased demand for home-improvement products. Lowe’s also did a good job of controlling costs by reducing head count and eliminating items that did not sell very well. Also boosting the stock price was an increase in the dividend by 14% and the company’s repurchasing 10% of the shares outstanding.

 

 

Value on December 31, 2012 of $10,000 invested on December 31, 2002    

LOGO

The chart shows the growth in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment over the last 10 years and does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

 

 

Shares of San Francisco-based Wells Fargo rose 24% from $27.56 to $34.18 during the year, increasing the value of each fund share by 46¢. The bank is reaping the rewards of prudent lending decisions made during the boom years and is using its healthy balance sheet to take market share from weakened competitors saddled with bad loans. In 2012, Wells Fargo originated more than 30% of all mortgages made in America and benefited enormously from the recovery in the housing market. The bank reported four consecutive quarters of record earnings, with each quarter higher than the one before it.

Outlook and Strategy

Note: This section represents my thoughts and applies to the three funds that I manage: the Parnassus Fund, the Parnassus Small-Cap Fund and the Parnassus Workplace Fund. The other portfolio managers discuss their thoughts in their respective reports.

The Parnassus Fund had a great year! We were up 26% and we beat the S&P 500 by ten percentage points. The market also had a good year, with the S&P 500 gaining 16%. This is remarkable, given the fact that there was so much pessimism at the start of the year. Investors and analysts were all forecasting a terrible year with stocks falling off a cliff. Even I was somewhat pessimistic, despite the fact that I tend to be an optimist by nature.

In the last quarterly report, I described how the stock market seems to climb a wall of worry. When most people are pessimistic, stocks become depressed and sell at bargain prices. There are, however, a few investors who can divorce themselves from their emotions, and they start buying because stocks are so cheap. This starts an upward trend, and soon more people jump on the bandwagon and start buying stocks. Before you know it, there’s a full-scale rally. That seems to be what happened in 2012.

Stocks are still trading at pretty reasonable prices, but they’re not the bargains they were at the end of 2011. I still think the general trend will be higher for 2013.

What gives me confidence is the state of the housing market. As I have indicated, the housing market almost always drives the economy into a recession and almost always pulls the economy out of a recession. When housing starts pick up, that means more work for bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and laborers. With new homes, people buy furniture, home appliances, pots and pans, dishes, drapes and rugs. Designers, architects, engineers, lawyers and real estate agents also have more income. Money gets spread around, more people have jobs and soon the economy is firing on all cylinders.

As most of you know, the housing recovery has been a long time coming. We had so many empty houses that construction virtually came to a halt. That changed in 2012. I live in San Francisco, and here there is a shortage of houses on the market, which is pushing prices much higher. This phenomenon is taking place all over the country in desirable areas and places where the economy is strong. I expect this phenomenon of a stronger housing market to spread all over the country in 2013. This will mean more jobs and more money in the hands of consumers.

There are, of course, risks to this recovery. One of them, fortunately, has been addressed---at least temporarily. Congress passed a bill that addressed the fiscal cliff, and that means there will be no tax increase for most Americans and that government programs won’t be sharply cut back. People will have more money in their pocket and that should keep the economy growing.

 

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We still face the economic problems in Europe, but I’m hopeful things will improve there. In any case, I don’t think this poses a major threat to the American economy.

What concerns me most is unemployment. Usually when we come out of a deep recession, job growth is very strong---on the order of 300,000 to 400,000 new jobs a month. We’ve had growth in jobs this year, but only at the rate of 100,000 to 200,000 a month. Since we lost over six million jobs during the recession, we need a lot more to pull down the rate of unemployment. We’re now at an unemployment rate of 7.8%. Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke says he will keep interest rates very low until unemployment drops to 6.5%, but I would like the rate to drop to around 5%. Current job growth is encouraging, but we need to step up the pace.

That’s my outlook, so what’s my strategy? I’m keeping all three of my funds positioned for continuing economic recovery. Housing stocks have made an enormous contribution to both the Parnassus Fund and the Small-Cap Fund. We’ll keep these stocks a bit longer, since I expect them to go higher into 2013. At some point, though, I suspect we’ll start to sell them. The housing recovery will continue, and the homebuilders will continue to see their earnings increase, but these stocks should reach their intrinsic value sometime this year. However, they should still make a nice contribution to the funds’ performance in the first half of the year.

The place where I see the biggest potential contribution to performance in 2013 is in technology and telecommunications. As our veteran shareholders will remember, it took a long time for my bet on homebuilders to pay off, but once they did, the return was very attractive. I believe the same thing applies to telecommunications stocks.

They haven’t yet had the returns that I was anticipating, but I expect that to change in 2013. They could make the same kind of contributions to our funds that the homebuilders made in 2012. If you look at the portfolios listed in this annual report, you will see that we have big positions in telecommunications equipment providers like Ciena, Finisar, Qualcomm and Cisco. If the phone companies start investing in equipment like I think they will, this could be a very big year for all three of my funds. Just as the move in the homebuilding stocks was delayed for a long time, I think the telecomm equipment stocks have had the same kind of delay. That delay could be over in 2013, and if it is, the effect on the funds could be even greater than the effect the homebuilders had in 2012.

Some of our technology stocks could do well in 2013 such as Microsoft, Intel and Applied Materials. The latter is a very interesting company, because the stock is trading at such a depressed valuation. Applied makes equipment used to manufacture semiconductors, and semiconductors have a big role in telecommunications and all the electronic devices people use every day. Another interesting aspect of Applied is that they make equipment used to manufacture panels for solar energy. I think demand will increase for this kind of equipment and that the stock could do quite well. This stock is also consistent with our philosophy of investing in companies that help the environment.

Financial stocks, such as Schwab, Wells Fargo and First Horizon should also do well. Of course, there is no guarantee of future returns, but I’m optimistic for 2013.

Thank you very much for investing in the Parnassus Funds.

Yours truly,

 

LOGO

Jerome L. Dodson

Portfolio Manager

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

PARNASSUS EQUITY INCOME FUND

Ticker: Investor Shares - PRBLX

Ticker: Institutional Shares - PRILX

 

As of December 31, 2012, the NAV of the Parnassus Equity Income Fund-Investor Shares was $29.20. After taking dividends into account, the total return for the fourth quarter was a gain of 1.20%. This return compares favorably to a loss of 0.38% for the S&P 500 Index (“S&P” 500) and a gain of 0.29% for the Lipper Equity Income Fund Average, which represents the average equity income fund followed by Lipper (“Lipper average”). For the year, the Fund rose 15.43%, which handily beat the Lipper average of 12.44%, but fell short of the S&P 500’s 16.00% gain.

The accompanying table compares the performance of the Fund with that of the S&P 500 and the Lipper average. Average annual total returns are for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. On page 12 is a graph showing the growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the last ten years.

 

Parnassus Equity Income Fund  

Average Annual

Total Returns (%)

  One
Year
    Three
Years
    Five
Years
    Ten
Years
    Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 

for periods ended

December 31, 2012

           
   
Parnassus Equity Income Fund Investor Shares     15.43        9.03        5.15        8.12        0.94        0.94   
   
Parnassus Equity Income Fund Institutional Shares     15.64        9.26        5.38        8.27        0.70        0.70   
   
S&P 500 Index     16.00        10.86        1.66        7.09        NA        NA   
   

Lipper Equity Income Fund

Average

    12.44        10.13        1.80        7.45        NA        NA   

 

The total return for the Parnassus Equity Income Fund-Institutional Shares from commencement (April 28, 2006) was 7.27%. Performance shown prior to the inception of the Institutional Shares reflects the performance of the Parnassus Equity Income Fund-Investor Shares and includes expenses that are not applicable to and are higher than those of the Institutional Shares. The performance of Institutional Shares differs from that shown for the Investor Shares to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses. Performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future returns. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current performance information to the most recent month-end is available on the Parnassus website (www.parnassus.com). Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original principal cost. Returns shown in the table do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder may pay on fund distributions or redemption of shares. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of common stocks, and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not take any expenses, fees or taxes into account, but mutual fund returns do. On March 31, 1998, the Fund changed its investment objective from a balanced portfolio to an equity income portfolio. Before investing, an investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund and should carefully read the prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information. The prospectus or summary prospectus can be obtained on the Parnassus website or by calling (800) 999-3505. As described in the Fund’s current prospectus dated, May 1, 2012, Parnassus Investments has contractually agreed to limit the total operating expenses to 0.99% and 0.78% of net assets, exclusive of acquired fund fees, through May 1, 2013 for the Investor Shares and Institutional Shares, respectively. These limitations may be continued indefinitely by the Adviser on a year-to-year basis.

 

2012 Review

2012 was a terrific year for stocks, as the S&P 500 gained 16.0%. The year started off well, with the index soaring 12.6% in the first quarter, but fears of a worsening European debt crisis pushed stocks down violently in May. The decline was so severe that it brought the year-to-date gain of the index to just 2.6% by June 1st. These worries eventually abated, and stocks recovered, after European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi promised to do “whatever it takes to preserve the euro,” and then added “and believe me, it will be enough.” This tough talk boosted the confidence of market participants on both sides of the Atlantic for the remainder of the year.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke also helped send stocks higher in 2012 by introducing a series of unorthodox monetary policies intended to keep rates low and boost asset prices. These included buying mortgage bonds and promising to maintain a strongly accommodative stance until unemployment reaches 6.5%, or inflation tops 2.5%. The scope of the Federal Reserve’s recent policies is staggering, as its balance sheet finished the year just shy of $3 trillion. This is a whopping 230% larger than the Fed’s balance sheet in August of 2007, when our country was in the very early stages of the credit crisis that triggered our most recent recession. While this expansion has been beneficial for stocks over the last few years, we’re concerned about the long-term risks, including inflation, of such a dramatic increase in the money supply.

In addition to supportive central banking actions, improving economic data helped boost the market last year. The highlight clearly was homebuilding, which finally recovered from its multi-year slump. In its latest release, the Commerce Department reported that the annual rate for housing starts jumped to 861,000 in

 

 

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November, 22% greater than a year ago. The overall labor picture also improved, with the unemployment rate dropping from 8.3% to 7.8% over the course of the year. Joblessness is still too high, and we’re clearly not growing at our full potential, but we’re encouraged that the economy showed signs of improvement in 2012.

The Fund performed well for the year, gaining 15.43%, just 57 basis points short of the S&P 500’s gain (a basis point is 1/100th of 1%). We’re happy with this result, since we captured 96% of the upside for the index, while employing a lower-risk investment strategy. During the year, we had a major underweight in the financials sector, which is very economically

sensitive, and a significant overweight in the defensive utilities sector. These allocation decisions, combined with our 6% average cash balance for the year, reduced our return relative to the S&P 500 by almost three percentage points. Thankfully, our stock selection in other sectors, especially healthcare, almost entirely offset the impact of our defensive posture.

Company Analysis

Two companies – Energen and W&T Offshore – reduced the NAV by 4¢ or more this year. Both are crude oil producers and were negatively impacted by a 10.6% decline in that commodity’s price for 2012. In addition, Energen’s stock sagged in the fourth quarter after management lowered its production guidance, due to higher than expected costs and delays in its West Texas drilling operation. The combined effect of these negative factors was a 9.8% drop in Energen’s stock price for the year, from $50.00 to $45.09, and a 5¢ drag on our NAV.

W&T Offshore dropped 24.4% from $21.21 to $16.03, and shaved 4¢ off of the Fund’s NAV. The hit to the NAV was relatively modest, even though the stock dropped so much, because the company paid $1.11 per share in dividends in 2012. Like Energen, W&T suffered from production delays late in the year, which hurt the stock. Despite this setback, the company made solid progress in 2012 with its West Texas and Gulf of Mexico assets, and is well-positioned to deliver earnings growth for the long-term. Based on these positive factors and the price drop, we doubled our position.

Five stocks contributed at least 20¢ to the Fund’s NAV, including one that added an amazing 65¢, Gilead Sciences. This Bay Area-based biotech company soared 79.5% to $73.45 from $40.93, due to tremendous progress made in its two key therapeutic areas of focus: HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. The advances regarding HIV/AIDS were in a drug called Stribild, a once-a-day pill that promises better outcomes for patients and fewer psychiatric side-effects than Gilead’s current therapy, Atripla.

Gilead’s hepatitis C drug, Sofosbuvir (previously called GS-7977), posted terrific results throughout the year in multiple clinical trials. This pill has the potential to cure hepatitis C patients, including those who can’t tolerate the existing standard of care, which includes an injection of interferon, a chemical that causes very unpleasant, flu-like side-effects. If Gilead reports positive data in its final trials planned for the first quarter of 2013, management should apply for approval to market the drug shortly thereafter. Throughout the year, we sold some of our Gilead stock, in response to its significant price increase, but we still held a sizable position at year-end.

Charles Schwab boosted the Fund by 22¢, as its stock jumped 27.5% from $11.26 to $14.36. In its most recent monthly business update,

Schwab reported $16.2 billion of new client assets and a record $1.9

 

Parnassus Equity Income Fund

as of December 31, 2012

(percentage of net assets)

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings

(percentage of net assets)

 

Procter & Gamble Co.      4.5%   
PepsiCo Inc.      4.2%   
Teleflex Inc.      4.1%   
Gilead Sciences Inc.      4.0%   
Applied Materials Inc.      4.0%   
Waste Management Inc.      3.9%   
Google Inc.      3.5%   
Charles Schwab Corp.      3.2%   
Questar Corp.      3.1%   
Pentair Ltd.      3.1%   

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically.

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

trillion of total client assets. In a December meeting at the company’s San Francisco headquarters, we asked Schwab’s CFO, Joseph Martinetto, how the company is able to keep growing so fast from such an enormous base. He said that it was because the company’s tools are better than the competition and are offered at lower prices, and its employees always put clients first. We love this strategy and the fact that Charles Schwab’s balance sheet is far more understandable and offers less risk than most publicly-traded financial companies.

MasterCard rocketed 31.8% this year, from $372.82 to $491.28, increasing each fund share by 22¢. The stock was basically a market-performer until September, when management established revenue and earnings guidance for 2013-2015 that exceeded most analysts’ expectations. The

 

Value on December 31, 2012 of $10,000 invested on December 31, 2002    

 

LOGO

The chart shows the growth in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment over the last 10 years and does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

 

 

guidance is for annual growth of 11-14% for revenue and 20% for earnings per share. Even after the stock’s great run, we still like MasterCard, since it should benefit from a multi-year, global trend from cash to electronic payments. We also think that the company has a winning strategy for the emerging mobile payments sector.

Teleflex gained 16.4% for the year, going from $61.29 to $71.31, and contributed 20¢ to the NAV. 2012 marked a milestone for the company, as it was the first full year during which all of Teleflex’s business lines were healthcare-related. We’re happy to report that the results were very good. The company executed a well-designed plan to boost prices on certain products, while at the same time maintaining its low-cost position in the single-use, medical device market. In addition, the company completed five small acquisitions to increase its global reach and supplement its research and development programs. We think Teleflex will continue to improve its business in 2013, which is why it was our third largest holding in the Fund at year-end.

Our final significant winner was McCormick, the spice-maker, which chipped in 20¢ to the NAV, as its stock rose 26.0% from $50.42 to close at $63.53. The company performed well this year, despite volatile commodity prices and tepid consumer spending. McCormick was able to do this because of its valuable brands and customer loyalty, which allow the company to increase prices to offset cost inflation without losing business to discount competitors. We’ve owned McCormick since the summer of 2005, and have never sold a share, in large part because of management’s ability to successfully navigate challenging environments such as 2012.

Outlook and Strategy

As we’ve written in previous reports, we consider risk mitigation to be one of the most important goals of portfolio management. We normally devote the bulk of our outlook and strategy discussion to how we’ve positioned the Fund to avoid permanent losses of capital, stemming from macroeconomic or financial market risks. We’re still focused on risk, and are especially concerned about U.S. consumer spending, Europe’s recession and a potential slowdown in China. However, since we’ve written so much about these issues in recent shareholder letters, we’ve decided to spare you the details this time around. Instead, we’ve chosen to highlight two investment themes that collectively account for 21% of the Fund’s assets and ten portfolio companies, as of year-end. Because we’ve invested so much in these areas, they are critical to our investment strategy for 2013.

The first theme is logistics, which in layman’s terms means “helping customers move something from one place to another efficiently.” We’re currently invested in two logistics companies that own their transportation equipment and specialize in certain parts of the market. The larger of the two positions is Sysco, which dominates the food distribution industry, with twice the sales as its next closest competitor. The second investment is United Parcel Service (UPS), which is the leader in parcel shipping, with a focus on ground transportation. These two companies enjoy sustainable competitive advantages given their reputations for excellent service and massive investments in distribution centers, trucks and other equipment. Because of these advantages, Sysco and UPS earn high returns on capital, which enable the companies to offer handsome dividend yields of 3.5% and 3.0%, respectively.

We also own two businesses, C. H. Robinson and Expeditors International of Washington, which are leaders in logistics brokerage. These companies benefit from scale, since larger brokers have more extensive networks to match shippers and

 

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carriers. The other great thing about Robinson and Expeditors is that, unlike Sysco and UPS, they don’t have to keep heavy equipment on their balance sheets. Less capital expenditure means more operating cash flow that can be distributed to shareholders. We’ve long admired these asset-light logistics companies, and were excited that their stocks dropped to levels in 2012, where we could buy them at value prices.

The second key theme in the portfolio is infrastructure, and we include in this category two industrial holdings, Praxair and Pentair, and our four utilities. Praxair sells gases for industrial use, such as oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, argon and many others. This business is attractive, because Praxair builds plants adjacent to its customers’ factories, using pipelines to deliver the goods. This makes it very difficult for competitors to poach clients. In addition, since the company is tightly integrated into the infrastructure of its customers’ operations, management has great visibility into future sales and cash flow.

Pentair offers fluid-handling equipment to customers in a wide range of sectors such as energy, municipal water and agriculture. The company just completed a merger with the fluid control division of Tyco, so it now has a much broader suite of products and an even wider geographical reach. Water is an essential part of our global infrastructure, so we expect Pentair to sell a lot of their equipment into high-growth emerging markets and developed economies that need upgrades to their aging water infrastructure.

