N-CSR 1 d431355dncsr.htm N-CSR N-CSR

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-4984

 

AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

4151 Amon Carter Boulevard, MD 2450

Fort Worth, Texas 76155

(Address of principal executive offices)-(Zip code)

 

Gene L. Needles, Jr., PRESIDENT

4151 Amon Carter Boulevard, MD 2450

Fort Worth, Texas 76155

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (817) 391-6100

Date of fiscal year end: August 31, 2012

Date of reporting period: August 31, 2012

 

 

 


ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 


LOGO


About American Beacon Advisors

 

Since 1986, American Beacon Advisors has offered a variety of products and investment advisory services to numerous institutional and retail clients, including a variety of mutual funds, corporate cash management, and separate account management.

Our clients include defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial planners, and other institutional investors. With American Beacon Advisors, you can put the experience of a multi-billion dollar asset management firm to work for your company.

Contents

 

 

President’s Message

     1   

Performance Overview

     4   

Schedule of Investments

     8   

Financial Highlights

     41   

Additional Information

     Back Cover   
 

 

Important Information: There is no guarantee that each Fund’s investment objective will be met. Because the Flexible Bond Fund has a flexible approach to investing; the risks of the Fund are likewise varied. The primary risks fall into one of several broad categories including high yield securities risk, credit risk, foreign investment risk, derivatives risk, interest rate risk and non-diversification risk. Investing in foreign denominated and/or domiciled securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations, and economic and political risks, which may be enhanced in emerging markets. Mortgage and asset-backed securities may be sensitive to changes in interest rates, subject to early repayment risk, and their value may fluctuate in response to the market’s perception of issuer creditworthiness; while generally supported by some form of government or private guarantee there is no assurance that private guarantors will meet their obligations. Income from municipal bonds may be subject to state and local taxes and at times the alternative minimum tax. Derivatives may involve certain costs and risks such as liquidity, interest rate, market, credit, management and the risk that a position could not be closed when most advantageous. Investing in derivatives could result in losing more than the amount invested. Diversification does not ensure against loss. Investing in debt securities entails interest rate risk that debt securities will decrease in value with increases in market interest rates. Bonds and bond funds with longer durations tend to be more sensitive and more volatile than securities with shorter durations; bond prices generally fall as interest rates rise. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks.

 

Any opinions herein, including forecasts, reflect our judgment as of the end of the reporting period and are subject to change. Each advisor's strategies and the Fund's portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions and therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.

 

    American Beacon Funds    August 31, 2012        


LOGO

Dear Shareholders,

Fixed-income instruments have been a remarkably strong option for investors in recent years. Although equities have come back solidly from their downturn during 2008 and 2009, with the S&P 500 Index returning an annual average of 6.5% over the past ten years, returns from both the leading corporate bond index (the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Corporate Index) and the leading U.S. Treasury index (the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Index) have outperformed that rate for the same period.

 

 

This is an excellent landscape for skilled bond fund managers who are given a wide amount of latitude to seek out many varieties of fixed-income vehicles. We are fortunate to have three of them sub-advising the American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund.

As a result of their expertise, the American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund (Institutional Class) returned 6.34% for the 12-month period ended August 31, 2012.

Since its inception just over a year ago, this Fund has been a worthy addition to American Beacon’s suite of investment choices. With the global economy still sluggish in its recovery, we expect fixed-income investments to remain a vital choice for investors for some time to come, and we’re pleased to be able to offer a Fund designed with the flexibility to benefit from the opportunities the sub-advisors find in the market.

Thank you for your continued investment in the American Beacon Funds. For additional information about the Funds or to access your account information, please visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

 

Best Regards,
LOGO
Gene L. Needles, Jr.
President
American Beacon Funds

 

1


Global Bond Market Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

Since the U.S. financial crisis of 2008, the global capital markets have been roiled by a contest between two conflicting sets of macroeconomic forces. On one side are the forces of debt deleveraging, which reduce growth and are deflationary. On the other side are the efforts of central banks to reinflate through balance sheet expansion.

Complicating things even more is that different central banks have reacted differently. The U.S. Federal Reserve has been the most aggressive, while the People’s Bank of China has been tapping on the brakes from mid-2009 until the end of last year. This roller coaster investment environment of “risk-on” or “risk-off” has dominated other factors for most of the past few years, making it very hard for investors to diversify outside of this general pattern.

At first glance, this year played pretty much to the same script. It started with a bang when the European Central Bank (ECB) launched a massive but unorthodox monetization operation through the Longer-Term Refinancing Operations to prevent a Lehman-like seizure in the financial system. While the infusion of liquidity temporarily stabilized markets, it did not address the ongoing balance sheet issues facing both sovereigns and the private sector.

Risk assets came under renewed pressure in the second quarter of 2012 as European political uncertainty intensified, sovereigns and financials were downgraded, and weaker U.S. economic data challenged the modest U.S. cyclical recovery. A desire to avoid risk drove down interest rates across developed markets, including the U.S. and Germany, where yields touched historic lows. By contrast, sovereign yields in Spain and Italy rose towards prohibitive levels, while Greece’s elections failed to help its deteriorating economy.

There has been a subtle change in risk-asset correlations since the start of the year. The U.S. stock market is up while the euro is down, a departure from the correlation of the last three years. Investors have become more discriminating in their determination of risk and are less willing to throw out the good with the bad so long as the world economy is not sinking into recession or a global financial meltdown.

Even though U.S. economic growth has been disappointing this year, underlying private-sector real gross domestic product (GDP) growth has averaged 3.1% since the second quarter of 2009. This is a respectable rate considering the dire state of housing, the associated lack of new credit demand, and the more recent fiscal drag over the past year. Since 2011, public-sector retrenchment at the state level and the prospect of a sequester happening at the end of this year have shaved an annualized 1% off of GDP growth. Add to this the uncertainty related to Europe along with next year’s U.S. “fiscal cliff,” and it is easy to see why businesses and households may adopt a wait-and-see stance. Nonetheless, the recessionary consequences of not changing the current budget laws are so strong that any adjustment in this direction will be a positive.

China’s economic growth rate appears close to a trough. The Chinese authorities have been reversing the policy dials since the start of the year. The authorities want a soft landing to a sustainable growth level as part of a longer-term strategy aimed at moving away from China’s boom-bust pattern, with a greater reliance on domestic consumption and less of a focus on expanding foreign exports.

Europe’s economic crisis is really a political crisis. It could be easily resolved by allowing the ECB to monetize some of the existing claims in the system. It could engage in U.S.- or U.K.-style quantitative easing operations and buy sovereign bonds. In the end, self-preservation may prevail over political dysfunction. The EU summit at the end of June laid out the groundwork of a workable recapitalization plan for Europe’s banks. It won’t be as speedy as the U.S. process, but it could be an important turning point in Europe’s seemingly endless crisis. The EU also has been making progress on the recapitalization of Spain’s banking sector, which could reduce significantly the threat of a deep credit contraction.

Global growth is not strong but it is positive, while regional growth is very desynchronized. U.S. economic growth has fallen short of the expectations of many observers, but the private sector is still doing better than generally acknowledged. China is in transition as its leaders seek to stabilize growth. These two economic regions are critical because they are the important drivers of the world economy. As for

 

 

2


Global Bond Market Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

Europe, based on the landmark decision to create a single bank supervisor along with the decision to allow direct recapitalization from the European Stability Mechanism, it looks like the political will exists to prevent a break-up of the union.

The big question is still the outlook for the global economy. The risk of a catastrophic financial failure has eased somewhat since last year but markets are still priced for a pessimistic growth outlook.

    

 

 

3


American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund SM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

The Investor Class of the Flexible Bond Fund (the “Fund”) returned 5.99% for the twelve months ended August 31, 2012. The Fund outperformed the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month LIBOR Index (the “Index”) return of 0.45%. The performance objective of the Fund is to generate positive total returns over a full market cycle and it successfully achieved positive absolute returns during the twelve-month period.

 

LOGO

 

     

Annualized Total Returns
Periods ended 8/31/12

 
    

1 Year

   

Since
Inception

(7/5/2011)

   

Value of
$10,000
7/5/11-
8/31/12

 

Institutional Class (1,2,4)

     6.34     6.10   $ 10,708   

Y Class (1,2,4)

     6.20     5.97     10,694   

Investor Class(1,2,4)

     5.99     5.98     10,695   

A Class with sales charge (1,2,4)

     0.70     1.27     10,147   

A Class without sales charge (1,2,4)

     5.70     5.63     10,655   

C Class with sales charge (1,2,4)

     4.15     5.44     10,632   

C Class without sales charge (1,2,4)

     5.15     5.44     10,632   

BofA Merrill Lynch
3-Month LIBOR Index (3)

     0.45     0.38     10,047   

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index (3)

     5.78     7.91     10,884   

 

1. Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is as of date indicated, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 4.75%. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for the C Class is 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.
2. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund was waived since inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.
3. The BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Dollar 3-Month LIBOR Index represents the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) with a constant 3-month average maturity. LIBOR is a composite of the rates of interest at which banks borrow from one another in the London market, and it is a widely used benchmark for short-term interest rates. The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index is a market weighted index of government, corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed fixed-rate debt securities of all maturities.
4. The total annual Fund operating expense ratio set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A and C Class shares was 1.36%, 1.46%, 1.74%, 1.86% and 2.60%, respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

The high quality nature of the Fund’s fixed income holdings proved beneficial in achieving its return objective. Securities issued by the United States Treasury and foreign Sovereign governments represented a significant portion of the Fund’s assets during the period. Aggregating the two security types, the average allocation for the period was approximately 55% of fixed income holdings. Treasuries maintained a larger allocation in the Fund, however they lagged the returns generated by Sovereign issues (+2.2% vs. +7.6% respectively).

Corporate fixed income holdings also had a sizeable allocation within the Fund and provided a positive contribution to the return generated over the period. Among the Corporate holdings, positions in the Financial sector had the most significant impact. Financials represented 10.9% of the Fund’s 16.9% overall allocation to Corporate securities. As a group, the Fund’s Financial sector fixed income positions gained 6.2%.

The Fund’s longer-dated fixed income securities generally outperformed its shorter-dated securities. Securities with a duration greater than 5 years generated strong absolute returns (in some cases double-digit gains) and benefited from a declining rate environment further out on the yield curve. While the Fund experienced the greatest benefit during the period from longer duration securities, the majority of the fixed income securities have a duration between zero to three years (70.7% of the assets on average over the

 

 

4


American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund SM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

period). The shorter duration securities also had a positive contribution to the Fund’s return, just not to the extent of the longer-dated securities.

The Fund has the flexibility to utilize derivative instruments and will do so to enhance return, hedge risk, gain efficient exposure to an asset class, or to manage liquidity. When considering the Fund’s use of derivatives, it is important to note that the Fund does not use derivatives for the purposes of creating financial leverage. During the period, the Fund experienced modest benefits from the use of derivatives in foreign currency transactions in addition to investments made in futures, options, and swaps.

Looking forward, the Fund’s investment managers will continue to allocate investments across a wide range of global investment opportunities, seeking to achieve the Fund’s goal of positive total returns regardless of market conditions over a full market cycle.

Top Ten Holdings

 

     % of
Net  Assets
 

U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.090%, Due 12/13/2012

     5.3 %

U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.176%, Due 7/25/2013

     5.3 %

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.000%, Due 11/30/2013

     3.1 %

U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.190%, Due 8/22/2013

     2.8 %

U.S. Treasury Note, 0.500%, Due 10/15/2013

     2.7 %

Mexican Bonos, 8.50%, Due 5/31/2029

     2.6 %

U.S. Treasury Note, 0.125%, Due 7/15/2022

     2.0 %

U.S. Treasury Note, 0.75%, Due 9/15/2013

     1.7 %

U.S. Treasury Note, 1.875%, Due 4/30/2014

     1.6 %

U.S. Treasury Note, 3.125%, Due 4/30/2013

     1.6 %

Sector Allocation

 

      % of
Fixed  Income
 

Corporate

     34.3 %

U.S. Treasury

     30.9 %

Sovereign Obligations

     22.5 %

Mortgage-Backed

     8.5 %

Convertible Obligations

     2.5 %

Asset-Backed

     1.3 %
 

 

5


American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund SM

Fund Expenses

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on shares purchased and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, administrative service fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. The examples below are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period in each Class and held for the entire period from March 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the table provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. Shareholders of the Investor and Institutional Classes that invest in the Fund through an IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The “Hypothetical” lines of the table provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

Shareholders of the Investor and Institutional Classes that invest in the Fund through an IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs charged by the Fund, such as sales charges (loads). Similarly, the expense examples for other funds do not reflect any transaction costs charged by those funds, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” lines of the table are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If you were subject to any transaction costs during the period, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning
Account
Value
3/1/12
     Ending
Account
Value
8/31/12
     Expenses Paid
During  Period*
3/1/12 - 8/31/12
 

Institutional Class

        

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,034.50       $ 4.65   

Hypothetical **

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.56       $ 4.62   

Y Class

        

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,033.47       $ 5.06   

Hypothetical **

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.16       $ 5.03   

Investor Class

        

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,031.78       $ 6.49   

Hypothetical **

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.75       $ 6.44   

A Class

        

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,031.58       $ 7.25   

Hypothetical **

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.00       $ 7.20   

C Class

        

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,028.05       $ 6.98   

Hypothetical **

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.25       $ 6.95   

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.91%, 0.99%, 1.27%, 1.42% and 1.37% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A and C Classes respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) by days in the year (366) to reflect the half year period.
** 5% return before expenses.
 

 

6


American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund SM

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of

American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of the American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund (one of the funds comprising the American Beacon Funds) (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2012, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund at August 31, 2012, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Dallas, Texas

October 30, 2012

 

7


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

     Par AmountH      Fair Value  
     (000’s)      (000’s)  

CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 28.20%

     

Financials - 21.04%

     

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., 4.60%, Due 4/1/2022A

   $ 50       $ 53   

American International Group, Inc., 8.25%, Due 8/15/2018

     235         296   

Asian Development Bank,

     

2.75%, Due 5/21/2014

     500         520   

2.00%, Due 8/29/2017

   NOR 400         69   

Bank of America Corp.,

     

6.50%, Due 8/1/2016

     285         325   

5.75%, Due 12/1/2017

     60         67   

Bank of America NA, 5.30%, Due 3/15/2017

     250         272   

Barclays Bank N.Y., 14.00%, Due 12/31/2049B

   GBP 50         95   

Barclays Bank PLC,

     

6.75%, Due 2/24/2014

   AUS 300         317   

5.20%, Due 7/10/2014

     250         265   

BNP Paribas S.A., 1.358%, Due 1/10/2014C

     250         249   

Cie de Financement Foncier, 2.25%, Due 3/7/2014D

     200         203   

CIT Group, Inc., 4.75%, Due 2/15/2015D

     10         10   

Citigroup, Inc.,

     

6.375%, Due 8/12/2014

     360         391   

5.50%, Due 10/15/2014

     50         54   

6.125%, Due 5/15/2018

     60         70   

Danske Bank A/S,

     

1.505%, Due 4/14/2014C D

     200         196   

3.875%, Due 4/14/2016D

     200         205   

Dexia Credit Local S.A., 2.75%, Due 4/29/2014

     250         250   

DNB Bank ASA, 3.20%, Due 4/3/2017D

     200         207   

Eksportfinans ASA, 3.00%, Due 11/17/2014

     50         49   

Erste Abwicklungsanstalt, 0.811%, Due 10/1/2012B

     400         399   

European Investment Bank,

     

1.625%, Due 3/15/2013

     180         181   

2.875%, Due 3/15/2013

     290         294   

1.25%, Due 9/17/2013

     395         399   

6.75%, Due 6/13/2017

   RUB 3,766         115   

6.00%, Due 12/7/2028

   GBP 150         322   

Export-Import Bank of Korea, 5.00%, Due 4/11/2022

     200         231   

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., 5.50%, Due 9/1/2022

     50         52   

Fifth Third Bancorp, 0.888%, Due 12/20/2016C

     175         162   

General Electric Capital Corp., 1.097%, Due 6/2/2014C

     120         120   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.,

     

0.853%, Due 7/22/2015C

     420         398   

7.50%, Due 2/15/2019

     132         158   

5.25%, Due 7/27/2021

     135         144   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., 6.625%, Due 4/15/2042

     285         320   

Henderson UK Finance plc, 7.25%, Due 3/24/2016

   GBP 100         166   

HSBC Bank USA, 10.00%, Due 1/5/2017

   BRL 500         259   

HSBC Finance Corp., 0.818%, Due 9/14/2012C

     50         50   

Icahn Enterprises LP., 8.00%, Due 1/15/2018E

     35         37   

ING Bank N.V.,

     

1.775%, Due 10/18/2013B D

     180         181   

1.868%, Due 6/9/2014C D

     565         562   

JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA, 0.882%, Due 5/31/2017B

   EUR 400         462   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

     

1.252%, Due 1/24/2014C

     120         121   

4.40%, Due 7/22/2020

     10         11   

4.50%, Due 1/24/2022

     115         128   

Kookmin Bank, 7.25%, Due 5/14/2014

     100         109   

Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank,

     

0.458%, Due 2/12/2013C D

     180         180   

3.25%, Due 3/15/2013

     215         218   

Merrill Lynch & Co, Inc., 0.773%, Due 10/21/2015B

     100         93   

Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc, 7.75%, Due 5/14/2038

     100         121   

 

See accompanying notes

8


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM
Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

     Par Amount      Fair Value  
     (000’s)      (000’s)  

Metinvest BV, 10.25%, Due 5/20/2015D

   $ 100       $ 100   

Morgan Stanley,

     

