N-CSRS 1 sr43023egb.htm DWS ESG GLOBAL BOND FUND

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSRS

 

Investment Company Act file number: 811-04670

 

Deutsche DWS Global/International Fund, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

875 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022-6225

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 454-4500

 

Diane Kenneally

100 Summer Street

Boston, MA 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Date of fiscal year end: 10/31
   
Date of reporting period: 4/30/2023

 

ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
   
  (a)
   

April 30, 2023
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, refer to the Account Management Resources information provided in the back of this booklet. We advise you to consider the Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Incorporation of ESG criteria in the Fund’s investment strategy does not guarantee a return or protect against a loss, limits the types and number of investment opportunities available to the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may underperform other funds that do not have an ESG focus. Investing in foreign securities presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. Please read the prospectus for details.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments: Environmental (how a company performs as a steward of nature); Social (how a company manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers and communities); Governance (company’s leadership, executive pay, shareholder rights, etc).
War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises, natural disasters, climate change and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead, to significant disruptions in U.S. and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
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3

Letter to Shareholders
Dear Shareholder:
This past year can be described as one where there were major structural disruptions and challenges impacting financial markets: record high inflation; end of ultra-loose monetary policy; impact of slower growth in China; ongoing political attacks on global trade; demographic change profoundly affecting more and more countries; and finally, the Ukraine conflict, the future course of which continues to be highly unpredictable.
It is therefore apparent that there will be no lack of challenges for investors in 2023. With looming recession concerns in the U.S. and Europe, we believe the prospects for equity returns will be challenging in 2023. Further, aggressive tightening by the Federal Reserve and international monetary authorities has increased pressure on banks and their ability to lend, and also negatively impacted the performance of fixed income securities. Inflation continues to remain above monetary authority targets, however there is early evidence that rate hikes by the Federal Reserve are beginning to take effect and cool the pace of rising prices.
Consequently, we believe that it is important for investors to diversify their investments given the level of volatility in markets. Balanced portfolios can help mitigate the negative impact of unexpected economic, geopolitical, and market events. While investment objectives are unique to each investor, we do believe there may be benefits to owning corporate and government bonds given their potential for yield as well as holding equities for their ability to counter the negative effects of persistent inflation.
In our view, these factors of market volatility, unpredictable economic events, and complex geo-political forces strongly underscore the value add of active portfolio management. The partnership between our portfolio managers and our CIO Office which synthesizes the views of more than 900 DWS economists, analysts and investment professionals around the world makes an important difference in making strategic and tactical decisions for the DWS Funds. Thank you for your trust. For ongoing updates to our market and economic outlook, please visit the “Insights”  section of dws.com.
Best regards,
Hepsen Uzcan
President, DWS Funds
Assumptions, estimates and opinions contained in this document constitute our judgment as of the date of the document and are subject to change without notice. Any projections are based on a number of assumptions as to market conditions and there can be no guarantee that any projected results will be achieved. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Performance SummaryApril 30, 2023 (Unaudited)
Class A
6-Month
1-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Average Annual Total Returnsas of 4/30/23
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
3.98%
–1.88%
–0.09%
0.07%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 4.50% load)
–0.70%
–6.29%
–1.00%
–0.39%
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond
Currency Hedged Index
4.82%
–0.70%
1.13%
1.87%
Average Annual Total Returnsas of 3/31/23 (most recent calendar quarter end)
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
–4.80%
–0.29%
0.33%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 4.50% load)
–9.09%
–1.20%
–0.13%
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond
Currency Hedged Index
–3.86%
0.95%
1.93%
Class C
6-Month
1-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Average Annual Total Returnsas of 4/30/23
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
3.47%
–2.73%
–0.85%
–0.69%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 1.00% CDSC)
2.50%
–2.73%
–0.85%
–0.69%
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond
Currency Hedged Index
4.82%
–0.70%
1.13%
1.87%
Average Annual Total Returnsas of 3/31/23 (most recent calendar quarter end)
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
–5.53%
–1.03%
–0.43%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 1.00% CDSC)
–5.53%
–1.03%
–0.43%
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond
Currency Hedged Index
–3.86%
0.95%
1.93%
Class S
6-Month
1-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Average Annual Total Returnsas of 4/30/23
No Sales Charges
3.99%
–1.75%
0.14%
0.31%
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond
Currency Hedged Index
4.82%
–0.70%
1.13%
1.87%
Average Annual Total Returnsas of 3/31/23 (most recent calendar quarter end)
No Sales Charges
–4.58%
–0.04%
0.57%
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond
Currency Hedged Index
–3.86%
0.95%
1.93%
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
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5

Institutional Class
6-Month
1-Year
Life of
Class*
Average Annual Total Returnsas of 4/30/23
No Sales Charges
4.12%
–1.75%
–4.56%
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond
Currency Hedged Index
4.82%
–0.70%
–3.90%
Average Annual Total Returnsas of 3/31/23 (most recent calendar quarter end)
No Sales Charges
–4.58%
–4.88%
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond
Currency Hedged Index
–3.86%
–4.25%
Performance in the Average Annual Total Returns table above and the Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment line graph that follows is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal fluctuate, so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may differ from performance data shown. Please visit dws.com for the Fund’s most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had.
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated March 1, 2023 are 1.20%, 2.21%, 0.99% and 0.87% for Class A, Class C, Class S and Institutional Class shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report.
Until April 30, 2019, the Fund was known as DWS High Conviction Global Bond Fund. On May 1, 2019, the Fund’s strategy and name changed. All returns prior to May 1, 2019 were achieved under the prior strategy.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
Performance figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only, and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights.
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment
(Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)
 Yearly periods ended April 30

The Fund’s growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 4.50%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,550.
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
*
Institutional class shares commenced operations on December 1, 2020.
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Currency Hedged Index is an unmanaged, currency
hedged, broad-based global investment-grade fixed-income measure comprised of three
component indices, the U.S. Aggregate Index, the Pan-European Aggregate Index, and
the Asian-Pacific Aggregate Index.
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
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7

 
Class A
Class C
Class S
Institutional Class
Net Asset Value
4/30/23
$8.00
$7.98
$7.98
$7.98
10/31/22
$8.18
$8.17
$8.17
$8.16
Distribution Information as of 4/30/23
Income Dividends, Six Months
$.06
$.03
$.07
$.07
Capital Gain Distributions
$.44
$.44
$.44
$.44
April Income Dividend
$.0116
$.0067
$.0132
$.0132
SEC 30-day Yield
3.01%
2.41%
3.41%
3.40%
Current Annualized Distribution Rate
1.74%
1.01%
1.98%
1.98%
The SEC yield is net investment income per share earned over the month ended April 30,
2023, shown as an annualized percentage of the maximum offering price per share on
the last day of the period. The SEC yield is computed in accordance with a standardized
method prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC yields would
have been 2.73%, 2.22%, 3.07% and 3.24% for Class A, Class C, Class S and
Institutional Class shares, respectively, had certain expenses not been reduced. The
current annualized distribution rate is the latest monthly dividend shown as an annualized
percentage of net asset value on April 30, 2023. Distribution rate simply measures the
level of dividends and is not a complete measure of performance. The current annualized
distribution rates would have been 1.46%, 0.82%, 1.64% and 1.82% for Class A,
Class C, Class S and Institutional Class shares, respectively, had certain expenses not
been reduced. Yields and distribution rates are historical, not guaranteed and
will fluctuate.
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Portfolio Management Team
Thomas M. Farina, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income
Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2019.
Joined DWS in 2006 with 12 years of industry experience. Head of Investment Grade Corporate Credit since 2013. Prior to joining, he held roles at Merrill Lynch Investment Management, Greenwich NatWest and at DnB Asset Management. He began his career as a Ratings Analyst at Standard & Poor’s.
Senior Portfolio Manager and Co-Head of US Credit: New York.
BA and MA in Economics, State University of New York at Albany.
Effective April 25, 2023, the portfolio management team is as follows:
Kelly L. Beam, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income
Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2023.
Joined DWS in 1999. Prior to her current role, she served as a senior corporate bond trader. She also served in Investment Support for Stable Value, Specialty Fixed Income and Global Insurance.
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager: New York.
BS in Finance, Lehigh University; MBA, Fordham University.
Christopher J. Munshower, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income
Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2023.
Joined DWS in 2004. Previously worked as a Senior High Grade Fixed Income Analyst at Bear Stearns and a Senior Research Analyst in the Insurance Ratings Group and in the Municipal Bond Group at Standard & Poor’s.
Corporate Sector Portfolio Manager: New York.
BS in Accounting and Economics, Lehigh University.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
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9