Our utilities holdings derive the bulk of their revenue from natural gas-related businesses, ranging from storage and pipelines to electricity-generation. The companies in this group, in order of position size in the Fund at year-end, are: Questar, MDU Resources, Northwest Natural Gas and AGL Resources. These companies have great prospects, because we expect natural gas to be an important part of our energy infrastructure for many decades to come. While it’s certainly not perfect, the fuel has many positive attributes: it has a better environmental profile than crude oil and coal, it doesn’t have the disposal issues associated with nuclear power, and it’s a great bridge fuel to the day when alternative energy gains sufficient scale to power our entire economy.

We’ve invested more than a fifth of the Fund’s assets in logistics- and infrastructure-related stocks, because we believe they should perform well in a wide range of economic outcomes. In bearish scenarios, they should go down less than the market, due to their attractive competitive positions and robust balance sheets. In bullish scenarios, they should thrive because demand for their services should increase rapidly if economic growth accelerates. So, regardless of how the overall stock market does in 2013, if we’re right about these two key investment themes, our portfolio should perform very well.

We thank you for your investment in the Fund,

 

LOGO

 

  LOGO
Todd C. Ahlsten   Benjamin E. Allen
Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

PARNASSUS MID-CAP FUND

Ticker: PARMX

 

As of December 31, 2012, the NAV of the Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund was $20.27, so after taking dividends into account, the total return for 2012 was 18.58%. This compares favorably to 17.28% for the Russell Midcap Index (“Russell”) and 15.09% for the Lipper Multi-Cap Core Average, which represents the average multi-cap core fund followed by Lipper (“Lipper average”). For the quarter, the Fund was up 2.52%, just short of the Russell’s 2.88% return, but well ahead of the Lipper average’s 1.50% gain.

We are proud of the Fund’s strong performance in 2012 and are pleased that we beat our benchmarks for the second year in a row. The Fund’s long-term track record also remains outstanding. The Fund has outperformed both the Russell and its Lipper peers over the three- and five-year periods and for the period since inception. In addition, since we assumed management of the Fund on October 1, 2008, the Fund has generated an annualized return of 10.77%, better than the Russell’s 9.65% return and the Lipper average’s 6.75% return.

Below is a table comparing the Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund with the Russell and the Lipper average for the one-, three- and five-year periods and for the period since inception on April 29, 2005. On page 16 is a graph showing the growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund since inception.

 

Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund  

Average Annual

Total Returns (%)

  One
Year
    Three
Years
    Five
Years
    Since
Inception on
4/29/05
    Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
for  periods ended
December 31, 2012
           
   
Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund     18.58        13.30        6.95        7.19        1.24        1.20   
   
Russell Midcap Index     17.28        13.15        3.57        7.09        NA        NA   
   
Lipper Multi-Cap Core Average     15.09        9.24        0.98        4.74        NA        NA   

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future returns. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current performance information to the most recent month-end is available on the Parnassus website (www.parnassus.com). Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original principal cost. Returns shown in the table do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder may pay on fund distributions or redemption of shares. The Russell Midcap Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks, and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not take any expenses, fees or taxes into account, but mutual fund returns do. Mid-cap companies can be more sensitive to changing economic conditions and have fewer financial resources than large-cap companies. Before investing, an investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund and should carefully read the prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information. The prospectus or summary prospectus can be obtained on the Parnassus website, or by calling (800) 999-3505. As described in the Fund’s current prospectus dated May 1, 2012, Parnassus Investments has contractually agreed to limit the total operating expenses to 1.20% of net assets, exclusive of acquired fund fees, until May 1, 2013. This limitation may be continued indefinitely by the Adviser on a year-to-year basis.

 

2012 Review

2012 was a good year for the Fund. We provided a strong return, outperformed both of our benchmarks, and more than doubled assets under management.

The Russell closed the year up 17.3%, just above its previous all-time high made in July of 2007, and a whopping 151.9% above its March of 2009 low. Mid-cap stocks outperformed both large- and small-cap issues during the year, with the Russell Midcap Index beating the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 small-cap index by 1.3 and 0.9 percentage points, respectively.

Despite the positive total return for the year, it was another bumpy ride for the Russell. The market went up 12.9% in the first quarter, down 4.4% in the second quarter, up 5.6% in the third quarter and up 2.9% in the fourth quarter. Investor sentiment was driven by central bank and government announcements, as well as debate about the U.S economy, the European debt crisis and the Chinese economy.

Ultimately, optimism triumphed, as investors focused on steady job growth and better housing data in the U.S., including rising prices, accelerating starts and lower inventories. The mood was buoyed in the back half of the year, after the European Central Bank head, Mario Draghi, announced that he was committed to keeping the Euro-zone intact. A few months later, more positive news came when the European Central Bank announced a sovereign debt buying program, and the U.S. Federal Reserve launched a third round of quantitative easing.

 

 

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The Fund beat the Russell for the year by 1.3 percentage points and its Lipper peer group by 3.5 percentage points. The primary reason for the Fund’s outperformance was strong stock selection. Good stock-picking in the industrial, information technology and financial sectors helped us the most this year, while poor stock selection in the energy and utility sectors hurt the Fund.

Company Analysis

The Fund only had a handful of stocks that reduced the NAV in 2012. The stock that hurt us the most was natural-gas producer Ultra Petroleum. Its share price sank 38.8%, from $29.63 to $18.13, for a decrease of 9¢ for each fund share. In early 2012, unusually warm weather and an oversupply of natural gas caused prices to tumble from $3.02 to $1.91 per million British thermal unit (Btu), so earnings slumped. The stock moved higher as natural gas prices improved, increasing to $4 per Btu in October, driven by higher usage of natural gas by electric utilities. However, investor confidence eroded toward the end of the year, when the price fell to $3.37 per Btu on lower demand. As one of the lowest-cost natural gas producers, Ultra should see higher profits once gas prices rebound.

Check Point Software, a leading provider of security software, cost the Fund 4¢ per share, as its stock fell 9.3% from $52.54 to $47.64. Strong demand for security software boosted earnings in early 2012, but slower than expected billings growth, due to weakness in Europe, and a mix shift towards lower margin security products, dragged down the stock by year-end. We believe it will rebound as the company delivers higher earnings with its market-leading products and strong share buyback program.

Oil and gas producer Concho Resources fell 5.8% from our cost of $85.52 to $80.56, for a decrease of 3¢ to each fund share. Concerns about weak oil demand, particularly from Europe, caused oil prices to fall 10.6% from $101.34 to $90.62 per barrel in 2012, so earnings slumped. Investor sentiment sank after the company missed third quarter earnings expectations due to lower oil production in the West Texas Permian Basin. With a significant inventory of high-margin oil assets, we believe Concho is well-positioned to deliver higher cash flow in 2013.

The Fund’s biggest winner was Insperity, a provider of human-resource services to small businesses. Its stock surged 28.4% during the year, from $25.35 to $32.56, adding 23¢ to the NAV. Insperity is gaining clients because job growth has been good, and the company is expanding its service offerings. Also, in November, management announced shareholder-friendly initiatives including a $50 million share buyback and a 3.9% special dividend. We still like the stock, because management is further enhancing its service-offerings and growing its sales force by 20%, actions we expect to result in profitable growth.

SEI Investments, the investment technology solutions provider and asset-manager, was the Fund’s second-largest contributor. The shares jumped 34.5% during the year, from $17.35 to $23.34, adding 19¢ to the NAV. The bulk of company revenue is from fees earned from assets under management and administration, so the stock went up with the rising equity and debt markets. Investors are also excited about the Global Wealth Platform, the company’s best-in-class technology, which should drive higher profits in the coming years.

Equifax, the large, consumer-credit bureau, added 17¢ to each fund share, as its stock soared 39.7% during the year from $38.74 to $54.12. Banks and other lending institutions rely on the company’s credit score database to make loan decisions, so the stock rose with the housing market

 

Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund

as of December 31, 2012

(percentage of net assets)

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings

(percentage of net assets)

 

Teleflex Inc.      4.1%   
Waste Management Inc.      3.9%   
Questar Corp.      3.9%   
Shaw Communications Inc.      3.6%   
Iron Mountain Inc.      3.2%   
MDU Resources Group Inc.      3.2%   
First Horizon National Corp.      3.2%   
Sysco Corp.      3.2%   
Applied Materials Inc.      3.1%   
Pentair Ltd.      3.0%   

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically.

 

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

improvement, including increasing home purchases and greater refinancing activity. The stock moved even higher in December, after management announced the highly accretive purchase of Computer Sciences Corporation’s credit services arm.

Outlook and Strategy

Almost all major banks are predicting that the stock market will go up in 2013. It’s hard to say whether this consensus is right, but we agree that the underlying driver is the slowly improving economy. The most positive development this past year was housing. Most predictions at the beginning of 2012 called for continued weakness, but instead we saw price stabilization and improvement, and lower inventories. We expect to see gradual housing market improvement in 2013, given the Fed’s commitment to low interest rates. Since housing market improvement creates jobs, the result should be another year of economic expansion.

 

Value on December 31, 2012 of $10,000 invested on April 29, 2005    

 

LOGO

The chart shows the growth in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment since inception (April 29, 2005) and does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

 

 

On the flip side, we’re concerned that the Fed’s low interest-rate policy will eventually result in inflation. While economic growth remains subdued, this inflation shouldn’t be a problem. However, when the economy picks up steam, inflation will likely set in, harming the overall economy.

Similar to the beginning of 2012, we are concerned about the European debt and economic crises. Despite the European Central Bank’s helpful actions last year, we worry about Germany’s willingness to support Spain and other highly indebted European countries. If Germany discontinues its support, the Euro-zone could implode, which would undoubtedly hurt the U.S. equity markets. As a result, we are wary of exposing the Fund to companies that earn a significant portion of their revenue and profit from Europe.

Since the beginning of last year, we have decreased our information technology exposure. We sold some technology names because of slowing revenue growth, regulatory concerns and European exposure. We also increased our exposure in the energy and utilities sectors. We believe natural gas prices will rebound over time, which favors names like Ultra Petroleum, a low-cost producer. We believe our oil holdings have strong prospects with their long-life oil reserves and solid cash flow generation. We are confident that our utility stocks will perform well going forward, because each of our holdings is a solid operator in a growing market.

Corporate profit-margins are currently at an all-time high and probably won’t go up much more. For the market to move higher, either earnings must rise or investors must pay greater multiples for stocks. If neither of these things happen, the market will probably go down, in which case our quality bias should provide downside protection. If they do occur, the Fund is well-positioned, because our process results in owning attractive companies with disciplined managers, above-market revenue growth rates and competitive advantages. This strategy has generated excellent results for investors so far, and we’re confident it will yield attractive risk-adjusted returns in the long run.

Thank you for your investment.

Yours truly,

 

LOGO
Matthew D. Gershuny
  LOGO
Lori A. Keith
Portfolio Manager   Portfolio Manager

 

 

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PARNASSUS SMALL-CAP FUND

Ticker: PARSX

 

As of December 31, 2012, the NAV of the Parnassus Small-Cap Fund was $23.77, so after taking dividends into account, the total return for the quarter was 5.01%. This compares to a return of 1.85% for the Russell 2000 Index (“Russell 2000”) of smaller companies and 2.59% for the Lipper Small-Cap Core Average, which represents the average small-cap core fund followed by Lipper (“Lipper average”), so we are well ahead of both our benchmarks.

For the year, the Fund was up 18.40% compared to 16.35% for the Russell 2000 and 14.74% for the Lipper average. Below is a table, comparing the performance of the Parnassus Small-Cap Fund with that of the Russell 2000 and the Lipper average over the past one-, three- and five-year periods and the period since inception. The Fund is ahead of all indices for all time periods, except that we are slightly behind the Russell 2000 for the three-year period, although we are ahead of the Lipper average for that time period. On page 18 is a graph showing the growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund since inception.

 

 
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund  

Average Annual

Total Returns (%)

  One
Year
    Three
Years
    Five
Years
    Since
Inception on
4/29/05
    Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
for periods ended
December 31, 2012
           
   
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund     18.40        12.14        8.53        8.35        1.22        1.20   
   
Russell 2000 Index     16.35        12.25        3.56        6.53        NA        NA   
   
Lipper Small-Cap Core Average     14.74        11.50        3.28        6.19        NA        NA   

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future returns. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current performance information to the most recent month-end is available on the Parnassus website (www.parnassus.com). Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original principal cost. Returns shown in the table do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder may pay on fund distributions or redemption of shares. The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks, and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not take any expenses, fees or taxes into account, but mutual fund returns do. Small-cap companies can be particularly sensitive to changing economic conditions and have fewer financial resources than large-cap companies. Before investing, an investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund and should carefully read the prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information. The prospectus or summary prospectus can be obtained on the Parnassus website, or by calling (800) 999-3505. As described in the Fund’s current prospectus dated May 1, 2012, Parnassus Investments has contractually agreed to limit the total operating expenses to 1.20% of net assets, exclusive of acquired fund fees, until May 1, 2013. This limitation may be continued indefinitely by the Adviser on a year-to year basis.

 

Company Analysis

Seven companies in the portfolio each accounted for a gain of 21¢ or more for the year, while only one accounted for a loss of 21¢ or more. The loser was Ceragon Networks, a manufacturer of microwave backhaul equipment, which connects cellular telephone towers to the main communications network. The stock sank 42.7% during the year from $7.70 to $4.41, slicing 24¢ off each fund share. Ceragon’s customers reduced their capital expenditures because of the weak economy, which resulted in less revenue and less cash on the balance sheet. This led to concerns about the company’s liquidity, so the company filed to issue $150 million in new securities. The liquidity concerns and the fear of dilution caused panic among investors and the stock hit new lows. We think the company has enough cash for normal operations, and they probably won’t issue the new securities, so we bought more shares at very low prices. Our view is that the growth of smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices will force Ceragon’s customers to increase capital expenditures, and when they do, Ceragon will get a big share of the business because of its low-cost products.

Of the seven companies making a significant contribution to the NAV, the biggest contributor was homebuilder PulteGroup, which climbed an astonishing 188% during the year from $6.31 to $18.16, while contributing 89¢ to the value of each fund share. New home construction increased 22% in 2012 and Pulte was a prime beneficiary. After losses in 2011, Pulte started earning money in 2012.

The second biggest contributor was First American Financial, a large title insurer that added 51¢ to each fund share, as its stock surged 90.1% from $12.67 to $24.09. Homeowners took advantage of unprecedented low interest rates to refinance their mortgages, and First American benefited because

 

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

refinancing requires new title insurance. Although the refinancing boom is coming to an end, we are holding the stock, believing that improving home sales will drive another wave of growth.

Clothing-manufacturer Hanesbrands shot up 63.9% from $21.86 to $35.82 for a gain of 26¢ for each fund share. In May, the company divested its low-margin, private-label business and used the proceeds to reduce its debt. The company’s profit margins have increased substantially, as prices for cotton, its primary raw material, have dropped more than 60% from record highs in 2011.

Insperity, a provider of human resource services, climbed 28.4% from $25.35 to $32.56 while contributing 24¢ to the NAV. Its customers pay the company a monthly fee per employee, so Insperity’s revenue has increased along with the rising number of jobs in the country. The company has introduced new products and is increasing its sales force by 20%, so revenue should keep growing. Insperity also announced a special 3.9% dividend to shareholders.

Value on December 31, 2012 of $10,000 invested on April 29, 2005    

 

LOGO

The chart shows the growth in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment since inception (April 29, 2005) and does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

The stock of homebuilder Toll Brothers soared 58.3% from $20.42 to $32.33 for an increase of 22¢ for each fund share. The strong housing recovery moved the stock much higher, although it did not go up as much as Pulte because Toll had already returned to profitability in 2011 while Pulte just became profitable in 2012. Pulte’s stock price dropped more in 2011 than Toll’s, so much of Pulte’s gain was a bounce-back from very depressed levels.

Arbitron, the industry-standard radio ratings-agency, added 22¢ to the NAV, as its stock gained 36% from $34.41 to $46.96 where we sold it. On December 18, Nielsen, the industry-standard television ratings-agency, made an offer for Arbitron for $48 a share in cash. We locked in our gain by selling our shares the same day, because we were concerned that the FTC might block the acquisition on antitrust grounds.

Ciena makes optical equipment for telecommunications, and it contributed 21¢ to each fund share, as its stock shot up 29.8% from $12.10 to $15.70. The company had a challenging 2011, when its customers delayed capital expenditures because of the weak economic environment. However, an enormous increase in the use of wireless devices is finally forcing telecommunications carriers to purchase more equipment. AT&T recently announced that it is increasing capital expenditures by 15% each year for the next three years, while Sprint-Nextel received an $8 billion investment from Softbank to upgrade the network.

Yours truly,

 

LOGO

Jerome L. Dodson

Portfolio Manager

 

Parnassus Small-Cap Fund

as of December 31, 2012

(percentage of net assets)

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings

(percentage of net assets)

 

Finisar Corp.      4.9%   
Ciena Corp.      4.6%   
First American Financial Corp.      4.4%   
First Horizon National Corp.      4.4%   
Insperity Inc.      4.2%   
PulteGroup Inc.      4.1%   
Harmonic Inc.      3.6%   
VCA Antech Inc.      3.6%   
Riverbed Technology Inc.      3.2%   
W&T Offshore Inc.      3.1%   

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically.

 

 

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Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

PARNASSUS WORKPLACE FUND

Ticker: PARWX

 

As of December 31, 2012, the NAV of the Parnassus Workplace Fund was $22.17, so after taking dividends into account, the total return for the quarter was 2.03%. This compares to a loss of 0.38% for the S&P 500 Index (“S&P” 500) and a return of 0.23% for the Lipper Large-Cap Core Average, which represents the average large-cap core fund followed by Lipper (“Lipper average”). We beat both our benchmarks by a substantial amount, posting a nice gain compared to a loss for the S&P 500 and a small fractional gain for the Lipper average.

For the year, the Workplace Fund was up 22.03%, compared to a gain of 16.00% for the S&P 500 and 14.95% for the Lipper average. We beat the S&P 500 by more than six percentage points and the Lipper average by more than seven percentage points, so it was a very good year. There was no one theme for this year’s outstanding performance. The five stocks that contributed the most to our returns were all from different industries.