1.427%, Due 4/29/2013C

     56         56   

2.937%, Due 5/14/2013C

     140         141   

4.75%, Due 3/22/2017

     130         134   

7.60%, Due 8/8/2017

   NZD 430         355   

6.25%, Due 8/28/2017

     145         157   

National Australia Bank Ltd, 1.60%, Due 8/7/2015

     250         252   

Nederlandse Waterschapsbank N.V., 2.00%, Due 10/20/2012

     326         327   

Santander US Debt SAU, 3.724%, Due 1/20/2015D

     200         193   

Societe Generale NA, Inc., 5.028%, Due 10/20/2014

   AUD  150         150   

Standard Chartered plc,

     

5.50%, Due 11/18/2014D

     100         108   

3.85%, Due 4/27/2015D

     300         314   

Swire Properties Mtn., 4.375%, Due 6/18/2022

     200         212   

Temasek Financial I Ltd., 3.375%, Due 7/23/2042

     250         249   

UBS AG, 5.875%, Due 12/20/2017

     300         349   

United Overseas Bank Ltd., 5.375%, Due 9/3/2019B D

     100         106   
     

 

 

 
        13,359   
     

 

 

 

Industrials - 6.90%

     

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., 9.25%, Due 1/15/2017D

     50         56   

AmeriGas Finance LLC, 7.00%, Due 5/20/2022F

     35         37   

Amgen, Inc., 5.15%, Due 11/15/2041

     245         267   

ARAMARK Corp., 3.945%, Due 2/1/2015C

     50         50   

BAA Funding Ltd., 2.50%, Due 6/25/2017D

     200         204   

BAA SH PLC., 7.125%, Due 3/1/2017

   GBP 70         118   

BRF - Brasil Foods S.A., 5.875%, Due 6/6/2022D

     200         211   

British Telecommunications plc, 1.593%, Due 12/20/2013B

     200         201   

Carnival plc, 4.25%, Due 11/27/2013

   EUR 125         163   

Case New Holland, Inc., 7.75%, Due 9/1/2013

     60         63   

CCO Holdings LLC, 6.50%, Due 4/30/2021F

     15         16   

Chesapeake Energy Corp.,

     

7.625%, Due 7/15/2013

     150         155   

6.775%, Due 3/15/2019

     21         21   

Continental Resources, Inc., 5.00%, Due 9/15/2022D

     25         26   

CSN Islands XII Corp., 7.00%, Due 12/31/2049D

     100         101   

Digicel Ltd., 7.00%, Due 2/15/2020D

     400         397   

DuPont Fabros Technology LP, 8.50%, Due 12/15/2017E

     45         50   

Emaar Sukuk LTD., 6.40%, Due 7/18/2019

     200         209   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., 5.00%, Due 3/15/2022

     50         52   

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.00%, Due 5/15/2018F

     200         215   

Gibraltar Industries, Inc., 8.00%, Due 12/1/2015

     50         51   

HCA, Inc., 7.50%, Due 2/15/2022

     36         40   

Hewlett-Packard Co., 4.65%, Due 12/9/2021

     140         143   

Hospitality Properties Trust, 5.00%, Due 8/15/2022A

     40         41   

Jaguar Land Rover plc, 8.125%, Due 5/15/2018

   GBP 100         168   

Linn Energy LLC, 6.25%, Due 11/1/2019D F

     35         35   

Marriott International, Inc., 3.00%, Due 3/1/2019

     75         77   

Network Rail Infrastructure Finance plc, 1.75%, Due 3/18/2013

     205         207   

Noble Group Ltd., 8.50%, Due 5/30/2013

     100         105   

Packaging Corp of America, 3.90%, Due 6/15/2022

     25         26   

Petronas Global Sukuk Ltd., 4.25%, Due 8/12/2014

     100         105   

Reynolds Group Issuer Inc, 7.875%, Due 8/15/2019

     100         111   

SandRidge Energy, Inc., 7.50%, Due 3/15/2021D

     50         51   

Sinopec GRP Oversea, 3.90%, Due 5/17/2022

     200         214   

Sirius XM Radio, Inc., 5.25%, Due 8/15/2022D

     50         50   

Sprint Nextel Corp., 7.00%, Due 8/15/2020

     30         31   

Symantec Corp., 2.75%, Due 6/15/2017

     15         15   

Transocean, Inc., 7.35%, Due 12/15/2041

     115         155   

Univision Communications, Inc., 6.875%, Due 5/15/2019D

     55         57   

Warner Chilcott Co. LLC, 7.75%, Due 9/15/2018F

     35         38   

Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 4.25%, Due 3/1/2022

     50         52   
     

 

 

 
        4,384   
     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

9


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM
Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

     Par Amount      Fair Value  
     (000’s)      (000’s)  

Utilities - 0.26%

     

AES Corp, 7.375%, Due 7/1/2021

   $ 35       $ 40   

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc, 4.50%, Due 3/24/2014

   EUR 100         125   
     

 

 

 
        165   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporate Obligations (Cost $17,415)

        17,908   
     

 

 

 

CONVERTIBLE OBLIGATIONS - 1.95%

     

Financials - 0.17%

     

Billion Express Investment Ltd, 0.75%, Due 10/18/2015

     100         105   
     

 

 

 

Industrials - 1.54%

     

ArcelorMittal, 5.00%, Due 5/15/2014

     240         243   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., 0.01%, Due 4/24/2014

   HKD 1,000         151   

Glencore Finance Europe S.A., 5.00%, Due 12/31/2014

     100         123   

Lukoil International Finance BV, 2.625%, Due 6/16/2015

     100         107   

Microsoft Corp., 0.00%, Due 6/15/2013D

     100         106   

Seadrill Ltd., 3.375%, Due 10/27/2017

     100         139   

Shire plc, 2.75%, Due 5/9/2014

     100         114   
     

 

 

 
        983   
     

 

 

 

Sovereign/Government - 0.24%

     

KFW, 1.50%, Due 7/30/2014

   EUR 100         152   
     

 

 

 

Total Convertible Obligations (Cost $1,216)

        1,240   
     

 

 

 

SOVEREIGN OBLIGATIONS - 15.42%

     

Buoni del Tesoro Poliennali, 2.35%, Due 9/15/2035

   EUR 235         201   

Hungary Government Bond,

     

5.50%, Due 2/12/2016

   HUF 170,000         722   

7.50%, Due 11/12/2020

   HUF 30,000         134   

Instituto de Credito Oficial,

     

5.50%, Due 10/11/2012

   AUS 150         155   

2.375%, Due 3/4/2013

   AUS 200         197   

Italy Government International Bond, 3.125%, Due 1/26/2015

   USD 100         98   

KFW, 1.875%, Due 1/14/2013

   EUR 160         161   

KommunalBanken AS, 1.375%, Due 6/8/2017

   EUR 200         202   

Korea Treasury Bond,

     

3.00%, Due 12/10/2013

   KRW 352,000         311   

5.75%, Due 9/10/2018

   KRW 574,000         584   

Malaysia Government Bond,

     

3.702%, Due 2/25/2013

   MYR 2,015         647   

5.094%, Due 4/30/2014

   MYR 575         190   

Mexican Bonos,

     

7.00%, Due 6/19/2014

   MXN 2,520         198   

8.00%, Due 12/7/2023

   MXN 2,500         227   

8.50%, Due 5/31/2029

   MXN 17,310         1,639   

8.50%, Due 11/18/2038

   MXN 3,500         331   

National JSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, 9.50%, Due 9/30/2014

   EUR 100         99   

New Zealand Government Bond, 6.00%, Due 5/15/2021

   NZD 350         337   

Norway Government Bond, 4.25%, Due 5/19/2017

   NOK 400         78   

Poland Government Bond,

     

5.25%, Due 10/25/2020

   PLN 3,045         952   

5.75%, Due 9/23/2022

   PLN 940         302   

Qatar Government International Bond, 5.75%, Due 1/20/2042

   USD 200         250   

Republic of Egypt, 6.875%, Due 4/30/2040

   EUR 100         96   

South Africa Government Bond,

     

6.75%, Due 3/31/2021

   ZAR 3,690         439   

6.50%, Due 2/28/2041

   ZAR 3,560         346   

United Kingdom Gilt, 4.50%, Due 3/7/2013

   GBP 475         771   

Uruguay Government International Bond, 4.375%, Due 12/15/2028

   UYU 2,233         122   
     

 

 

 

Total Sovereign Obligations (Cost $9,602)

        9,789   
     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

10


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM
Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

     Par Amount      Fair Value  
     (000’s)      (000’s)  

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 1.02%

     

Avenue CLO Fund Ltd., 0.785%, Due 2/15/2017, 2004 1A A1LC D

   $ 136       $ 135   

Carrington Mortgage Loan Trust, 0.336%, Due 5/25/2036, 2006 RFC1 A2C

     43         42   

KGS Alpha SBA, 0.804%, Due 8/25/2038, COOF 8/37 1I

     5,000         203   

Landmark CDO Ltd., 1.005%, Due 1/15/2016, 2003 3A A1LC D

     79         79   

Oakwood Mortgage Investors, Inc., 6.61%, Due 2/15/2021, 2001 C A3

     342         183   

Residential Asset Securities Corp., 0.816%, Due 7/25/2033, 2003 KS5 AIIBC

     10         8   
     

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost $631)

        650   
     

 

 

 

NON-AGENCY MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 6.52%

     

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, 3.113%, Due 9/25/2035, 2005 5 2A1

     100         87   

American Home Mortgage Investment Trust,

     

2.559%, Due 10/25/2034, 2004 3 5AC

     100         97   

2.214%, Due 9/25/2045, 2005 2 4A1C

     11         10   

Banc of America Alternative Loan Trust, 0.636%, Due 5/25/2035, 2005 4 CB6C

     106         74   

Banc of America Mortgage Securities, Inc., 3.626%, Due 7/20/2032, 2002 G1A3C

     26         26   

Bear Stearns Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust,

     

2.870%, Due 11/25/2030, 2000 2 A1

     65         66   

2.762%, Due 8/25/2033, 2003 5 2A1C

     141         143   

3.005%, Due 8/25/2033, 2003 5 1A1C

     59         58   

3.109%, Due 4/25/2034, 2004 1 22A1C

     63         59   

3.295%, Due 11/25/2034, 2004 9 22A1C

     37         37   

2.40%, Due 10/25/2035, 2005 9 A1C

     82         75   

Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust,

     

2.925%, Due 9/25/2034, 2004 9 2A1C

     210         166   

2.844%, Due 11/25/2036, 2006 6 32A1

     138         80   

Chase Mortgage Finance Corp.,

     

2.929%, Due 2/25/2037, 2007 A1 1A5

     70         70   

2.937%, Due 2/25/2037, 2007 A1 7A1

     72         72   

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.,

     

2.683%, Due 8/25/2035, 2005 3 2A2A

     69         69   

1.99%, Due 9/25/2035, 2005 6 A3C

     70         69   

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust,

     

0.686%, Due 8/25/2033, 2003 15T2 A2C

     20         19   

5.50%, Due 10/25/2033, 2003 20CB 1A4

     163         165   

6.00%, Due 10/25/2033, 2003 J2 A1

     37         38   

0.516%, Due 2/25/2037, 2005 81 A1C

     22         13   

0.447%, Due 7/20/2046, 2006 OA9 2A1AC

     20         9   

0.426%, Due 9/25/2046, 2006 OA11 A1BC

     24         14   

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass Through Trust,

     

2.990%, Due 6/25/2033, 2003 27 A1C

     69         69   

0.616%, Due 9/25/2034, 2004 16 1A4AC

     65         46   

0.526%, Due 4/25/2035, 2005 3 2A1C

     286         198   

0.466%, Due 5/25/2035, 2005 9 1A3C

     187         135   

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.,

     

2.875%, Due 9/25/2034, 2004 AR8 2A1

     63         63   

5.00%, Due 11/25/2034, 2004 7 1A1

     8         8   

Fastnet Securities plc, 1.063%, Due 3/10/2050, 4 A1C

   EUR 226         279   

First Horizon Asset Securities, Inc., 2.538%, Due 2/25/2034, 2004 AR1 2A1C

     88         87   

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust,

     

6.00%, Due 3/25/2032, 2003 2F 3A1

     5         5   

2.558%, Due 6/25/2034, 2004 7 3A1

     65         64   

5.137%, Due 11/25/2035, 2005 AR7 6A1C

     73         73   

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, 0.447%, Due 9/15/2045, 2007 C7 XW

     1,570         23   

Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I, 0.286%, Due 7/25/2036, 2006 A2FPC

     91         27   

Nomura Asset Acceptance Corp., 7.50%, Due 3/25/2034, 2004 R1 A2D

     145         154   

Residential Asset Securitization Trust, 2.817%, Due 12/25/2034, 2004 IP2 4A

     127         127   

Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust,

     

2.803%, Due 5/25/2034, 2004 5 3A2

     91         91   

 

See accompanying notes

11


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM
Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

     Par Amount      Fair Value  
     (000’s)      (000’s)  

2.787%, Due 7/25/2034, 2004 8 3AC

   $ 87       $ 86   

Structured Asset Mortgage Investments, Inc., 0.466%, Due 5/25/2045, 2005 AR2 2A1C

     131         88   

Structured Asset Securities Corp., 5.50%, Due 5/25/2035, 2005 6 2A14

     150         148   

Vanderbilt Mortgage Finance, 8.525%, Due 3/7/2025, 2000 B IA4

     66         67   

WaMu Mortgage Pass Through Certificates,

     

2.478%, Due 3/25/2035, 2005 AR3 A1

     65         60   

1.881%, Due 12/19/2039, 2001 AR5 1A

     129         129   

0.466%, Due 4/25/2045, 2005 AR6 2A1AC

     188         170   

0.556%, Due 7/25/2045, 2005 AR9 A1AC

     115         102   

0.506%, Due 12/25/2045, 2005 AR17 A1A1C

     188         164   

Washington Mutual MSC Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2.257%, Due 2/25/2033, 2003 AR1 2AC

     5         4   

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, 2.671%, Due 3/25/2035, 2005 AR3 2A1C

     153         154   
     

 

 

 

Total Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligations (Cost $3,652)

        4,137   
     

 

 

 

U.S. AGENCY MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 0.04% (Cost $24)

     

Fannie Mae Grantor Trust, 6.00%, Due 2/25/2044 2004 T3 CL 1A1

     21         24   
     

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 23.74%

     

U.S. Treasury Bonds - 1.80%

     

1.75%, Due 1/15/2028 G

     438         562   

4.375%, Due 5/15/2040 J

     100         136   

4.375%, Due 5/15/2041

     325         442   
     

 

 

 
        1,140   
     

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Notes - 21.94%

     

0.375%, Due 10/31/2012

     500         500   

1.375%, Due 2/15/2013

     1,000         1,005   

3.125%, Due 4/30/2013

     1,000         1,019   

1.375%, Due 5/15/2013

     350         353   

0.375%, Due 6/30/2013

     100         100   

1.00%, Due 7/15/2013

     300         302   

0.375%, Due 7/31/2013

     500         501   

0.75%, Due 8/15/2013

     600         603   

0.75%, Due 9/15/2013

     1,100         1,106   

0.125%, Due 9/30/2013

     200         200   

0.50%, Due 10/15/2013

     1,700         1,707   

2.00%, Due 11/30/2013

     1,900         1,943   

1.875%, Due 4/30/2014

     1,000         1,027   

2.00%, Due 7/15/2014 G

     365         389   

1.625%, Due 1/15/2015 G

     120         129   

0.125%, Due 1/15/2022 G

     710         767   

0.125%, Due 7/15/2022 G

     1,198         1,297   

2.00%, Due 1/15/2026 G

     116         150   

2.00%, Due 11/15/2021

     700         734   

1.75%, Due 5/15/2022

     100         102   
     

 

 

 
        13,934   
     

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $14,833)

        15,074   
     

 

 

 
     Shares         

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 20.88%

     

Other Investment Companies - 3.81%

     

JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Capital Class

     2,421,889         2,422   
     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

12


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM
Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

     Par Amount      Fair Value  
     (000’s)      (000’s)  

Certificates Of Deposit - 0.77%

     

Banco do Brasil S.A., 0.01%, Due 3/26/2013

   $ 250       $ 245   

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, 0.01%, Due 3/26/2013

     250         247   
     

 

 

 
        492   
     

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreements - 2.05%

     

Deutsche Bank, 0.20%, Due 9/4/2012, (Held at Deutsche Bank Morgan Grenfell, Collateralized by a U.S. Treasury Obligation valued at $1,329, 2.00%, Due 11/15/2012)

     1,300         1,300   
     

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bills - 14.24%

     

0.09%, Due 9/20/2012

     535         535   

0.09%, Due 12/13/2012

     3,360         3,360   

0.176%, Due 7/25/2013J

     3,355         3,350   

0.19%, Due 8/22/2013

     1,800         1,797   
     

 

 

 
        9,042   
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $13,257)

        13,256   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 97.76% (Cost $60,629)

        62,078   

PURCHASED OPTIONS - 0.11% (Cost $183)

        69   

WRITTEN OPTIONS - (0.10%)

        (61

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 2.23%

        1,414   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

      $ 63,500   
     

 

 

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

     

 

A 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust.

B 

Variable rate.

C 

The coupon rate shown on floating or adjustable rate securities represents the rate at period end. The due date on these types of securities reflects the final maturity date.

D 

Security exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A. At the period end, the value of these securities amounted to $4,227 or 6.65% of net assets. The Fund has no right to demand registration of these securities.

E 

Limited Partnership.

F 

Limited Liability Company.

G 

Inflation-Indexed Note.

H 

In U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted.

I 

This security is valued in good faith at fair value as determined under policies and procedures established by and under the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. At August 31, 2012, the aggregate value of securities valued at fair value was $203, which rounds to zero percent of total net assets.

J 

This security or a piece thereof is held as segregated collateral for interest rate and credit default swaps.