Portfolio Summary(Unaudited)
Asset Allocation(As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding
Securities Lending Collateral and Cash Equivalents)
4/30/23
10/31/22
Corporate Bonds
42%
35%
Financials
20%
18%
Information Technology
5%
5%
Consumer Discretionary
4%
3%
Communication Services
3%
2%
Real Estate
3%
2%
Health Care
3%
2%
Consumer Staples
2%
0%
Industrials
1%
2%
Utilities
1%
1%
Materials
0%
0%
Energy
0%
Government & Agency Obligations
53%
62%
Sovereign Bonds
33%
31%
U.S. Treasury Obligations
19%
30%
Other Government Related
1%
1%
Other
5%
3%
Asset-Backed
2%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
2%
2%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
1%
1%
 
100%
100%
Geographical Diversification(As a % of Investment
Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral and Cash
Equivalents)
4/30/23
10/31/22
United States
50%
54%
Germany
14%
13%
Canada
7%
5%
Japan
5%
3%
United Kingdom
5%
5%
Italy
4%
4%
Australia
3%
2%
Luxembourg
3%
3%
Spain
3%
3%
Netherlands
2%
2%
Other
4%
6%
 
100%
100%
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Currency Exposure*(As a % of Investment Portfolio
excluding Securities Lending Collateral)
4/30/23
10/31/22
United State Dollar
101%
110%
Japanese Yen
0%
-1%
British Pound
-0%
-3%
Australian Dollar
-0%
0%
Canadian Dollar
-0%
-0%
Euro
-1%
-6%
 
100%
100%
*
Currency exposure after taking into account the effects of forward currency contracts
and foreign currency balances.
Quality(As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities
Lending Collateral and Cash Equivalents)
4/30/23
10/31/22
AAA
42%
51%
AA
11%
10%
A
25%
18%
BBB
20%
19%
BB
2%
2%
 
100%
100%
The quality ratings represent the higher of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s” ), Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch” ) or S&P Global Ratings (“S&P” ) credit ratings. The ratings of Moody’s, Fitch and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. Credit quality measures a bond issuer’s ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. Ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Credit quality does not remove market risk and is subject to change.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
4/30/23
10/31/22
Effective Maturity
8.7 years
7.8 years
Effective Duration
6.8 years
6.2 years
Effective maturity is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
Effective duration is an approximate measure of the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rate changes taking into consideration any maturity shortening features.
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 12. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request. Please see the Account Management Resources section on page 55for contact information.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
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11

Investment Portfolioas of April 30, 2023 (Unaudited)
 
Principal
Amount ($) (a)
Value ($)
Bonds 95.0%
Australia 2.6%
Government of Australia, REG S, 2.25%, 5/21/2028
AUD
1,275,000
810,882
Macquarie Group Ltd., 144A, 6.207%, 11/22/2024
 
240,000
242,925
Optus Finance Pty Ltd., REG S, 1.0%, 6/20/2029
EUR
325,000
295,445
(Cost $1,534,745)
 
1,349,252
British Virgin Islands 0.3%
TSMC Global Ltd., 144A, 2.25%, 4/23/2031
(Cost $199,662)
 
200,000
168,514
Canada 6.9%
Canadian Government Bond:
 
0.5%, 9/1/2025
CAD
2,000,000
1,375,695
2.25%, 12/1/2029
CAD
975,000
696,364
Canadian National Railway Co., 4.4%, 8/5/2052
 
100,000
94,574
Canadian Pacific Railway Co., 3.0%, 12/2/2041
 
20,000
16,612
Ford Credit Canada Co., 4.46%, 11/13/2024
CAD
300,000
215,758
Manulife Financial Corp., 3.703%, 3/16/2032
 
147,000
136,446
Nutrien Ltd., 5.8%, 3/27/2053
 
50,000
51,941
Rogers Communications, Inc., 144A, 3.8%, 3/15/2032
 
95,000
85,541
Royal Bank of Canada:
 
4.95%, 4/25/2025
 
160,000
160,102
5.0%, 2/1/2033
 
200,000
201,360
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 5.156%, 1/10/2028
 
516,000
521,913
(Cost $3,694,070)
 
3,556,306
Chile 1.0%
Banco del Estado de Chile, 144A, 2.704%, 1/9/2025
 
200,000
191,343
Chile Government International Bond, 2.55%,
1/27/2032 (b)
 
350,000
303,853
(Cost $553,552)
 
495,196
France 1.2%
Government of France, REG S, 144A, 1.5%, 5/25/2050
(Cost $1,142,392)
EUR
850,000
643,820
Germany 13.2%
Bundesrepublik Deutschland Bundesanleihe:
 
REG S, 0.0%, 11/15/2028
EUR
1,761,482
1,712,742
REG S, 0.0%, 8/15/2031
EUR
1,375,000
1,260,556
REG S, 0.0%, 2/15/2032
EUR
1,444,297
1,307,592
REG S, 0.0%, 8/15/2052
EUR
105,257
58,813
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

 
Principal
Amount ($) (a)
Value ($)
REG S, 0.25%, 2/15/2029
EUR
550,000
539,956
REG S, 1.25%, 8/15/2048
EUR
295,000
257,091
Kreditanstalt Fuer Wiederaufbau:
 
0.625%, 1/22/2026
 
1,000,000
917,207
1.25%, 1/31/2025
 
750,000
711,766
(Cost $8,020,266)
 
6,765,723
India 0.4%
REC Ltd., 144A, 4.75%, 5/19/2023 (Cost $199,392)
 
200,000
199,916
Ireland 0.3%
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC, 1.75%, 1/30/2026
(Cost $146,636)
 
150,000
134,574
Italy 4.1%
Italy Buoni Poliennali Del Tesoro:
 
REG S, 0.5%, 2/1/2026
EUR
250,000
254,535
REG S, 0.9%, 4/1/2031
EUR
400,000
350,769
REG S, 144A, 1.85%, 7/1/2025
EUR
350,000
373,980
Republic of Italy:
 
1.25%, 2/17/2026
 
350,000
314,339
2.375%, 10/17/2024
 
435,000
416,480
2.875%, 10/17/2029
 
435,000
382,026
(Cost $2,444,808)
 
2,092,129
Japan 4.7%
Honda Motor Co., Ltd., 2.967%, 3/10/2032
 
382,000
345,189
Japan Government Ten Year Bond, 0.1%, 6/20/2030
JPY
35,000,000
254,588
Japan Government Thirty Year Bond, 0.4%, 6/20/2049
JPY
122,000,000
725,884
Japan Government Twenty Year Bond, 0.4%, 6/20/2040
JPY
100,000,000
672,678
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., 5.441%, 2/22/2034
 
200,000
203,101
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., 1.234%, 5/22/2027
 
215,000
189,947
(Cost $3,223,827)
 
2,391,387
Luxembourg 2.4%
European Investment Bank, 2.75%, 8/15/2025
(Cost $1,079,072)
 
1,250,000
1,218,079
Mexico 0.3%
United Mexican States, 3.5%, 2/12/2034 (Cost $198,912)
 
200,000
171,766
Netherlands 1.5%
ABN AMRO Bank NV, 144A, 2.47%, 12/13/2029
 
200,000
170,758
ING Groep NV, 3-month USD-LIBOR + 1.00%, 6.177% (c),
10/2/2023
 
200,000
200,328
NXP BV:
 
2.5%, 5/11/2031
 
75,000
61,971
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
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13

 
Principal
Amount ($) (a)
Value ($)
3.125%, 2/15/2042
 
60,000
42,666
Telefonica Europe BV, REG S, 3.875%, Perpetual (d)
EUR
300,000
305,023
(Cost $885,188)
 
780,746
Portugal 0.9%
Republic of Portugal, 144A, 5.125%, 10/15/2024
(Cost $474,078)
 
460,000
460,685
Spain 2.3%
Spain Government Bond:
 
REG S, 144A, 0.6%, 10/31/2029
EUR
1,000,000
943,773
REG S, 144A, 1.25%, 10/31/2030
EUR
250,000
241,000
(Cost $1,470,538)
 
1,184,773
United Arab Emirates 0.8%
DP World Ltd., 144A, 2.375%, 9/25/2026 (Cost $462,508)
EUR
400,000
414,207
United Kingdom 4.6%
HSBC Holdings PLC:
 
6.332%, 3/9/2044
 
225,000
236,988
7.39%, 11/3/2028
 
200,000
215,290
Lloyds Banking Group PLC, 4.716%, 8/11/2026
 
200,000
197,315
LSEGA Financing PLC, 144A, 2.0%, 4/6/2028
 
300,000
261,712
United Kingdom Gilt:
 