Below is a table comparing the Parnassus Workplace Fund with the S&P 500 and the Lipper average for the one-, three- and five-year periods and the period since inception. You’ll notice that the Fund is ahead of all benchmarks for all time periods, except that we’re slightly behind the S&P 500 for the three-year period, but we’re well ahead of the Lipper average for that period. The Workplace Fund has a remarkable long-term track record. Since inception on April 29, 2005, the Fund has placed fifth out of the 607 large-cap core funds followed by Lipper and for the five years ended December 31, 2012, the Fund placed third out of the 753 large-cap core funds followed by Lipper.* I think this long-term record shows that companies that are great places to work are also great investments. On the following page is a graph showing the growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund since inception.

 

Parnassus Workplace Fund  
Average Annual Total
Returns (%)
  One
Year
    Three
Years
    Five
Years
    Since
Inception on
4/29/05
    Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
for periods ended
December 31, 2012
           
   
Parnassus Workplace Fund     22.03        10.69        9.02        8.99        1.16        1.16   
   
S&P 500 Index     16.00        10.86        1.66        4.95        NA        NA   
   
Lipper Large-Cap Core Average     14.95        8.93        0.68        4.41        NA        NA   

* The Parnassus Workplace Fund placed 16th of 941 funds for the one-year period and 150th of 864 funds for the three-year period.

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future returns. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current performance information to the most recent month-end is available on the Parnassus website (www.parnassus.com). Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original principal cost. Returns shown in the table do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder may pay on fund distributions or redemption of shares. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks, and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not take any expenses, fees or taxes into account, but mutual fund returns do. Before investing, an investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund and should carefully read the prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information. The prospectus or summary prospectus can be obtained on the Parnassus website, or by calling (800) 999-3505. As described in the Fund’s current prospectus dated May 1, 2012, Parnassus Investments has contractually agreed to limit the total operating expenses to 1.20% of net assets, exclusive of acquired fund fees, until May 1, 2013. This limitation may be continued indefinitely by the Adviser on a year-to-year basis.

 

Company Analysis

Five companies, all very different from each other, each accounted for a gain of 22¢ or more to the NAV. No stock accounted for a loss of 22¢ or more or even close to that. The stock making the biggest contribution to the value of our fund shares was Gilead Sciences, a company that specializes in medicine to treat HIV and liver disease. The stock soared an amazing 79.5% during the year, zooming from $40.93 to $73.45, while contributing 41¢ to each fund share. The company has had positive clinical trials for its new drug, Sofosbuvir, an innovative treatment for hepatitis C (HCV), a chronic virus that leads to liver failure. Gilead has also had success in its core HIV franchise, receiving FDA approval for Stribild, a four-in-one pill that combines two new Gilead-patented molecules with two existing therapies that offers patients higher HIV viral suppression with fewer side effects.

Scripps Networks Interactive, best known for its Food Network, Home and Garden Television (HGTV) and the Travel Channel, contributed 24¢ to the value of each fund share, as its stock shot up 36.5% from $42.42 to $57.92. Early in the year, its shares traded at depressed levels because of weak ratings. The company’s subsequent investment in new programming improved ratings, enabling Scripps to lock in higher affiliate fees and generate stronger than expected advertising revenues.

 

 

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Value on December 31, 2012 of $10,000 invested on April 29, 2005    

 

LOGO

The chart shows the growth in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment since inception (April 29, 2005) and does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

Shares of San Francisco-based Wells Fargo rose 24% from $27.56 to $34.18 during the year, increasing the value of each fund share by 24¢. The bank is reaping the rewards of prudent lending decisions made during the boom years and is using its healthy balance sheet to take market share from weakened competitors who are saddled with bad loans. In 2012, Wells Fargo originated more than 30% of all mortgages made in America and benefited enormously from the recovery in the housing market. The bank reported four consecutive quarters of record earnings, with each quarter higher than the one before it.

EBay’s stock added 23¢ to the NAV, as it jumped 42.6% from $30.33 at the start of the year to $43.26, where we sold it late in the year after it hit our target price. Led by strong growth in its PayPal online payments business, the company surpassed earnings estimates in early 2012. The stock moved even higher later in the year, as the company’s auction volumes rebounded, thanks to recent investments in mobile and improved online buyer experience.

Seagate Technology, a maker of hard-disk drives, added 22¢ to each fund share, as its stock soared 65.7% from $16.40 at the beginning of the year to $27.17 where we sold it during the year. A lot of the world’s production of drives takes place in Thailand, and floods in that country disrupted operations and limited the availability of key drive components. Seagate’s broader supplier base allowed it to build and ship more drives than its competitors and do it at higher prices. The stock price climbed much higher as Seagate’s gross margins rose from 20% to 37%. We sold the stock because of the temporary nature of Seagate’s good fortune.

Yours truly,

 

LOGO

Jerome L. Dodson

Portfolio Manager

 

Parnassus Workplace Fund

as of December 31, 2012

(percentage of net assets)

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings

(percentage of net assets)

 

Applied Materials Inc.      5.1%   
Gilead Sciences Inc.      4.7%   
Corning Inc.      4.5%   
Intel Corp.      4.4%   
Microsoft Corp.      4.3%   
First Horizon National Corp.      4.2%   
Charles Schwab Corp.      4.0%   
Wells Fargo & Co.      4.0%   
Autodesk Inc.      3.5%   
C.H. Robinson Inc.      3.4%   

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically.

 

 

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PARNASSUS FIXED-INCOME FUND

Ticker: PRFIX

 

As of December 31, 2012, the NAV of the Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund was $17.56, producing a total return for the year of 2.08%, including dividends. This compares to a gain of 4.82% for the Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index (“Barclays Capital Index”) and a gain of 7.09% for the Lipper A-Rated Bond Fund Average, which represents the average return of all A-rated bond funds followed by Lipper (“Lipper average”). For the fourth quarter, the Fund was down 0.25% compared to a gain of 0.37% for the Barclays Capital Index and a gain of 0.63% for the Lipper average.

Below is a table comparing the performance of the Fund with that of the Barclays Capital Index and the Lipper average. Average annual total returns are for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. For December 2012, the 30-day subsidized SEC yield was 0.65% and the unsubsidized SEC yield was 0.59%. On page 22 is a graph showing the growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the last 10 years.

2012 Review

2012 was a strong year for U.S. financial markets. Shrugging off the economic growth scare of the summer, U.S. investors regained confidence after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) unveiled a third round of quantitative easing to support the economic recovery. In addition, the FOMC announced a major policy shift by saying that it will maintain its bond-buying program until the labor market improves substantially.

 

Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund  
Average Annual Total
Returns (%)
  One
Year
    Three
Years
    Five
Years
    Ten
Years
    Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
for periods ended
December 31, 2012
           
   
Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund     2.08        5.28        5.25        4.93        0.81        0.75   
   
Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index     4.82        6.70        6.06        5.24        NA        NA   
   
Lipper A-Rated Bond Fund Average     7.09        7.16        6.30        5.33        NA        NA   

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future returns. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current performance information to the most recent month-end is available on the Parnassus website (www.parnassus.com). Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns shown in the table do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay in fund distributions or redemption of shares. The Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index is an unmanaged index of bonds, and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not take any expenses, fees or taxes into account, but mutual fund returns do. Before investing, an investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund and should carefully read the prospectus or summary prospectus, which contain this and other information. The prospectus or summary prospectus can be obtained on the Parnassus website, or by calling (800) 999-3505. As described in the Fund’s current prospectus dated May 1, 2012, Parnassus Investments has contractually agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses to 0.75% of net assets for the Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund. This limitation continues until May 1, 2013, and may be continued indefinitely by the investment adviser on a year-to-year basis.

 

Buoyed by the central bank’s intervention, investors moved out of the safety of Treasury bonds and into stocks, corporate bonds and other riskier investments. U.S. corporate bonds were the best performing fixed-income asset class, returning 9.82% for the year. Mortgage-backed securities gained 2.59%, while U.S. Treasury bonds were up 1.99%.

The Fund returned 2.08% for the year, with all asset classes in the portfolio contributing positively to the NAV. Our investments in corporate bonds were the biggest winners, adding 26¢ to the NAV. U.S. Treasuries increased the NAV by 22¢ and our convertible bonds added 1¢. Despite the gain for the year, our performance was very disappointing because we underperformed both the Barclays Capital Index and the Lipper average. Our poor return relative to our benchmarks was due to two reasons.

The first was my decision to have a large exposure to the Treasury market, as I expected that Treasury bonds would outperform riskier assets in response to slowing economic growth. As of the end of the fourth quarter, U.S. Treasuries, not including Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, represented 59.2% of the Fund’s total net assets, compared to 53.4% for the Barclays Capital Index.

During the year, economic forecasters continually reduced their projections for economic growth. However, this revised growth outlook didn’t dent investors’ optimism, as they focused on the

 

 

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FOMC’s commitment to provide easier financial conditions for households and businesses through its bond-buying program. As a result, U.S. Treasury bonds underperformed relative to riskier investments, such as corporate bonds.

The second reason for our poor performance was that our corporate bonds didn’t go up as much as the ones held in the Barclays Capital Index and the Lipper average. Low-rated bonds issued by financial institutions were the best performers among corporate bonds. For example, BBB-rated financial corporate bonds returned 17.95% for the year compared to only 5.91% for A-rated industrial corporate bonds.

At the end of the fourth quarter, our corporate bonds represented 30.3% of the Fund’s total net assets. Close to 70% of these bonds were rated A or better and were issued mainly by companies in the industrial, technology and healthcare sectors. Because of this higher rating bias and little exposure to the financial sector, our corporate bond holdings couldn’t keep up with the stronger returns of the benchmarks.

Outlook and Strategy

The recent U.S. budget deal removed the risk of severe spending cuts and tax increases that could have reduced GDP growth by almost 5% and caused a recession. The agreement on the fiscal cliff is good news, and financial markets have responded positively so far in January. However, I don’t think that this is an all-clear signal for the economy.

Value on December 31, 2012 of $10,000 invested on December 31, 2002    

 

LOGO

The chart shows the growth in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment over the last 10 years and does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

The majority of the fiscal cliff mess is now behind us, but the agreement still involves legislation that will dampen economic growth. Goldman Sachs economists estimate that the drag to GDP growth will be about 1.5%. Also, the deal was primarily focused on increasing upper-income taxes, without addressing spending cuts or the debt ceiling. Therefore, the process in Washington is far from over, and we will likely experience recurring political setbacks and continued market volatility in 2013.

More importantly, the U.S. economy continues to face the economic challenges of a weak labor market combined with high private debt levels and high government deficits. Under current economic thinking, high unemployment is typically addressed through increased government spending. However, the current environment imposes on policymakers a conflicting objective of restoring fiscal credibility and promoting economic growth. Since a restrictive fiscal policy seems more likely for now, economic growth will likely be muted this year.

Overall, I think that the impact from rising taxes, potential cuts in government spending, and a persistent recessionary environment in Europe will likely result in slower domestic growth. With the consensus forecast expecting the U.S. economy to grow only 2.0% in 2013, there seems to be little room for error between growth and contraction. Therefore, I think this fragile growth environment will benefit safe Treasury bonds.

 

Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund

as of December 31, 2012

(percentage of net assets)

 

LOGO

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically.

 

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As of the end of 2012, the Fund is positioned for slow economic growth and low interest rates. U.S. Treasuries continue to be our largest holding, representing 59.2% of the Fund’s total net assets. The rest of the portfolio consists of corporate bonds (30.3%), convertible bonds (0.4%), short-term securities, other assets and liabilities (7.1%), and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (3%).

As always, I remain vigilant to changes in the economic and financial outlook and will position the portfolio accordingly. Thank you for your trust and investment in the Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund.

Yours truly,

 

LOGO

Minh T. Bui

Portfolio Manager

 

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Responsible Investing Notes

By Milton Moskowitz

The Parnassus Funds are part of a community of investors who use such factors as environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards to determine their investments, along with traditional financial considerations. The good news is that this community is growing --- very rapidly. In 2012 the Social Investment Forum released its biennial report on assets under management in this community. They now total $3.74 trillion, a 22% jump in two years.

The favorite phrase to describe this movement is “sustainable investment.” By the Forum’s count, there are now 443 institutional investors, 272 money managers and 1,043 community investment organizations in the social responsibility camp. The group includes 720 investment funds, an increase of 78% over the past two years.

There are other ways to measure this growth. Forty years ago, the Atlantic Richfield Company (now part of BP) became the first corporation to issue a social responsibility report. I know because they hired me to critique it and published the critique in the report. Today, the corporate responsibility report, if not exactly commonplace, is certainly not so unusual. An outfit called the Governance & Accountability Institute reports that 53% of the S&P 500 companies issue such reports, up from 19% in 2011.

Another measure is the increasing number of companies publishing their goals to reduce gashouse emissions. According to a group brought together by CERES, the World Wildlife Fund and Calvert Investments, 96 of the 173 companies on the Fortune 100 and the Global 100 have released such reports.

Parnassus portfolio companies have played leading roles in reporting their social responsibility programs. A sterling example is Target, a discount retailer based in Minneapolis. This company has had in place since 1946 a policy to donate 5% of its profits to non-profit groups in the 1,782 communities where it has stores. That comes to $4 million a week. In 2012, Target employees volunteered more than 475,000 hours of community service. A major move in 2013 will be the opening of its first store in Canada.

Microsoft, the world’s largest software company, has established a Living Well Health Center at its Redmond campus outside Seattle, where 32,000 employees work. The center offers primary medical care, lab tests, a full-service pharmacy and wellness coaching. Microsoft is one of the few companies that continue to cover 100% of the health insurance premiums for employees and all dependents. The company was recently ranked 5th in the Great Place To Work Institute’s list of “The World’s Best Multinational Workplaces.” Microsoft employs more than 103,000 employees across the world, nearly 39,000 of them based in locations outside the U.S. And Microsoft exports its culture: the company holds a place on best workplace lists in 23 countries…Wells Fargo, one of the world’s largest financial services company, has signed on as a member of CERES, a leader in rallying investors to set goals for sustainability and report regularly on their progress. The San Francisco-based bank has gone public with its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 35% by 2020 while also increasing energy efficiency by 40%. The bank has also pledged to invest $30 billion in environmentally sustainable businesses by 2020. On another front, Wells Fargo agreed to put up $55 million to provide down payments of $20,000 to low- and moderate-income families who want to buy homes. The program is part of its settlement of a fair-lending suit brought by the Justice Department. One-fifth of the $20,000 grant will be forgiven each year, so the entire $20,000 will be forgiven after five years. In 2012, Wells Fargo originated 30% of all the home mortgages in the nation.

In 1984, when Robert Levering and I published our first list of The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America, the specialty department store Nordstrom made the cut; it then had 36 stores, mostly on the West Coast, with a total of 9,000 employees. Today, with 231 stores across the country and more than 58,000 employees, it is one of only four companies which have been on every list we have ever done including the 15 annual ones produced for Fortune. In the pre-Nordstrom days, the picture of a typical department store showed a sea of women on the sales floor, paid close to minimum wage, overseen by a group of well-paid managers and executives, nearly all white men. Nordstrom is the prime example of how that picture has changed. Women make up 72% of the workforce and they represent a comparable percentage of managers and executives. In 1988, 15% of managers were people of color; today, they fill 30% of these positions. Three people of color and four women hold seats on the board of directors.

 

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Capital One, known mainly for its credit card commercials “What’s in your wallet?”, maintains a vaunted in-house learning organization called Capital One University. It offers both classroom and on-line instruction, with courses running into the thousands. The company has made five major bank acquisitions in the past eight years, expanding its workforce to 34,000. Capital One’s 401(k) program stands out as one of the most generous in the banking field: employees are enrolled automatically and Capital One will match employee contributions dollar for dollar up to 7.5% of pay.

Milton Moskowitz is the co-author of the Fortune magazine survey, “The 100 Best Companies to Work For,” and the co-originator of the annual Working Mother magazine survey, “The 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers.” Mr. Moskowitz serves as a consultant to Parnassus Investments in evaluating workplaces for potential investments by the Parnassus Workplace Fund. Neither Fortune magazine nor Working Mother magazine has any role in the management of the Parnassus Funds, and there is no affiliation between Parnassus Investments and either publication.

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

Fund Expenses (unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur ongoing costs, which include portfolio management fees, administrative fees, shareholder reports, and other fund expenses. The Funds do not charge transaction fees, so you do not incur transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions, redemption fees, and exchange fees. The information on this page is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The following example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the most recent six-month period and held for the period of July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

Actual Expenses

In the example below, the first line for each Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other mutual funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight only your ongoing costs in these Funds. Therefore, the second line of each Fund is useful in comparing only ongoing costs and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning other mutual funds, which may include transactional costs such as loads.