 

Futures Contracts Open on August 31, 2012:               

Description

   Type    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Contract
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)
 

90 Day Australia Bank Bill December Futures

   Long      2         December, 2012       $ 2,000,385       $ 902   

3-Month Canadian Bankers Acceptance September Futures

   Long      2         September, 2012         500,609         (228

3-Month Canadian Bankers Acceptance December Futures

   Long      29         December, 2012         7,255,516         (8,255

3-Month Canadian Bankers Acceptance March Futures

   Short      29         March, 2013         7,253,310         16,130   

German Euro Bund September Futures

   Short      4         September, 2012         724,593         3,874   

German Euro Bund September Futures

   Short      22         September, 2012         3,985,263         18,464   

German Euro Bund September Futures

   Short      7         September, 2012         1,123,643         (2,075

Euro OAT December Futures

   Short      15         December, 2012         2,522,895         2,710   

 

See accompanying notes

13


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

Description

  

Type

   Number of
Contracts
    

Expiration Date

   Contract
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)
 

UK Long December Futures

   Short      1       December, 2012    $ 192,051       $ 127   

90 Day Eurodollar June Futures

   Short      3       June, 2013      747,263         (2,588

90 Day Eurodollar December Futures

   Long      3       December, 2012      747,338         2,663   

90 Day Eurodollar March Futures

   Long      10       March, 2013      2,491,125         6,000   

90 Day Eurodollar September Futures

   Short      10       September, 2013      2,490,500         (5,925

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note December Futures

   Short      11       December, 2012      1,470,906         (11,945

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note December Futures

   Short      2       December, 2012      249,328         (1,203

U.S. Treasury 30-Year Note December Futures

   Short      6       December, 2012      908,438         (11,063

U.S. Treasury Ultra Long December Futures

   Short      3       December, 2012      507,000         (8,438
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 35,170,164       $ (850
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Centrally cleared swap agreements outstanding on August 31, 2012:

 

Interest Rate Swaps   

Pay/

Receive Floating Rate

  

Floating Rate Index

   Fixed
Rate
    Maturity
Date
    

Curr

   Notional
Amount(4)
     Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Fair Value  

Receive

   6-Month JPY-LIBOR      0.500     1/15/2016       JPY    $ 490,000,000       $ (15,542   $ (6,549   $ (22,091

Receive

   3-Month USD-LIBOR      1.500     6/20/2017       USD      3,200,000         (23,345     (92,920     (116,265

Receive

   3-Month USD-LIBOR      3.000     6/20/2022       USD      5,700,000         87,454        24,241        111,695   

Receive

   6-Month AUD-BBSW      4.000     3/15/2023       AUD      4,700,000         (47,319     76,874        29,555   

Receive

   6-Month AUD-BBSW      3.750     3/15/2023       AUD      800,000         215        (12,047     (11,832

Receive

   6-Month JPY-LIBOR      2.500     6/15/2032       JPY      180,000,000         (27,254     10,035        (17,219

Receive

   3-Month USD-LIBOR      2.500     12/19/2042       USD      4,600,000         63,923        (55,318     8,605   
                

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 $ 38,132      $ (55,684   $ (17,552
                

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

OTC Swap Agreements Outstanding on August 31, 2012:

 

Credit Default Swaps on Corporate Issues - Buy Protection (1)

  

Index/Obligations

  

Counterparty

   Fixed
Rate
    Maturity
Date
     Implied
Credit
Spread at
8/31/2012(3)
    Notional
Amount (4)
     Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Fair Value  

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

   BOA      5.000     6/20/2014         5.4325   $ 120,000       $ 1,544       $ (681   $ 863   

Credit Agricole SA

   GST      1.000     12/20/2016         2.5094     50,000         4,296         (557     3,739   

Credit Agricole SA

   DUB      1.000     12/20/2016         2.5094     150,000         14,140         (2,923     11,217   

Credit Agricole SA

   CBK      1.000     6/20/2017         2.5993     100,000         16,059         (7,501     8,558   

Unicredit, Societa Per Azioni

   FBF      3.000     6/20/2017         4.5846     400,000         23,675         3,438        27,113   

Banco Bilboa Vizcaya Argentaria

   CBK      3.000     6/20/2017         4.0791     200,000         12,943         (4,099     8,844   

Barclays Bank PLC

   BOA      1.000     6/20/2017         2.1564     400,000         19,002         1,411        20,413   
               

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
                $ 91,659       $ (10,912   $ 80,747   
               

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Credit Default Swaps on Corporate and Sovereign Issues - Sell Protection (2)  

Index/Obligations

  

Counterparty

   Fixed
Rate
    Maturity
Date
     Implied
Credit
Spread at
8/31/2012(3)
    Notional
Amount (4)
     Upfront
Premiums
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Fair Value  

Citibank N.A.

   FBF      1.000     9/20/2014         1.3933   $ 100,000       $ (1,209   $ 410      $ (799

Republic of Italy

   FBF      1.000     6/20/2017         4.5846     400,000         (51,958     (5,677     (57,635

Lloyds TSB Bank PLC

   FBF      3.000     6/20/2017         2.4690     400,000         (838     10,096        9,258   

Kingdom of Spain

   FBF      1.000     6/20/2017         5.1444     200,000         (30,220     (2,403     (32,623

Republic of Italy

   BRC      1.000     6/20/2017         4.5846     200,000         (34,313     5,495        (28,818

NRG Energy, Inc.

   CBK      5.000     6/20/2017         4.6841     40,000         (2,346     2,852        506   
               

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                $ (120,884   $ 10,773      $ (110,111
               

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

14


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

Credit Default Swaps on Credit Indices - Buy Protection (1)  

Index/Obligations

  

Counterparty

   Fixed
Pay Rate
    Maturity
Date
    

Curr

   Notional
Amount(4)
     Premiums
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Fair
Value (5)
 

iTraxx Europe 16 Index

   DUB      (5.000 )%      12/20/2016       EUR    $ 800,000       $ 39,347       $ (18,763   $ 20,584   

iTraxx Europe 16 Index

   MYC      (5.000 )%      12/20/2016       EUR      400,000         13,024         (2,732     10,292   

iTraxx Europe 17 Index

   BOA      (5.000 )%      6/20/2017       EUR      200,000         15,937         (7,170     8,767   

iTraxx Europe 17 Index

   BRC      (5.000 )%      6/20/2017       EUR      300,000         33,447         (20,297     13,150   

iTraxx Europe 17 Index

   FBF      (5.000 )%      6/20/2017       EUR      300,000         26,564         (13,414     13,150   
                

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 $ 128,319       $ (62,376   $ 65,943   
                

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

Pay/

Receive

Floating

Rate

  

Floating Rate Index

   Counterparty    Fixed
Rate
    Maturity
Date
     Curr    Notional
Amount(4)
     Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Fair Value  

Receive

   1-Year BRL-CDI    GLM      9.9300     1/2/2015       BRL    $ 800,000       $ 2,865      $ 9,922       $ 12,787   

Pay

   1-Year BRL-CDI    MYC      10.6050     1/2/2015       BRL      4,300,000         29,554        67,511         97,065   

Pay

   1-Year BRL-CDI    BRC      10.1150     1/2/2015       BRL      3,100,000         —          55,440         55,440   

Receive

   1-Month USD-LIBOR    GLM      0.7825     7/10/2016       USD      2,200,000         460        3,428         3,888   

Receive

   6-Month AUD-BBSW    CBK      5.7500     12/15/2021       AUD      200,000         1,189        30,586         31,775   

Receive

   6-Month AUD-BBSW    CBK      4.7500     6/15/2022       AUD      1,500,000         (9,152     128,620         119,468   

Receive

   6-Month AUD-BBSW    DUB      4.7500     6/15/2022       AUD      600,000         (3,500     51,287         47,787   
                   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
                    $ 21,416      $ 346,794       $ 368,210   
                   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

If the Fund is a buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

(2) 

If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

-(3) 

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the fair value of credit default swaps agreements on corporate issues and sovereign issues of an emerging country as of period end serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

(4) 

The maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement.

(5) 

The quoted market prices and resulting values for credit default swaps on asset-backed securities and credit indices serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood of an expected liability (or profit) for the credit derivative should the notional amount of the swap agreement be closed/ sold as of the period end. Increasing fair values, in absolute terms when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

 

Purchased options outstanding on August 31, 2012:

 

Interest Rate Swaptions  

Description

  

Counter-
party

  

Floating Rate Index

  

Pay /
Receive
Floating
Rate

   Exercise
Rate
    Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Fair Value      Premiums
Paid
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Put-OTC 30-Year Interest Rate Swap

   FBF    3-Month USD-LIBOR    Receive      3.273     9/24/2012       $ 500,000       $ 4       $ 25,667       $ (25,663

Put-OTC 30-Year Interest Rate Swap

   BRC    3-Month USD-LIBOR    Receive      3.273     9/24/2012         600,000         4         49,500         (49,496

Put-OTC 25-Year Interest Rate Swap

   GLM    3-Month USD-LIBOR    Receive      3.750     1/14/2013         300,000         2,935         11,267         (8,332
                   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                    $ 2,943       $ 86,434       $ (83,491
                   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

15


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

Options on Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts

 

                             

Description

   Exercise
Price
     Expiration
Date
     # of
Contracts
     Cost      Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Call – 3 Month Sterling September Future

   $ 99.250         9/19/2012         1       $ 129       $ 228       $ 99   

Put – U.S. Treasury Notes- 10 Year October Future

     133.000         10/12/2012         17         18,906         11,687         (7,219

Call – U.S. Treasury Notes- 10 Year October Future

     133.000         10/26/2012         17         15,047         23,906         8,859   

Put – CME 90-Day Eurodollar December Future

     99.125         12/14/2012         98         28,125         15,925         (12,200

Call – 3 Month Sterling December Future

     99.375         12/19/2012         18         5,537         4,197         (1,340

Put – CME 90-Day Eurodollar September Future

     99.000         9/16/2013         40         12,250         3,750         (8,500

Put – CME 90-Day Eurodollar December Future

     99.000         12/15/2014         15         16,313         6,000         (10,313
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 96,307       $ 65,693       $ (30,614
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Written options outstanding on August 31, 2012:

 

Interest Rate Swaptions  

Description

   Counter-
party
   Floating Rate
Index
     Pay /
Receive

Floating
Rate
   Exercise
Rate
    Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Fair
Value
    Premiums     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Put-OTC 10-Year Interest Rate Swap

   FBF     
 
3-Month
USD-LIBOR
  
  
   Pay      2.850     9/24/2012       $ 1,100,000       $ —     $ (24,420   $ 24,420   

Put-OTC 10-Year Interest Rate Swap

   MYC     
 
3-Month
USD-LIBOR
  
  
   Pay      2.850     9/24/2012         1,200,000         —       (40,200     40,200   

Put-OTC 5-Year Interest Rate Swap

   GLM     
 
3-Month
USD-LIBOR
  
  
   Pay      3.750     1/14/2013         1,100,000         (2,755     (13,640     10,885   
                   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                    $ (2,755   $ (78,260   $ 75,505   
                   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Options on Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts

 

                           

Description

   Exercise
Price
     Expiration
Date
     # of
Contracts
     Fair
Value
    Cost     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Put – U.S. Treasury Notes-10 Year Future

   $ 133.000         9/21/2012         17       $ (5,578   $ (13,016   $ 7,483   

Call – U.S. Treasury Notes-10 Year Future

     133.000         9/21/2012         17         (17,797     (8,719     (9,078

Put – 3 Month Sterling September Future

     99.000         9/19/2012         1         —       (40     40   

Call – 3 Month Sterling September Future

     99.375         9/19/2012         1         (40     (40     —     

Call – 3 Month Sterling December Future

     99.625         12/19/2012         36         (1,429     (2,144     715   

Call – 3 Month Sterling December Future

     99.500         12/19/2012         18         (2,054     (2,858     804   

Put – CME 90-Day Eurodollar September Future

     98.750         9/16/2013         40         (2,750     (9,750     7,000   

Put – CME 90-Day Eurodollar December Future

     99.000         12/16/2013         98         (13,475     (23,825     10,350   

Put – CME 90-Day Eurodollar December Future

     98.625         12/15/2014         15         (4,313     (12,376     8,063   

Call – CME 90-Day Eurodollar December Future

     99.625         12/15/2014         30         (10,875     (3,375     (7,500
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
            $ (58,311   $ (76,143   $ 17,832   
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

*  Amount between $500 and ($0).

               

 

Forward Currency Contracts Open at August 31, 2012:

 

                          

Type

   Currency    Principal Amount
Covered by Contract
     Settlement
Date
     Counterparty    Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Buy

   BRL      523,000         9/4/2012       HUS    $ 203       $ —        $ 203   

Buy

   BRL      755,000         9/4/2012       HUS      1,787         —          1,787   

Buy

   BRL      755,000         9/4/2012       HUS      —           (3,832     (3,832

Sell

   BRL      2,033,000         9/4/2012       HUS      —           (11,510     (11,510

Sell

   AUD      30,000         9/5/2012       BRC      —           (22     (22

Sell

   AUD      49,000         9/5/2012       DUB      —           (159     (159

Buy

   NOK      456,000         9/5/2012       JPM      539         —          539   

Buy

   NOK      465,000         9/5/2012       JPM      737         —          737   

Sell

   NOK      921,000         9/5/2012       UAG      —           (6,510     (6,510

Sell

   JPY      28,663,000         9/10/2012       CBK      1,094         —          1,094   

 

See accompanying notes

16


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

Type

   Currency    Principal Amount
Covered by Contract
     Settlement
Date
     Counterparty    Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
    Net  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Sell

   JPY      5,475,000         9/10/2012       DUB    $ —         $ (1,147   $ (1,147

Sell

   JPY      2,530,000         9/10/2012       DUB      —           (326     (326

Sell

   GBP      1,105,000         9/12/2012       DUB      9,060         —          9,060   

Sell

   GBP      285,000         9/12/2012       BRC      —           (7,484     (7,484

Sell

   GBP      131,000         9/12/2012       BRC      —           (4,080     (4,080

Sell

   GBP      283,000         9/12/2012       BRC      —           (2,754     (2,754

Buy

   GBP      204,000         9/12/2012       DUB      —           (6,583     (6,583

Buy

   GBP      10,000         9/12/2012       DUB      —           (421     (421

Sell

   GBP      623,000         9/12/2012       GLM      —           (23,350     (23,350

Buy

   GBP      577,000         9/13/2012       HUS      12,003         —          12,003   

Buy

   EUR      17,000         9/14/2012       FBF      —           (67     (67

Sell

   EUR      23,000         9/14/2012       CBK      268         —          268   

Sell

   NZD      642,000         9/17/2012       HUS      —           (1,469     (1,469

Buy

   EUR      307,316         9/18/2012       JPM      2,675         —          2,675   

Sell

   EUR      221,000         9/18/2012       JPM      —           (6,456     (6,456

Sell

   EUR      307,500         9/18/2012       UAG      —           (7,535     (7,535

Buy

   GBP      8,000         9/18/2012       JPM      252         —          252   

Sell

   GBP      108,000         9/18/2012       JPM      —           (1,980     (1,980

Sell

   GBP      65,500         9/18/2012       UAG      —           (3,775     (3,775

Sell

   NZD      1,498,000         9/18/2012       CBK      —           (63,980     (63,980

Sell

   CAD      436,000         9/20/2012       BRC      —           (17,991     (17,991

Buy

   EUR      95,649         9/26/2012       JPM      3,952         —          3,952   

Sell

   RUB      3,768,868         9/26/2012       JPM      —           (122     (122

Buy

   KRW      184,687,400         9/28/2012       BCC      3,488         —          3,488   

Sell

   KRW      184,630,100         9/28/2012       BCC      507         —          507   

Buy

   BRL      581,457         10/2/2012       BCC      3,170         —          3,170   

Buy

   INR      42,860         10/3/2012       BOA      12         —          12   

Sell

   AUD      1,661,000         10/10/2012       HUS      —           (28,726     (28,726

Sell

   AUD      326,000         10/10/2012       HUS      729         —          729   

Buy

   AUD      30,000         10/11/2012       BRC      22         —          22   

Sell

   AUD      49,000         10/11/2012       DUB      162         —          162   

Sell

   AUD      1,075,000         10/11/2012       BOA      1,938         —          1,938   

Sell

   AUD      99,000         10/11/2012       UAG      —           (2,514     (2,514

Sell

   AUD      53,500         10/11/2012       UAG      —           (794     (794

Sell

   EUR      127,000         10/11/2012       UAG      159         —          159   

Sell

   GBP      15,500         10/11/2012       JPM      —           (72     (72

Sell

   GBP      102,500         10/11/2012       UAG      —           (2,060     (2,060

Sell

   GBP      195,000         10/11/2012       UAG      —           (3,918     (3,918

Sell

   MXN      3,022,000         10/11/2012       UAG      —           (4,866     (4,866

Sell

   NOK      400,000         10/11/2012       JPM      —           (525     (525

Buy

   CNY      2,661,279         10/15/2012       FBF      —           (1,099     (1,099

Buy

   EUR      32,000         10/15/2012       BRC      1,367         —          1,367   

Sell

   EUR      17,000         10/15/2012       DUB      479         —          479   

Buy

   EUR      151,000         10/15/2012       DUB      —           (2,661     (2,661

Sell

   EUR      541,000         10/15/2012       FBF      —           (16,713     (16,713

Sell

   EUR      591,000         10/15/2012       FBF      —           (18,491     (18,491

Buy

   MYR      525,189         10/16/2012       BCC      3,673         —          3,673   

Buy

   MYR      1,319,413         10/16/2012       BCC      —           (3,964     (3,964

Buy

   MYR      351,939         10/16/2012       DUB      —           (693     (693

Buy

   MYR      1,103,064         10/16/2012       DUB      —           (2,003     (2,003

Buy

   CHF      588,000         10/18/2012       CBK      10,813         —          10,813   

Sell

   CHF      2,628,000         10/18/2012       CBK      —           (71,594     (71,594

Buy

   CLP      219,610,000         10/18/2012       HUS      12,669         —          12,669   

Buy

   CAD      481,670         10/19/2012       JPM      8,171         —          8,171   

Sell

   CAD      238,608         10/19/2012       JPM      —           (1,828     (1,828

Sell

   CAD      238,762         10/19/2012       JPM      —           (1,984     (1,984

Buy

   EUR      22,000         10/19/2012       JPM      486         —          486   

Sell

   EUR      22,000         10/19/2012       JPM      —           (435     (435

Sell

   EUR      230,000         10/19/2012       JPM      305         —          305   

Buy

   NOK      162,216         10/19/2012       JPM      694         —          694   

Sell

   NOK      161,639         10/19/2012       JPM      —           (646     (646

Sell

   NZD      239,500         10/19/2012       JPM      —           (2,151     (2,151

Sell

   SEK      1,640,669         10/19/2012       JPM      —           (7,321     (7,321

Buy

   SGD      213,373         10/22/2012       DUB      1,965         —          1,965   

 