REG S, 0.375%, 10/22/2030
GBP
500,000
496,469
REG S, 0.625%, 10/22/2050
GBP
430,000
236,375
REG S, 0.875%, 10/22/2029
GBP
660,000
700,558
(Cost $2,908,209)
 
2,344,707
United States 47.5%
AbbVie, Inc., 4.25%, 11/21/2049
 
56,000
49,088
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 4.393%, 6/1/2052
 
40,000
37,234
American Express Co.:
 
4.42%, 8/3/2033
 
150,000
144,192
5.043%, 5/1/2034 (e)
 
190,000
190,422
Amgen, Inc.:
 
5.25%, 3/2/2033
 
110,000
113,179
5.65%, 3/2/2053
 
45,000
46,618
Anheuser-Busch Companies LLC, 4.9%, 2/1/2046
 
101,000
100,086
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., 4.35%, 6/1/2040
 
63,000
59,853
Apple, Inc.:
 
2.375%, 2/8/2041
 
186,000
139,532
2.7%, 8/5/2051
 
71,000
50,232
3.35%, 8/8/2032
 
220,000
208,756
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

 
Principal
Amount ($) (a)
Value ($)
AT&T, Inc.:
 
2.55%, 12/1/2033
 
17,000
13,686
3.65%, 6/1/2051
 
50,000
37,279
Atrium Hotel Portfolio Trust, “B” , Series 2018-ATRM,
144A, 1-month USD-LIBOR + 1.43%, 6.378% (c),
6/15/2035
 
500,000
480,340
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, “C” ,
Series 2018-DSNY, 144A, 1-month USD-LIBOR +
1.35%, 6.298% (c), 9/15/2034
 
333,000
325,450
Bank of America Corp.:
 
2.972%, 7/21/2052
 
50,000
34,118
3.824%, 1/20/2028
 
69,000
65,870
5.015%, 7/22/2033
 
180,000
177,476
5.202%, 4/25/2029
 
280,000
281,861
3-month USD-LIBOR + 0.77%, 5.576% (c), 2/5/2026
 
101,000
100,920
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.:
 
3.7%, Perpetual (d)
 
56,000
49,454
3.75%, Perpetual (d)
 
109,000
91,085
4.596%, 7/26/2030
 
100,000
99,029
Boston Properties LP, (REIT), 6.75%, 12/1/2027
 
180,000
183,257
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.:
 
2.55%, 11/13/2050
 
45,000
30,098
3.7%, 3/15/2052
 
80,000
66,367
Capital One Financial Corp., 2.359%, 7/29/2032
 
130,000
93,848
Centene Corp.:
 
2.45%, 7/15/2028
 
80,000
69,522
2.625%, 8/1/2031
 
90,000
73,697
Cigna Corp., 3.4%, 3/15/2051
 
41,000
30,222
Comcast Corp., 4.65%, 2/15/2033
 
375,000
379,610
Commonwealth Edison Co., 4.9%, 2/1/2033
 
256,000
263,412
CVS Health Corp.:
 
5.05%, 3/25/2048
 
35,000
32,673
5.25%, 2/21/2033
 
180,000
183,853
Dell International LLC, 4.9%, 10/1/2026
 
131,000
131,065
Dow Chemical Co., 6.9%, 5/15/2053
 
40,000
46,123
Elevance Health, Inc.:
 
3.65%, 12/1/2027
 
314,000
304,825
6.1%, 10/15/2052
 
40,000
44,616
Eli Lilly & Co., 4.875%, 2/27/2053
 
100,000
104,498
Equinix, Inc., (REIT), 3.9%, 4/15/2032
 
192,000
174,945
ERP Operating LP, (REIT), 1.85%, 8/1/2031
 
95,000
76,504
Fannie Mae-Aces, “A1” , Series 2021-M1S, 0.833%,
12/25/2030
 
279,534
246,307
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
15

 
Principal
Amount ($) (a)
Value ($)
FedEx Corp., 2.4%, 5/15/2031
 
60,000
50,953
Five Corners Funding Trust III, 144A, 5.791%, 2/15/2033
 
100,000
102,249
Ford Motor Co., 3.25%, 2/12/2032
 
130,000
100,817
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.7%, 8/10/2026
 
200,000
177,401
General Mills, Inc., 4.95%, 3/29/2033
 
70,000
71,295
General Motors Co., 5.4%, 10/15/2029
 
237,000
234,308
General Motors Financial Co., Inc.:
 
4.3%, 4/6/2029
 
225,000
209,694
5.4%, 4/6/2026
 
90,000
90,048
HCA, Inc.:
 
4.125%, 6/15/2029
 
61,000
57,834
5.25%, 6/15/2049
 
38,000
34,413
Hertz Vehicle Financing III LLC, “C” , Series 2023-1A,
144A, 6.91%, 6/25/2027
 
560,000
562,288
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., 4.9%, 10/15/2025
 
50,000
49,811
Home Depot, Inc., 3.625%, 4/15/2052
 
100,000
81,498
HP, Inc., 5.5%, 1/15/2033
 
163,000
161,747
Humana, Inc., 5.875%, 3/1/2033
 
50,000
53,856
Intel Corp.:
 
3.2%, 8/12/2061
 
10,000
6,602
5.125%, 2/10/2030
 
150,000
153,634
JPMorgan Chase & Co.:
 
3.782%, 2/1/2028
 
194,000
186,217
SOFR + 1.18%, 5.934% (c), 2/24/2028
 
267,000
267,271
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust,
“A” , Series 2021-2NU, 144A, 1.974%, 1/5/2040
 
220,000
178,320
Kenvue, Inc.:
 
144A, 4.9%, 3/22/2033
 
200,000
207,104
144A, 5.0%, 3/22/2030
 
130,000
134,811
144A, 5.05%, 3/22/2053
 
30,000
31,144
144A, 5.2%, 3/22/2063
 
40,000
41,595
Lowe’s Companies, Inc., 5.625%, 4/15/2053
 
95,000
95,554
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., 5.45%, 3/15/2053
 
75,000
78,102
Mercedes-Benz Finance North America LLC, 144A, 4.95%,
3/30/2025
 
150,000
150,159
Micron Technology, Inc., 6.75%, 11/1/2029
 
132,000
139,105
Microsoft Corp.:
 
2.525%, 6/1/2050
 
45,000
31,928
2.921%, 3/17/2052
 
64,000
49,044
Morgan Stanley, 2.484%, 9/16/2036
 
145,000
111,449
Mosaic Solar Loan Trust:
 
“B” , Series 2023-1A, 144A, 6.92%, 6/20/2053
 
195,175
192,986
“C” , Series 2023-1A, 144A, 8.48%, 6/20/2053
 
200,000
192,740
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

 
Principal
Amount ($) (a)
Value ($)
“C” , Series 2022-3A, 144A, 8.56%, 6/20/2053
 
297,000
296,475
MSCI, Inc.:
 
144A, 3.25%, 8/15/2033
 
60,000
48,750
144A, 3.625%, 9/1/2030
 
100,000
86,267
NVIDIA Corp., 2.0%, 6/15/2031
 
180,000
152,512
ONEOK, Inc., 6.1%, 11/15/2032
 
50,000
52,274
Oracle Corp.:
 
3.65%, 3/25/2041
 
79,000
61,266
6.9%, 11/9/2052
 
67,000
75,062
Pepsico, Inc., 3.9%, 7/18/2032
 
345,000
339,698
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.:
 
Series T, 3.4%, Perpetual (d)
 
110,000
84,158
5.068%, 1/24/2034
 
90,000
88,599
Series W, 6.25%, Perpetual (d)
 
265,000
242,873
Prologis LP:
 
(REIT), 4.625%, 1/15/2033
 
125,000
124,538
4.75%, 6/15/2033
 
90,000
90,149
QUALCOMM, Inc., 6.0%, 5/20/2053
 
65,000
73,912
Republic Services, Inc., 5.0%, 4/1/2034
 
90,000
92,070
Salesforce, Inc., 2.9%, 7/15/2051
 
135,000
95,850
Starbucks Corp., 4.45%, 8/15/2049
 
50,000
45,211
State Street Corp., 4.164%, 8/4/2033
 
170,000
161,000
Sumit Mortgage Trust, “D” , Series 22-BVUE, 144A,
2.989% (c), 2/12/2041
 
250,000
182,365
The Charles Schwab Corp., Series I, 4.0%, Perpetual (d)
 
83,000
69,618
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.:
 
0.855%, 2/12/2026
 
150,000
137,663
1.431%, 3/9/2027
 
70,000
62,844
1.992%, 1/27/2032
 
103,000
82,468
2.908%, 7/21/2042
 
48,000
34,473
Series T, 3.8%, Perpetual (d)
 