 

      Beginning
Account Value
July 1, 2012
    Ending
Account Value
December 31, 2012
    Expenses Paid
During Period*
 
Parnassus Fund: Actual     $1,000.00        $1,127.57        $5.03   
Hypothetical (5% before expenses)     $1,000.00        $1,020.41        $4.77   
Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Investor Shares: Actual     $1,000.00        $1,082.94        $4.92   
Hypothetical (5% before expenses)     $1,000.00        $1,020.41        $4.77   
Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Institutional Shares: Actual     $1,000.00        $1,083.90        $3.67   
Hypothetical (5% before expenses)     $1,000.00        $1,021.62        $3.56   
Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund: Actual     $1,000.00        $1,074.06        $6.26   
Hypothetical (5% before expenses)     $1,000.00        $1,019.10        $6.09   
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund: Actual     $1,000.00        $1,090.09        $6.30   
Hypothetical (5% before expenses)     $1,000.00        $1,019.10        $6.09   
Parnassus Workplace Fund: Actual     $1,000.00        $1,116.82        $6.17   
Hypothetical (5% before expenses)     $1,000.00        $1,019.30        $5.89   
Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund: Actual     $1,000.00        $1,002.95        $3.78   
Hypothetical (5% before expenses)     $1,000.00        $1,021.37        $3.81   

*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 0.94%, 0.94%, 0.70%, 1.20%, 1.20%, 1.16% and 0.75% for the Parnassus Fund, Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Investor Shares, Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Institutional Shares, Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund, Parnassus Small-Cap Fund, Parnassus Workplace Fund and Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the ratio of days in the period. The ratio of days in the period is 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of the Parnassus Funds and the Parnassus Income Funds

San Francisco, California

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of the Parnassus Funds (comprised of Parnassus Fund, Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund, Parnassus Small-Cap Fund and Parnassus Workplace Fund) and the Parnassus Income Funds (comprised of Parnassus Equity Income Fund and Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund) (collectively, the “Trusts”) as of December 31, 2012, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trusts’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Trusts are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trusts’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the funds constituting the Parnassus Funds and the Parnassus Income Funds as of December 31, 2012, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

LOGO

San Francisco, California

February 1, 2013

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

PARNASSUS FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012

 

Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Apparel    
  235,000      Coach Inc.     2.8     13,044,850   
     

 

 

 
  Chemicals    
  300,000      Calgon Carbon Corp. q     0.9     4,254,000   
     

 

 

 
  Communications Equipment    
  240,000      QUALCOMM Inc.     3.2     14,884,800   
     

 

 

 
  Data Storage    
  550,000      Brocade Communications Systems Inc. q     0.6     2,931,500   
     

 

 

 
  Electronic Components    
  1,125,000      Corning Inc.     3.0     14,197,500   
     

 

 

 
  Financial Services    
  125,000      Capital One Financial Corp.       7,241,250   
  1,170,000      Charles Schwab Corp.       16,801,200   
  720,000      First Horizon National Corp.       7,135,200   
  250,000      JPMorgan Chase & Co.       10,992,500   
  650,000      TCF Financial Corp.       7,897,500   
  450,000      Wells Fargo & Co.       15,381,000   
     

 

 

 
      13.9     65,448,650   
     

 

 

 
  Food Products    
  125,000      PepsiCo Inc.     1.8     8,553,750   
     

 

 

 
  Health Care Services    
  90,000      Express Scripts Holding Co. q     1.0     4,860,000   
     

 

 

 
  Home Builders    
  500,000      DR Horton Inc.       9,890,000   
  850,000      PulteGroup Inc. q       15,436,000   
  240,000      Toll Brothers Inc. q       7,759,200   
     

 

 

 
      7.0     33,085,200   
     

 

 

 
  Insurance    
  120,000      Cigna Corp.       6,415,200   
  80,000      Verisk Analytics Inc. q       4,080,000   
     

 

 

 
      2.3     10,495,200   
     

 

 

 
  Internet    
  15,000      Google Inc. q     2.3     10,640,550   
     

 

 

 
  Machinery    
  65,000      Deere & Co.     1.2     5,617,300   
     

 

 

 
  Media    
  200,000      Scripps Networks Interactive Inc.     2.5     11,584,000   
     

 

 

 
  Medical Equipment    
  75,000      Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.     1.0     4,783,500   
     

 

 

 
  Natural Gas    
  200,000      MDU Resources Group Inc.     0.9     4,248,000   
     

 

 

 
Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Networking Products    
  775,000      Cisco Systems Inc.       15,228,750   
  625,000      Riverbed Technology Inc. q       12,325,000   
     

 

 

 
      5.8     27,553,750   
     

 

 

 
  Oil & Gas    
  690,000      W&T Offshore Inc.     2.4     11,060,700   
     

 

 

 
  Pharmaceuticals    
  225,000      Gilead Sciences Inc. q       16,526,250   
  110,000      Novartis AG (ADR)       6,963,000   
     

 

 

 
      5.0     23,489,250   
     

 

 

 
  Professional Services    
  350,000      Insperity Inc.     2.4     11,396,000   
     

 

 

 
  Retail    
  225,000      Lowe’s Cos., Inc.       7,992,000   
  185,000      Target Corp.       10,946,450   
     

 

 

 
      4.0     18,938,450   
     

 

 

 
  Semiconductor Capital Equipment    
  1,950,000      Applied Materials Inc.     4.7     22,308,000   
     

 

 

 
  Semiconductors    
  10,000      Altera Corp.       344,400   
  150,000      EZchip Semiconductor Ltd. q, l       4,960,500   
  850,000      Intel Corp.       17,535,500   
     

 

 

 
      4.8     22,840,400   
     

 

 

 
  Software    
  250,000      Adobe Systems Inc. q       9,420,000   
  275,000      Autodesk Inc. q       9,721,250   
  625,000      Microsoft Corp.       16,706,250   
  220,000      VeriSign Inc. q       8,540,400   
     

 

 

 
      9.5     44,387,900   
     

 

 

 
  Telecommunications Equipment    
  1,625,000      Ciena Corp. q       25,512,500   
  1,325,000      Finisar Corp. q, l       21,597,500   
  1,550,000      Harmonic Inc. q       7,858,500   
  5,000      Motorola Solutions Inc.       278,400   
     

 

 

 
      11.8     55,246,900   
     

 

 

 
  Transportation    
  175,000      C.H. Robinson Inc.       11,063,500   
  250,000      Expeditors International of Washington Inc.       9,887,500   
     

 

 

 
      4.5     20,951,000   
     

 

 

 
  Total investment in equities
(cost $410,728,787)
    99.3     466,801,150   
     

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

28


Table of Contents
Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

PARNASSUS FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012 (continued)

 

Principal
Amount
($)
    Short-Term Securities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Certificates of Deposit a    
  100,000      Albina Community Bank
0.40%, matures 01/24/2013
      99,749   
  100,000      Carver Federal Savings Bank
0.60%, matures 02/18/2013
      99,463   
  100,000      Community Bank of the Bay
0.40%, matures 07/15/2013
      97,864   
  100,000      Eastern Bank
0.10%, matures 01/29/2013
      99,683   
  100,000      Latino Community Credit Union
0.80%, matures 02/20/2013
      99,454   
  100,000      Metro Bank
0.30%, matures 05/10/2013
      98,588   
  100,000      Opportunities Credit Union
0.20%, matures 04/25/2013
      98,740   
  100,000      Self-Help Credit Union
1.05%, matures 01/14/2013
      99,858   
  100,000      Southern Bancorp Bank
0.50%, matures 01/12/2013
      99,880   
     

 

 

 
      0.2     893,279   
     

 

 

 
  Community Development Loans a    
  200,000      Boston Community Loan Fund
1.00%, matures 04/15/2013
      196,548   
  200,000      Root Capital Loan Fund
1.50%, matures 01/25/2013
      199,087   
  100,000      Vermont Community Loan Fund
1.00%, matures 10/15/2013
      95,282   
     

 

 

 
      0.1     490,917   
     

 

 

 
  Time Deposits    
  1,139,800      BBH Cash Management Service    
  Bank of America, London
0.03%, due 01/02/2013
    0.2     1,139,800   
     

 

 

 
Principal
Amount
($)
    Short-Term Securities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Securities Purchased with Cash Collateral from Securities Lending      
  Registered Investment Companies    
  22,290,057      Invesco Aim Government & Agency Portfolio
Short-Term Investments Trust,
Institutional Class
   
  variable rate, 0.03%     4.8     22,290,057   
     

 

 

 
  Total short-term securities
(cost $24,814,053)
    5.3     24,814,053   
     

 

 

 
  Total securities
(cost $435,542,840)
    104.6     491,615,203   
     

 

 

 
  Payable upon return of securities loaned     (4.8 %)      (22,290,057
  Other assets and liabilities - net     0.2     810,372   
     

 

 

 
  Total net assets     100.0     470,135,518   
     

 

 

 
     
 

q  This security is non-income producing.

    

 

l  This security, or partial position of this security, was on loan at December 31, 2012. The total value of the securities on loan at December 31, 2012 was $21,809,995.

       

 

a  Market value adjustments have been applied to these securities to reflect potential early withdrawal.

     

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

29


Table of Contents
PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

PARNASSUS EQUITY INCOME FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012

 

Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Chemicals    
  1,432,083      Compass Minerals International Inc.       106,990,921   
  1,000,000      Praxair Inc.       109,450,000   
     

 

 

 
      4.3     216,440,921   
     

 

 

 
  Communications Equipment    
  1,700,000      QUALCOMM Inc.     2.1     105,434,000   
     

 

 

 
  Consulting Services    
  1,000,000      Accenture PLC     1.3     66,500,000   
     

 

 

 
  Cosmetics & Personal Care    
  3,350,000      Procter & Gamble Co.     4.5     227,431,500   
     

 

 

 
  Data Processing    
  3,700,000      Paychex Inc.     2.3     115,218,000   
     

 

 

 
  Financial Services    
  11,209,656      Charles Schwab Corp.       160,970,660   
  275,000      MasterCard Inc.       135,102,000   
     

 

 

 
      5.9     296,072,660   
     

 

 

 
  Food Products    
  2,250,670      McCormick & Co.       142,985,065   
  3,100,000      PepsiCo Inc.       212,133,000   
  4,650,000      Sysco Corp.       147,219,000   
     

 

 

 
      10.0     502,337,065   
     

 

 

 
  Footwear    
  1,073,824      Nike Inc.     1.1     55,409,318   
     

 

 

 
  Home Products    
  1,131,000      WD-40 Co.     1.1     53,281,410   
     

 

 

 
  Industrial Manufacturing    
  3,177,757      Pentair Ltd.       156,186,757   
  2,857,914      Teleflex Inc.       203,797,847   
     

 

 

 
      7.2     359,984,604   
     

 

 

 
  Insurance    
  1,000,000      Verisk Analytics Inc. q     1.0     51,000,000   
     

 

 

 
  Internet    
  250,000      Google Inc. q     3.5     177,342,500   
     

 

 

 
  Medical Equipment    
  2,337,521      Patterson Companies Inc.     1.6     80,013,344   
     

 

 

 
  Natural Gas    
  2,246,000      Energen Corp.       101,272,140   
  4,802,500      MDU Resources Group Inc.       102,005,100   
  1,563,129      Northwest Natural Gas Co.       69,090,302   
  4,523,041      Spectra Energy Corp.       123,840,863   
     

 

 

 
      7.9     396,208,405   
     

 

 

 
Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Oil & Gas    
  4,000,000      W&T Offshore Inc.     1.3     64,120,000   
     

 

 

 
  Pharmaceuticals    
  2,750,000      Gilead Sciences Inc. q       201,987,500   
  1,600,000      Novartis AG (ADR)       101,280,000   
  1,850,000      Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. q       110,574,500   
     

 

 

 
      8.2     413,842,000   
     

 

 

 
  Professional Services    
  4,887,485      Iron Mountain Inc.     3.0     151,756,409   
     

 

 

 
  Retail    
  3,150,000      CVS Caremark Corp.       152,302,500   
  2,200,000      Target Corp.       130,174,000   
     

 

 

 
      5.6     282,476,500   
     

 

 

 
  Semiconductor Capital Equipment    
  17,557,107      Applied Materials Inc.     4.0     200,853,304   
     

 

 

 
  Telecommunications Equipment    
  2,044,403      Motorola Solutions Inc.     2.3     113,832,359   
     

 

 

 
  Telecommunications Provider    
  5,340,325      Shaw Communications Inc. l     2.4     122,720,669   
     

 

 

 
  Transportation    
  2,300,000      C.H. Robinson Inc.       145,406,000   
  304,469      Expeditors International of Washington Inc.       12,041,749   
  1,550,000      United Parcel Service Inc.       114,281,500   
     

 

 

 
      5.4     271,729,249   
     

 

 

 
  Utility & Power Distribution    
  1,446,700      AGL Resources Inc.       57,824,599   
  8,000,000      Questar Corp.       158,080,000   
     

 

 

 
      4.3     215,904,599   
     

 

 

 
  Waste Management    
  5,869,738      Waste Management Inc.     3.9     198,044,960   
     

 

 

 
 

Total investment in equities

(cost $3,872,324,101)

    94.2     4,737,953,776   
     

 

 

 
     
Principal
Amount
($)
    Short-Term Securities   Percent
of Net
Assets
   

Market
Value

($)

 
  Certificates of Deposit a    
  100,000      Community Bank of the Bay 0.40%, matures 07/15/2013       97,863   
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

30


Table of Contents
Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

PARNASSUS EQUITY INCOME FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012 (continued)

 

Principal
Amount
($)
    Short-Term Securities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  250,000      Community Trust Credit Union
0.80%, matures 10/15/2013
      242,137   
     

 

 

 
      0.0     340,000   
     

 

 

 
  Certificates of Deposit Account Registry Service a    
  500,000      CDARS agreement with Community Bank of the Bay, dated 01/26/2012, matures 01/24/2013, 0.20%; Participating depository institutions: EverBank, par 81,870; Republic Bank & Trust Company, par 241,000; Sovereign Bank, par 177,130;
(cost $498,629)
      498,629   
  500,000      CDARS agreement with Community Bank of the Bay, dated 02/09/2012, matures 02/07/2013, 0.20%; Participating depository institutions: Flagstar Bank, par 200,130; Southwest Bank, par 238,500; Sovereign Bank, par 61,370;
(cost $497,969)
      497,969   
  500,000      CDARS agreement with Community Bank of the Bay, dated 10/11/2012, matures 10/10/2013, 0.15%; Participating depository institutions: Citizens Business Bank, par 180,341; Peoples State Bank, par 241,000; United Community Bank, par 78,659; (cost $484,507)       484,507   
  500,000      CDARS agreement with Community Bank of the Bay, dated 10/18/2012, matures 10/17/2013, 0.15%; Participating depository institutions: Bank of the West, par 221,129; Flagstar Bank, par 38,370; The Huntington National Bank, par 241,000;
(cost $484,121)
      484,121   
     

 

 

 
      0.0     1,965,226   
     

 

 

 
  Community Development Loans a      
  100,000      Boston Community Loan Fund
1.00%, matures 04/15/2013
      98,274   
  5,000,000      MicroVest Plus, LP Note
2.50%, matures 10/15/2013
      4,764,110   
  100,000      New Hampshire Community Loan Fund
1.00%, matures 07/15/2013
      96,778   
Principal
Amount
($)
    Short-Term Securities         Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  200,000      Root Capital Loan Fund
1.50%, matures 01/25/2013
      199,214   
  100,000      Vermont Community Loan Fund
1.00%, matures 04/15/2013
      98,274   
     

 

 

 
      0.1     5,256,650   
     

 

 

 
  Time Deposits    
  280,933,549      BBH Cash Management Service Bank of America, London
0.03%, due 01/02/2013
      77,276,521   
  Citibank, London
0.03%, due 01/02/2013
      97,513,213   
  JPMorgan Chase, London
0.03%, due 01/02/2013
      82,244,746   
  Wells Fargo, Grand Cayman
0.03%, due 01/02/2013
      23,899,069   
     

 

 

 
      5.6     280,933,549   
     

 

 

 
  Securities Purchased with Cash Collateral from Securities Lending      
  Registered Investment Companies     
  90,748,963      Invesco Aim Government & Agency Portfolio
Short-Term Investments Trust, Institutional Class
variable rate, 0.03%
    1.8     90,748,963   
     

 

 

 
  Total short-term securities
(cost $379,244,388)
    7.5     379,244,388   
     

 

 

 
  Total securities
(cost $4,251,568,489)
    101.7     5,117,198,164   
     

 

 

 
  Payable upon return of securities loaned     (1.8 %)      (90,748,963
  Other assets and liabilities - net     0.1     3,839,906   
     

 

 

 
  Total net assets     100.0     5,030,289,107   
     

 

 

 
     
 

q  This security is non-income producing.

    

 

l  This security, or partial position of this security, was on loan at December 31, 2012. The total value of the securities on loan at December 31, 2012 was $88,605,770.

       

 

a  Market value adjustments have been applied to these securities to reflect potential early withdrawal.

     

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

31


Table of Contents
PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

PARNASSUS MID-CAP FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012

 

Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Apparel    
  38,000      Coach Inc.     1.6     2,109,380   
     

 

 

 
  Chemicals    
  45,000      Compass Minerals International Inc.     2.6     3,361,950   
     

 

 

 
  Consulting Services    
  43,000      Teradata Corp. q     2.1     2,661,270   
     

 

 

 
  Data Processing    
  55,000      Equifax Inc.       2,976,600   
  32,000      Fiserv Inc. q       2,528,960   
  80,000      Paychex Inc.       2,491,200   
     

 

 

 
      6.2     7,996,760   
     

 

 

 
  Financial Services    
  16,500      Capital One Financial Corp.       955,845   
  237,290      Charles Schwab Corp.       3,407,484   
  412,000      First Horizon National Corp.       4,082,920   
  140,000      SEI Investments Co.       3,267,600   
     

 

 

 
      9.1     11,713,849   
     

 

 

 
  Food Products    
  28,500      McCormick & Co.       1,810,605   
  128,900      Sysco Corp.       4,080,974   
     

 

 

 
      4.6     5,891,579   
     

 

 

 
  Health Care Products    
  72,900      DENTSPLY International Inc.     2.2     2,887,569   
     

 

 

 
  Industrial Manufacturing    
  80,000      Pentair Ltd.       3,932,000   
  73,500      Teleflex Inc.       5,241,285   
     

 

 

 
      7.1     9,173,285   
     

 

 

 
  Insurance    
  35,000      Verisk Analytics Inc. q     1.4     1,785,000   
     

 

 

 
  Media    
  36,000      Scripps Networks Interactive Inc.     1.6     2,085,120   
     

 

 

 
  Medical Equipment    
  96,825      Patterson Companies Inc.     2.6     3,314,320   
     

 

 

 
  Natural Gas    
  54,700      Energen Corp.       2,466,423   
  195,000      MDU Resources Group Inc.       4,141,800   
  120,000      Spectra Energy Corp.       3,285,600   
     

 

 

 
      7.6     9,893,823   
     

 

 

 
  Oil & Gas    
  30,400      Concho Resources Inc. q       2,449,024   
  60,650      Noble Corp.       2,111,833   
Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  83,700      Ultra Petroleum Corp. q, l       1,517,481   
     

 

 

 
      4.7     6,078,338   
     

 

 

 
  Pharmaceuticals    
  56,000      Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. q     2.6     3,347,120   
     

 

 

 
  Professional Services    
  112,500      Insperity Inc.       3,663,000   
  134,500      Iron Mountain Inc.       4,176,225   
     

 

 

 
      6.0     7,839,225   
     

 

 

 
  Retail    
  20,950      Nordstrom Inc.     0.9     1,120,825   
     

 

 

 
  Semiconductor Capital Equipment    
  345,000      Applied Materials Inc.     3.1     3,946,800   
     

 

 

 
  Services    
  21,000      Ecolab Inc.     1.2     1,509,900   
     

 

 

 
  Software    
  61,300      Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. q       2,920,332   
  98,400      Synopsys Inc. q       3,133,056   
     

 

 

 
      4.7     6,053,388   
     

 

 

 
  Telecommunications Equipment    
  65,000      Motorola Solutions Inc.     2.8     3,619,200   
     

 

 

 
  Telecommunications Provider    
  200,000      Shaw Communications Inc. l     3.6     4,596,000   
     

 

 

 
  Transportation    
  58,000      C.H. Robinson Inc.       3,666,760   
  82,875      Expeditors International of Washington Inc.       3,277,706   
     

 

 

 
      5.4     6,944,466   
     

 

 

 
  Utility & Power Distribution    
  95,690      AGL Resources Inc.       3,824,729   
  255,000      Questar Corp.       5,038,800   
     

 

 

 
      6.9     8,863,529   
     

 

 

 
  Waste Management    
  150,000      Waste Management Inc.     3.9     5,061,000   
     

 

 

 
  Total investment in equities
(cost $110,447,471)
    94.5     121,853,696   
     

 

 

 
     
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

32


Table of Contents
Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

PARNASSUS MID-CAP FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012 (continued)

 

Principal
Amount
($)
    Short-Term Securities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Time Deposits    
  6,087,370      BBH Cash Management Service    
  JPMorgan Chase, London
0.03%, due 01/02/2013
    4.7     6,087,370   
     

 

 

 
  Securities Purchased with Cash Collateral from Securities Lending      
  Registered Investment Companies    
  5,650,002      Invesco Aim Government & Agency Portfolio    
  Short-Term Investments Trust, Institutional Class
variable rate, 0.03%
    4.4     5,650,002   
     

 

 

 
  Total short-term securities
(cost $11,737,372)
    9.1     11,737,372   
     

 

 

 
  Total securities
(cost $122,184,843)
    103.6     133,591,068   
     

 

 

 
  Payable upon return of securities loaned     (4.4 %)      (5,650,002
  Other assets and liabilities - net     0.8     1,022,828   
     

 

 

 
  Total net assets     100.0     128,963,894   
     

 

 

 
     
 

q  This security is non-income producing.