See accompanying notes

17


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

Type

   Currency    Principal Amount
Covered  by Contract
     Settlement
Date
     Counterparty    Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
    Net  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Buy

   PHP      7,462,010         10/31/2012       CBK    $ 6,474       $ —        $ 6,474   

Sell

   PHP      7,425,440         10/31/2012       BCC      —           (167     (167

Sell

   AUD      449,000         11/5/2012       JPM      —           (3,899     (3,899

Buy

   EUR      941,000         11/5/2012       CBK      20,740         —          20,740   

Sell

   EUR      2,716,000         11/5/2012       CBK      —           (78,058     (78,058

Sell

   EUR      161,000         11/5/2012       CBK      —           (3,647     (3,647

Sell

   EUR      150,000         11/5/2012       UAG      —           (6,749     (6,749

Sell

   JPY      401,000,000         11/8/2012       CBK      —           (22,088     (22,088

Buy

   TRY      1,185,000         11/9/2012       HUS      —           (9,109     (9,109

Buy

   TRY      361,000         11/9/2012       HUS      —           (3,876     (3,876

Buy

   CLP      106,090,000         11/16/2012       HUS      11,603         —          11,603   

Sell

   EUR      116,000         11/16/2012       UAG      —           (2,758     (2,758

Buy

   AUD      115,000         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (1,423     (1,423

Buy

   AUD      115,000         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (584     (584

Buy

   AUD      115,000         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (416     (416

Buy

   AUD      172,500         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (2,630     (2,630

Buy

   AUD      172,500         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (2,387     (2,387

Sell

   AUD      230,000         11/20/2012       JPM      5,464         —          5,464   

Sell

   AUD      112,500         11/20/2012       JPM      3,241         —          3,241   

Sell

   AUD      460,000         11/20/2012       JPM      10,349         —          10,349   

Sell

   AUD      287,500         11/20/2012       JPM      8,494         —          8,494   

Buy

   CAD      240,218         11/20/2012       JPM      1,841         —          1,841   

Buy

   CAD      120,000         11/20/2012       JPM      1,804         —          1,804   

Buy

   CAD      113,449         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (106     (106

Buy

   CAD      181,386         11/20/2012       JPM      3,697         —          3,697   

Buy

   CAD      30,110         11/20/2012       JPM      493         —          493   

Buy

   CAD      229,119         11/20/2012       JPM      2,038         —          2,038   

Buy

   CAD      389,502         11/20/2012       JPM      3,464         —          3,464   

Buy

   CAD      80,196         11/20/2012       JPM      717         —          717   

Buy

   CAD      148,739         11/20/2012       JPM      1,134         —          1,134   

Sell

   CAD      117,551         11/20/2012       JPM      362         —          362   

Sell

   CAD      116,969         11/20/2012       JPM      112         —          112   

Sell

   CAD      233,140         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (1,610     (1,610

Sell

   CAD      162,544         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (614     (614

Sell

   CAD      113,782         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (232     (232

Sell

   CAD      239,696         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (1,249     (1,249

Sell

   CAD      113,573         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (20     (20

Sell

   CAD      370,432         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (3,151     (3,151

Sell

   CAD      171,808         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (1,497     (1,497

Sell

   CAD      114,539         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (998     (998

Sell

   CAD      343,213         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (2,585     (2,585

Sell

   CAD      341,992         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (1,348     (1,348

Buy

   EUR      34,500         11/20/2012       JPM      801         —          801   

Sell

   EUR      79,929         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (507     (507

Sell

   EUR      57,500         11/20/2012       JPM      354         —          354   

Buy

   JPY      9,106,620         11/20/2012       JPM      1,389         —          1,389   

Buy

   JPY      18,384,755         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (31     (31

Buy

   JPY      4,575,965         11/20/2012       JPM      984         —          984   

Buy

   JPY      9,253,304         11/20/2012       JPM      1,763         —          1,763   

Buy

   JPY      18,219,910         11/20/2012       JPM      2,862         —          2,862   

Buy

   JPY      23,054,184         11/20/2012       JPM      3,648         —          3,648   

Sell

   JPY      9,041,012         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (550     (550

Sell

   JPY      9,021,175         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (297     (297

Sell

   JPY      9,052,570         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (698     (698

Sell

   JPY      18,811,200         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (419     (419

Sell

   JPY      18,001,410         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (70     (70

Sell

   JPY      17,988,300         11/20/2012       JPM      98         —          98   

Buy

   MXN      1,565,089         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (974     (974

Buy

   MXN      2,688,568         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (1,673     (1,673

Buy

   MXN      1,699,654         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (1,058     (1,058

Buy

   MXN      1,807,712         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (67     (67

Buy

   MXN      3,070,452         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (114     (114

Sell

   MXN      2,743,642         11/20/2012       JPM      689         —          689   

Buy

   NOK      3,829,500         11/20/2012       JPM      8,491         —          8,491   

 

See accompanying notes

18


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

Type

   Currency    Principal Amount
Covered by Contract
     Settlement
Date
     Counterparty    Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Buy

   NOK      480,000         11/20/2012       JPM    $ 3,312       $ —        $ 3,312   

Buy

   NOK      240,000         11/20/2012       JPM      951         —          951   

Buy

   NOK      720,000         11/20/2012       UAG      2,093         —          2,093   

Sell

   NOK      698,000         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (522     (522

Buy

   NZD      115,000         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (305     (305

Buy

   NZD      115,000         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (491     (491

Sell

   NZD      251,000         11/20/2012       JPM      3,219         —          3,219   

Sell

   NZD      230,000         11/20/2012       JPM      1,824         —          1,824   

Sell

   NZD      149,500         11/20/2012       JPM      2,002         —          2,002   

Sell

   NZD      74,500         11/20/2012       JPM      1,632         —          1,632   

Sell

   NZD      28,000         11/20/2012       JPM      1,131         —          1,131   

Sell

   PLN      141,771         11/20/2012       JPM      234         —          234   

Buy

   RON      368,000         11/20/2012       JPM      2,089         —          2,089   

Buy

   SEK      797,528         11/20/2012       JPM      511         —          511   

Sell

   SEK      815,280         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (3,034     (3,034

Sell

   SEK      862,000         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (928     (928

Sell

   SEK      4,347,436         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (4,200     (4,200

Sell

   SEK      539,040         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (1,889     (1,889

Sell

   SEK      270,518         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (390     (390

Sell

   SEK      916,803         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (2,045     (2,045

Sell

   SEK      815,558         11/20/2012       UAG      —           (1,012     (1,012

Buy

   ZAR      2,474,502         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (11,979     (11,979

Buy

   ZAR      617,111         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (49     (49

Buy

   ZAR      990,722         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (4,796     (4,796

Buy

   ZAR      502,599         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (1,977     (1,977

Buy

   ZAR      191,728         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (927     (927

Buy

   ZAR      1,435,969         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (3,351     (3,351

Buy

   ZAR      1,432,768         11/20/2012       JPM      —           (3,728     (3,728

Buy

   SEK      2,322,000         11/21/2012       BRC      1,634         —          1,634   

Buy

   TWD      5,055,490         11/30/2012       BCC      —           (2,698     (2,698

Sell

   MXN      42,688         12/3/2012       BOA      —           (47     (47

Buy

   BRL      2,033,000         12/5/2012       HUS      11,278         —          11,278   

Sell

   NOK      465,000         12/5/2012       JPM      —           (736     (736

Buy

   IDR      1,231,458,000         1/30/2013       BCC      1,927         —          1,927   

Sell

   IDR      1,235,075,000         1/30/2013       BCC      313         —          313   

Buy

   CNY      262,752         2/1/2013       BCC      —           (1,025     (1,025

Buy

   CNY      611,503         2/1/2013       BCC      —           (447     (447

Buy

   CNY      182,323         2/1/2013       GST      —           (568     (568

Buy

   CAD      42,000         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (6     (6

Buy

   CAD      66,500         2/4/2013       JPM      776         —          776   

Buy

   EUR      46,000         2/4/2013       JPM      1,203         —          1,203   

Buy

   EUR      72,000         2/4/2013       JPM      2,200         —          2,200   

Buy

   GBP      27,000         2/4/2013       JPM      457         —          457   

Buy

   GBP      42,500         2/4/2013       JPM      1,207         —          1,207   

Buy

   MYR      140,442         2/4/2013       JPM      57         —          57   

Buy

   MYR      89,618         2/4/2013       UAG      —           (68     (68

Buy

   NOK      255,500         2/4/2013       JPM      657         —          657   

Buy

   NOK      399,500         2/4/2013       JPM      2,183         —          2,183   

Sell

   SEK      284,499         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (278     (278

Sell

   SEK      450,768         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (1,272     (1,272

Sell

   SEK      381,913         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (598     (598

Sell

   SEK      604,809         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (2,309     (2,309

Sell

   SEK      284,648         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (357     (357

Sell

   SEK      452,367         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (1,698     (1,698

Sell

   SEK      287,757         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (40     (40

Sell

   SEK      449,178         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (1,105     (1,105

Sell

   SEK      185,331         2/4/2013       JPM      483         —          483   

Sell

   SEK      191,300         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (235     (235

Sell

   SEK      285,236         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (345     (345

Sell

   SEK      453,074         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (1,556     (1,556

Sell

   SEK      302,977         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (1,010     (1,010

Sell

   SEK      300,000         2/4/2013       JPM      8         —          8   

Buy

   TRY      51,000         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (912     (912

Buy

   ZAR      372,576         2/4/2013       JPM      —           (1,610     (1,610

 

See accompanying notes

19


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

Type

   Currency    Principal Amount
Covered by Contract
     Settlement
Date
     Counterparty    Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Buy

   HKD      3,877,473         3/28/2013       UAG    $ 180       $ —        $ 180   

Buy

   CNY      843,500         4/7/2016       CBK      —           (13,902     (13,902
              

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
               $ 230,046       $ (578,715   $ (348,669
              

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Glossary:

Counterparty Abbreviations:

BCC   Barclays Capital   DUB   Deutsche Bank AG   HUS   HSBC Bank USA
BRC   Barclays Bank PLC   FBF   Credit Suisse International   JPM   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
BOA   Bank of America, N.A.   GLM   Goldman Sachs Bank USA   MYC   Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc.
CBK   Citibank, N.A.   GST   Goldman Sachs International   UAG   UBS AG

Currency Abbreviations:

AUD

  Australian Dollar   IDR   Indonesia Rupiah   PLN   Polish Zolty
BRL   Brazilian Real   INR   Indian Rupee   RUB   New Russian Ruble
CAD   Canadian Dollar   JPY   Japanese Yen   RON   New Romanian Leu
CHF   Swiss Franc   KRW   South Korean Won   SEK   Swedish Krona
CLP   Chilean Peco   MXN   Mexican Peso   SGD   Singapore Dollar
CNY   Chinese Renminbi   MYR   Malaysian Ringgit   TRY   Turkish New Lira
EUR   Euro   NOK   Norwegian Krone   TWD   Taiwanese Dollar
GBP   British Pound   NZD   New Zealand Dollar   USD   United States Dollar
HKD   Hong Kong Dollar   PHP   Philippine Peso   ZAR   South African Rand

Index Abbreviations:

CDX.IG 

  Credit Derivatives Index - Investment Grade   iTraxx   Markit iTraxx Europe    

Exchange Abbreviations:

CME   Chicago Mercantile Exchange   OTC   Over-the-Counter    

Other Abbreviations:

BBSW

 

Australian Financial Markets

Association Bank-Bill Reference Rate

  EURIBOR  

Euro Interbank

Offered Rate

  LIBOR   

London Interbank

Offer Rate

CDI

  Brazil Interbank Deposit Rate        

 

See accompanying notes

20


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2012 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

Assets:

  

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value A

   $ 62,078   

Purchased options and swaptions outstanding C

     69   

Foreign currency, at fair value B

     593   

Deposits with brokers for derivative contracts

     236   

Cash D

     84   

Swap premiums paid

     406   

Receivable for investments sold

     15   

Dividends and interest receivable

     429   

Swap income receivable

     32   

Receivable for fund shares sold

     363   

Receivable for tax reclaims

     7   

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

     67   

Unrealized appreciation from swap agreements

     482   

Unrealized appreciation from forward currency contracts

     230   

Prepaid expenses

     24   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     65,116   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payable for investments purchased

     233   

Swap premium received

     247   

Swap income payable

     59   

Written options and swaptions outstanding

     61   

Payable for fund shares redeemed

     35   

Payable for variation margin on open futures contracts

     1   

Professional fees payable

     45   

Management and investment advisory fees payable (Note 2)

     64   

Administrative service and service fees payable (Note 2)

     32   

Unrealized depreciation of swap agreements

     253   

Unrealized depreciation from forward currency contracts

     579   

Other liabilities

     8   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,616   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 63,500   
  

 

 

 

Analysis of Net Assets:

  

Paid-in-capital

     60,858   

Undistributed net investment income

     579   

Accumulated net realized gain

     753   

Unrealized appreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, swap agreements, option contracts, and swaption contracts

     1,310   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 63,500   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding at no par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional Class

     1,250,145   
  

 

 

 

Y Class

     1,249,432   
  

 

 

 

Investor Class

     2,021,679   
  

 

 

 

A Class

     990,512   
  

 

 

 

C Class

     537,851   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

  

Institutional Class (net assets of $13,095,452)

   $ 10.48   
  

 

 

 

Y Class (net assets of $13,131,982)

   $ 10.51   
  

 

 

 

Investor Class (net assets of $21,245,367)

   $ 10.51   
  

 

 

 

A Class (net assets of $10,386,943) (offering price $11.00)

   $ 10.49   
  

 

 

 

C Class (net assets of $5,640,482)

   $ 10.49   
  

 

 

 

 

A         Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

   $ 60,629   

B        Cost of foreign currency

   $ 590   

C        Cost of purchased options outstanding

   $ 183   

 

See accompanying notes

21


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Statement of Operations

For the year ended August 31, 2012 (in thousands)

 

Investment Income:

  

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)A

   $ 1   

Interest income

     1,033   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,034   
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Management and investment advisory fees (Note 2)

     316   

Administrative service fees (Note 2):

  

Institutional Class

     79   

Y Class

     22   

Investor Class

     32   

A Class

     26   

C Class

     10   

Transfer agent fees:

  

Institutional Class

     3   

Y Class

     4   

Investor Class

     8   

A Class

     5   

C Class

     4   

Custody and fund accounting fees

     5   

Professional fees

     91   

Registration fees and expenses

     97   

Service fees (Note 2):

  

Investor Class

     38   

A Class

     10   

C Class

     4   

Y Class

     7   

Distribution fees (Note 2):

  

A Class

     16   

C Class

     25   

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

     33   

Trustee fees

     4   

Other expenses

     22   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     861   
  

 

 

 

Net fees waived and expenses reimbursed (Note 2)

     (274
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     587   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     447   
  

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

  

Net realized gain (loss) from:B

  

Investments

     451   

Foreign currency transactions

     990   

Futures contracts, swap agreements, option contracts, and swaption contracts

     368   

Change in net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of:

  

Investments

     1,556   

Foreign currency contracts

     (512

Futures contracts, swap agreements, option contracts, and swaption contracts

     120   
  

 

 

 

Net gain on investments

     2,971   
  

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 3,418   
  

 

 

 

A Foreign taxes

   $ 3   

B Net of foreign withholding taxes on capital gains

   $ 1   

 

See accompanying notes

22


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM
Statement of Changes of Net Assets (in thousands)

 

     Year Ended
August 31,
2012
    From July 5 to
August  31,
2011
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 447      $ 48   

Net realized gain from investments, foreign currency transactions, futures contracts, swap agreements, options contracts, and swaption contracts

     1,809        47   

Change in net unrealized appreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, swap agreements, option contracts, and swaption contracts

     1,162        148   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     3,418        243   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

    

Net investment income:

    

Institutional Class

     (447     (27

Y Class

     (165     —     

Investor Class

     (235     —     

A Class

     (117     (1

C Class

     (36     —     

Tax return of capital:

    

Institutional Class

     —          (23
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

     (1,000     (51
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

    

Proceeds from sales of shares

     58,762        30,739   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     890        51   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (29,540     (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

     30,112        30,773   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets

     32,530        30,965   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of period

     30,970        5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of Period *

   $ 63,500      $ 30,970   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

*Includesundistributed net investment income (loss) of

   $ 579      $ 72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

23


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”), which is comprised of 24 Funds, is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. These financial statements and notes to the financial statements relate to the American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lighthouse Holdings, Inc. and was organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors.