87,000
72,101
4.387%, 6/15/2027
 
275,000
270,215
T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc., 5.65%, 1/15/2053
 
100,000
103,148
Truist Financial Corp., 5.122%, 1/26/2034
 
100,000
96,961
TSMC Arizona Corp., 4.25%, 4/22/2032
 
260,000
257,849
U.S. Bancorp:
 
4.839%, 2/1/2034
 
75,000
71,825
4.967%, 7/22/2033
 
100,000
93,569
U.S. Treasury Bills, 4.747% (f), 10/5/2023 (g)
 
500,000
489,489
U.S. Treasury Bonds:
 
1.875%, 11/15/2051
 
136,600
93,069
2.0%, 11/15/2041
 
2,145,100
1,625,332
3.625%, 2/15/2053
 
749,200
742,879
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
17

 
Principal
Amount ($) (a)
Value ($)
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Note, 0.125%, 10/15/2026
 
363,244
347,870
U.S. Treasury Notes:
 
3.5%, 2/15/2033
 
2,817,800
2,834,531
4.0%, 12/15/2025
 
1,379,900
1,386,207
4.0%, 2/29/2028
 
1,687,800
1,724,984
Union Pacific Corp.:
 
4.95%, 9/9/2052
 
184,000
187,633
4.95%, 5/15/2053
 
120,000
121,102
United Rentals North America, Inc., 144A, 6.0%,
12/15/2029
 
150,000
152,233
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.:
 
2.9%, 5/15/2050
 
20,000
14,283
3.25%, 5/15/2051
 
50,000
37,972
Verizon Communications, Inc.:
 
2.85%, 9/3/2041
 
63,000
45,652
3.875%, 3/1/2052
 
83,000
66,604
Walt Disney Co., 2.65%, 1/13/2031
 
60,000
53,185
Warnermedia Holdings, Inc., 144A, 5.141%, 3/15/2052
 
100,000
79,906
WEA Finance LLC, (REIT), 144A, 3.75%, 9/17/2024
 
325,000
308,123
Welltower, Inc., (REIT), 3.85%, 6/15/2032
 
460,000
413,439
Wisconsin Power & Light Co., 3.95%, 9/1/2032
 
212,000
201,402
(Cost $25,556,760)
 
24,388,837
Total Bonds (Cost $54,194,615)
 
48,760,617
 
Shares
Value ($)
Securities Lending Collateral 0.6%
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio “DWS
Government Cash Institutional Shares” , 4.74% (h) (i)
(Cost $315,000)
 
315,000
315,000
Cash Equivalents 2.3%
DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund,
4.81% (h) (Cost $1,150,924)
 
1,150,924
1,150,924
 
 
% of
Net Assets
Value ($)
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $55,660,539)
 
97.9
50,226,541
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
 
2.1
1,093,715
Net Assets
 
100.0
51,320,256
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

A summary of the Fund’s transactions with affiliated investments during the period ended April 30, 2023 are as follows:
Value ($)
at
10/31/2022
Pur-
chases
Cost
($)
Sales
Proceeds
($)
Net
Real-
ized
Gain/
(Loss)
($)
Net
Change
in
Unreal-
ized
Appreci-
ation
(Depreci-
ation)
($)
Income
($)
Capital
Gain
Distri-
butions
($)
Number of
Shares at
4/30/2023
Value ($)
at
4/30/2023
Securities Lending Collateral 0.6%
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio “DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares” ,
4.74% (h) (i)
333,835
18,835 (j)
558
315,000
315,000
Cash Equivalents 2.3%
DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund, 4.81% (h)
396,063
16,202,211
15,447,350
17,799
1,150,924
1,150,924
729,898
16,202,211
15,466,185
18,357
1,465,924
1,465,924
(a)
Principal amount stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
(b)
All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, “Other Assets and
Liabilities, Net”  may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities
loaned at April 30, 2023 amounted to $303,870, which is 0.6% of net assets.
(c)
Variable or floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of
April 30, 2023. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the
reference rate and spread are indicated within the description above. Certain variable
rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but adjust
periodically based on current market conditions, prepayment of underlying positions
and/or other variables. Securities with a floor or ceiling feature are disclosed at the
inherent rate, where applicable.
(d)
Perpetual, callable security with no stated maturity date.
(e)
When-issued security.
(f)
Annualized yield at time of purchase; not a coupon rate.
(g)
At April 30, 2023, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, to cover initial
margin requirements for open futures contracts.
(h)
Affiliated fund managed by DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. The rate
shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
(i)
Represents cash collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by
the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
(j)
Represents the net increase (purchase cost) or decrease (sales proceeds) in the amount
invested in cash collateral for the period ended April 30, 2023.
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.
These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to
qualified institutional buyers.
REG S: Securities sold under Regulation S may not be offered, sold or delivered within the
United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, except pursuant to an
exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933.
REIT: Real Estate Investment Trust
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
19

SOFR: Secured Overnight Financing Rate
UFJ: United Financial of Japan
LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate, the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022 , and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the Fund or the instruments in which the Fund invests may be adversely affected by the phase out by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.
At April 30, 2023, open futures contracts purchased were as follows:
Futures
Currency
Expiration
Date
Contracts
Notional
Amount ($)
Notional
Value ($)
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation) ($)
10 Year
Canadian
Government
Bond
CAD
6/21/2023
4
357,422
372,233
14,811
10 Year
Japanese
Government
Bond
JPY
6/13/2023
3
3,201,471
3,272,047
70,576
5 Year U.S.
Treasury Note
USD
6/30/2023
2
219,739
219,484
(255)
Ultra Long U.S.
Treasury Bond
USD
6/21/2023
15
2,021,759
2,121,094
99,335
Total net unrealized appreciation
184,467
At April 30, 2023, open futures contracts sold were as follows:
Futures
Currency
Expiration
Date
Contracts
Notional
Amount ($)
Notional
Value ($)
Unrealized
Depreciation ($)
10 Year U.S.
Treasury Note
USD
6/21/2023
58
6,461,736
6,681,781
(220,045)
2 Year U.S.
Treasury Note
USD
6/30/2023
19
3,878,477
3,917,117
(38,640)
Ultra 10 Year U.S.
Treasury Note
USD
6/21/2023
5
590,596
607,266
(16,670)
Total unrealized depreciation
(275,355)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
20
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

At April 30, 2023, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:
Contracts to Deliver
In Exchange For
Settlement
Date
Unrealized
Appreciation ($)
Counterparty
AUD
1,302,508
USD
924,382
5/3/2023
62,408
Citigroup, Inc.
USD
10,144,872
EUR
9,222,527
5/3/2023
19,351
Barclays Bank PLC
USD
466,844
GBP
389,000
5/10/2023
22,153
State Street Bank and
Trust δ
JPY
27,102,855
USD
201,652
6/1/2023
1,767
Toronto-Dominion
Bank
JPY
208,500,000
USD
1,542,362
6/1/2023
4,659
Citigroup, Inc.
CAD
3,300,000
USD
2,469,321
7/20/2023
29,687
State Street Bank and
Trust δ
Total unrealized appreciation
140,025
Contracts to Deliver
In Exchange For
Settlement
Date
Unrealized
Depreciation ($)
Counterparty
EUR
9,222,527
USD
10,122,074
5/3/2023
(42,149)
State Street Bank and
Trust δ
GBP
1,741,302
USD
2,104,194
5/10/2023
(84,730)
Bank of America
EUR
9,222,527
USD
10,196,669
8/3/2023
(18,848)
Barclays Bank PLC
Total unrealized depreciation
(145,727)

 
δ
U.S Treasury Notes with a value of $98,382 received as collateral for open over-the
counter derivative contracts.
Currency Abbreviation(s)
AUD
Australian Dollar
CAD
Canadian Dollar
EUR
Euro
GBP
British Pound
JPY
Japanese Yen
USD
United States Dollar
For information on the Fund’s policy and additional disclosures regarding futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts, please refer to the Derivatives section of Note B in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
21