    

 

l  This security, or partial position of this security, was on loan at December 31, 2012. The total value of the securities on loan at December 31, 2012 was $5,512,757.

      

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

33


Table of Contents
PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

PARNASSUS SMALL-CAP FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012

 

Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Apparel    
  275,000      Hanesbrands Inc. q     1.4     9,850,500   
     

 

 

 
  Auto Parts    
  650,000      Gentex Corp.     1.8     12,233,000   
     

 

 

 
  Biotechnology    
  105,000      Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. q       11,030,250   
  1,750,000      InterMune Inc. q, l       16,957,500   
  300,000      Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. q       12,144,000   
     

 

 

 
      5.8     40,131,750   
     

 

 

 
  Building Materials    
  190,000      Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.     0.9     6,230,100   
     

 

 

 
  Chemicals    
  1,475,000      Calgon Carbon Corp. q       20,915,500   
  185,000      Compass Minerals International Inc.       13,821,350   
  385,000      Intrepid Potash Inc. q       8,196,650   
     

 

 

 
      6.3     42,933,500   
     

 

 

 
  Data Storage    
  1,230,000      Brocade Communications Systems Inc. q     1.0     6,555,900   
     

 

 

 
  Financial Services    
  1,345,000      Artio Global Investors Inc.       2,555,500   
  1,250,000      First American Financial Corp.       30,112,500   
  3,000,000      First Horizon National Corp.       29,730,000   
  850,000      Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. q       16,014,000   
  1,275,000      TCF Financial Corp.       15,491,250   
     

 

 

 
      13.8     93,903,250   
     

 

 

 
  Health Care Products    
  125,000      Sirona Dental Systems Inc. q     1.2     8,057,500   
     

 

 

 
  Health Care Services    
  1,150,000      VCA Antech Inc. q     3.6     24,207,500   
     

 

 

 
  Home Builders    
  1,525,000      PulteGroup Inc. q       27,694,000   
  375,000      Toll Brothers Inc. q       12,123,750   
     

 

 

 
      5.9     39,817,750   
     

 

 

 
  Industrial Manufacturing    
  140,000      Teleflex Inc.     1.5     9,983,400   
     

 

 

 
  Natural Gas    
  180,000      Energen Corp.       8,116,200   
  950,000      MDU Resources Group Inc.       20,178,000   
     

 

 

 
      4.2     28,294,200   
     

 

 

 
  Networking Products    
  1,100,000      Riverbed Technology Inc. q     3.2     21,692,000   
     

 

 

 
Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Oil & Gas    
  475,000      Energy XXI (Bermuda) Ltd.       15,290,250   
  1,305,000      W&T Offshore Inc.       20,919,150   
     

 

 

 
      5.3     36,209,400   
     

 

 

 
  Professional Services    
  870,000      Insperity Inc.       28,327,200   
  375,000      Iron Mountain Inc.       11,643,750   
     

 

 

 
      5.9     39,970,950   
     

 

 

 
  Semiconductors    
  600,000      EZchip Semiconductor Ltd. q, l       19,842,000   
  3,200,000      PMC-Sierra Inc. q       16,672,000   
     

 

 

 
      5.4     36,514,000   
     

 

 

 
  Software    
  1,450,000      Checkpoint Systems Inc. q       15,573,000   
  1,300,000      ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. (ADR)       10,933,000   
  555,000      Compuware Corp. q       6,032,850   
  680,000      Mentor Graphics Corp. q       11,573,600   
  450,000      VeriSign Inc. q       17,469,000   
     

 

 

 
      9.1     61,581,450   
     

 

 

 
  Telecommunications Equipment     
  2,900,000      Ceragon Networks Ltd. q       12,789,000   
  2,000,000      Ciena Corp. q       31,400,000   
  2,050,000      Finisar Corp. q, l       33,415,000   
  4,875,000      Harmonic Inc. q       24,716,250   
     

 

 

 
      15.0     102,320,250   
     

 

 

 
  Utility & Power Distribution    
  275,000      AGL Resources Inc.       10,991,750   
  1,025,000      Questar Corp.       20,254,000   
     

 

 

 
      4.5     31,245,750   
     

 

 

 
 

Total investment in equities

(cost $617,141,318)

    95.8     651,732,150   
     

 

 

 
     

Principal
Amount

($)

    Short-Term Securities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Time Deposits    
  29,160,819      BBH Cash Management Service    
 

Citibank, London

0.03%, due 01/02/2013

    4.3     29,160,819   
     

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

34


Table of Contents
Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

PARNASSUS SMALL-CAP FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012 (continued)

 

Principal
Amount

($)

    Short-Term Securities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Securities Purchased with Cash Collateral from Securities Lending      
  Registered Investment Companies    
  54,539,233      Invesco Aim Government & Agency Portfolio    
  Short-Term Investments Trust, Institutional Class    
  variable rate, 0.03%     8.1     54,539,233   
     

 

 

 
 

Total short-term securities

(cost $83,700,052)

    12.4     83,700,052   
     

 

 

 
 

Total securities

(cost $700,841,370)

    108.2     735,432,202   
     

 

 

 
  Payable upon return of
securities loaned
    (8.1 %)      (54,539,233
  Other assets and liabilities - net     (0.1 %)      (912,592
     

 

 

 
  Total net assets     100.0     679,980,377   
     

 

 

 
     
 

q This security is non-income producing.

l This security, or partial position of this security, was on loan at December 31, 2012. The total value of the securities on loan at December 31, 2012 was $53,292,178.

  

     

 

    

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

35


Table of Contents
PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

PARNASSUS WORKPLACE FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012

 

Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Biotechnology    
  50,000      Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. q     1.9     5,252,500   
     

 

 

 
  Building Materials    
  200,000      Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.     2.3     6,558,000   
     

 

 

 
  Communications Equipment    
  150,000      QUALCOMM Inc.     3.3     9,303,000   
     

 

 

 
  Consulting Services    
  50,000      Accenture PLC     1.2     3,325,000   
     

 

 

 
  Cosmetics & Personal Care    
  130,000      Procter & Gamble Co.     3.1     8,825,700   
     

 

 

 
  Data Storage    
  300,000      Brocade Communications Systems Inc. q     0.6     1,599,000   
     

 

 

 
  Electronic Components    
  1,000,000      Corning Inc.     4.5     12,620,000   
     

 

 

 
  Financial Services    
  125,000      Capital One Financial Corp.       7,241,250   
  775,000      Charles Schwab Corp.       11,129,000   
  1,200,000      First Horizon National Corp.       11,892,000   
  500,000      TCF Financial Corp.       6,075,000   
  325,000      Wells Fargo & Co.       11,108,500   
     

 

 

 
      16.9     47,445,750   
     

 

 

 
  Food Products    
  100,000      PepsiCo Inc.     2.4     6,843,000   
     

 

 

 
  Industrial Manufacturing    
  17,500      3M Co.     0.6     1,624,875   
     

 

 

 
  Insurance    
  145,000      Cigna Corp.     2.8     7,751,700   
     

 

 

 
  Internet    
  9,000      Google Inc. q     2.3     6,384,330   
     

 

 

 
  Machinery    
  85,000      Deere & Co.     2.6     7,345,700   
     

 

 

 
  Media    
  90,000      Scripps Networks Interactive Inc.     1.9     5,212,800   
     

 

 

 
  Natural Gas    
  325,000      MDU Resources Group Inc.     2.5     6,903,000   
     

 

 

 
  Networking Products    
  450,000      Cisco Systems Inc.       8,842,500   
  400,000      Riverbed Technology Inc. q       7,888,000   
     

 

 

 
      5.9     16,730,500   
     

 

 

 
Shares     Equities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Pharmaceuticals    
  180,000      Gilead Sciences Inc. q       13,221,000   
  135,000      Novartis AG (ADR)       8,545,500   
     

 

 

 
      7.7     21,766,500   
     

 

 

 
  Professional Services    
  200,000      Insperity Inc.     2.3     6,512,000   
     

 

 

 
  Retail    
  20,000      Costco Wholesale Corp.       1,975,400   
  190,000      Lowe’s Cos., Inc.       6,748,800   
  150,000      Target Corp.       8,875,500   
     

 

 

 
      6.3     17,599,700   
     

 

 

 
  Semiconductor Capital Equipment    
  1,250,000      Applied Materials Inc.     5.1     14,300,000   
     

 

 

 
  Semiconductors    
  10,000      Altera Corp.       344,400   
  600,000      Intel Corp.       12,378,000   
     

 

 

 
      4.5     12,722,400   
     

 

 

 
  Software    
  150,000      Adobe Systems Inc. q       5,652,000   
  280,000      Autodesk Inc. q       9,898,000   
  450,000      Microsoft Corp.       12,028,500   
     

 

 

 
      9.8     27,578,500   
     

 

 

 
  Transportation    
  150,000      C.H. Robinson Inc.       9,483,000   
  210,000      Expeditors International of Washington Inc.       8,305,500   
     

 

 

 
      6.3     17,788,500   
     

 

 

 
 

Total investment in equities

(cost $246,488,920)

    96.8     271,992,455   
     

 

 

 
     

Principal
Amount

($)

    Short-Term Securities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Time Deposits    
  8,484,729      BBH Cash Management Service    
 

Citibank, London

0.03%, due 01/02/2013

    3.0     8,484,729   
     

 

 

 
 

Total short-term securities

(cost $8,484,729)

    3.0     8,484,729   
     

 

 

 
 

Total securities

(cost $254,973,649)

    99.8     280,477,184   
     

 

 

 
  Other assets and liabilities - net     0.2     551,729   
     

 

 

 
  Total net assets     100.0     281,028,913   
     

 

 

 
     
 

q  This security is non-income producing.

    

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

36


Table of Contents
Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

PARNASSUS FIXED-INCOME FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012

 

Principal
Amount

($)

    Convertible Bonds   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Health Care Services    
  1,000,000      Hologic Inc.
2.00%, due 12/15/2037
    0.4     996,875   
     

 

 

 
  Total investment in
convertible bonds
(cost $708,920)
    0.4     996,875   
     

 

 

 
     
Principal
Amount
($)
    Corporate Bonds   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Air Transportation    
  1,614,879      Southwest Air 07-1 Trust
6.15%, due 08/01/2022
    0.8     1,889,409   
     

 

 

 
  Chemicals    
  2,500,000      Praxair Inc.
4.38%, due 03/31/2014
      2,618,118   
  3,000,000      Praxair Inc.
4.50%, due 08/15/2019
      3,473,475   
     

 

 

 
      2.7     6,091,593   
     

 

 

 
  Computers    
  2,000,000      International Business Machines Corp.
6.50%, due 10/15/2013
    0.9     2,097,294   
     

 

 

 
  Cosmetics & Personal Care    
  2,000,000      Procter & Gamble Co.
4.95%, due 08/15/2014
      2,148,142   
  500,000      Procter & Gamble Co.
3.50%, due 02/15/2015
      530,875   
  4,000,000      Procter & Gamble Co.
2.30%, due 02/06/2022
      4,070,520   
     

 

 

 
      3.0     6,749,537   
     

 

 

 
  Data Processing    
  2,000,000      Fiserv Inc.
3.13%, due 10/01/2015
    0.9     2,096,906   
     

 

 

 
  Health Care Products    
  2,000,000      CR Bard Inc.
4.40%, due 01/15/2021
    1.0     2,277,184   
     

 

 

 
  Internet    
  3,000,000      Google Inc.
3.63%, due 05/19/2021
    1.5     3,338,514   
     

 

 

 
  Networking Products    
  2,800,000      Cisco Systems Inc.
5.50%, due 02/22/2016
    1.4     3,200,554   
     

 

 

 
Principal
Amount
($)
    Corporate Bonds   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Pharmaceuticals    
  3,000,000      Genentech Inc.
4.75%, due 07/15/2015
      3,308,463   
  3,000,000      Genzyme Corp.
3.63%, due 06/15/2015
      3,214,218   
  2,000,000      Gilead Sciences Inc.
4.50%, due 04/01/2021
      2,285,708   
     

 

 

 
      3.9     8,808,389   
     

 

 

 
  Retail    
  2,000,000      CVS Caremark Corp.
4.13%, due 05/15/2021
      2,255,858   
  2,000,000      Lowe’s Cos., Inc.
3.80%, due 11/15/2021
      2,209,244   
  1,493,000      Target Corp.
5.13%, due 01/15/2013
      1,495,371   
  3,500,000      TJX Cos., Inc.
4.20%, due 08/15/2015
      3,802,659   
     

 

 

 
      4.3     9,763,132   
     

 

 

 
  Semiconductor Capital Equipment    
  2,000,000      Applied Materials Inc.
4.30%, due 06/15/2021
      2,232,938   
  2,000,000      Applied Materials Inc.
5.85%, due 06/15/2041
      2,440,368   
     

 

 

 
      2.1     4,673,306   
     

 

 

 
  Software    
  2,000,000      Adobe Systems Inc.
3.25%, due 02/01/2015
      2,094,366   
  2,000,000      Intuit Inc.
5.75%, due 03/15/2017
      2,307,084   
     

 

 

 
      1.9     4,401,450   
     

 

 

 
  Transportation    
  2,000,000      Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.
5.65%, due 05/01/2017
      2,354,214   
  2,000,000      Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.
4.70%, due 10/01/2019
      2,305,514   
     

 

 

 
      2.1     4,659,728   
     

 

 

 
  Utility & Power Distribution    
  2,000,000      AGL Capital Corp.
5.25%, due 08/15/2019
    1.1     2,383,704   
     

 

 

 
  Waste Management    
  3,000,000      Waste Management Inc.
6.38%, due 03/11/2015
      3,355,095   
  2,000,000      Waste Management Inc.
7.13%, due 12/15/2017
      2,431,664   
     

 

 

 
      2.7     5,786,759   
     

 

 

 
  Total investment in corporate bonds
(cost $62,987,293)
    30.3     68,217,459   
     

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

37


Table of Contents
PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

PARNASSUS FIXED-INCOME FUND

Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 2012 (continued)

 

Principal
Amount

($)

   

U.S. Government

Treasury Bonds

  Percent
of Net
Assets
  Market
Value ($)
 
  U.S. Government Treasury Bonds    
  4,000,000      U.S. Treasury
1.75%, due 04/15/2013
      4,018,752   
  4,500,000      U.S. Treasury
1.13%, due 06/15/2013
      4,520,390   
  4,500,000      U.S. Treasury
3.13%, due 09/30/2013
      4,598,262   
  5,000,000      U.S. Treasury
2.00%, due 11/30/2013
      5,082,420   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
2.63%, due 06/30/2014
      6,214,218   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
2.38%, due 09/30/2014
      6,222,654   
  3,000,000      U.S. Treasury
2.50%, due 04/30/2015
      3,152,814   
  3,000,000      U.S. Treasury
2.13%, due 05/31/2015
      3,130,077   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
1.88%, due 06/30/2015
      6,232,500   
  1,000,000      U.S. Treasury
1.50%, due 07/31/2016
      1,036,875   
  4,000,000      U.S. Treasury
2.75%, due 05/31/2017
      4,373,124   
  3,500,000      U.S. Treasury
2.50%, due 06/30/2017
      3,791,757   
  4,000,000      U.S. Treasury
3.75%, due 11/15/2018
      4,657,812   
  5,000,000      U.S. Treasury
2.75%, due 02/15/2019
      5,536,330   
  2,000,000      U.S. Treasury
3.63%, due 08/15/2019
      2,328,906   
  4,000,000      U.S. Treasury
3.38%, due 11/15/2019
      4,599,063   
  5,000,000      U.S. Treasury
3.63%, due 02/15/2020
      5,842,190   
  5,000,000      U.S. Treasury
3.50%, due 05/15/2020
      5,805,080   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
2.13%, due 08/15/2021
      6,307,500   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
2.00%, due 02/15/2022
      6,204,846   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
1.75%, due 05/15/2022
      6,052,032   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
3.50%, due 02/15/2039
      6,782,814   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
4.38%, due 05/15/2040
      7,810,314   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
3.75%, due 08/15/2041
      7,051,872   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
3.13%, due 11/15/2041
      6,280,314   
  6,000,000      U.S. Treasury
3.00%, due 05/15/2042
      6,112,500   

Principal
Amount

($)

    U.S. Government
Treasury Bonds
  Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  2,518,940      U.S. Treasury (TIPS)
1.88%, due 07/15/2013
      2,559,480   
  1,104,170      U.S. Treasury (TIPS)
1.63%, due 01/15/2018
      1,280,579   
  2,208,340      U.S. Treasury (TIPS)
1.75%, due 01/15/2028
      2,858,592   
     

 

 

 
  Total investment in U.S. government treasury bonds
(cost $134,002,137)
    62.2     140,444,067   
     

 

 

 
  Total investment in long-term securities
(cost $197,698,350)
    92.9     209,658,401   
     

 

 

 
     

Principal
Amount

($)

    Short-Term Securities   Percent
of Net
Assets
    Market
Value ($)
 
  Community Development Loans a      
  2,500,000      MicroVest Plus, LP Note
2.50%, matures 10/15/2013
    1.1     2,382,055   
     

 

 

 
  Time Deposits    
  12,223,403      BBH Cash Management Service Citibank, London
0.03%, due 01/02/2013
    5.4     12,223,403   
     

 

 

 
  Total short-term securities
(cost $14,605,458)
    6.5     14,605,458   
     

 

 

 
  Total securities
(cost $212,303,808)
    99.4     224,263,859   
     

 

 

 
  Other assets and liabilities - net     0.6     1,459,421   
     

 

 

 
  Total net assets     100.0     225,723,280   
     

 

 

 
     
 

a  Market value adjustments have been applied to these securities to reflect potential early withdrawal.