Class Disclosure

The Fund has multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors. The following table sets forth the differences amongst the classes:

 

Class:

  

Offered to:

Institutional Class    Investors making an initial investment of $250,000
Y Class    Investors making an initial investment of $100,000
Investor Class    General public and investors investing directly or through an intermediary
A Class    General public and investors investing through an intermediary with applicable sales charges
C Class    General public and investors investing through an intermediary with applicable sales charges

Each class offered by the Trust has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Income and non-class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class on the basis of the relative net assets. Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of each class are allocated daily based on the relative net assets of each class of the Fund. Class specific expenses, where applicable, currently include administrative service fees, service fees, and distribution fees and vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU No. 2011-04 “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”)”. ASU No. 2011-04 amends FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to establish common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. ASU No. 2011-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and for interim period March 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012.

Management has evaluated the implications of these changes and determined that the impact of the new guidance will only affect the disclosure requirements related to the financial statements. However, as the Fund did not hold any Level 3 investments as of August 31, 2012, the financial statement disclosures were not affected.

2. Transactions with Affiliates

Management Agreement

The Trust and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide or oversee the provision of all investment advisory and portfolio management services. Investment assets of the Fund are managed by multiple investment advisors which have entered into separate investment advisory agreements with the Manager. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Management Agreement, the Manager receives from the Fund 0.05% of the average daily net assets plus

 

24


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

amounts paid by the Manager to the investment advisors hired by the Manager to direct investment activities of the Fund. Management fees for the year ended August 31, 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Management Fee Rate

   Management Fee      Amounts paid  to
Investment Advisors
     Net Amounts
Retained by  Manager
 

0.60%

   $ 316       $ 290       $ 26   

Of this amount, $63,410 was payable to the Manager at August 31, 2012.

Administrative Services Agreement

The Manager and the Trust entered into an Administrative Services Agreement which obligates the Manager to provide or oversee administrative services to the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Manager receives an annualized fee of 0.30% of the average daily net assets of the Institutional, Y, and Investor Classes of the Fund and 0.40% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes of the Fund.

Distribution Plans

The Fund, except for the A and C Classes of the Fund, have adopted a “defensive” Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Act, pursuant to which no fees may be charged to the Fund for distribution purposes. However, the Plan authorizes the management and administrative service fees received by the Manager and the investment advisor hired by the Manager to be used for distribution purposes. Under this Plan, the Fund does not intend to compensate the Manager or any other party, either directly or indirectly, for the distribution of Fund shares.

Separate Distribution Plans (the “Distribution Plans”) have been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act for the A and C Classes of the Fund. Under the Distribution Plans, as compensation for distribution assistance, the Manager receives an annual fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A Class and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the C Class of the Fund. The fee will be payable without regard to whether the amount of the fee is more or less than the actual expenses incurred in a particular month by the Manager for distribution assistance.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into Service Plans that obligate the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Y, Investor, A, and C Classes. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plans, the Manager receives 0.10% of the average daily net assets of Y Class, 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Fund.

Interfund Lending Program

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in an interfund lending program as a borrower. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating Funds. During the year ended August 31, 2012, the Fund did not utilize the credit facility.

 

25


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Manager contractually agreed to reimburse the classes of the Fund to the extent that total annual fund operating expenses exceeded the Fund’s expense cap. During the year ended August 31, 2012, the Manager reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

Class

   Expense Cap     Reimbursed Expenses      Expiration of Reimbursements  

Institutional

     0.90   $ 135,178         2015   

Y

     0.99     36,620         2015   

Investor

     1.27     52,798         2015   

A

     1.39     34,998         2015   

C

     2.14     14,783         2015   

Of these amounts, $67,217 is receivable from the Manager, as of August 31, 2012. The Fund has adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of expenses reimbursed for a period of up to three years. However, reimbursement will occur only if the Class’s average net assets have grown or expenses have declined sufficiently to allow reimbursement without causing its expense ratio to exceed the previously agreed upon contractual expense limit. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager but not recorded as a liability is $146,216 expiring in 2014. The Fund did not record a liability for potential reimbursements, due to the current assessment that a reimbursement is unlikely.

Sales Commissions

The Fund’s distributor, Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside”) may receive a portion of A Class sales charges from broker dealers and it may be used to offset distribution related expenses. For the year ended August 31, 2012 there has been $8,620 in sales commissions from the sale of A Class shares that were received by Foreside.

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% will be deducted with respect to Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 1.00% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the Class C Shares redeemed. During the year ended August 31, 2012 CDSC charges of $1,446 were collected.

3. Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

Investments are valued at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”), normally 4 p.m. ET, each day that the Exchange is open for business. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price or official closing price (closing bid price or last evaluated quote if no sale has occurred) on the primary market or exchange on which they trade.

Debt securities (other than short-term securities) normally are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service and may take into account appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. The prices of debt securities may be determined using quotes obtained from brokers.

Investments in mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of the mutual fund on the day of valuation. Investment grade short-term obligations with 60 days or less to maturity are valued using the amortized cost method, which approximates market value.

Securities for which the market prices are not readily available or are not reflective of the fair value of the security, as determined by the Manager, will be priced at fair value following procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”).

Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with its futures broker, an amount of cash or U.S. Government and Agency Obligations in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and an appropriate payable or receivable for the change in value

 

26


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

(“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized, but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Other investments and those financial instruments for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee, established by the Board.

For valuation purposes, the last quoted prices of non-U.S. equity securities may be adjusted under the circumstances described below. If a Manager determines that developments between the close of a foreign market and the close of the Exchange will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of a fund’s portfolio securities, the Manager will adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the Exchange. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust closing prices to reflect fair value, the Manager reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. The Valuation Committee may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but a Fund is open. The Fund uses outside pricing services to provide closing prices and information to evaluate and/or adjust those prices. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the Valuation Committee routinely compares closing prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices.

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

Level 1 -   Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 -   Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and others. Level 2 securities are fixed-income securities that are valued using observable inputs as stated above.
Level 3 -   Prices determined using other significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment, and would be based on the best information available.

Level 1 and Level 2 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value.

Fixed income securities including corporate, convertible and municipal bonds and notes, U.S. government agencies, U.S. treasury obligations, sovereign issues, bank loans, convertible preferred securities and non-U.S. bonds are normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker dealer quotations, reported trades or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The service providers’ internal models use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar assets. Securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fixed income securities purchased on a delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily until settlement at the forward settlement date and categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities are usually issued as separate tranches, or classes, of securities within each deal. These securities are also normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker dealer quotations or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The pricing models for these securities usually consider tranche-level attributes, current market data, estimated cash flows and market-based yield spreads for each tranche, and incorporates deal collateral performance, as available. Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

27


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

Common stocks, exchange-traded funds and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts or options contracts that are traded on a national securities exchange, are stated at the last reported sale or settlement price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Valuation adjustments may be applied to certain securities that are solely traded on a foreign exchange to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market and the close of the Exchange. These securities are valued using pricing service providers that consider the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to the intraday trading in the U.S. markets for investments. Securities using these valuation adjustments are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Preferred securities and other equities traded on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments are also categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the net asset values (“NAVs”) of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments in privately held investment funds which are redeemable within 90 days of the measurement date, will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost which approximates fair value. These investments are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Over-the-counter (“OTC”) financial derivative instruments, such as foreign currency contracts, options contracts, or swaps agreements, derive their value from underlying asset prices, indices, reference rates, and other inputs or a combination of these factors. These contracts are normally valued on the basis of broker dealer quotations or pricing service providers. Depending on the product and the terms of the transaction, the value of the financial derivative contracts can be estimated by a pricing service provider using a series of techniques, including simulation pricing models. The pricing models use inputs that are observed from actively quoted markets such as issuer details, indices, spreads, interest rates, curves, dividends and exchange rates. Financial derivatives that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. U.S. GAAP also requires all transfers between any levels to be disclosed. The end of the period timing recognition has been adopted for transfers between levels of the Fund’s assets and liabilities. During the year ended August 31, 2012, there were no transfers into or out of any level for the Fund. As of August 31, 2012, the investments were classified as described below (in thousands):

 

Flexible Bond Fund

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Corporate Obligations

   $ —         $ 17,908       $ —         $ 17,908   

Convertible Obligations

     —           1,240         —           1,240   

Sovereign Obligation

     —           9,789         —           9,789   

Asset-Backed Securities

     —           650         —           650   

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligations

     —           4,137         —           4,137   

U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligations

     —           24         —           24   

U.S. Treasury Obligations

     —           15,074         —           15,074   

Short-Term Investments

           

Other Investment Companies

     2,422         —           —           2,422   

Certificate of Deposits

     492         —           —           492   

Repurchase agreements

     —           1,300         —           1,300   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     —           9,042         —           9,042   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $ 2,914       $ 59,164       $ —         $ 62,078   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

28


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

Financial derivative instruments-assets*    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Total  

Purchased options outstanding

   $ —        $ 69      $ —         $ 69   

Futures contracts

     51        —          —           51   

Swap agreements

     —          674        —           674   

Forward currency contracts

     —          230        —           230   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 51      $ 973      $ —         $ 1,024   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
Financial derivative instruments-liabilities*    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Total  

Written options outstanding

   $ —        $ (61   $ —         $ (61

Futures contracts

     (52     —          —           (52

Swap agreements

     —          (287     —           (287

Forward currency contracts

     —          (579     —           (579
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (52   $ (927   $ —         $ (979
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
* Financial derivative instruments may include swaps agreements, open futures, written options, written swaptions and forward currency contracts.

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date of the security purchase or sale. The Fund may purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security is reflected in the NAV. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations.

Dividend income, net of foreign taxes, is recorded on the ex-dividend date except certain dividends from foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Funds. Interest income is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. For financial and tax reporting purposes, realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of specific lot identification.

Currency Translation

All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currency values are converted into U.S. dollar values at the mean of the bid and ask prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as last quoted by a recognized dealer. Income, expense, purchases and sales of investments are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments is separately identified from the fluctuations arising from changes in market values of securities held and is reported with all other foreign currency gains and losses in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income of the Fund normally will be declared and paid at least annually. Distributions, if any, of net realized capital gains are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Commission Recapture

The Fund has established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If a Fund’s investment advisor chooses to execute a transaction through a participating broker, the broker rebates a portion of the commission back to the Fund. Any collateral benefit received through participation in the commission recapture program is directed exclusively to the Fund. This amount is reported with the net realized gain in the Fund’s Statement of Operations, if applicable. For the year ended August 31, 2012, the Fund did not have any commission recapture.

 

29


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

Allocation of Income, Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Income, expenses (other than those attributable to a specific class), gains, and losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets represented by such class. Operating expenses directly attributable to a specific class are charged against the operations of that class.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimated.

Other

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnification to the other party or parties against potential costs or liabilities. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated. The Trust has had no prior claims or losses pursuant to any such agreement.

4. Securities and other Investments

Repurchase Agreements

Under the terms of a repurchase agreement, securities are acquired by a Fund from a securities dealer or a bank that are subject to resale at a later date. The agreement is backed by collateral in the form of securities and/or cash held by an eligible custody bank. All collateral is valued at cost, which approximates market value and is monitored daily by the investment advisor to make the determination that the collateral’s value exceeds the carrying value of the repurchase agreement plus accrued interest.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds

The Fund may invest in inflation-indexed bonds. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted based on the rate of inflation. The interest rate on these bonds is generally fixed at issuance at a rate lower than typical bonds. Over the life of an inflation-indexed bond, however, interest will be paid based on a principal value, which is adjusted for inflation. Any increase or decrease in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be included as interest income on the Statement of Operations, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.

Payment In-Kind Securities

The Fund may invest in payment in-kind securities. Payment in-kind securities (“PIKs”) give the issuer the option at each interest payment date of making interest payments in either cash or additional debt securities. Those additional debt securities usually have the same terms, including maturity dates and interest rates, and associated risks as the original bonds. The daily market quotations of the original bonds may include the accrued interest (referred to as a dirty price) and require a prorata adjustment from the unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investment to interest receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Restricted Securities

The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities may be sold privately, but are required to be registered or exempted from such registration before

 

30


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

being sold to the public. Private placement securities are generally considered to be restricted except for those securities traded between qualified institutional investors under the provisions of Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Disposal of restricted securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expenses, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult to achieve. Restricted securities outstanding as of August 31, 2012 are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedule of Investments.

High-Yield Securities

Non-investment-grade securities are rated below the four highest credit grades by at least one of the public rating agencies (or are unrated if not publicly rated). Participation in high-yielding securities transactions generally involves greater returns in the form of higher average yields. However, participation in such transactions involves greater risks, including sensitivity to economic changes, solvency, and relative liquidity in the secondary trading market. Lower ratings may reflect a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer, or adverse changes in general economic conditions, or both, may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The prices and yields of lower-rated securities generally fluctuate more than higher-quality securities, and such prices may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty or rising interest rates.

5. Financial Derivative Instruments

Options Contracts

The Fund may write (1) call and put options on futures, swaps (“swaptions”), securities, commodities or currencies it owns or in which it may invest and (2) inflation-capped options. Writing put options tends to increase the Fund’s exposure to unfavorable movements of the underlying instrument in exchange for an upfront premium. Writing call options tends to decrease the Fund’s exposure to favorable movements of the underlying instrument in exchange for an upfront premium. When the Fund writes a call, put, or inflation-capped option, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option written. The purpose of inflation-capped options is to protect the buyer from inflation erosion above a certain rate on a given notional exposure. A floor can be used to give downside protection to investments in inflation-linked products. These liabilities are reflected as written options outstanding on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Certain options may be written with premiums to be determined on a future date. Premiums received from writing options which expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or closed are added to the proceeds or offset against amounts paid on the underlying futures, swap, security or currency transaction to determine the realized gain or loss when the underlying transaction is sold. The Fund as a writer of an option has no control over whether the underlying instrument may be sold (call) or purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the instrument underlying the written option. There is the risk the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid market.

The Fund may also purchase put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund’s exposure to favorable movements of the underlying instrument in exchange for paying an upfront premium. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund’s exposure to unfavorable movements of the underlying instrument. The Fund pays a premium which is included on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an investment and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expire are treated as realized losses. Certain options may be purchased with premiums to be determined on a future date. The premiums for these options are based upon implied volatility parameters at specified terms. The risk associated with purchasing put and call options is limited to the premium paid. Premiums paid for purchasing options which are exercised or closed are added to the amounts paid or offset against the proceeds on the underlying investment transaction to determine the realized gain or loss when the underlying transaction is sold.

 

31


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

Swap Agreements

The Fund may invest in swap agreements. Swap agreements are privately negotiated agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange at specified, future intervals. The Fund may enter into credit default, cross-currency, interest rate and other forms of swap agreements to manage its exposure to credit, currency, interest rate, and inflation risk. In connection with these agreements, securities or cash may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy/insolvency.

Swaps are marked to market daily based upon values from third party vendors or quotations from market makers to the extent available and the change in value, if any, is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In the event that market quotes are not readily available and the swap cannot be valued pursuant to one of the valuation methods, the value of the swap will be determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee pursuant to procedures approved by the Board.

Payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are reflected as such on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represent payments made or received upon entering into the swap agreement to compensate for differences between the stated terms of the swap agreement and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads, currency exchange rates, interest rates, and other relevant factors). These upfront payments are recorded as realized gains or losses on the Statement of Operations upon termination or maturity of the swap. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination of the swap is recorded as realized gain or loss on the Statement of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are included as part of realized gains or losses on the Statement of Operations.

Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.

The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted net value of the cash flows to be received from the counterparty over the contract’s remaining life, to the extent that amount is positive. The risk is mitigated by having a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

Credit Default Swap Agreements

Credit default swap agreements involve one party making a stream of payments (referred to as the buyer of protection) to another party (the seller of protection) in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default or other credit event for the referenced entity, obligation or index. As a seller of protection on credit default swap agreements, the Fund will generally receive from the buyer of protection a fixed rate of periodic premium throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure up to the notional amount of the swap.

If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation, other deliverable obligations or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced obligation,

 

32


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

other deliverable obligations or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. Recovery values are estimated by market makers considering either industry standard recovery rates or entity specific factors and considerations until a credit event occurs. If a credit event has occurred, the recovery value is determined by a facilitated auction whereby a minimum number of allowable broker bids, together with a specified valuation method, are used to calculate the settlement value.

Credit default swap agreements on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default or other credit event. If a credit event occurs and cash settlement is not elected, a variety of other deliverable obligations may be delivered in lieu of the specific referenced obligation. The ability to deliver other obligations may result in a cheapest-to-deliver option (the buyer of protection’s right to choose the deliverable obligation with the lowest value following a credit event). The Fund may use credit default swaps on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues to provide a measure of protection against defaults of the issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund owns or has exposure to the referenced obligation) or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default.

Credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default or other credit event. Unlike credit default swaps on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues, deliverable obligations in most instances would be limited to the specific referenced obligation as performance for asset-backed securities can vary across deals. Prepayments, principal paydowns, and other writedown or loss events on the underlying mortgage loans will reduce the outstanding principal balance of the referenced obligation. These reductions may be temporary or permanent as defined under the terms of the swap agreement and the notional amount for the swap agreement will be adjusted by corresponding amounts. The Fund may use credit default swaps on asset-backed securities to provide a measure of protection against defaults of the referenced obligation that the Fund owns or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular referenced obligation’s default that the Fund does not own.