Fair Value Measurements
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2023 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Bonds (a)
$
$48,760,617
$
$48,760,617
Short-Term Investments (a)
1,465,924
1,465,924
Derivatives (b)
Futures Contracts
184,722
184,722
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
140,025
140,025
Total
$1,650,646
$48,900,642
$
$50,551,288
Liabilities
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Derivatives (b)
Futures Contracts
$(275,610
)
$
$
$(275,610
)
Forward Foreign Currency
Contracts
(145,727
)
(145,727
)
Total
$(275,610
)
$(145,727
)
$
$(421,337
)
(a)
See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
(b)
Derivatives include unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open futures contracts and
forward foreign currency contracts.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
22
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of April 30, 2023 (Unaudited)
Assets
 Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $54,194,615)
including $303,870 of securities loaned
$48,760,617
Investment in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio
(cost $315,000)*
315,000
Investment in DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund
(cost $1,150,924)
1,150,924
Cash
36,906
Foreign currency, at value (cost $1,471,081)
1,492,282
Receivable for investments sold
312,235
Receivable for Fund shares sold
43,310
Interest receivable
346,647
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts
9,398
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts
140,025
Foreign taxes recoverable
262
Other assets
33,142
Total assets
52,640,748
Liabilities
 
Payable upon return of securities loaned
315,000
Payable for investments purchased
484,719
Payable for investments purchased when-issued securities
190,000
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
100,334
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts
145,727
Accrued Directors' fees
1,410
Other accrued expenses and payables
83,302
Total liabilities
1,320,492
Net assets, at value
$51,320,256
Net Assets Consist of
 
Distributable earnings (loss)
(11,529,696
)
Paid-in capital
62,849,952
Net assets, at value
$51,320,256
*
Represents collateral on securities loaned.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
23

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of April 30, 2023 (Unaudited) (continued)
Net Asset Value
 
Class A
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
($7,374,037 ÷ 921,762 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
$8.00
Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 95.50 of $8.00)
$8.38
Class C
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price
(subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share
($61,703 ÷ 7,727 shares of capital stock outstanding, $.01 par value,
20,000,000 shares authorized)**
$7.98
Class S
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($43,426,319 ÷ 5,438,886 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 309,154,575 shares authorized)
$7.98
Institutional Class
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($458,197 ÷ 57,411 shares of capital stock outstanding, $.01 par value,
100,000,000 shares authorized)
$7.98
**
Net asset value and redemption price per share may not recalculate due to rounding of net assets and/or shares outstanding.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
24
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Statement of Operations
for the six months ended April 30, 2023 (Unaudited)
Investment Income
 
Income:
Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $315)
$744,068
Income distributions DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund
17,799
Securities lending income, net of borrower rebates
558
Total income
762,425
Expenses:
Management fee
79,956
Administration fee
25,018
Services to shareholders
57,024
Distribution and service fees
8,259
Custodian fee
5,904
Audit fee
27,000
Legal fees
10,340
Tax fees
4,494
Reports to shareholders
16,469
Registration fees
27,142
Directors' fees and expenses
2,170
Other
6,937
Total expenses before expense reductions
270,713
Expense reductions
(93,287
)
Total expenses after expense reductions
177,426
Net investment income
584,999
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments
(1,991,288
)
Swap contracts
6,730
Futures
330,181
Forward foreign currency contracts
(659,087
)
Foreign currency
(20,334
)
 
(2,333,798
)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
5,018,022
Futures
(421,819
)
Forward foreign currency contracts
(816,675
)
Foreign currency
53,297
 
3,832,825
Net gain (loss)
1,499,027
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$2,084,026
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
25

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
 
Six Months
Ended
April 30, 2023
Year Ended
October 31,
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
(Unaudited)
2022
Operations:
Net investment income
$584,999
$839,206
Net realized gain (loss)
(2,333,798
)
1,356,178
Change in net unrealized appreciation
(depreciation)
3,832,825
(10,231,909
)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from operations
2,084,026
(8,036,525
)
Distributions to shareholders:
Class A
(452,171
)
(83,156
)
Class C
(3,551
)
(403
)
Class S
(2,683,067
)
(603,240
)
Institutional Class
(31,417
)
(10,927
)
Total distributions
(3,170,206
)
(697,726
)
Fund share transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold
2,761,510
5,272,123
Reinvestment of distributions
2,816,213
624,980
Payments for shares redeemed
(5,185,477
)
(9,798,928
)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund
share transactions
392,246
(3,901,825
)
Increase (decrease) in net assets
(693,934
)
(12,636,076
)
Net assets at beginning of period
52,014,190
64,650,266
Net assets at end of period
$51,320,256
$52,014,190
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
26
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Financial Highlights
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund Class A
 
Six Months
Ended 4/30/23
Years Ended October 31,
 
(Unaudited)
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning
of period
$8.18
$9.48
$9.67
$9.43
$8.77
$9.27
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
Net investment incomea
.08
.11
.05
.10
.21
.23
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss)
.24
(1.32
)
(.18
)
.26
.67
(.53
)
Total from investment
operations
.32
(1.21
)
(.13
)
.36
.88
(.30
)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.06
)
(.09
)
(.06
)
(.05
)
(.18
)
(.20
)
Net realized gains
(.44
)
Return of capital
(.07
)
(.04
)
Total distributions
(.50
)
(.09
)
(.06
)
(.12
)
(.22
)
(.20
)
Net asset value, end of period
$8.00
$8.18
$9.48
$9.67
$9.43
$8.77
Total Return (%)b,c
3.98
*
(12.86
)
(1.33
)
3.85
10.19
(3.26
)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period
($ millions)
7
8
10
11
10
10
Ratio of expenses before
expense reductions(%)
1.23
**
1.20
1.18
1.20
1.32
1.29
Ratio of expenses after
expense reductions(%)
.90
**
.95
1.00
.95
1.00
.90
Ratio of net investment income (%)
2.06
**
1.19
.56
1.07
2.33
2.53
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
49
*
116
47
104
167
183
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
c
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
*
Not annualized
**
Annualized
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
27

DWS ESG Global Bond Fund Class C
 
Six Months
Ended 4/30/23
Years Ended October 31,
 
(Unaudited)
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning
of period
$8.17
$9.47
$9.67
$9.43
$8.77
$9.27
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
Net investment income (loss)a
.05
.04
(.02
)
.04
.15
.16
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss)
.23
(1.32
)
(.18
)
.25
.66
(.53
)
Total from investment
operations
.28
(1.28
)
(.20
)
.29
.81
(.37
)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.03
)
(.02
)
(.02
)
(.12
)
(.13
)
Net realized gains
(.44
)
Return of capital
(.03
)
(.03
)
Total distributions
(.47
)
(.02
)
(.05
)
(.15
)
(.13
)
Net asset value, end of period
$7.98
$8.17
$9.47
$9.67
$9.43
$8.77
Total Return (%)b,c
3.47
*
(13.50
)
(2.07
)
3.09
9.37
(3.98
)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period
($ millions)
.1
.1
.2
.3
1
1
Ratio of expenses before
expense reductions(%)
2.35
**
2.21
2.10
2.03
2.12
2.08
Ratio of expenses after
expense reductions(%)
1.65
**
1.70
1.75
1.70
1.75
1.65
Ratio of net investment income
(loss) (%)
1.28
**
.48
(.20
)
.38
1.60
1.79
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
49
*
116
47
104
167
183
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
c
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
*
Not annualized
**
Annualized
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
28
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

DWS ESG Global Bond Fund Class S
 
Six Months
Ended 4/30/23
Years Ended October 31,
 
(Unaudited)
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning
of period
$8.17
$9.47
$9.65
$9.41
$8.76
$9.26
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
Net investment incomea
.09
.13
.08
.12
.23
.25
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss)
.23
(1.32
)
(.17
)
.26
.67
(.52
)
Total from investment
operations
.32
(1.19
)
(.09
)
.38
.90
(.27
)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.07
)
(.11
)
(.09
)
(.06
)
(.20
)
(.23
)
Net realized gains
(.44
)
Return of capital
(.08
)
(.05
)
Total distributions
(.51
)
(.11
)
(.09
)
(.14
)
(.25
)
(.23
)
Net asset value, end of period
$7.98
$8.17
$9.47
$9.65
$9.41
$8.76
Total Return (%)b
3.99
*
(12.65
)
(.99
)
4.12
10.36
(3.02
)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period
($ millions)
43
44
54
56
47
48
Ratio of expenses before expense
reductions(%)
1.02
**
.99
.97
.94
1.03
1.01
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions(%)
.65
**
.70
.75
.70
.75
.65
Ratio of net investment income (%)
2.31
**
1.45
.81
1.30
2.58
2.79
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
49
*
116
47
104
167
183
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
*
Not annualized
**
Annualized
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
29