     

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

38


Table of Contents
Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2012

 

   

Parnassus

Fund

    Parnassus
Equity Income
Fund
   

Parnassus
Mid-Cap

Fund

 
Assets      
Investments in common stocks and bonds, at market value      

(cost $410,728,787, $3,872,324,101, $110,447,471)

  $ 466,801,150      $ 4,737,953,776      $ 121,853,696   
Investments in short-term securities      

(at cost which approximates market value)

    24,814,053        379,244,388        11,737,372   
Cash     169,758        262,991        217   
Receivables      

Dividends and interest

    150,552        4,353,238        71,064   

Capital shares sold

    1,824,843        12,749,273        1,316,673   
Other assets     58,685        152,739        16,850   

Total assets

  $ 493,819,041      $ 5,134,716,405      $ 134,995,872   
Liabilities      
Payable upon return of loaned securities     22,290,057        90,748,963        5,650,002   
Capital shares redeemed     831,062        9,997,906        232,735   
Fees payable to Parnassus Investments     293,541        2,835,738        108,755   
Accounts payable and accrued expenses     268,863        844,691        40,486   

Total liabilities

  $ 23,683,523      $ 104,427,298      $ 6,031,978   
Net assets   $ 470,135,518      $ 5,030,289,107      $ 128,963,894   
Net assets consist of      
Undistributed net investment income     338,083        4,573,346        100,402   
Unrealized appreciation on securities     56,072,363        865,629,675        11,406,225   
Accumulated net realized gain     3,713,223        33,438,195        417,511   
Capital paid-in     410,011,849        4,126,647,891        117,039,756   

Total net assets

  $ 470,135,518      $ 5,030,289,107      $ 128,963,894   
Net asset value and offering per share      
Net assets investor shares   $ 470,135,518      $ 4,023,309,097      $ 128,963,894   
Net assets institutional shares     -      $ 1,006,980,010        -   
Shares outstanding investor shares     11,572,877        137,768,126        6,361,601   
Shares outstanding institutional shares     -        34,415,285        -   
Net asset values and redemption price per share      

(Net asset value divided by shares outstanding)

     

Investor shares

  $ 40.62      $ 29.20      $ 20.27   

Institutional shares

    -      $ 29.26        -   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

39


Table of Contents
PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2012 (continued)

 

   

Parnassus
Small-Cap

Fund

    Parnassus
Workplace
Fund
   

Parnassus

Fixed-Income

Fund

 
Assets      
Investments in common stocks and bonds, at market value      

(cost $617,141,318, $246,488,920, $197,698,350)

  $ 651,732,150      $ 271,992,455      $ 209,658,401   
Investments in short-term securities      

(at cost which approximates market value)

    83,700,052        8,484,729        14,605,458   
Cash     553        330        217   
Receivables      

Dividends and interest

    264,128        129,850        1,530,364   

Capital shares sold

    852,400        964,901        173,181   
Other assets     76,659        27,094        13,238   

Total assets

  $ 736,625,942      $ 281,599,359      $ 225,980,859   
Liabilities      
Payable upon return of loaned securities     54,539,233        -        -   
Capital shares redeemed     1,371,870        292,230        75,932   
Fees payable to Parnassus Investments     563,987        208,476        103,712   
Accounts payable and accrued expenses     170,475        69,740        77,935   

Total liabilities

  $ 56,645,565      $ 570,446      $ 257,579   
Net assets   $ 679,980,377      $ 281,028,913      $ 225,723,280   
Net assets consist of      
Undistributed net investment income     -        89,589        28,376   
Unrealized appreciation on securities     34,590,832        25,503,535        11,960,051   
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)     (3,404,666     1,953,912        444,119   
Capital paid-in     648,794,211        253,481,877        213,290,734   

Total net assets

  $ 679,980,377      $ 281,028,913      $ 225,723,280   
Net asset value and offering per share      
Net assets investor shares   $ 679,980,377      $ 281,028,913      $ 225,723,280   
Net assets institutional shares     -        -        -   
Shares outstanding investor shares     28,606,359        12,676,393        12,852,157   
Shares outstanding institutional shares     -        -        -   
Net asset values and redemption price per share      

(Net asset value divided by shares outstanding)

     

Investor shares

  $ 23.77      $ 22.17      $ 17.56   

Institutional shares

    -        -        -   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

December 31, 2012

 

   

Parnassus

Fund

    Parnassus
Equity Income
Fund
   

Parnassus
Mid-Cap

Fund

 
Investment income      
Dividends      

(net of foreign tax witholding of $0, $1,011,886, $14,415)

  $ 6,285,584      $ 104,191,747      $ 1,709,050   
Interest     20,233        237,573        2,013   
Securities lending     122,476        232,193        9,207   
Other income     -        25        -   

Total investment income

  $ 6,428,293      $ 104,661,538      $ 1,720,270   
Expenses      
Investment advisory fees     2,600,746        27,798,328        729,678   
Transfer agent fees      

Investor shares

    358,195        1,344,095        61,565   

Institutional shares

    -        85,161        -   
Fund administration     149,654        1,709,345        32,019   
Service provider fees     263,181        7,283,023        140,687   
Reports to shareholders     57,329        620,985        21,091   
Registration fees and expenses     21,276        129,249        28,010   
Custody fees     38,287        157,856        8,512   
Professional fees     78,083        175,698        24,342   
Trustee fees and expenses     14,712        167,184        2,544   
Proxy voting fees     4,886        4,886        4,886   
Pricing service fees     4,037        7,218        4,037   
Other expenses     15,179        116,847        2,284   

Total expenses

  $ 3,605,565      $ 39,599,875      $ 1,059,655   

Fees waived by Parnassus Investments

    -        -        (24,304

Net expenses

  $ 3,605,565      $ 39,599,875      $ 1,035,351   

Net investment income

  $ 2,822,728      $ 65,061,663      $ 684,919   
Realized and unrealized gain on investments      
Net realized gain from securities transactions     38,628,021        158,577,885        3,940,018   
Net change in unrealized appreciation of securities     49,389,071        429,061,129        8,652,009   
Net realized and unrealized gain on securities   $ 88,017,092      $ 587,639,014      $ 12,592,027   
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   $ 90,839,820      $ 652,700,677      $ 13,276,946   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

December 31, 2012 (continued)

 

   

Parnassus
Small-Cap

Fund

    Parnassus
Workplace
Fund
   

Parnassus

Fixed-Income
Fund

 
Investment income      
Dividends      

(net of foreign tax witholding of $105,121, $0, $0)

  $ 7,212,383      $ 4,134,412      $ -   
Interest     9,623        4,525        5,587,409   
Securities lending     597,384        -        202   
Other income     -        2,497        -   

Total investment income

  $ 7,819,390      $ 4,141,434      $ 5,587,611   
Expenses      
Investment advisory fees     5,739,616        1,997,082        1,106,273   
Transfer agent fees      

Investor shares

    819,690        142,813        158,558   

Institutional shares

    -        -        -   
Fund administration     246,451        91,735        82,452   
Service provider fees     1,000,782        411,926        266,804   
Reports to shareholders     158,462        50,153        32,668   
Registration fees and expenses     44,747        35,279        35,114   
Custody fees     32,390        13,315        8,831   
Professional fees     62,893        33,106        42,722   
Trustee fees and expenses     26,757        8,974        8,785   
Proxy voting fees     4,886        4,886        -   
Pricing service fees     4,037        4,037        3,656   
Other expenses     21,565        6,986        6,669   

Total expenses

  $ 8,162,276      $ 2,800,292      $ 1,752,532   

Fees waived by Parnassus Investments

    (234,016     -        (98,573

Net expenses

  $ 7,928,260      $ 2,800,292      $ 1,653,959   

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (108,870   $ 1,341,142      $ 3,933,652   
Realized and unrealized gain on investments      
Net realized gain from securities transactions     2,546,701        19,713,405        443,957   
Net change in unrealized appreciation of securities     109,255,075        26,335,362        99,851   
Net realized and unrealized gain on securities   $ 111,801,776      $ 46,048,767      $ 543,808   
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   $ 111,692,906      $ 47,389,909      $ 4,477,460   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

December 31, 2012

 

    Parnassus Fund     Parnassus Equity Income Fund  
    Year Ended
December 31, 2012
    Year Ended
December 31, 2011
    Year Ended
December 31, 2012
    Year Ended
December 31, 2011
 
       
Investment income (loss) from operations        
Net investment income   $ 2,822,728      $ 1,519,647      $ 65,061,663      $ 46,776,291   
Net realized gain from securities transactions     38,628,021        21,660,697        158,577,885        133,047,005   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     49,389,071        (62,273,359     429,061,129        (68,072,705
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
    operations
  $ 90,839,820      $ (39,093,015   $ 652,700,677      $ 111,750,591   
Distributions        
From net investment income        

Investor shares

    (9,038,094     (1,230,208     (99,149,285     (39,456,429

Institutional shares

    -        -        (25,615,604     (7,634,701
From realized capital gains        

Investor shares

    (28,877,922     (29,088,025     (58,989,019     (55,849,963

Institutional shares

    -        -        (14,243,218     (9,990,416
Distributions to shareholders   $ (37,916,016   $ (30,318,233   $ (197,997,126   $ (112,931,509
Capital share transactions        
Investor shares        

Proceeds from sale of shares

    142,515,430        179,826,213        919,395,706        967,612,081   

Reinvestment of dividends

    36,803,472        28,801,379        148,863,674        92,158,741   

Shares repurchased

    (116,678,830     (229,101,779     (820,365,375     (810,600,550
Institutional shares        

Proceeds from sale of shares

    -        -        511,214,786        321,381,379   

Reinvestment of dividends

    -        -        27,478,143        15,273,239   

Shares repurchased

    -        -        (239,941,100     (113,534,763

Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    62,640,072        (20,474,187     546,645,834        472,290,127   
Increase (decrease) in net assets   $ 115,563,876      $ (89,885,435   $ 1,001,349,385      $ 471,109,209   
Net Assets        
Beginning of year     354,571,642        444,457,077        4,028,939,722        3,557,830,513   
End of year   $ 470,135,518      $ 354,571,642      $ 5,030,289,107      $ 4,028,939,722   
Undistributed net investment income   $ 338,083      $ 315,617      $ 4,573,346      $ 29,524   
Shares issued and redeemed        
Investor shares        

Shares sold

    3,472,615        4,311,928        32,388,933        36,235,212   

Shares issued through dividend reinvestment

    955,905        837,999        5,175,425        3,565,198   

Shares repurchased

    (2,921,063     (6,062,637     (28,783,567     (30,557,725
Institutional shares        

Shares sold

    -        -        17,890,411        12,036,031   

Shares issued through dividend reinvestment

    -        -        953,852        589,968   

Shares repurchased

    -        -        (8,287,202     (4,221,855
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding        

Investor shares

    1,507,457        (912,710     8,780,791        9,242,685   

Institutional shares

    -        -        10,557,061        8,404,144   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

December 31, 2012 (continued)

 

    Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund     Parnassus Small-Cap Fund  
    Year Ended
December 31, 2012
    Year Ended
December 31, 2011
    Year Ended
December 31, 2012
    Year Ended
December 31, 2011
 
       
Investment income (loss) from operations        
Net investment income (loss)   $ 684,919      $ 181,358      $ (108,870   $ (1,337,105
Net realized gain from securities transactions     3,940,018        2,458,404        2,546,701        16,134,996   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     8,652,009        (2,410,283     109,255,075        (153,041,335
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
    operations
  $ 13,276,946      $ 229,479      $ 111,692,906      $ (138,243,444
Distributions        
From net investment income        

Investor shares

    (1,876,476     (450,005     -        (35,590

Institutional shares

    -        -        -        -   
From realized capital gains        

Investor shares

    (2,209,948     (3,039,992     (125,438     (21,757,794

Institutional shares

    -        -        -        -   
Distributions to shareholders   $ (4,086,424   $ (3,489,997   $ (125,438   $ (21,793,384
Capital share transactions        
Investor shares        

Proceeds from sale of shares

    74,466,129        38,918,732        219,766,653        825,392,677   

Reinvestment of dividends

    3,930,160        3,319,828        116,403        20,071,960   

Shares repurchased

    (19,922,223     (14,489,838     (296,295,200     (485,945,780
Institutional shares        

Proceeds from sale of shares

    -        -        -        -   

Reinvestment of dividends

    -        -        -        -   

Shares repurchased

    -        -        -        -   

Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    58,474,066        27,748,722        (76,412,144     359,518,857   
Increase in net assets   $ 67,664,588      $ 24,488,204      $ 35,155,324      $ 199,482,029   
Net Assets        
Beginning of year     61,299,306        36,811,102        644,825,053        445,343,024   
End of year   $ 128,963,894      $ 61,299,306      $ 679,980,377      $ 644,825,053   
Undistributed net investment income   $ 100,402      $ 18,934      $ -      $ -   
Shares issued and redeemed        
Investor shares        

Shares sold

    3,722,881        2,033,779        9,853,128        34,269,675   

Shares issued through dividend reinvestment

    197,820        192,228        5,429        1,005,620   

Shares repurchased

    (1,023,892     (778,154     (13,368,770     (21,751,350
Institutional shares        

Shares sold

    -        -        -        -   

Shares issued through dividend reinvestment

    -        -        -        -   

Shares repurchased

    -        -        -        -   
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding        

Investor shares

    2,896,809        1,447,853        (3,510,213     13,523,945   

Institutional shares

    -        -        -        -   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

December 31, 2012 (continued)

 

    Parnassus Workplace Fund     Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund  
    Year Ended
December 31, 2012
    Year Ended
December 31, 2011
    Year Ended
December 31, 2012
    Year Ended
December 31, 2011
 
       
Investment income (loss) from operations        
Net investment income   $ 1,341,142      $ 480,823      $ 3,933,652      $ 3,663,858   
Net realized gain from securities transactions     19,713,405        8,947,643        443,957        2,474,277   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     26,335,362        (21,143,733     99,851        7,242,197   
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
    operations
  $ 47,389,909      $ (11,715,267   $ 4,477,460      $ 13,380,332   
Distributions        
From net investment income        

Investor shares

    (6,214,474     (591,417     (4,126,137     (3,789,113

Institutional shares

    -        -        -        -   
From realized capital gains        

Investor shares

    (14,123,379     (8,160,168     (59,237     (2,720,539

Institutional shares

    -        -        -        -   
Distributions to shareholders   $ (20,337,853   $ (8,751,585   $ (4,185,374   $ (6,509,652
Capital share transactions        
Investor shares        

Proceeds from sale of shares

    98,053,970        199,444,524        60,356,563        69,977,815   

Reinvestment of dividends

    19,493,159        8,211,012        3,656,843        5,930,625   

Shares repurchased

    (79,838,936     (114,410,804     (50,304,715     (51,243,059
Institutional shares        

Proceeds from sale of shares

    -        -        -        -   

Reinvestment of dividends

    -        -        -        -   

Shares repurchased

    -        -        -        -   

Increase in net assets from capital share transactions

    37,708,193        93,244,732        13,708,691        24,665,381   
Increase in net assets   $ 64,760,249      $ 72,777,880      $ 14,000,777      $ 31,536,061   
Net Assets        
Beginning of year     216,268,664        143,490,784        211,722,503        180,186,442   
End of year   $ 281,028,913      $ 216,268,664      $ 225,723,280      $ 211,722,503   
Undistributed net investment income   $ 89,589      $ 31,803      $ 28,376      $ 220,893   
Shares issued and redeemed        
Investor shares        

Shares sold

    4,415,685        9,338,100        3,432,411        4,046,821   

Shares issued through dividend reinvestment

    904,869        424,375        207,470        342,248   

Shares repurchased

    (3,655,031     (5,647,154     (2,862,335     (2,976,773
Institutional shares        

Shares sold

    -        -        -        -   

Shares issued through dividend reinvestment

    -        -        -        -   

Shares repurchased

    -        -        -        -   
Net increase in shares outstanding        

Investor shares

    1,665,523        4,115,321        777,546        1,412,296   

Institutional shares

    -        -        -        -   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The Parnassus Funds are comprised of two Trusts, the Parnassus Funds trust and the Parnassus Income Funds trust (collectively the “Trusts”), organized as Massachusetts Business Trusts registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as diversified, open-end investment management companies, and are comprised of six separate funds (collectively the “Funds”). The Parnassus Funds trust includes the Parnassus Fund, which commenced operations on December 27, 1984, the Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund, the Parnassus Small-Cap Fund and the Parnassus Workplace Fund, which commenced operations on April 29, 2005. The Parnassus Income Funds trust includes the Parnassus Equity Income Fund and the Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund, both of which commenced operations on August 31, 1992. Each Fund has distinct investment objectives. In general, the Funds seek long-term capital appreciation. The Parnassus Equity Income Fund and the Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund also seek current income.