Credit default swap agreements on credit indices involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising the credit index. A credit index is a basket of credit instruments or exposures designed to be representative of some part of the credit market as a whole. These indices are made up of reference credits that are judged by a poll of dealers to be the most liquid entities in the credit default swap market based on the sector of the index. Components of the indices may include, but are not limited to, investment grade securities, high yield securities, asset-backed securities, emerging markets, and/or various credit ratings within each sector. Credit indices are traded using credit default swaps with standardized terms including a fixed spread and standard maturity dates. An index credit default swap references all the names in the index, and if there is a default, the credit event is settled based on that name’s weight in the index. The composition of the indices changes periodically, usually every six months, and for most indices, each name has an equal weight in the index. The Fund may use credit default swaps on credit indices to hedge a portfolio of credit default swaps or bonds, which is less expensive than it would be to buy many credit default swaps to achieve a similar effect. Credit default swaps on indices are benchmarks for protecting investors owning bonds against default, and traders use them to speculate on changes in credit quality.

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues as of period end are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedule of Investments and serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent a market participant view of the likelihood or risk of default for the underlying referent security to credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a

 

33


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. For credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values serve as the indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk. Wider credit spreads reflect market perception of a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund as a seller of protection could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. Notional amounts of each individual credit default swap agreements outstanding as of August 31, 2012 for which the Fund is the seller of protection is disclosed in the Notes to the Schedule of Investments. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront payments received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements entered into by the Fund for the same referenced entity or entities.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Fund holds fixed rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. To help hedge against this risk and to maintain its ability to generate income at prevailing market rates, the Fund may enter into interest rate swap agreements. Interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest with respect to the notional amount of principal.

Over-the Counter Swap Agreements

Over-the-counter financial derivative instruments such as forward currency contracts, options contracts, interest rate, and credit default swap agreements derive their value from underlying asset prices, indices, reference rates and other inputs or a combination of these factors. These instruments are valued using evaluated prices furnished by a pricing service selected by the Board. In certain cases, when a valuation is not readily available from a pricing service, the Fund’s sub-advisor provides a valuation, typically using its own proprietary models. Depending on the instrument and the terms of the transaction, the value of the derivative instrument can be determined by a pricing service or sub-advisor using a series of techniques, including simulation pricing models. The pricing models use inputs, such as issuer details, indices, spreads, interest rates, yield curves, dividends, and exchange rates, that are observed from actively quoted markets. Derivative instruments that use valuation techniques and inputs similar to those described above are normally categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts to hedge the exchange rate risk on investment transactions or to hedge the value of the Fund’s securities denominated in foreign currencies. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued at the forward exchange rate prevailing on the day of valuation. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from changes in foreign exchange rates, and accordingly, the unrealized gain (loss) on these contracts is reflected in the accompanying financial statements. The Fund also bears the credit risk if the counterparty fails to perform under the contract.

Futures Contracts

Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standard quantity of securities at a specified price on a future date. The Fund may enter into financial futures contracts as a method for keeping assets readily convertible to cash if needed to meet shareholder redemptions or for other needs while maintaining exposure

 

34


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

to the stock or bond market, as applicable. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the possibility of illiquid markets or imperfect correlation between the values of the contracts and the underlying securities, or that the counterparty will fail to perform its obligations.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to set aside or deposit with a broker an amount, termed the initial margin, which typically represents a portion of the face value of the futures contract. The Fund usually reflects this amount on the Schedule of Investments as a U.S. Treasury Bill held as collateral for futures contracts or as Cash deposited with broker on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments to and from the broker, known as variation margin, are required to be made on a daily basis as the price of the futures contract fluctuates. Changes in initial settlement values are accounted for as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) until the contracts are terminated, at which time realized gains and losses are recognized. Futures contracts are valued at the most recent settlement price established each day by the exchange on which they are traded.

The following is a summary of the fair valuations of the Fund’s derivative instruments categorized by risk exposure(1)(3):

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

     Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments  
Assets:    Credit
contracts
    Foreign
exchange
contracts
    Interest
rate
contracts
    Equity
contracts
     Total  

Unrealized appreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, swap agreements, option contracts, and swaption contracts

   $ —        $ 51      $ —        $ —         $ 51   

Unrealized appreciation from forward currency contracts

     —          230        —          —           230   

Purchased options and swaptions outstanding

     —          —          69        —           69   

Unrealized appreciation from swap agreements

     24        —          458        —           482   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 24      $ 281      $ 527      $ —         $ 832   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
      Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments  
Liabilities:    Credit
contracts
    Foreign
exchange
contracts
    Interest
rate
contracts
    Equity
contracts
     Total  

Unrealized appreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, swap agreements, option contracts, and swaption contracts

   $ —        $ (52   $ —        $ —         $ (52

Unrealized depreciation from forward currency contracts

     —          (579     —          —           (579

Written options and swaptions outstanding

     —          —          (61     —           (61

Unrealized depreciation from swap agreements

     (86     —          (167     —           (253
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (86   $ (631   $ (228   $ —         $ (945
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

     Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments  
Realized gain (loss) of derivatives recognized as a result from operations:    Credit
contracts
     Foreign
exchange
contracts
     Interest
rate
contracts
     Total  

Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions

   $ —         $ 1,156       $ —         $ 1,156   

Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts, swap agreements, option contracts, and swaption contracts

     8         —           360         368   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8       $ 1,156       $ 360       $ 1,524   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

35


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of

derivatives recognized as a result from operations:

   Credit
contracts
    Foreign
exchange
contracts
    Interest
rate
contracts
     Total  

Change in net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) from foreign currency contracts

   $ —        $ (512   $ —         $ (512

Change in net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) from futures contracts, swap agreements, option contracts and swaption contracts

     (55     —          175         120   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (55   $ (512   $ 175       $ (392
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.
(2) Includes cumulative appreciation or (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investment footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin in reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(3) The volume of derivative activity described above is reflective of the derivative activity through the current period of operations.

6. Principal Risks

In the normal course of business the Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk), or failure or inability of the other party of a transaction to perform (credit and counterparty risk). See below for a detailed description of select principal risks.

Market Risks

The Fund’s investments in financial derivatives and other financial instruments expose the Fund to various risks such as, but not limited to, interest rate, foreign currency and equity risks.

Interest rate risk is the risk that fixed income securities will decline in value because of changes in interest rates. As nominal interest rates rise, the value of certain fixed income securities held by the Fund is likely to decrease. A nominal interest rate can be described as the sum of a real interest rate and an expected inflation rate. Fixed income securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Duration is useful primarily as a measure of the sensitivity of a fixed income’s market price to interest rate (i.e. yield) movements.

If the Fund invests directly in foreign currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, foreign currencies, or in financial derivatives that provide exposure to foreign currencies, it will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the base currency of the Fund, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the Fund’s base currency will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, the Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Fund.

The fair values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. Equity securities and equity related investments generally have greater market price volatility than fixed income securities.

Credit and Counterparty Risks

The Fund will be exposed to credit risk on parties with whom it trades and will also bear the risk of settlement default. The Fund minimizes concentrations of credit risk by undertaking transactions with a large

 

36


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

number of customers and counterparties on recognized and reputable exchanges. The Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a fixed income security, or the counterparty to a financial derivatives contract, repurchase agreement or a loan of portfolio securities, is unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. Securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk, which are often reflected in credit ratings.

Similar to credit risk, the Fund may be exposed to counterparty risk, or the risk that an institution or other entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions will default. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to counterparty risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties and investments.

All transactions in listed securities are settled/paid for upon delivery using approved counterparties. The risk of default is considered minimal, as delivery of securities sold is only made once the Fund has received payment. Payment is made on a purchase once the securities have been delivered by the counterparty. The trade will fail if either party fails to meet its obligation.

The Fund is subject to various Master Agreements, which govern the terms of certain transactions with select counterparties. These Master Agreements reduce the counterparty risk associated with relevant transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Since different types of forward and Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) derivative transactions have different mechanics and are sometimes traded out of different legal entities of a particular counterparty organization, each type of transaction may be covered by a different Master Agreement and result in the need for multiple agreements with a single counterparty. Therefore, exposure cannot be netted and collateralized across all types of transactions. Exposures can only be netted across transactions governed under the same Master Agreement with the same legal entity.

Master Agreements can also help limit counterparty risk by specifying collateral posting arrangements at pre-arranged exposure levels. Under the Master Agreements, collateral is routinely transferred if the total net exposure to certain transactions (net of existing collateral already in place) governed under the relevant master agreement with a counterparty in a given account exceeds a specified threshold, which typically ranges from zero to $250,000 depending on the counterparty and the type of Master Agreement. United States Treasury bills and US dollar cash are generally the preferred forms of collateral, although other forms of AAA rated paper may be used. The Fund’s overall exposure to counterparty risk can change substantially within a short period, as it is affected by each transaction subject to the relevant Master Agreement. Master Repurchase Agreements (“Master Repo Agreements”) govern transactions between the Fund and select counterparties. The Master Repo Agreements maintain provisions for, among other things, initiation, income payments, events of default, and maintenance of collateral for Repurchase Agreements.

Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (“Master Forward Agreements”) govern the considerations and factors surrounding the settlement of certain purchases and sales made on a delayed-delivery basis by and between the Fund and select counterparties. The Master Forward Agreements maintain provisions for, among other things, initiation and confirmation, payment and transfer, events of default, termination, and maintenance of collateral.

International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) govern OTC financial derivative transactions entered into by the Fund and those counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral and events of default or termination. Events of termination include conditions that may entitle counterparties to elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all outstanding transactions under the applicable ISDA Master Agreement. Any election to early terminate could be material to the financial statements. The fair value of OTC financial derivative transactions net of collateral received in or pledged by counterparty as of period end is disclosed in the Notes to the Schedule of Investments.

 

37


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

7. Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company, by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distribution of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is treated as a single entity for the purpose of determining such qualification.

The Fund does not have any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The tax periods ended August 31, 2011 and 2012 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expense” on the Statement of Operations.

Dividends are categorized in accordance with income tax regulations which may treat certain transactions differently than U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on returns of income earned or gains realized or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year ended
August 31,  2012
     Period ended
August 31,2011
 

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income*:

     

Institutional Class

   $ 447       $ 27   

Y Class

     165         —     

Investor Class

     235         —     

A Class

     117         1   

C Class

     36         —     

Tax Basis Return of Capital:

     

Institutional Class

     —           23   

Y Class

     —           —     

Investor Class

     —           —     

A Class

     —           —     

C Class

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 1,000       $ 51   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* For tax purposes, short-term capital gains are considered ordinary income distributed.

As of August 31, 2012, the components of distributable earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows (in thousands):

 

Cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes

   $   60,812   

Unrealized appreciation

     1,646   

Unrealized depreciation

     (311
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     1,335   

Undistributed ordinary income

     850   

Accumulated long-term gain(loss)

     —     

Other temporary differences

     457   
  

 

 

 

Distributable earnings (deficit)

   $ 2,642   
  

 

 

 

Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences. The temporary differences between financial reporting and tax-basis reporting of unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) are attributable to the tax deferral of losses from wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gain (losses) on certain derivative instruments.

 

38


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income and expenses and realized gains(losses) under U.S. GAAP and federal tax regulations, permanent differences between book and tax reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Accordingly, the following amounts represent current year permanent differences derived from foreign currency and income from publicly traded partnerships that have been reclassified as of August 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

Paid-in-capital

     $      (10

Undistributed net investment income

     1,060   

Accumulated net realized gain(loss)

     (1,050

Unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of investments, futures contracts, option and swaption contracts and foreign currency translations

     —     

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “RIC MOD”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. One of the more prominent changes addresses capital loss carryforwards. Under the RIC MOD, each Fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as permitted under previous regulation.

Finally, the RIC MOD contains several provisions aimed at preserving the character of distributions made by a fiscal year registered investment company (“RIC”) during the portion of its taxable year ending after October 31 or December 31, reducing the circumstances under which a RIC might be required to file amended Forms 1099 to restate previously reported distributions. Except for the simplification provisions related to RIC qualification, the RIC MOD is effective for taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010. The provisions related to RIC qualification are effective for taxable years for which the extended due date of the tax return is after December 22, 2010.

The Fund does not have capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2012.

8. Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments other than short-term obligations for the year ended August 31, 2012 were (in thousands)

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Securities

   $ 40,524       $ 19,777   

U.S. Treasury Obligations

     19,662         7,914   

 

39


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

9. Option Contracts Written

The premium amount and number of option contracts written during the year ended August 31, 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Amount of
Premiums
 

Outstanding at August 31, 2011

     400      $ (400   $ (2

Options written

     6,000        (6,751     (263

Options expired

     —          —          69   

Options exercised

     —          —          —     

Options closed

     (3,000     3,259        47   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding at August 31, 2012

     3,400      $ (3,892   $ (149
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

10. Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Fund (dollars and shares in thousands):

For the Year ended August 31, 2012

 

     Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class  

Flexible Bond Fund

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     388      $ 3,968        1,534      $ 15,687        2,128      $ 21,828   

Reinvestment of dividends

     44        447        12        124        20        206   

Shares redeemed

     (1,978     (20,515     (311     (3,213     (154     (1,592
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (1,546   $ (16,100     1,235      $ 12,598        1,994      $ 20,442   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     A Class     C Class  

Flexible Bond Fund

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     1,173      $ 12,006        512      $ 5,273   

Reinvestment of dividends

     8        87        2        26   

Shares redeemed

     (396     (4,072     (14     (148
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     785      $ 8,021        500      $ 5,151   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Period from July 5 to August 31, 2011

 

      Institutional Class     Y Class      Investor Class  

Flexible Bond Fund

   Shares      Amount     Shares      Amount      Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     2,791       $ 27,874        14       $ 143         29      $ 290   

Reinvestment of dividends

     5         50        —           —           —          —     

Shares redeemed

     —           (1     —           —           (1     (15)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     2,796       $ 27,923        14       $ 143         28      $ 275   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

      A Class     C Class  

Flexible Bond Fund

   Shares      Amount     Shares      Amount  

Shares sold

     205       $ 2,055        38       $ 377   

Reinvestment of dividends

     —           1        —           —     

Shares redeemed

     —           (1     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     205       $ 2,055        38       $ 377   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

40


 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

41


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

      Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class     A Class  
      Year
Ended
August
31, 2012
    July 5 to
August
31, 2011
    Year
Ended
August
31, 2012
    July 5 to
August
31, 2011
    Year
Ended
August
31, 2012
    July 5 to
August
31, 2011
    Year
Ended
August
31, 2012
    July 5 to
August
31, 2011
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10 .05      $ 10 .00      $ 10 .05      $ 10.00      $ 10 .07      $ 10.00      $ 10 .06      $ 10 .00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

                

Net investment income

     0 .02        0 .02        0 .10        0 .02        0 .09        0 .02        0 .07        0 .02   

Net gains from securities (both realized and unrealized)

     0 .59        0 .05        0 .53        0 .05        0 .52        0 .07        0 .51        0 .06   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

     0 .61        0 .07        0 .63        0 .07        0 .61        0 .09        0 .58        0 .08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                

Dividends from net investment income

     (0 .18     (0 .02     (0 .17     (0 .02     (0 .17     (0 .02     (0 .15     (0 .02

Distributions from net realized gains on securities

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Return of capital

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0 .18     (0 .02     (0 .17     (0 .02     (0 .17     (0 .02     (0 .15     (0 .02
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 10 .48      $ 10 .05      $ 10 .51      $ 10.05      $ 10 .51      $ 10.07      $ 10 .49      $ 10 .06   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return A

     6 .34     0 .70     6 .20     0.69     5 .99     0.90     5 .70     0 .80
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

   $ 13,095      $ 28,105      $ 13,132      $ 144      $ 21,245      $ 277      $ 10,387      $ 2,064   

Ratios to average net assets (annualized):

                

Expenses, before reimbursements

     1 .42     3.58 %B      1 .49     18.27 %B      1 .76     8.22 %B      1 .93     4.49 %B 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

     0 .90     %B      0 .99     %B      1 .27     %B      1 .39     %B 

Net investment income (loss), before reimbursements

     0 .44     (2.37 )%B      0 .54     (17.04 )%B      0 .30     (6.93 )%B      0 .05     (3.25 )%B 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

     0 .96     1.20 %B      1 .04     1.23 %B      0 .79     1.29 %B      0 .59     1.24 %B 

Portfolio turnover rate

     88     44 %C      88     44 %C      88     44 %C      88     44 %C 

 

A 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.

B 

Annualized.

C 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from July 5, 2011, the inception date, through August 31, 2011.

 

42


American Beacon Flexible Bond FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

C Class  

Year Ended
August 31,

2012

    July 5 to
August  31,

2011
 
$   10.09      $ 10.00   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  0.04        0 .02   
  0 .48        0 .09   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  0 .52        0 .11   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (0.12     (0 .02
  —          —     
  —          —     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (0.12     (0 .02

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 10.49      $ 10.09   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  5.15     1.11

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 5,641      $ 380   
  2.74     9.66 %B 
  2.14     %B 
  (0.73 )%      (8.48 )%B 
  (0.13 )%      1.18 %B 
  88     44 %C 

 

43


American Beacon Funds

Privacy Policy

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

Privacy Policy

The American Beacon Funds recognizes and respects the privacy of our shareholders. We are providing this notice to you so you will understand how shareholder information may be collected and used.

We may collect nonpublic personal information about you from one or more of the following sources:

 

   

information we receive from you on applications or other forms;

 

   

information about your transactions with us or our service providers; and

 

   

information we receive from third parties.

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.

We restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to those employees or service providers who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. To ensure the confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information, we maintain safeguards that comply with federal standards.

Federal Tax Information

Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distribution for the taxable year ended August 31, 2012. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distribution taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2012.

The Fund designated the following items with regard to distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 1, 2012. All designations are based on financial information available as of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Funds to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations there under.

 

Corporate Dividends Received Deduction

     0

Qualified Dividend Income

     0

Shareholders will receive notification in January 2013 of the applicable tax information necessary to prepare their 2012 income tax returns.