DWS ESG Global Bond Fund Institutional Class
 
Six Months
Ended 4/30/23
Year Ended
October 31,
Period
Ended
 
(Unaudited)
2022
10/31/21a
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.16
$9.46
$9.70
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomeb
.09
.13
.07
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
.24
(1.32
)
(.23
)
Total from investment operations
.33
(1.19
)
(.16
)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.07
)
(.11
)
(.08
)
Net realized gains
(.44
)
Total distributions
(.51
)
(.11
)
(.08
)
Net asset value, end of period
$7.98
$8.16
$9.46
Total Return (%)c
4.12
*
(12.68
)
(1.68
)*
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ thousands)
458
745
1,030
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.92
**
.87
.96
**
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.65
**
.70
.76
**
Ratio of net investment income (%)
2.30
**
1.47
.86
**
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
49
*
116
47
d
a
For the period from December 1, 2020 (commencement of operations) to
October 31, 2021.
b
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
c
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d
Represents the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the year ended October 31, 2021.
*
Not annualized
**
Annualized
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A.
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund (the “Fund” ) is a diversified series of Deutsche DWS Global/International Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation” ), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Maryland corporation.
The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which provide investors with different purchase options. Class A shares are subject to an initial sales charge. Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to higher ongoing expenses than Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions within one year of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares in the same fund after 8 years, provided that the Fund or the financial intermediary through which the shareholder purchased the Class C shares has records verifying that the Class C shares have been held for at least 8 years. Class S shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are available through certain intermediary relationships with financial services firms, or can be purchased by establishing an account directly with the Fund’s transfer agent. Institutional Class shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally available only to qualified institutions.
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” ) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security Valuation.Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
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31

The Fund’s Board has designated DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (the “Advisor” ) as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. The Advisor’s Pricing Committee (the “Pricing Committee” ) typically values securities using readily available market quotations or prices supplied by independent pricing services (which are considered fair values under Rule 2a-5). The Advisor has adopted fair valuation procedures that provide methodologies for fair valuing securities.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
Debt securities are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Pricing Committee. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, prepayment speeds and other data, as well as broker quotes. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, debt securities are valued at the average of the most recent reliable bid quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices established each day on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.
Swap contracts are valued daily based upon prices supplied by a pricing vendor approved by the Pricing Committee, if available, and otherwise are valued at the price provided by the broker-dealer with which the swap was traded. Swap contracts are generally categorized as Level 2.
Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and are categorized as Level 2.
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Pricing Committee and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund’s valuation procedures, factors considered in determining
32
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company’s or issuer’s financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.
Securities Lending.Deutsche Bank AG, as securities lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of its securities lending agreement. During the term of the loans, the Fund continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the securities lending agent will use its best efforts to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the securities lending agreement. As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash. During the six months ended April 30, 2023, the Fund invested the cash collateral into a joint trading account in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio, an affiliated money market fund managed by DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. receives a management/administration fee (0.07% annualized effective rate as of April 30, 2023) on the cash collateral invested in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a securities lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan at any time, and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within a standard time period. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
33

the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.
As of April 30, 2023, the Fund had securities on loan, which were classified as bonds in the Investment Portfolio. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end. As of period end, the remaining contractual maturity of the collateral agreements was overnight and continuous.
Foreign Currency Translations.The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.
Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. The portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.
When-Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities.The Fund may purchase or sell securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the transaction is reflected in the net asset value. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations.
Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed delivery transactions from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic, or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities.
Taxes.The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
34
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Additionally, the Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by the governments of countries in which it invests and are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized gain/loss on investments. Tax liabilities realized as a result of security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain/loss on investments.
At October 31, 2022, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $3,179,000, including short-term losses ($1,746,000) and long-term losses ($1,433,000), which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
At April 30, 2023, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $55,845,139. The net unrealized depreciation for all investments based on tax cost was $5,618,598. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $300,922 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $5,919,520.
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of October 31, 2022 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Distribution of Income and Gains.Distributions from net investment income of the Fund is declared and distributed to shareholders monthly. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed, and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to certain securities sold at a loss, investments in derivatives, premium amortization on debt securities and additional income recognition on debt securities classified as equity.  As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
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35

Expenses.Expenses of the Corporation arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Corporation expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Corporation based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
Contingencies.In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Other.Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis net of foreign withholding taxes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for both tax and financial reporting purposes with the exception of securities in default of principal.
B.
Derivative Instruments
Swaps.A swap is a contract between two parties to exchange future cash flows at periodic intervals based on the notional amount of the swap. A bilateral swap is a transaction between the Fund and a counterparty where cash flows are exchanged between the two parties. A centrally cleared swap is a transaction executed between the Fund and a counterparty, then cleared by a clearing member through a central clearinghouse. The central clearinghouse serves as the counterparty, with whom the Fund exchanges cash flows.
The value of a swap is adjusted daily, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized when the swap expires or is closed. Certain risks may arise when entering into swap transactions including counterparty default; liquidity; or unfavorable changes in interest rates or the value of the underlying reference security, commodity or index. In connection with bilateral swaps, securities and/or cash may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default. The maximum counterparty credit risk is the net present value of the cash flows to be received from or paid to the counterparty over the term of the swap, to the extent that this amount is beneficial to the Fund, in addition
36
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

to any related collateral posted to the counterparty by the Fund. This risk may be partially reduced by a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities (“initial margin” ) in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the notional amount of the swap. Subsequent payments (“variation margin” ) are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value of the swap. In a centrally cleared swap transaction, counterparty risk is minimized as the central clearinghouse acts as the counterparty.
An upfront payment, if any, made by the Fund is recorded as an asset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. An upfront payment, if any, received by the Fund is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.
Credit default swaps are agreements between a buyer and a seller of protection against predefined credit events for the reference entity. The Fund may enter into credit default swaps to gain exposure to an underlying issuer’s credit quality characteristics without directly investing in that issuer or to hedge against the risk of a credit event on debt securities. As a seller of a credit default swap, the Fund is required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of the referenced entity to the counterparty with the occurrence of a credit event by a third party, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, on the reference entity, which would likely result in a loss to the Fund. In return, the Fund receives from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap provided that no credit event has occurred. If no credit event occurs, the Fund keeps the stream of payments with no payment obligations. The Fund may also buy credit default swaps, in which case the Fund functions as the counterparty referenced above. This involves the risk that the swap may expire worthless. It also involves counterparty risk that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund with the occurrence of a credit event. When the Fund sells a credit default swap, it will cover its commitment. This may be achieved by, among other methods, maintaining cash or liquid assets equal to the aggregate notional value of the reference entities for all outstanding credit default swaps sold by the Fund. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the Fund entered into credit default swap agreements to gain exposure to the underlying issuer’s credit quality characteristics and to hedge the risk of default or other specified credit events on portfolio assets.
Under the terms of a credit default swap, the Fund receives or makes periodic payments based on a specified interest rate on a fixed notional amount. These payments are recorded as a realized gain or loss in the
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
37

Statement of Operations. Payments received or made as a result of a credit event or termination of the swap are recognized, net of a proportional amount of the upfront payment, as realized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations.
There were no open credit default swap contracts as of April 30, 2023. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the investment in credit default swap contracts purchased had a total notional amount generally indicative of a range from $0 to $2,600,000.
Future Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between a buyer or seller and an established futures exchange or its clearinghouse in which the buyer or seller agrees to take or make a delivery of a specific amount of a financial instrument at a specified price on a specific date (settlement date). For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the Fund entered into futures contracts as a hedge against anticipated interest rate changes. The Fund also entered into futures contracts for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities (“initial margin” ) in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the face value indicated in the futures contract. Subsequent payments (“variation margin” ) are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value and are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Gains or losses are realized when the contract expires or is closed. Since all futures contracts are exchange-traded, counterparty risk is minimized as the exchange’s clearinghouse acts as the counterparty, and guarantees the futures against default.
Certain risks may arise upon entering into futures contracts, including the risk that an illiquid market will limit the Fund’s ability to close out a futures contract prior to the settlement date and the risk that the futures contract is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates. Risk of loss may exceed amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
A summary of the open futures contracts as of April 30, 2023, is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the investment in futures contracts purchased had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from approximately $5,884,000 to $7,279,000, and the investment in futures contracts sold had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from approximately $11,206,000 to $15,111,000.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. A forward foreign currency exchange contract (“forward currency contract” ) is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at the settlement date at a negotiated rate. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in
38
|
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings and to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities and for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.
Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and unrealized gain (loss) is recorded daily. On the settlement date of the forward currency contract, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it was closed. Certain risks may arise upon entering into forward currency contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The maximum counterparty credit risk to the Fund is measured by the unrealized gain on appreciated contracts. Additionally, when utilizing forward currency contracts to hedge, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit from favorable exchange rate movements during the term of the contract.
A summary of the open forward currency contracts as of April 30, 2023, is included in the table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the investment in forward currency contracts short vs. U.S. dollars had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from approximately $19,420,000 to $27,561,000, and the investment in forward currency contracts long vs. U.S. dollars had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from approximately $209,000 to $10,612,000.
The following tables summarize the value of the Fund’s derivative instruments held as of April 30, 2023 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:
Assets Derivative
Forward
Contracts
Futures
Contracts
Total
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
$
$184,722
$184,722
Foreign Exchange Contracts (b)
140,025
140,025
 