Short-Term Securities

Short-term securities represent investments of excess cash and consist of time deposits, community development loans, certificates of deposit and money market funds.

Securities Valuations

Equity securities that are listed or traded on a national securities exchange are stated at market value, based on recorded closing sales on the exchange or on the Nasdaq’s National Market official closing price. In the absence of a recorded sale, and for over-the-counter securities, equity securities are stated at the mean between the last recorded bid and asked prices. Long-term, fixed-income securities are valued each business day using prices based on procedures established by independent pricing services and approved by the Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”). Fixed-income securities with an active market are valued at the “bid” price where such quotes are readily available from brokers and dealers and are representative of the actual market for such securities. Other fixed-income securities experiencing a less active market are valued as determined by the pricing services based on methods which include consideration of trading in securities of comparable yield, quality, coupon, maturity and type, as well as indications as to values from dealers and other market data without exclusive reliance upon quoted prices or over-the-counter prices, since such valuations are believed to reflect more accurately the value of such securities. Investments in registered investment companies are valued at their net asset value.

Investments where market quotations are not readily available are priced at their fair value, in accordance with procedures established by the Trustees. These investments include certificates of deposit and community development loans. These investments carry interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 2.5% with maturities of one year or less. In determining fair value, the Trustees may consider a variety of information including, but not limited to, the following: price based upon a multiple of earnings or sales, fundamental analytical data and an evaluation of market conditions. A valuation adjustment is applied to certificates of deposit, community development loans and other community development investments as an estimate of potential penalties for early withdrawal.

The Funds follow Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ portfolio investments. These inputs are summarized in three levels, Level 1— unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, Level 2— other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments) and Level 3— significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04 (“ASU 2011-04”), Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which amends guidance on fair value measurements to clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements (e.g., to require entities to disclose quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in a fair value measurement that is categorized within Level III of the fair value hierarchy) and to change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For instance, the amendments clarify that premiums and discounts should only be applied if market participants would do so when pricing the asset or liability. Premiums and discounts related to the size of an entity’s holding (for example, a blockage factor) rather than as a characteristic of the asset or liability (for example, a control premium) is not permitted in a fair value measurement. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements,

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

including, among other things, (a) for fair value measurements categorized within Level III of the fair value hierarchy, (1) quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement, and (2) a description of the valuation processes used by the reporting entity, and (b) the categorization by level of the fair value hierarchy for items that are not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position but for which the fair value is required to be disclosed (for example, a financial instrument that is measured at amortized cost in the statement of financial position but for which fair value is disclosed). The Funds adopted this guidance on January 1, 2012. Such adoption did not have a material impact on the Funds’ 2012 financial statements.

In accordance with procedures established by the funds’ trustees, all fair value securities as submitted by the Funds treasurer, are reviewed and approved by the Trustees. The Fund’s valuation committee is comprised of independent trustees who also comprise the Funds’ audit committee. The committee review the methodologies used by the Funds when securities have been identified as being fair valued and include the percentages used when determining liquidity discounts or discounts to be taken for lack of marketability. The Trustees review the changes in fair value measurement and methods used to substantiate the unobservable inputs on a quarterly basis.

Federal Income Taxes

The Trusts intend to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all taxable income to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Income distributions and capital-gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).

The Funds follow ASC 740, Income Taxes, relating to uncertainty in income taxes and disclosures. ASC 740 establishes a minimum threshold for income tax benefits to be recognized in the financial statements. These tax benefits must meet a “more likely than not” threshold, which means that based on technical merits, they have a more than 50% likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the tax authority. Tax benefits meeting this threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority. As of and during the year ended December 31, 2012, the Funds did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the year, the Funds did not incur interest or penalties. The Funds are not subject to examination by U.S. federal taxing authorities before 2009 or state taxing authorities before 2008.

Securities Transactions

Securities transactions are recorded on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses on securities transactions are determined on the basis of first-in, first-out for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes.

Investment Income, Expenses, and Distributions

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized over the lives of the respective securities using the constant yield method, which approximates the interest method. Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date to shareholders of record on the record date. The Parnassus Equity Income Fund pays income dividends quarterly and capital-gain dividends annually. The Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund pays income dividends monthly and capital-gain dividends annually. The other Funds pay income and capital-gain dividends annually.

Securities Lending

The Parnassus Funds have entered into an agreement with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., dated July 29, 2009 (“Agreement”), to provide securities lending services to the Funds. Under this Agreement, the proceeds (cash collateral) received from borrowers are used to invest in money market funds.

Under the Agreement, the borrowers pay the Funds negotiated lenders’ fees and the Funds receive cash collateral in an amount equal to 102% of the market value of loaned securities. The borrower of securities is at all times required to post cash collateral to the portfolio in an amount equal to 100% of the market value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s market value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. If the borrower defaults on its obligations to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, the

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

portfolio could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned. The Funds retained beneficial ownership and all economic benefits in the securities they have loaned and continues to receive interest paid by the securities and payments equivalent to dividends, and to participate in any changes in their market value, but does not have the proxy voting rights with respect to loaned securities. Each portfolio manager of the Funds has the responsibility to request that the securities lending agent call back securities which are out on loan to vote on material matters and it is the Funds’ policy that the portfolio managers vote on all material matters. However, the ability to timely recall shares for proxy voting purposes typically is not entirely within the control of the portfolio manager, the Funds or their securities lending agent. Under certain circumstances, the recall of shares in time for such shares to be voted may not be possible due to applicable proxy voting record dates and administrative considerations.

Income generated from securities lending is presented in the Statements of Operations. Cash collateral received by the Funds is reflected as an asset (securities purchased with cash collateral from securities lending) and the related liability (payable upon return of securities loaned) is presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Community Development Investment Programs

The Parnassus Funds may each invest up to 2% of their assets in community investments and community-development loan funds. Each of the Funds may invest in obligations issued by community loan funds at below-market interest rates if the projects financed have a positive social impact. Generally, there is no secondary market for loan funds and thus these are considered illiquid.

As part of our community development investment program, the Parnassus Equity Income Fund has entered into an agreement for fund investments through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) network. The CDARS network allows members to place funds in time deposits with depository institutions whose accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Provisions stipulate that participating institutions are FDIC insured, however, in the event of default or bankruptcy by any party to the agreement, the proceeds of the investment may be delayed or subject to legal proceedings and are subject to FDIC limits. While certain investments of the Funds may be bank deposits and may be covered by FDIC insurance, the Funds are themselves not covered by FDIC insurance.

The Parnassus Equity Income Fund and the Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund holds debt instruments issued by MicroVest Plus, LP, a microfinance limited partnership specializing in providing capital to international microfinance institutions (“MFI’s”) that extend credit to developing countries and the entrepreneurial poor. This instrument may be subject to political and foreign currency exchange risk not normally associated with domestic debt instruments. MicroVest Plus, LP’s investment in MFI’s can be affected by, among other factors, commodity prices, inflation, interest rates, taxation, social instability, and other political, economic or diplomatic developments in or affecting the various countries where MFI’s operate.

Capital Stock

Capital stock consists of an unlimited number of authorized shares of capital stock with no par value.

Risk Factors

Investing in the Parnassus Funds may involve certain risks including, but not limited to the following:

The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other securities held by the Funds may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the Funds; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. Additionally, the values of, and the income generated by, most debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these debt securities. The Funds’ investment adviser attempts to reduce these risks through diversification of the portfolio and ongoing credit analysis as well as by monitoring economic and legislative developments, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful at doing so. Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the U.S. may also be affected by currency controls; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market volatility; different securities market structures and higher transaction costs.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment to or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

2. Fair Value Measurements

The following table summarizes the portfolios’ financial assets as of December 31, 2012, that is valued at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

Parnassus Fund        
Investment Securities   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Equities:        

Consumer Discretionary

  $ 76,652,500      $ -      $ -      $ 76,652,500   

Consumer Staples

    8,553,750        -        -        8,553,750   

Energy

    11,060,700        -        -        11,060,700   

Financials

    65,448,650        -        -        65,448,650   

Healthcare

    39,547,950        -        -        39,547,950   

Industrials

    42,044,300        -        -        42,044,300   

Information Technology

    214,991,300        -        -        214,991,300   

Materials

    4,254,000        -        -        4,254,000   

Utilities

    4,248,000        -        -        4,248,000   
Short-Term Investments     23,429,857        -        1,384,196        24,814,053   
Total   $ 490,231,007      $ -      $ 1,384,196      $ 491,615,203   
       
Parnassus Equity Income Fund         
Investment Securities   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Equities:        

Consumer Discretionary

  $ 308,303,987      $ -      $ -      $ 308,303,987   

Consumer Staples

    935,352,475        -        -        935,352,475   

Energy

    289,233,003        -        -        289,233,003   

Financials

    160,970,660        -        -        160,970,660   

Healthcare

    697,653,191        -        -        697,653,191   

Industrials

    828,717,375        -        -        828,717,375   

Information Technology

    914,282,163        -        -        914,282,163   

Materials

    216,440,921        -        -        216,440,921   

Utilities

    387,000,001        -        -        387,000,001   
Short-Term Investments     371,682,512        -        7,561,876        379,244,388   
Total   $ 5,109,636,288      $ -      $ 7,561,876      $ 5,117,198,164   

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund        
Investment Securities   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Equities:        

Consumer Discretionary

  $ 9,911,325      $ -      $ -      $ 9,911,325   

Consumer Staples

    5,891,579        -        -        5,891,579   

Energy

    11,830,361        -        -        11,830,361   

Financials

    11,713,849        -        -        11,713,849   

Healthcare

    14,790,294        -        -        14,790,294   

Industrials

    28,538,291        -        -        28,538,291   

Information Technology

    21,300,818        -        -        21,300,818   

Materials

    4,871,850        -        -        4,871,850   

Utilities

    13,005,329        -        -        13,005,329   
Short-Term Investments     11,737,372        -        -        11,737,372   
Total   $ 133,591,068      $ -      $ -      $ 133,591,068   
       
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund         
Investment securities   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Equities:        

Consumer Discretionary

  $ 61,901,250      $ -      $ -      $ 61,901,250   

Energy

    44,325,600        -        -        44,325,600   

Financials

    93,903,250        -        -        93,903,250   

Healthcare

    82,380,150        -        -        82,380,150   

Industrials

    46,201,050        -        -        46,201,050   

Information Technology

    228,663,600        -        -        228,663,600   

Materials

    42,933,500        -        -        42,933,500   

Utilities

    51,423,750        -        -        51,423,750   
Short-Term Investments     83,700,052        -        -        83,700,052   
Total   $ 735,432,202      $ -      $ -      $ 735,432,202   
       
Parnassus Workplace Fund         
Investment securities   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Equities:        

Consumer Discretionary

  $ 20,837,100      $ -      $ -      $ 20,837,100   

Consumer Staples

    17,644,100        -        -        17,644,100   

Financials

    47,445,750        -        -        47,445,750   

Healthcare

    34,770,700        -        -        34,770,700   

Industrials

    39,829,075        -        -        39,829,075   

Information Technology

    104,562,730        -        -        104,562,730   

Utilities

    6,903,000        -        -        6,903,000   
Short-Term Investments     8,484,729        -        -        8,484,729   
Total   $ 280,477,184      $ -      $ -      $ 280,477,184   

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund         
Investment Securities   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Convertible Bonds   $ -      $ 996,875      $ -      $ 996,875   
Corporate Bonds     -        68,217,459        -        68,217,459   
U.S. Government Treasury Bonds     -        140,444,067        -        140,444,067   
Short-Term Investments     12,223,403        -        2,382,055        14,605,458   
Total   $ 12,223,403      $ 209,658,401      $ 2,382,055      $ 224,263,859   

The following table reconciles the valuation of the Funds’ Level 3 investment securities and related transactions as of December 31, 2012:

 

     Parnassus Fund    

Parnassus

Equity Income Fund

   

Parnassus

Fixed-Income Fund

 
     Certificates of Deposit     Certificates of Deposit     Community Development Loans  
     Community Development Loans     Community Development Loans         
Balance as of December 31, 2011   $ 1,378,825      $ 7,552,703      $ 2,380,909   
Discounts/premiums amortization     5,371        9,173        1,146   
Purchases     1,400,000        6,850,000        2,500,000   
Sales     (1,400,000     (6,850,000     (2,500,000
Balance as of December 31, 2012   $ 1,384,196      $ 7,561,876      $ 2,382,055   

There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Additionally, there were no significant transfers in and/or out of Level 3.

Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurement:

 

     Fair Value at
December 31,  2012
    Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable Input   Range /
Weighted Average
       
Parnassus Fund        
Certificates of Deposit   $ 893,279      Liquidity Discount  

Discount for Lack of

Marketability

  4%
Community Development Loans   $ 490,917      Liquidity Discount  

Discount for Lack of

Marketability

  6%
                Probability of Default   6%
Parnassus Equity Income Fund        
Certificates of Deposit   $ 2,305,226      Liquidity Discount  

Discount for Lack of

Marketability

  4%
Community Development Loans   $ 5,256,650      Liquidity Discount  

Discount for Lack of

Marketability

  6%
                Probability of Default   6%
Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund        
Community Development Loans   $ 2,382,055      Liquidity Discount  

Discount for Lack of

Marketability

  6%
                Probability of Default   6%

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of the Fund’s Certificates of Deposits are a discount for lack of marketability. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s Community Development Loans are a discount for lack of marketability and a discount for the probability of default. Significant increases in any of these inputs in isolation would result in a lower fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for probability of default should be accompanied by a directionally-similar change in the assumption used for the lack of marketability.

3. Tax Matters and Distributions

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

 

      Parnassus
Fund
     Parnassus Equity
Income Fund
     Parnassus
Mid-Cap Fund
 
Distributions paid from:    2012      2011      2012      2011      2012      2011  
Ordinary income    $ 9,038,094       $ 1,230,208       $ 124,764,889       $ 47,091,129       $ 1,876,476       $ 450,005   
Long-term capital gains      28,877,922         29,088,025         73,232,237         65,840,379         2,209,948         3,039,992   
Total distributions    $ 37,916,016       $ 30,318,233       $ 197,997,126       $ 112,931,508       $ 4,086,424       $ 3,489,997   
      Parnassus
Small-Cap Fund
     Parnassus
Workplace Fund
     Parnassus
Fixed-Income Fund
 
Distributions paid from:    2012      2011      2012      2011      2012      2011  
Ordinary income    $ -       $ 35,590       $ 6,214,474       $ 591,417       $ 4,126,137       $ 3,789,113   
Long-term capital gains      125,438         21,757,794         14,123,379         8,160,168         59,237         2,720,539   
Total distributions    $ 125,438       $ 21,793,384       $ 20,337,853       $ 8,751,585       $ 4,185,374       $ 6,509,652   

As of December 31, 2012, the cost of investments in long-term securities, net unrealized appreciation/depreciation, distributable earnings and undistributed earnings for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

     Parnassus
Fund
    Parnassus
Equity Income
Fund
    Parnassus
Mid-Cap
Fund
    Parnassus
Small-Cap
Fund
    Parnassus
Workplace
Fund
    Parnassus
Fixed-Income
Fund
 
Cost of investment   $ 411,566,689      $ 3,872,403,705      $ 110,478,494      $ 617,281,198      $ 246,559,162      $ 197,698,350   
Unrealized appreciation   $ 71,262,255      $ 869,716,920      $ 12,792,394      $ 90,643,789      $ 31,416,397      $ 12,749,410   
Unrealized depreciation     15,189,892        4,087,245        1,386,169        56,052,957        5,912,862        789,359   
Net unrealized appreciation   $ 56,072,363      $ 865,629,675      $ 11,406,225      $ 34,590,832      $ 25,503,535      $ 11,960,051   
Distributable earnings – ordinary income   $ 9,060,562      $ 129,308,713      $ 1,957,939      $ -      $ 6,272,261      $ 3,933,619   

Distributable earnings –

long-term capital gains

  $ 31,259,136      $ 92,197,924      $ 2,650,763      $ -      $ 14,788,046      $ 443,989   
Undistributed earnings – ordinary income   $ 338,083      $ 4,573,346      $ 100,402      $ -      $ 89,589      $ 28,376   

Undistributed earnings –

long-term capital gains

  $ 4,551,975      $ 33,517,793      $ 448,531      $ -      $ 2,024,928      $ 444,120   

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

At December 31, 2012, estimated net capital loss carry forwards, which are available to offset future net short-term realized capital gains, were:

 

Fund    Deferred Capital Loss Carry Forwards  
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund      $3,264,786   

Post-October capital losses as of December 31, 2012, which are deferred until 2013 for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Fund    Deferred Post-October Capital Loss  
Parnassus Workplace Fund      $774   

Net investment income and net ordinary income are the same for all Funds for financial statement and income tax purposes during the year ended December 31, 2012. Net realized gains differ for financial statement and income tax purposes primarily due to differing treatments of wash sales. Reclassifications as shown in the following table have been made in each Fund’s capital accounts to report these balances on a tax basis, excluding certain temporary differences, as of December 31, 2012. Additional adjustments may be required in subsequent reporting periods. These reclassifications, which have no impact on the net asset value of the Funds, are primarily attributable to the reclassification of dividend income and certain differences in the computation of distributable income and capital gains under Federal tax rules versus GAAP.