 

44


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM
(Unaudited)

 

The Trustees and officers of the American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person listed below is 4151 Amon Carter Boulevard, MD 2450, Fort Worth, Texas 76155. Each Trustee oversees twenty-six funds in the fund complex that includes the Trust and the American Beacon Select Funds. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available without charge by calling 1-800-658-5811.

 

Name, Age and Address

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

INTERESTED TRUSTEES

     
   Term   
  

Lifetime of Trust

until removal,

resignation or

retirement*

  

Gerard J. Arpey** (54)

   Trustee since 2012    Partner, Emerald Creek Group (private equity firm) (2011-Present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, (2003-2011), AMR Corp. and American Airlines; Inc.; Director, S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (privately held company) (2008-present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present).

Alan D. Feld** (75)

   Trustee since 1996    Sole Shareholder of a professional corporation which is a Partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP (law firm) (1960-Present); Director, Clear Channel Communications (1984-2008);Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (1996-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (1999-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (1996-2012).
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES    Term   
  

Lifetime of Trust

until removal,

resignation or

retirement*

  

W. Humphrey Bogart (68)

   Trustee since 2004    Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2004-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2004-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2004-2012).

Brenda A. Cline (51)

   Trustee since 2004    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, Kimbell Art Foundation (1993-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2004-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2004-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2004-2012).

Eugene J. Duffy (58)

   Trustee since 2008    Principal and Executive Vice President, Paradigm Asset Management (1994-Present); Director, Sunrise Bank of Atlanta (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2008-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2008-2012).

Thomas M. Dunning (69)

   Trustee since 2008    Chairman Emeritus (2008-Present); Chairman (1998-2008) and Chief Executive Officer (1998-2007), Lockton Dunning Benefits (consulting firm in employee benefits); Board Director, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (2007-Present); Board Member, BancTec (2010-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2008-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2008-2012).

Richard A. Massman (69)

  

Trustee since 2004

Chairman since 2008

   Consultant and General Counsel Emeritus (2009-Present) and Senior Vice President and General Counsel (1994-2009), Hunt Consolidated, Inc. (holding company engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, refining, real estate, farming, ranching and venture capital activities); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2004-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2004-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2004-2012).

 

45


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Age and Address

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships

Barbara J. McKenna, CFA (49)

   Trustee since 2012    Managing Principal, Longfellow Investment Management Company (2005-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present).

R. Gerald Turner (66)

225 Perkins Admin.Bldg.

Southern Methodist Univ.

Dallas, Texas 75275

   Trustee since 2001    President, Southern Methodist University (1995-Present); Director, J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (1996-Present); Director, Kronus Worldwide Inc. (chemical manufacturing) (2003-Present); Director, First Broadcasting Investment Partners, LLC (2003-2007); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2001-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2001-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2001-2012).

Paul J. Zucconi,CPA (72)

   Trustee since 2008    Director, Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. (producer of nonstandard automobile insurance) (2004-Present); Director, Titanium Metals Corporation (producer of titanium melted and mill products) (2002-Present); Director, Torchmark Corporation (life and health insurance products) (2002-Present); Director, Charter Bank (community bank services and products) (2010-2011); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2008-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2008-2012).
OFFICERS   

Term

    
     One Year     

Gene L. Needles, Jr. (57)

  

President since 2009

Executive Vice President

since 2009

   President, CEO and Director (2009-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; President (2009-Present), President, CEO and Director (2009-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; President and CEO (2009-Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.; President (2009-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; President (2009-Present), American Beacon Mileage Funds; President (2008-2012), Touchstone Investments; President (2003-2007), CEO (2004-2007), AIM Distributors.

Rosemary K. Behan (53)

  

VP, Secretary and

Chief Legal

Officer since 2006

   Vice President, Legal and Compliance, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2006-Present); Secretary (2008-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; Secretary (2008-Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.

Brian E. Brett (52)

   VP since 2004    Vice President, Director of Sales, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2004-Present).

Wyatt Crumpler (46)

   VP since 2007    Chief Investment Officer (2012-Present), Vice President, Asset Management (2009-2011), and Vice President, Trust Investments (2007-2009), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

Erica Duncan (41)

   VP Since 2011    Vice President, Marketing and Client Services (2011-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Supervisor, Brand Marketing (2010-2011), Invesco; Supervisor, Marketing Communications (2009-2010) and Senior Financial Writer (2004-2009), Invesco AIM.

Michael W. Fields (58)

   VP since 1989    Chief Fixed Income Officer (2011-Present) and Vice President, Fixed Income Investments, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (1988-2011); Director, American Beacon Global Funds SPC (2002-2011); Director, American Beacon Global Funds plc (2007-2009).

Melinda G. Heika (51)

  

Treasurer since

2010

   Treasurer (2010-Present), and Controller (2005-2009), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Treasurer (2010-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; Treasurer (2010-Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.

Terri L. McKinney (48)

   VP since 2010    Vice President, Enterprise Services (2009-Present) and Managing Director (2003-2009), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (37)

   VP since 2010    Chief Operating Officer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2010-Present); Vice President, Product Management, Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (2007-2010); Senior Director, Business Integration, Fidelity Investments (2005-2007).

 

46


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Age and Address

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

Samuel J. Silver (49)

   VP Since 2011    Vice President, Fixed Income Investments (2011-Present) and Senior Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income Investments (1999-2011), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

Christina E. Sears (40)

  

Chief Compliance

Officer since 2004

and Asst. Secretary since1999

   Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present) and Senior Compliance Analyst (1998-2004), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

John J. Okray (38)

   Asst. Secretary since 2010    Assistant General Counsel, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2010-Present); Asst. Secretary (2010-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; Asst. Secretary (2010-Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.; Vice President, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (2004-2010).

Sonia L. Bates (55)

   Asst. Treasurer since 2011    Director, Tax and Financial Reporting (2011 - Present) and Manager, Tax and Financial Reporting (2005-2010), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Asst. Treasurer (2011-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; Asst. Treasurer (2011-Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.

 

* The Board has adopted a retirement plan that requires Trustees to retire no later than the last day of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 72, provided, however, that the board may determine to grant one or more annual exemptions to this requirement.
** Mr.Arpey is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the 1940 Act. Mr.Arpey previously served as CEO of AMR Corp., which has a material relationship with the Manager.
*** Mr.Feld is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the 1940 Act. Mr. Feld’s law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP has provided legal services within the past two years to the Manager and one or more of the Trust’s sub-advisors.

 

 

47


 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

 

48


 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

 

49


 

LOGO

 

 

Delivery of Documents

eDelivery is NOW AVAILABLE - Stop traditional mail delivery and receive your

shareholder reports and summary prospectus on-line. Sign up at

www.americanbeaconfunds.com

If you invest in the Fund through a financial institution, you may be able to receive the Fund’s regulatory mailings, such as the Summary Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report, by e-mail. If you are interested in this option, please go to www.icsdelivery.com and search for your financial institution’s name or contact your financial institution directly.

To obtain more information about the Fund:

 

LOGO    LOGO
 

By E-mail:

american_beacon.funds@ambeacon.com

  

On the Internet:

Visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com

         
       
LOGO    LOGO
 

By Telephone:

 

Institutional, Y, and Investor Classes

Call (800) 658-5811

  

By Mail:

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

         
       

Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

 

In addition to the Schedule of Investments provided in each semi-annual and annual report, the Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-Q as of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also made available on www.americanbeaconfunds.com, the Funds’ website approximately sixty days after the end of each quarter.

  

Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records

 

A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which is available free of charge on the Fund’s website www.americanbeaconfunds.com and by calling 1-800-967-9009 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent year ended August 31 is filed annually with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Fund’s Forms N-PX are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record may also be obtained by calling 1-800-967-9009.

Fund Service Providers:

 

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and Trust

Boston, Massachusetts

    

TRANSFER AGENT

Boston Financial Data Services

Kansas City, Missouri

    

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

Dallas, Texas

    

DISTRIBUTOR

Foreside Fund Services, LLC

Portland, Maine

This report is prepared for shareholders of the American Beacon Funds and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or Summary Prospectus.

 

American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund and American Beacon Funds are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.


LOGO


About American Beacon Advisors

 

Since 1986, American Beacon Advisors has offered a variety of products and investment advisory services to numerous institutional and retail clients, including a variety of mutual funds, corporate cash management, and separate account management.

Our clients include defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial planners, and other institutional investors. With American Beacon Advisors, you can put the experience of a multi-billion dollar asset management firm to work for your company.

 

 

 

Zebra Large Cap Equity and Zebra Small Cap Equity Funds

Investing in the securities of small capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility than investing in larger capitalization and more established companies. At times, certain securities may have limited marketability and may be difficult to sell. The Fund may invest in future contracts which are a type of derivative investment. Investing in derivatives could result in losing more than the amount invested. Investing in foreign securities entails additional risk not associated with domestic securities, such as currency fluctuations, economic and political instability and differences in accounting standards.

The London Company Income Equity Fund

The Fund’s primary risks include focused holdings risk, interest rate risk, small and medium capitalization risk, foreign exposure risk, future contracts risk, dividend risk and credit risk. These risks may expose the Fund’s investments to greater price fluctuations than the market as a whole. Because the Fund is a focused portfolio of fewer companies, the increase or decrease of the value of a single stock may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and total return when compared to other diversified funds. Investing in debt securities entails interest rate risk, which is the risk that debt securities will decrease in value with increases in market interest rates. Investing in the securities of small and mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility than investing in larger capitalization and more established companies Investing in foreign securities entails additional risk not associated with domestic securities, such as currency fluctuations, economic and political instability and differences in accounting standards. The Fund may invest in future contracts which are a type of derivative investment. Investing in derivatives could result in losing more than the amount invested. Investing in dividend paying stocks might not experience the same level of earnings growth or capital appreciation as non-dividend paying stocks. Credit risk is the risk that the decline in an issuer’s credit rating may have an adverse impact on the value of that security.

SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund

The Fund typically invests in a diversified portfolio of domestic and foreign high-yield, high-risk fixed income securities that are generally rated below investment-grade (such as BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or Fitch ratings and/or Ba or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.) or deemed to be below investment-grade by the investment sub-advisor. These types of securities are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds. Investing in such securities involves additional risks when compared to investing in investment-grade securities. These include a greater risk of default or bankruptcy and an increased sensitivity to financial difficulties or changes in interest rates. The principal risks of the Fund include also those derived from the investment in: foreign securities, emerging market securities, derivative securities including options and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on stock indexes and currencies), forward contracts (including currency forward contracts), swap agreements and structured notes, Rule 144A securities, bank loans and senior loans and to a lesser extent equity securities including those of small and mid-capitalization companies.

 

Any opinions herein, including forecasts, reflect our judgment as of the end of the reporting period and are subject to change. Each advisor’s strategies and the Fund’s portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions and therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.

 

American Beacon Funds

   August 31, 2012


 

LOGO

Dear Shareholders,

The volatile markets we experienced in the early part of 2012 have now settled into something more normal as summer draws to a close. In this rather unexciting market, from June 25 to the end of the reporting period, the Dow Jones Industrial Average didn’t have a single day in which it lost more than 1% of its value – a comforting environment for investors used to getting whipsawed on a daily basis. Against this backdrop, our actively managed funds have made solid gains.

For the period since its inception on May 29, 2012, the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund (Institutional Class) returned 5.31%.

For the 12-month period ended August 31, 2012:

 

 

   

The American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund (Institutional Class) returned 10.85%.

 

   

The American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund (Institutional Class) returned 12.78%.

 

   

The American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund (Institutional Class) returned 14.19%.

The first of the funds addressed in this annual report, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund, is one of American Beacon’s newest offerings. The Fund is sub-advised by The London Company of Virginia, an equity manager with an impressive record of performance, and a firm we’re very proud to be associated with. Their work, fueled by more than three decades of investing experience, fits in very well with our desire to deliver the kind of consistency in performance that is important to our shareholders.

Thank you for your continued investment in American Beacon Funds. For additional information about the Funds or to access your account information, please visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

 

Best Regards,
LOGO

Gene L. Needles, Jr.

President

American Beacon Funds


Domestic Equity Market Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

U.S. equity markets trended higher throughout much of the 12-month period that ended August 31, 2012 as the S&P 500 Index gained 17.3%. The low point for stocks during this period came at the end of the first month, on October 3, 2011, and, after that, they really never looked back. In March the market began a retrenchment that lasted a couple of months, but before August was over the S&P 500 had reached a new multi-year high.

Stocks were up across the board, with large-cap companies leading the way. Over the one-year period, the Russell 1000® Index, which represents large-cap stocks, increased 17.3%, the Russell Midcap® Index increased 13.3%, and the Russell 2000® Index, representing small-caps, increased 13.4%.

The investor preference for larger capitalization stocks was reflected not just in the relative performance of the Russell 1000 Index versus the Russell 2000 Index, but also within the large-cap universe. Fifty percent of the return generated by the Russell 1000 came from the top 38% of the weight in the index.

Still, in recent years, correlation across equities has been very high. There was a period from August to October of last year when 90% of the stocks in the Standard & Poor’s 500 moved in the same direction on 31 trading days – or more than half the time.

The strong showing in equities came in spite of the fact that concerns surrounding European credit, U.S. debt and the presidential election dominated the year’s headlines. The U.S. economy continues its sluggish recovery from a difficult recession. The global economy is still slowly deleveraging, while the run-up of consumer debt in U.S. and government-sponsored debt in Europe has contracted credit and limited growth. Both the European Central Bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve have stepped in to provide additional liquidity, but the increased liquidity hasn’t resulted in significant gross domestic product (GDP) growth, with banks unwilling to lend and consumers unwilling to spend.

In response to the situation, the Federal Reserve recently announced a third round of quantitative easing (“QE”). The prior rounds of QE led to strong stock market performance, but did little to improve economic growth.

The uncertain nature of the economy both here and abroad led to some distinctly “risk-off” periods in the past year, when stocks with high betas or high default risk were the worst performers. These occurred in September 2011 and again in April and May of 2012, periods of increased tension over European debt. But otherwise, investors were well-rewarded for holding riskier equities.

In an interesting twist, many stocks that had been laggards in 2011 did a complete about-face in 2012, especially in the early going. Sears Holdings, for instance, fell 57% in 2011, but rose 117% in the first quarter of 2012; likewise, Bank of America was down 58% in 2011 but up 76% for the first quarter, and Netflix was down 61% in 2011 but up 72% for the first quarter.

With all the economic uncertainty and risk in the air, it’s not surprising that investor sentiment over that same period was generally muted, if not outright cautious. The number of investors surveyed by the American Association of Individual Investors who described themselves as bullish averaged 36%, which was down from nearly 42% during the prior 12-month period.

 

 

2


American Beacon The London Company Income Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of The London Company Income Equity Fund (the “Fund”) returned 5.21% from its inception on May 29, 2012 through August 31, 2012. The Fund underperformed the S&P 500 Index (the “Index”) return of 6.20%.

Comparison of Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment For the Period from 5/29/12 through 8/31/12

LOGO

 

     Annualized
Total Returns
Period Ended
8/31/12
    Value of  
     Since Incep.
(5/29/12)*
    $10,000
5/29/12-
8/31/12
 

Institutional Class (1,2,4)

     5.31   $ 10,531   

Y Class (1,2,4)

     5.31   $ 10,531   

Investor Class (1,2,4)

     5.21   $ 10,521   

A Class with sales charge (1,2,4)

     -0.84   $ 9,916   

A Class without sales charge (1,2,4)

     5.21   $ 10,521   

C Class with sales charge (1,2,4)

     4.01   $ 10,401   

C Class without sales charge (1,2,4)

     5.01   $ 10,501   

S&P 500 Index (3)

     6.20   $ 10,620   

Russell 1000 Value
Index (3)

     6.72   $ 10,672   

 

* Not annualized.
1. Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is as of date indicated, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 5.75%. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for the C Class is 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.
2. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund was waived since inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.
3.

The Russell 1000 Value Index is an unmanaged index of those stocks in the Russell 1000 Index with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Russell 1000® Value Index and Russell 1000 Index are registered trademarks of the Frank Russell Company. The S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization weighted index of common stocks publicly traded in the U.S. One cannot invest directly in an index. The Russell 1000® Value Index has replaced the S&P 500 Index as the Fund’s performance benchmarks, as it better reflects the Fund’s investment strategy.

4. The total annual Fund operating expense ratio set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A and C Class shares was 1.25%, 1.35%, 1.63%, 1.75%, and 2.50%, respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

The following performance discussion covers the May 31, 2012 to August 31, 2012 period and does not cover performance from the May 29, 2012 inception through May 31, 2012.

The Fund’s underperformance relative to the Index was largely driven by poor stock selection. To a lesser extent, the Fund’s sector allocation versus the Index also proved to be unfavorable to performance.

Poor stock selection in the Information Technology, Financials, and Materials sectors proved to be the largest detractors from relative returns. Despite the Fund’s aggregate holdings in these economic sectors producing positive absolute returns, these securities lagged the gains generated by those in the Index.

Within the Information Technology sector, the Fund was negatively impacted by holding Intel, which declined 3.2%. Federated Investors (+3.5%) hindered relative returns within the Financials sector while Albemarle was the primary driver of the negative impact within the Materials sector as the security declined 8.3%.

Several of the holdings within the Consumer Staples sector were a bright spot for returns. Tobacco companies Altria and Reynolds American both displayed strong results with gains of 9.1% and 12.2%, respectively. Wal-Mart also demonstrated strong results gaining 11.8%.

Given the Fund’s portfolio construction approach and high conviction weightings across

 

 

3


American Beacon The London Company Income Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

securities, the Fund’s over or underweight positioning relative to the economic sectors will typically have less of an impact on relative returns. However, the Fund was slightly hampered by its sector positioning. Specifically, maintaining an underweight to the Energy sector impeded results as it ranked as the best performing sector over the period (+12.7%). Additionally, overweighting the underperforming Consumer Staples (+6.1%) and Utilities (+2.5%) sectors also negatively impacted returns. Offsetting some of the headwinds from the Fund’s overall positioning was an underweight to the Industrials sector (+5.7%) as it was one of the weaker performers.