$140,025
$184,722
$324,747
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Assets and
Liabilities accounts:
(a)
Includes cumulative appreciation of futures contracts as disclosed in the Investment
Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statements of
Assets and Liabilities.
(b)
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
|
39

Liability Derivative
Forward
Contracts
Futures
Contracts
Total
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
$
$(275,610
)
$(275,610
)
Foreign Exchange Contracts (b)
(145,727
)
(145,727
)
 
$(145,727
)
$(275,610
)
$(421,337
)
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Assets and
Liabilities accounts:
(a)
Includes cumulative depreciation of futures contracts as disclosed in the Investment
Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities.
(b)
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts
Additionally, the amount of unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in Fund earnings during the six months ended April 30, 2023 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following tables by primary underlying risk exposure:
Realized Gain (Loss)
Forward
Contracts
Swap
Contracts
Futures
Contracts
Total
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
$
$
$330,181
$330,181
Credit Contracts (a)
6,730
6,730
Foreign Exchange Contracts (a)
(659,087
)
(659,087
)
 
$(659,087
)
$6,730
$330,181
$(322,176
)
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:
(a)
Net realized gain (loss) from forward foreign currency contracts, swap and futures
contracts, respectively
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Forward
Contracts
Futures
Contracts
Total
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
$
$(421,819
)
$(421,819
)
Foreign Exchange Contracts (a)
(816,675
)
(816,675
)
 
$(816,675
)
$(421,819
)
$(1,238,494
)
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:
(a)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency
contracts and futures, respectively
As of April 30, 2023, the Fund has transactions subject to enforceable master netting agreements which govern the terms of certain transactions, and reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions. Master netting agreements allow a Fund to close out and net total exposure to a counterparty in the event of a deterioration in the credit quality or contractual default with respect to all of the transactions
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

with a counterparty. As defined by the master netting agreement, the Fund may have collateral agreements with certain counterparties to mitigate risk. For financial reporting purposes the Statement of Assets and Liabilities generally shows derivatives assets and liabilities on a gross basis, which reflects the full risks and exposures prior to netting. A reconciliation of the gross amounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to the net amounts by a counterparty, including any collateral exposure, is included in the following tables:
Counterparty
Gross Amount
of Assets
Presented
in the

Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Financial
Instruments
and
Derivatives
Available
for Offset
Non-Cash
Collateral
Received (a)
Cash
Collateral
Received
Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
Barclays Bank PLC
$19,351
$(18,848
)
$
$
$503
Citigroup, Inc.
67,067
67,067
State Street Bank
and Trust
51,840
(42,149
)
(9,691
)
Toronto-Dominion
Bank
1,767
1,767
 
$140,025
$(60,997
)
$(9,691
)
$
$69,337
(a)
The actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amounts shown.
Counterparty
Gross Amount
of Liabilities
Presented
in the

Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Financial
Instruments
and
Derivatives
Available
for Offset
Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
Cash
Collateral
Pledged
Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
Bank of America
$84,730
$
$
$
$84,730
Barclays Bank PLC
18,848
(18,848
)
State Street Bank
and Trust
42,149
(42,149
)
 
$145,727
$(60,997
)
$
$
$84,730
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41

C.
Purchases and Sales of Securities
During the six months ended April 30, 2023, purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:
 
Purchases
Sales
Non-U.S. Treasury Obligations
$14,139,017
$11,758,348
U.S. Treasury Obligations
$9,783,444
$15,185,991
D.
Related Parties
Management Agreement.Under the Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA”  or the “Advisor” ), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
Under the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the average daily net assets of the Fund, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly at the annual rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.31%.
For the period from November 1, 2022 through February 29, 2024, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) of each class as follows:
Class A
.90%
Class C
1.65%
Class S
.65%
Institutional Class
.65%
For the six months ended April 30, 2023, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
Class A
$12,323
Class C
320
Class S
79,902
Institutional Class
742
 
$93,287
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Administration Fee.Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee” ) of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the Administration Fee was $25,018, of which $4,092 is unpaid.
Service Provider Fees.DWS Service Company (“DSC” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and SS&C GIDS, Inc. (“SS&C” ) (name changed from DST Systems, Inc. effective January 1, 2023), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to SS&C. DSC compensates SS&C out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
Services to Shareholders
Total
Aggregated
Unpaid at
April 30, 2023
Class A
$4,684
$1,559
Class C
155
56
Class S
19,644
6,597
Institutional Class
42
10
 
$24,525
$8,222
In addition, for the six months ended April 30, 2023, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,”  were as follows:
Sub-Recordkeeping
Total
Aggregated
Class A
$2,755
Class C
88
Class S
22,935
Institutional Class
225
 
$26,003
Distribution and Service Fees.Under the Fund’s Class C 12b-1 Plan, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” ), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee” ) of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares. In accordance with the Fund’s Underwriting and Distribution Services Agreement, DDI enters into related selling group agreements
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43

with various firms at various rates for sales of Class C shares. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the Distribution Fee was as follows:
Distribution Fee
Total
Aggregated
Unpaid at
April 30, 2023
Class C
$343
$38
In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee” ) to Class A and C shareholders at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets for each such class. DDI in turn has various agreements with financial services firms that provide these services and pays these fees based upon the assets of shareholder accounts the firms service. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the Service Fee was as follows:
Service Fee
Total
Aggregated
Unpaid at
April 30, 2023
Annualized
Rate
Class A
$7,805
$3,798
.21%
Class C
111
18
.24%
 
$7,916
$3,816
Underwriting Agreement and Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.DDI is the principal underwriter for the Fund. There were no underwriting commissions paid in connection with the distribution of Class A shares for the six months ended April 30, 2023.
In addition, DDI receives any contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC” ) from Class C share redemptions occurring within one year of purchase. There is no such charge upon redemption of any share appreciation or reinvested dividends. The CDSC is 1% of the value of the shares redeemed for Class C. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, there was no CDSC for Class C Shares. A deferred sales charge of up to 0.85% is assessed on certain redemptions of Class A shares.
Other Service Fees.Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders”  aggregated $798, of which $387 is unpaid.
Directors' Fees and Expenses.The Fund paid retainer fees to each Director not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles.The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund and DWS ESG Liquidity Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality,
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and DWS ESG Liquidity Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that DWS ESG Liquidity Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund’s assets invested in DWS ESG Liquidity Fund.
Securities Lending Agent Fees.Deutsche Bank AG serves as securities lending agent for the Fund. For the six months ended April 30, 2023, the Fund incurred securities lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG in the amount of $41.
E.
Investing in Emerging Markets
Investing in emerging markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in developed markets. These risks include revaluation of currencies, high rates of inflation or deflation, repatriation restrictions on income and capital, and future adverse political, social and economic developments. Moreover, securities issued in these markets may be less liquid, subject to government ownership controls or delayed settlements, and may have prices that are more volatile or less easily assessed than those of comparable securities of issuers in developed markets. There is also substantially less publicly available information about emerging market issuers than there is about issuers in developed countries. Therefore, disclosure of certain material information may not be made, and less information may be available to the Fund and other investors than would be the case if the Fund’s investments were restricted to securities of issuers in developed countries. Investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
F.
Line of Credit
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants” ) share in a $375 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of 0.10% plus the higher of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 1.25%. The Fund  may
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
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45

borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at April 30, 2023.
G.
Fund Share Transactions
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
 
Six Months Ended
April 30, 2023
Year Ended
October 31, 2022
 
Shares
Dollars
Shares
Dollars
Shares sold
Class A
14,601
$120,818
30,002
$272,668
Class C
170
1,391
577
5,136
Class S
315,654
2,594,502
530,219
4,758,965
Institutional Class
5,426
44,799
25,916
235,354
 
$2,761,510
$5,272,123
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
Class A
47,038
$377,196
8,085
$70,548
Class C
444
3,551
47
403
Class S
300,356
2,404,049
62,250
543,102
Institutional Class
3,923
31,417
1,252
10,927
 
$2,816,213
$624,980
Shares redeemed
Class A
(65,166
)
$(536,545
)
(142,956
)
$(1,279,505
)
Class C
(9,758
)
(81,551
)
(3,005
)
(25,686
)
Class S
(511,250
)
(4,211,989
)
(927,494
)
(8,099,917
)
Institutional Class
(43,167
)
(355,392
)
(44,765
)
(393,820
)
 