 

Fund   

Increase/Decrease in

Undistributed

Net Investment Income

      

Increase/Decrease in

Undistributed

Net Realized Loss

       Decrease in
Capital Paid-In
 

Parnassus Fund

     $ 6,237,832           $ (6,237,832        $              -   

Parnassus Equity Income Fund

     64,247,048           (64,247,048        -   
Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund      1,273,023           (1,273,023        -   
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund      108,871           -           (108,871
Parnassus Workplace Fund      4,931,118           (4,931,118        -   
Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund      (32        32           -   

4. Purchases and Sales of Securities

Purchases and proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

Fund    Purchases        Sales  
Parnassus Fund    $ 238,509,964         $ 206,036,675   
Parnassus Equity Income Fund      1,362,042,998           1,046,179,430   
Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund      68,303,394           18,580,741   
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund      207,283,814           290,061,782   
Parnassus Workplace Fund      171,082,712           161,122,560   
Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund      29,059,934           8,448,910   

5. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transactions with Affiliates

Under the terms of the agreement, which provides for furnishing investment management and advice to the Funds, Parnassus Investments is entitled to receive fees payable monthly, based on each Fund’s average daily net assets for the month, at the following annual rates:

Parnassus Fund: 1.00% of the first $10,000,000, 0.75% of the next $20,000,000, 0.70% of the next $70,000,000, 0.65% of the next $100,000,000 and 0.60% of the amount above $200 million. Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund and Parnassus Workplace Fund: 0.85% of the first $100,000,000, 0.80% of the next $100,000,000, 0.75% of the next $300,000,000 and 0.70% of the amount above $500,000,000. Parnassus Small-Cap Fund: 1.00% of the first $100,000,000, 0.90% of the next $100,000,000, 0.85% of the next $300,000,000 and 0.80% of the amount above $500,000,000. For the year ended December 31, 2012, Parnassus Investments contractually agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses to 0.99% of net assets for the Parnassus Fund, and 1.20% of net assets for the Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund, Parnassus Small-Cap Fund and Parnassus Workplace Fund.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Parnassus Equity Income Fund: 0.75% of the first $30,000,000, 0.70% of the next $70,000,000 and 0.65% of the next $400,000,000 and 0.60% of the amount above $500,000,000. Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund: 0.50% of the first $200,000,000, 0.45% of the next $200,000,000 and 0.40% of the amount above $400,000,000. For the year ended December 31, 2012, Parnassus Investments contractually agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee to the extent necessary to limit total operating expenses to 0.99% of net assets for the Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Investor Shares, 0.78% of net assets for the Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Institutional Shares, and 0.75% of net assets for the Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund.

Parnassus Investments receives fees under terms of a separate agreement which provides for furnishing transfer agent and fund administration services to the Funds. The transfer agent fee was $2.50 per month per account plus any out-of-pocket expenses for the Parnassus Fund, Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund, Parnassus Small-Cap Fund and Parnassus Workplace Fund. The transfer agent fee was $2.70 per month per account plus any out-of-pocket expenses for the Parnassus Equity Income Fund and Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund. The Funds pay the monthly fee based on the number of accounts on record at each month-end. The fund administration reflects annual rates based on net assets for all Funds managed by Parnassus Investments and was allocated based on respective fund net assets. The fund administration services fee was 0.04% of average net assets under this new agreement for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Parnassus Investments may also arrange for third parties to provide certain services, including account maintenance, recordkeeping and other personal services to their clients who invest in the Funds. For these services, the Funds may pay service providers an aggregate service fee on investment accounts at a rate not to exceed 0.25% per annum of average daily net assets. The Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Institutional Shares does not incur service provider fees.

 

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Financial Highlights

 

Selected data for each share of capital stock outstanding, total return and ratios/supplemental data for each of the five years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

For a Share
Outstanding
for the Year
Ended
 

Net Asset

Value
Beginning
of Year

    Net Investment
Income
(Loss)
(a)
    Net Realized and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Securities
(a)
    Total from
Investment
Operations
(a)
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions
from Net
Realized
Gains on
Securities
    Total
Dividends and
Distributions
 
             
Parnassus Fund   
2012     $35.23        $0.28        $8.64        $8.92        $(0.80     $(2.73     $(3.53
2011     40.49        0.13        (2.25     (2.12     (0.12     (3.02     (3.14
2010     34.82        0.15        5.67        5.82        (0.15     -        (0.15
2009     23.59        0.09        11.22        11.31        (0.08     -        (0.08
2008     36.66        0.17        (12.76     (12.59     (0.17     (0.31     (0.48
Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Investor Shares   
2012     26.35        0.39        3.64        4.03        (0.74     (0.44     (1.18
2011     26.31        0.32        0.48        0.80        (0.31     (0.45     (0.76
2010     24.45        0.30        1.85        2.15        (0.29     -        (0.29
2009     19.29        0.33        5.15        5.48        (0.32     -        (0.32
2008     25.31        0.27        (6.05     (5.78     (0.24     -        (0.24
Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Institutional Shares   
2012     26.41        0.45        3.64        4.09        (0.80     (0.44     (1.24
2011     26.36        0.38        0.50        0.88        (0.38     (0.45     (0.83
2010     24.51        0.38        1.82        2.20        (0.35     -        (0.35
2009     19.34        0.31        5.22        5.53        (0.36     -        (0.36
2008     25.35        0.32        (6.05     (5.73     (0.28     -        (0.28
Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund   
2012     17.69        0.16        3.10        3.26        (0.30     (0.38     (0.68
2011     18.25        0.06        0.51        0.57        (0.13     (1.00     (1.13
2010     16.28        0.30        2.70        3.00        (0.24     (0.79     (1.03
2009     12.00        0.11        4.24        4.35        (0.07     -        (0.07
2008     17.39        0.06        (5.21     (5.15     (0.03     (0.21     (0.24
Parnassus Small-Cap Fund   
2012     20.08        -        3.69        3.69        -        -        -   
2011     23.95        (0.04     (3.15     (3.19     -        (0.68     (0.68
2010     17.92        0.15        6.53        6.68        (0.47     (0.18     (0.65
2009     12.63        0.13        5.24        5.37        (0.08     -        (0.08
2008     16.91        0.08        (4.32     (4.24     (0.04     -        (0.04
Parnassus Workplace Fund   
2012     19.64        0.12        4.13        4.25        (0.50     (1.22     (1.72
2011     20.81        0.05        (0.40     (0.35     (0.05     (0.77     (0.82
2010     19.45        0.02        2.48        2.50        (0.50     (0.64     (1.14
2009     12.22        0.03        7.56        7.59        (0.33     (0.03     (0.36
2008     17.60        0.05        (5.33     (5.28     -        (0.10     (0.10
Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund   
2012     17.53        0.31        0.05        0.36        (0.33     -        (0.33
2011     16.90        0.33        0.88        1.21        (0.34     (0.24     (0.58
2010     16.74        0.45        0.65        1.10        (0.59     (0.35     (0.94
2009     16.19        0.51        0.69        1.20        (0.64     (0.01     (0.65
2008     16.29        0.47        0.01        0.48        (0.57     (0.01     (0.58

 

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Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

    

    

 

Net  Asset
Value
End of
Year
  Total
Overall
Return
    Net Assets
End of
Year
(000s)
    Ratio of
Gross
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
   

Ratio of Net Expenses
to Average Net Assets

(Net of Waiver and
Expense
Offset Arrangements)
(b)

    Ratio of
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
to Average Net
Assets
    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
           
       
$40.62     26.04     $470,136        0.90     0.90     0.70     52.72
  35.23     (5.01     354,572        0.94        0.94        0.33        74.43   
  40.49     16.71        444,457        0.97        0.97        0.42        51.77   
  34.82     47.94        351,176        1.00        0.99        0.31        53.24   
  23.59     (34.12     173,911        1.01        0.99        0.51        98.38   
       
  29.20     15.43        4,023,309        0.90        0.90        1.38        24.34   
  26.35     3.13        3,398,905        0.94        0.94        1.19        63.04   
  26.31     8.89        3,150,408        0.99        0.99        1.23        54.30   
  24.45     28.73        2,364,691        0.99        0.99        1.63        60.16   
  19.29     (22.95     1,400,214        0.99        0.99        1.21        70.20   
       
  29.26     15.64        1,006,980        0.68        0.68        1.59        24.34   
  26.41     3.40        630,035        0.70        0.70        1.43        63.04   
  26.36     9.07        407,423        0.75        0.75        1.54        54.30   
  24.51     28.97        192,987        0.77        0.77        1.51        60.16   
  19.34     (22.73     137,501        0.79        0.78        1.44        70.20   
       
  20.27     18.58        128,964        1.23        1.20        0.79        22.82   
  17.69     3.33        61,299        1.24        1.20        0.35        38.67   
  18.25     18.70        36,811        1.46        1.20        1.73        53.22   
  16.28     36.26        22,804        1.73        1.20        0.78        40.11   
  12.00     (29.38     6,672        2.25        1.20        0.40        132.74   
       
  23.77     18.40        679,980        1.23        1.20        (0.02     32.85   
  20.08     (13.29     644,825        1.22        1.20        (0.18     39.50   
  23.95     37.37        445,343        1.30        1.20        0.75        35.33   
  17.92     42.50        115,168        1.47        1.20        0.81        46.00   
  12.63     (25.08)        26,805        1.86        1.20        0.51        100.41   
       
  22.17     22.03        281,029        1.14        1.14        0.54        69.25   
  19.64     (1.62     216,269        1.16        1.16        0.22        47.22   
  20.81     12.96        143,491        1.25        1.20        0.09        53.85   
  19.45     62.13        95,300        1.36        1.20        0.16        32.73   
  12.22     (29.94     7,951        2.32        1.20        0.30        72.58   
       
  17.56     2.08        225,723        0.79        0.75        1.78        5.45   
  17.53     7.24        211,723        0.81        0.75        1.92        29.25   
  16.90     6.61        180,186        0.83        0.75        2.60        56.06   
  16.74     7.48        137,924        0.87        0.75        3.07        46.24   
  16.19     2.98        100,070        0.88        0.75        2.90        44.87   

(a) Income (loss) from operations per share is based on average daily shares outstanding.

(b) Parnassus Investments has contractually limited expenses to an annualized rate of 0.99% for the Parnassus Fund, 0.99% for the Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Investor Shares, 0.78% for the Parnassus Equity Income Fund – Institutional Shares, 1.20% for the Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund, the Parnassus Small-Cap Fund and the Parnassus Workplace Fund and 0.75% for the Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund.

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (unaudited)

Board of Trustees and Officers

 

     Independent Trustees§        Interested Trustee
           
Name   Herbert A. Houston   Jeanie S. Joe   Donald V. Potter   Donald J. Boteler     Jerome L. Dodson
         
Age   69   65   67   64     69
         
Address   1 Market Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, California 94105   1 Market Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, California 94105   1 Market Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, California 94105   1 Market Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, California 94105     1 Market Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, California 94105
         
Position(s) Held with Funds   Trustee   Trustee   Trustee   Trustee     President and Trustee
         
Term of Office and Length of Service   Indefinite. Since 1992 for Parnassus Income Funds. Since 1998 for Parnassus Funds.   Indefinite. Since October 2004.   Indefinite. Since 2002.   Indefinite. Since 2012.     Indefinite. Since 1992 for Parnassus Income Funds. Since 1984 for the Parnassus Funds.
         
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years   Healthcare consultant and owner of several small businesses; Chief Executive Officer of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc. from 1987 to 1998.   President of Geo/Resource Consultants, a geotechnical and environmental consulting firm, until 2009.   President of Strategystreet.com business strategy.   Vice President, Operations & Continuing Education, Investment Company Institute, from 1986 to March 2012.     President and Trustee of the Parnassus Funds and the Parnassus Income Funds since their inceptions; President and Director of Parnassus Investments since June 1984.
         
Portfolios in the Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee   Six   Six   Six   Six     Six
         
Other Directorships Held by Trustee   None   None   None  

Independent Trustee, FAM Funds, since October 2012.

 

    None

 

§

“Independent” trustees are trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Funds as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

An “interested” trustee is a trustee who is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Funds, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. Jerome L. Dodson is an interested person of the Funds because of his ownership in the Funds’ investment adviser and because he is an officer of the Trusts.

Additional information about the Fund’s Board of Trustees is available in the Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of Additional Information is available without charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov) or by calling us at (800) 999-3505 or at the Parnassus website, www.parnassus.com.

 

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Annual Report  •  2012      PARNASSUS FUNDS

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (unaudited) (continued)

Board of Trustees and Officers (continued)

 

     Officers§
       
Name   Todd C. Ahlsten   Marc C. Mahon   Richard D. Silberman   John V. Skidmore II
     
Age   40   35   74   47
     
Address   1 Market Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, California 94105   1 Market Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, California 94105   1 Market Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, California 94105   1 Market Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, California 94105
     
Position(s) Held with Funds   Vice President   Treasurer   Secretary   Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary
     
Term of Office and Length of Service   Indefinite. Since 2001.   Indefinite. Since 2007.   Indefinite. Since 1986.   Indefinite. Since 2008.
     
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years  

Vice President of the Parnassus Funds and Parnassus Income Funds since 2001. Chief Investment Officer of Parnassus Investments since 2007. Director of Research at Parnassus Investments from 1995 to 2007. Portfolio Manager of Parnassus Equity Income Fund since 2001.

 

 

Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments since December 2007. Treasurer of Parnassus Funds and Parnassus Income Funds since March 2007.

  Retired business lawyer.   Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments since February 2008.

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (unaudited) (continued)

 

Proxy Disclosures

Parnassus proxy voting policies and procedures are available, without charge, on our website (www.parnassus.com), on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov) and by calling us at (800) 999-3505. The Funds file a proxy voting record with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the 12 months ended June 30. The most recent report is available by calling Parnassus or it may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website or the Parnassus website.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The quarterly portfolio holdings are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov). The Funds’ Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Federal Income Tax Information

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the following percentages of ordinary income distributed by the Funds that qualify for the individual qualified dividend income deduction (QDI) and the corporate dividends received deduction (DRD) are as follows:

 

        Fund    QDI        DRD  

Parnassus Fund

     69.51        69.51

Parnassus Equity Income Fund

     77.30        77.72

Parnassus Mid-Cap Fund

     79.47        81.57

Parnassus Small-Cap Fund

     NA           NA   

Parnassus Workplace Fund

     65.55        65.58

Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund

     0.00        0.00

 

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PARNASSUS FUNDS      Annual Report  •  2012

 

 

 

 

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Go Paperless with E-Delivery

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses, shareholder reports

and account statements at www.parnassus.com/gopaperless

If you do not hold your account directly with Parnassus, please contact

the firm that holds your account about electronic delivery.

PARNASSUS FUNDS

1 Market Street, Suite 1600

San Francisco, CA 94105

(800) 999-3505

www.parnassus.com

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Investment Adviser

Parnassus Investments

1 Market Street, Suite 1600

San Francisco, CA 94105

Legal Counsel

Foley and Lardner LLP

777 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte and Touche, LLP

555 Mission Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

Distributor

Parnassus Funds Distributor

1 Market Street, Suite 1600

San Francisco, CA 94105

 

LOGO


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Item 2: Code of Ethics

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics dated July 22, 2003 that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer (President) and principal financial officer (Treasurer) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012. During the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 there were no amendments to any provisions of this code of ethics.

Item 3: Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Board of Trustees of the Parnassus Funds and the Parnassus Income Funds determined that Donald Potter, Chairman of the Board’s Audit Committee, qualified as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Form N-CSR. The Trustee’s decision was based on Mr. Potter’s understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), experience applying GAAP, familiarity with internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and understanding of audit committee functions. He gained this knowledge from thirty years of experience as a strategy consultant for major corporations while working at McKinsey & Co. Management Consultants and at his own firm, Strategystreet.com business strategy. He also spent four years working as a financial executive for a Fortune 500 company. He served as Chairman of the Audit Committee of Media Arts Groups and has also served on the Audit Committees of DLJ Direct and Peer Foods. Mr. Potter is a graduate of Harvard Business School where he was named a Baker Scholar for finishing in the top 5% of his class. Mr. Potter is an independent trustee.

Item 4: Principal Accountant Fees and Services

(a) Audit Fees

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for 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 the Parnassus Funds fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 were $73,246 and $78,783 respectively and the Parnassus Income Funds fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 were $168,151 and $77,617 respectively.

(b) Audit-Related Fees

The aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services rendered by the principal accountants that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item for the Parnassus Funds fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 were $8,600 and $8,800 respectively and the Parnassus Income Funds fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 were $8,600 and $8,800 respectively. Audit-related services relate to providing an internal control letter for affiliated transfer agent operations which are billed to the registrant’s investment advisor.

(c) Tax Fees

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning for the Parnassus Funds fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 were $26,703 and $15,540 respectively and the Parnassus Income Funds fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 were $9,200 and $9,660 respectively.

(d) All Other Fees

There were no fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item.

(e)(1) The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures are as follows: The audit committee is required to pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services provided by the independent accountants for the Parnassus Funds, affiliated funds, and other service affiliates. Explicit pre-approval by the Audit Committee Chair shall be required for any individual non-audit engagement to be performed by the independent accountants with estimated fees of $10,000 or less and the Audit Committee Chair shall report such approval to the full audit committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Explicit pre-approval by the full Audit Committee shall be required for any individual non-audit engagement to be performed by the independent accountants with estimated


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fees in excess of $10,000. Officers of the Funds shall furnish the audit committee at least annually with a listing of all fees paid to the independent accountants including non-audit services performed. For certain non-audit services which are no more than five percent of the total fees paid by the Trust, such fees may be exempted from the required pre-approval process specified above subject to limitations and prompt disclosure of such services are identified, and in all cases approval is required prior to completion.

(e)(2) None.

(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 forth in 4(b) and (c) of this Item of $26,703 and $15,540 for the Parnassus Funds fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively and $9,200 and $9,660 for the Parnassus Income Funds fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Item 5: Not applicable.

Item 6: Included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

Item 7: Not applicable.

Item 8: Not applicable.

Item 9: Not applicable.

Item 10: For the purposes of this Item, there have not been any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees.

Item 11: Controls and Procedures.

(a) The registrant’s certifying officers have reasonably designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by others, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared. The registrant’s certifying officers have determined that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report.

(b) There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting, or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls, that occurred during the registrant’s fiscal half-year, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Item 12: Exhibits attached hereto.

(a)(1) Code of Ethics

(a)(2) Certification for each principal executive and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) - Filed as an attachment to this filing.

(b) Certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350). A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference – Filed as an attachment to this filing.

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.


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Date: February 8, 2013     By:  

/s/ Jerome L. Dodson

      Jerome L. Dodson
      President

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.

 

Date: February 8, 2013      
    By:  

/s/ Jerome L. Dodson

      Jerome L. Dodson
      President
Date: February 8, 2013      
    By:  

/s/ Marc C. Mahon

      Marc C. Mahon
      Treasurer