$(5,185,477
)
$(9,798,928
)
Net increase (decrease)
Class A
(3,527
)
$(38,531
)
(104,869
)
$(936,289
)
Class C
(9,144
)
(76,609
)
(2,381
)
(20,147
)
Class S
104,760
786,562
(335,025
)
(2,797,850
)
Institutional Class
(33,818
)
(279,176
)
(17,597
)
(147,539
)
 
$392,246
$(3,901,825
)
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Information About Your Fund’s Expenses
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include sales charges (loads) and account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses
with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds.In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done
so, expenses would have been higher.The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023).
The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:
— 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Expenses Paid per $1,000”  line under the share class you hold.
— 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual 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 these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000”  line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the
relative total expense of owning different funds.Subject to certain exceptions, an account maintenance fee of $20.00 assessed once per calendar year for Classes A, C and S shares may apply for accounts with balances less than $10,000. This fee is not included in these tables. If it was, the estimate of expenses paid for Classes A, C and S shares during the period would be higher, and account value during the period would be lower, by this amount.
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47

Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended April 30, 2023 (Unaudited)
Actual Fund Return
Class A
Class C
Class S
Institutional Class
Beginning Account Value 11/1/22
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
Ending Account Value 4/30/23
$1,039.80
$1,034.70
$1,039.90
$1,041.20
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
$4.55
$8.32
$3.29
$3.29
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
Class A
Class C
Class S
Institutional Class
Beginning Account Value 11/1/22
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
Ending Account Value 4/30/23
$1,020.33
$1,016.61
$1,021.57
$1,021.57
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
$4.51
$8.25
$3.26
$3.26
*
Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class,
multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of
days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
Annualized Expense Ratios
Class A
Class C
Class S
Institutional Class
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
.90%
1.65%
.65%
.65%
For more information, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Liquidity Risk Management
In accordance with Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule” ) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act” ), your Fund has adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “Program” ), and the Board has designated DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) as Program administrator. The Program is designed to assess and manage your Fund’s liquidity risk (the risk that the Fund would be unable to meet requests to redeem shares of the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund). DIMA has designated a committee (the “Committee” ) composed of personnel from multiple departments within DIMA and its affiliates that is responsible for the implementation and ongoing administration of the Program, which includes assessing the Fund’s liquidity risk under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. Under the Program, every investment held by the Fund is classified on a daily basis into one of four liquidity categories based on estimations of the investment’s ability to be sold during designated timeframes in current market conditions without significantly changing the investment’s market value.
In February 2023, as required by the Program and the Liquidity Rule, DIMA provided the Board with an annual written report (the “Report” ) addressing the operation of the Program and assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of its implementation during the period from December 1, 2021 through November 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period” ). During the Reporting Period, your Fund was predominately invested in highly liquid investments (investments that the Fund anticipates can be converted to cash within three business days or less in current market conditions without significantly changing their market value). As a result, your Fund is not required to adopt, and has not adopted, a “Highly Liquid Investment Minimum”  as defined in the Liquidity Rule. During the Reporting Period, the Fund did not approach the 15% limit imposed by the Liquidity Rule on holdings in illiquid investments (investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in seven days or less in current market conditions without the sale of the investment significantly changing the market value of the investment). Your Fund did not experience any issues meeting investor redemptions at any time during the Reporting Period. In the Report, DIMA stated that it believes the Program has operated adequately and effectively to manage the Fund’s liquidity risk during the Reporting Period. DIMA also reported that there were no material changes made to the Program during the Reporting Period.
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Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
The Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”  or “Directors” ) approved the renewal of DWS ESG Global Bond Fund’s (the “Fund” ) investment management agreement (the “Agreement” ) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” ) in September 2022.
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
— 
During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Directors were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Directors” ).
— 
The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Directors (the “Fee Consultant” ).
— 
The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
— 
The Independent Directors regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Directors were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
— 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
In connection with the contract review process, the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA is part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group” ). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps.
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services.The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. The Board also considered the risks to DIMA in sponsoring or managing the Fund, including financial, operational and reputational risks, the potential economic impact to DIMA from such risks and DIMA’s approach to addressing such risks. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled using information supplied by Morningstar Direct (“Morningstar” ), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review”  (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile, 3rd quartile and 4th quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2021. The Board noted the disappointing investment performance of the Fund in recent periods and continued to discuss with senior management of DIMA the factors contributing to such underperformance and actions being taken to improve performance. The Board observed that the Fund had experienced improved relative performance during the first eight months of 2022. The Board recognized the efforts by DIMA in recent years
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to enhance its investment platform and improve long-term performance across the DWS fund complex.
Fees and Expenses.The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge” ) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.097% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2021, and analyzing Broadridge expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) (“Broadridge Universe Expenses” ). The Board also reviewed data comparing each other operational share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Broadridge Universe Expenses. The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA were expected to help the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds” ), noting that DIMA indicated that it does not provide services to any other comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds” ) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group manages a DWS Europe Fund comparable to the Fund but does not manage any comparable institutional accounts. The Board took note of the differences
in services provided to DWS Funds as compared to DWS Europe Funds and that such differences made comparison difficult.
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
Profitability.The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available. 
Economies of Scale.The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. In this regard, the Board observed that while the Fund’s current investment management fee schedule does not include breakpoints, the Fund’s fee schedule
represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates.The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out”  benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable. 
Compliance.The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.
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Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Directors and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Directors may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
54
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Account Management Resources
For More
Information
The automated telephone system allows you to access personalized
account information and obtain information on other DWS funds
using either your voice or your telephone keypad. Certain account
types within Classes A, C and S also have the ability to purchase,
exchange or redeem shares using this system.
For more information, contact your financial representative. You may
also access our automated telephone system or speak with a
Shareholder Service representative by calling:
(800) 728-3337
Web Site
dws.com
View your account transactions and balances, trade shares, monitor
your asset allocation, subscribe to fund and account updates by
e-mail, and change your address, 24 hours a day.
Obtain prospectuses and applications, news about DWS funds,
insight from DWS economists and investment specialists and access
to DWS fund account information.
Written
Correspondence
DWS
PO Box 219151
Kansas City, MO 64121-9151
Proxy Voting
The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio
securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related
to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period
ended June 30 are available on our Web site
dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting or on the SEC’s Web site
sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and
procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at
(800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings
Following the Fund’s fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete
portfolio holdings listing is posted on dws.com and is available free
of charge by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you are a
direct investor, by calling (800) 728-3337. In addition, the portfolio
holdings listing is filed with the SEC on the Fund’s Form N-PORT and
will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. Additional portfolio
holdings for the Fund are also posted on dws.com from time to time.
Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
Principal
Underwriter
If you have questions, comments or complaints, contact:
DWS Distributors, Inc.
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
(800) 621-1148
DWS ESG Global Bond Fund
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55

Investment
Management
DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA”  or the
“Advisor”  ), which is part of the DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA
(“DWS Group” ), is the investment advisor for the Fund. DIMA and its
predecessors have more than 90 years of experience managing
mutual funds and DIMA provides a full range of investment advisory
services to both institutional and retail clients. DIMA is an indirect,
wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group.
 
DWS Group is a global organization that offers a wide range of
investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio
managers and analysts and an office network that reaches the
world’s major investment centers. This well-resourced global
investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and
investment insight across industries, regions, asset classes and
investing styles.
 
Class A
Class C
Class S
Institutional
Class
Nasdaq Symbol
SZGAX
SZGCX
SSTGX
DGBIX
CUSIP Number
25156A734
25156A759
25156A767
25156A569
Fund Number
461
761
2061
1461
56
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DWS ESG Global Bond Fund

Notes

Notes

Notes

222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
DEGBF-3
(R-027569-12 6/23)

   
  (b) Not applicable
   
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS
   
  Not applicable.
   
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
   
  There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board.  The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Keith R. Fox, DWS Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600.
   
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
   
  (a) The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
   
  (b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.
   
ITEM 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS
   
  (a)(1) Not applicable
   
  (a)(2) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
   
  (b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Registrant: DWS ESG Global Bond Fund, a series of Deutsche DWS Global/International Fund, Inc.
   
   
By:

/s/Hepsen Uzcan

Hepsen Uzcan

President

   
Date: 6/29/2023

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

By:

/s/Hepsen Uzcan

Hepsen Uzcan

President

   
Date: 6/29/2023
   
   
   
By:

/s/Diane Kenneally

Diane Kenneally

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   
Date: 6/29/2023