The sub-advisor’s investment process focuses on downside protection, current income, and total return appreciation.

Top Ten Holdings

 

     % of
Net Assets
 

Microsoft Corp.

     4.1

NewMarket Corp.

     3.9

Albemarle Corp.

     3.7

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     3.4

Pfizer, Inc.

     3.3

Federated Investors, Inc.

     3.3

Coca-Cola Co.

     3.2

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     3.2

Wells Fargo & Co.

     3.2

Dominion Resources, Inc.

     3.2

Sector Allocation

 

     % of
Equities
 

Financials

     21.8

Consumer Staples

     20.8

Information Technology

     14.8

Materials

     10.5

Utilities

     9.2

Health Care

     8.4

Energy

     5.4

Consumer Discretionary

     5.4

Telecommunication Services

     3.7
 

 

4


American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund (the “Fund”) returned 10.47% for the twelve months ended August 31, 2012. The Fund underperformed the Russell 1000® Index (the “Index”) return of 17.33% and the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Index return of 14.80%.

Comparison of Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment for the Period from 6/1/10 through 8/31/12

 

LOGO

 

    Annualized
Total  Returns
Periods Ended

8/31/12
          Value of  
    1 Year     Since
Incep.
(6/1/10)
    $10,000
6/1/10-
8/31/12
 

Institutional
Class (1,3,5)

    10.85     12.41   $ 13,009   

Y Class (1,3,5)

    10.77     12.36   $ 12,997   

Investor Class (1,3,5)

    10.47     11.99   $ 12,901   

Retirement Class closed to new
investors (1,3,5)

    10.66     11.92   $ 12,883   

A Class with
sales charge (1,3,5)

    4.02     8.97   $ 12,132   

A Class without
sales charge (1,3,5)

    10.33     11.88   $ 12,872   

C Class with
sales charge (1,2,3,5)

    8.50     11.15   $ 12,290   

C Class without
sales charge (1,2,3,5)

    9.50     11.15   $ 12,290   

Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds
Index (4)

    14.80     13.06   $ 13,184   

Russell 1000
Index (4)

    17.33     15.11   $ 13,728   

 

1. Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is as of date indicated, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please call 1-800-967-9009 or visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.
2. Fund performance represents the total returns achieved by the Investor Class from 6/1/10 up to 9/1/10, the inception date of the C Class, and the

returns of the C Class since its inception. Expenses of the C Class are higher than those of the Investor Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the C Class been in existence since 6/1/10. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

3. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund was waived since inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.
4. The Russell 1000 Index is an unmanaged index comprised of 1,000 larger-capitalization stocks from various industrial sectors. Russell 1000 Index is a registered trademark of the Frank Russell Company. The Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Index tracks the results of the 30 largest mutual funds in the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds category. Lipper is an independent mutual fund research and ranking service. One cannot directly invest in an index.
5. The total annual Fund operating expense ratio set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, Retirement, A and C Class shares was 2.39%, 2.58%, 2.46%, 142.54%, 2.27%, and 3.93% respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

The Fund underperformed the Index as both stock selection and sector allocation detracted value relative to the Index.

From a stock selection standpoint, the Fund’s holdings in the Information Technology, Health Care and Consumer Discretionary sectors detracted the most value relative to the Index. In the Information Technology sector, Research in Motion (down 54.9%), Xerox (down 13.1%) and Anixter International (down 1.0%) had the largest negative impact on performance. HealthSouth (down 5.9%) and Humana (down 11.4%) were the largest detractors from the Fund’s returns in the Health Care sector. Shaw Communications (down 6.9%), Thomson Reuters (down 6.9%) and Nike (up 13.9%) hurt performance most in the Consumer Discretionary sector.

A significant underweight in Information Technology, the second best performing sector in the Index, detracted from the Fund’s performance through sector allocation. A more than three times overweight in the Utilities sector also hurt performance.

 

 

5


American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

The sub-advisor continues to focus on uncovering investment opportunities through stock selection by investing in a portfolio of securities with strong exposure to the liquidity effect, balanced by fundamental information in order to capture the liquidity premium. This investment approach has typically resulted in a portfolio with lower Beta and volatility than the Index, although for this particular period the Beta of the portfolio was 1.0. Beta is a measure of the Fund’s systematic risk compared to the Index. A Beta of 0.85 would indicate that the Fund is expected to provide 15% less return when the Index increases and 15% better return when the Index decreases. Annualized volatility of the portfolio was 17.3% versus 17.1% for the Index. Much of the relative underperformance during this period was driven by a lack of exposure to the largest capitalization stocks within the benchmark. The Fund is underweight the largest stocks in the Russell 1000; for example the Fund had no exposure to Apple during the period and not holding that one stock accounted for almost one-third of the relative underperformance. The sub-advisor’s strategy, and its resulting characteristics, should allow the Fund to benefit over the longer term.

Top Ten Holdings

 

     % of
Net Assets
 

Southern Copper Corp.

     1.8

Brookfield Asset Management, Inc.

     1.6

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     1.6

General Dynamics Corp.

     1.5

Prudential Financial, Inc.

     1.5

Discover Financial Services

     1.4

Brookfield Office Properties, Inc.

     1.3

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     1.3

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

     1.3

Raytheon Co.

     1.2

Sector Allocation

 

     % of
Equities
 

Financials

     27.4

Utilities

     13.3

Industrials

     12.7

Consumer Discretionary

     9.1

Health Care

     8.1

Consumer Staples

     8.1

Information Technology

     8.1

Materials

     6.2

Energy

     6.2

Telecommunication Services

     0.8
 

 

6


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund (the “Fund”) returned 12.45% for the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2012, trailing the Russell 2000® Index (the “Index”) return of 13.40% but outperforming the Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Index return of 10.61% for the same period.

Comparison of Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment For the Period from 6/1/10 through 8/31/12

 

LOGO

 

     Annualized Total Returns
Periods Ended 8/31/12
       
     1 Year     Since
Incep.
(6/1/10)
    Value  of
$10,000
6/1/10-

8/31/12
 

Institutional Class (1,3,5)

     12.78     12.05   $ 12,916   

Y Class (1,3,5)

     12.78     11.95   $ 12,890   

Investor Class(1,3,5)

     12.45     11.61   $ 12,802   

Retirement Class
closed to new
investors (1,3,5)

     12.04     11.23   $ 12,705   

A Class with
sales charge(1,3,5)

     5.83     8.64   $ 12,049   

A Class without sales charge (1,3,5)

     12.28     11.54   $ 12,784   

C Class with
sales charge(1,2,3,5)

     10.44     10.77 %%    $ 12,663   

C Class without
sales charge (1,2,3,5)

     11.44     10.77   $ 12,663   

Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Index (4)

     10.61     12.26   $ 12,974   

Russell 2000 Index (4)

     13.40     12.57   $ 13,057   

 

1. Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is as of date indicated, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.
2. Fund performance represents the total returns achieved by the Investor Class from 6/1/10 up to 9/1/10, the inception date of the C Class, and the returns of the C Class since its inception. Expenses of the C Class are higher than those of the Investor Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the C Class been in existence since 6/1/10. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.
3. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund was waived since inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.
4. The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index comprised of approximately 2,000 smaller-capitalization stocks from various industrial sectors. Russell 2000 Index is a registered trademark of the Frank Russell Company. The Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Index tracks the results of the 30 largest mutual funds in the Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds category. Lipper is an independent mutual fund research and ranking service. One cannot directly invest in an index.
5. The total annual Fund operating expense ratio set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, Retirement, A and C Class shares was 3.25%, 3.09%, 3.19%, 143.34%, 3.21%, and 4.36% respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

Prior to the deduction of expenses, the Fund outperformed the Index as both stock selection and sector allocation added value relative to the Index. The Fund’s holdings in the Energy, Information Technology and Financials sectors contributed most to performance. In the Energy sector, Atlas Energy (up 74.1%), Calumet Specialty Products (up 17.4%) and EV Energy Partner (up 7.6%) generated the most positive Fund returns. Neustar (up 39.1%) and Net 1 UEPS Technologies (up 73.9%) were the largest contributors in the Information Technology sector. In the Financials sector, Protective Life (up 75.2%), KKR Financial Holdings (up 22.5%) and Kemper (up 22.7%) added value relative to the Index. Poor stock selection in the Consumer Discretionary and Materials sectors detracted from the Fund’s performance. Federal Mogul (down 37.8%) and Deer Consumer Products (down 44.8%) detracted from the Fund’s returns in the Consumer Discretionary sector. In the Materials sector, Mercer International (down 37.4%) and China Gerui Advanced Materials (down 57.3%) were the largest detractors.

 

 

7


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s overweight in Financials, the second best performing sector in the Index, and a near two times underweight in the Information Technology sector contributed approximately 40 basis points (0.40%) each to performance through sector allocation. A significant underweight in Health Care, the best performing sector in the Index, detracted from performance.

The sub-advisor continues to focus on uncovering investment opportunities through stock selection by investing in a portfolio of securities with strong exposure to the liquidity effect, balanced by fundamental information, in order to capture the liquidity premium. This investment approach has resulted in a portfolio with lower Beta and volatility than the Index. Beta is a measure of the Fund’s systematic risk compared to the Index. A Beta of 0.85 would indicate that the Fund is expected to provide 15% less return when the Index increases and 15% better return when the Index decreases. For the twelve month period, the Beta of the Fund versus the Index was 0.93, with annualized volatility of 21.5% versus 22.9% for the Index. As a result of the lower Beta, the Fund slightly underperformed the Index. Much of this underperformance was driven by the limited upside capture generated by the Fund. The Fund only outperformed the Index on 5 of the 25 days when the market was up greater than 2%. On the other hand, the Fund outperformed the Index on 20 out of the 27 days when the market was down more than 2%. The sub-advisor’s strategy, and its resulting characteristics, should benefit the Fund’s performance over the longer term.

Top Ten Holdings

 

     % of
Net Assets
 

Delek US Holdings, Inc.

     1.4

KKR Financial Holdings LLC

     1.2

PDL BioPharma, Inc.

     1.0

Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC

     0.9

Select Medical Holdings Corp.

     0.9

Symetra Financial Corp.

     0.7

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.

     0.7

Generac Holdings, Inc.

     0.7

Moog, Inc.

     0.7

Ship Finance International Ltd.

     0.7

Sector Allocation

 

     % of Equities  

Financials

     30.4

Industrials

     19.8

Consumer Discretionary

     12.4

Information Technology

     7.9

Energy

     7.4

Health Care

     7.0

Materials

     6.8

Consumer Staples

     5.8

Utilities

     1.3

Telecommunication Services

     1.2
 

 

8


High Yield Bond Market Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

The high yield bond market performed very well for the year ended August 31, 2012, with the benchmark BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Master II Index providing an annual return of 13.1%. This performance was in spite of the fact that the period got off to a very slow start, with a return of negative 3.5% in September 2011, as the recently resolved debt-ceiling struggle triggered new fears of a double-dip recession in the U.S. and there was growing concern about a Greek default and the Eurozone dissolving. But those issues quickly faded after the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank announced programs to support their respective economies.

The positive movements from the central banks, combined with decent U.S. economic news, provided the wind behind a significant and lasting rally. The high yield market remained strong until May of this year, when a run on Greek banks stoked more fears of a default. But the ECB stepped in to remove the concern that the Euro might be dissolving, and the markets forged ahead.

As far as credit risk is concerned, lower-rated bonds fared better than higher-rated ones, but not by as much as would be expected, given the strong returns of the overall high yield market.

Among the industry sectors, consumer issues and especially housing performed well for the year. Basic industry commodities and energy performed relatively poorly, a result of the demand slowdown in China and Europe and concerns about excess supply.

The high yield market also benefitted from the drop in Treasury bond yields. Over the course of the year, the yield on the ten-year Treasury bond fell from 2.23% to 1.57% while the yield on the five-year bond dropped from 0.96% to 0.59%. With so little return from those benchmark government bonds, fixed-income investors looked to other instruments for greater yield, one key reason the year was so good for the category as a whole.

 

 

9


American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities FundSM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) returned 13.92% for the twelve months ended August 31, 2012. The Fund outperformed the BofA Merrill Lynch US High Yield Master II Index (the “Index”) return of 13.06% and the Lipper High Current Yield Funds Index return of 12.53% for the same period.

Comparison of Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment For the Period from 2/14/2011 through 8/31/12

 

LOGO

 

    Annualized Total Returns
Periods Ended 8/31/12
    Value of
$10,000

2/14/11-
8/31/12
 
     
    1 Year     Since Incep.
(2/14/11)
   

Institutional Class (1,2,4)

    14.19     7.40   $ 11,164   

Y Class (1,2,4)

    14.09     7.19   $ 11,131   

Investor Class(1,2,4)

    13.92     6.79   $ 11,067   

A Class with
salescharge (1,2,4)

    8.23     3.47   $ 10,540   

A Class without salescharge(1,2,4)

    13.63     6.79   $ 11,067   

C Class with
salescharge(1,2,4)

    11.90     6.15   $ 10,965   

C Class without salescharge(1,2,4)

    12.90     6.15   $ 10,965   

BofA Merrill Lynch US High Yield Master II Index(3)

    13.06     7.57   $ 11,194   

Lipper High Current Yield Funds Index (3)

    12.53     6.24   $ 10,981   

 

1. Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is as of date indicated, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 4.75%. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for the C Class is 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.
2. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund was waived since inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.
3. The BofA Merrill Lynch US High Yield Master II Index tracks the performance of U.S. dollar denominated below investment grade corporate debt publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Qualifying securities must have a below investment grade rating and an investment grade rated country of risk. In addition, qualifying securities must have at least one year remaining term to final maturity, a fixed coupon schedule and a minimum amount outstanding of $100 million. Defaulted securities and securities eligible for the dividends-received deduction are excluded from the Index. The Lipper High Current Yield Funds Index tracks the results of the 30 largest mutual funds in the Lipper High Current Yield Funds Category. Lipper is an independent mutual fund research and ranking service. One cannot directly invest in an index.
4. The total annual Fund operating expense ratio set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, and C Class shares was 2.63%, 5.05%, 2.79%, 2.93%, and 4.03%, respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

The Fund’s outperformance relative to the Index was largely driven by its strong issue selection within the various credit quality categories and industry groups. To a lesser extent, the Fund’s relative weightings among credit quality categories and industry groups versus the Index also proved beneficial.

From a credit quality perspective, issue selection in the BB and B - rated credit categories was a major contributor to the Fund’s outperformance.

From a credit quality allocation perspective, maintaining a significant underweight to the higher rated securities within the non-investment grade universe (BB-rated credit group) and overweighting the lower rated securities within the non-investment grade universe (CCC-rated credit group) proved to be beneficial to the Fund’s relative returns.

From an industry standpoint, strong performance from issues in the Other-Finance, Services, Healthcare, and Gaming industries were significant drivers of the Fund’s excess returns versus the Index. However, some of those gains were modestly offset through trailing returns generated by the Fund’s holdings in the Diversified Financial Services and Technology & Electronics industries.

From an industry allocation perspective, the Fund benefited from underweighting the Metals & Mining (up 3.2%) and overweighting the

 

 

10


American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities FundSM

Performance Overview

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

Healthcare industries (up 15.0%). The Fund’s Healthcare positioning is one of its larger overweight allocations, and the industry generated strong absolute returns gaining 15% for the period. However, underweighting the Automotive industry detracted from performance as the industry gained 17.6% for the period.

The Fund has the flexibility to utilize derivative instruments and will do so to enhance return, hedge risk, manage liquidity, or to gain efficient exposure to an asset class. When considering the Fund’s use of derivatives, it is important to note that the Fund does not use derivatives for the purposes of creating financial leverage. During the period, the Fund experienced modest benefits from the use of derivatives such as futures, options, or swaps; however, foreign currency transactions offset those gains.

The sub-advisor’s investment process of identifying long-term secular themes and seeking out of favor sectors through bottom-up fundamental research remains in place.

Top Ten Holdings

 

     % of
Net Assets
 

Marine Harvest ASA, 4.50%, Due 2/23/15

     2.9

Syncreon Global Ireland Ltd., 9.50%, Due 5/1/18, 144A

     2.9

Mexican Bonos, 7.25%, Due 12/15/16

     2.7

HCA, Inc., 7.50%, Due 2/15/22

     2.7

Federal National Mortgage Association, 1.25%, Due 1/30/17

     2.6

Continental Airlines Finance Trust II, 6.000%, Due 11/15/2030

     2.6

Nuveen Investments, Inc., 10.50%, Due 11/15/15

     2.6

Kindred Healthcare, Inc., 8.25%, Due 6/1/19

     2.5

Wynn Las Vegas LLC, 5.375%, Due 3/15/22, 144A

     2.5

ADS Tactical, Inc., 11.000%, Due 4/1/2018, 144A

     2.4

Sector Allocation

 

     % of  Fixed
Income
 

Corporate Obligations - Industrials

     76.0

Corporate Obligations - Finance

     10.3

Corporate Obligations - Utilities

     5.1

Corporate Obligations - Other Government

     4.5

U.S. Agency Obligations

     3.2

Convertible Obligations

     0.5

U.S Treasury Notes

     0.4

Sector Allocation

 

     % of Equities  

Industrials

     64.0

Financials

     36.0
 

 

An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong. An obligation rated ‘AA’ by Standard & Poor’s differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong. An obligation rated ‘A’ by Standard & Poor’s is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong. An obligation rated ‘BBB’ by Standard & Poor’s exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ by Standard & Poor’s are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

 

11


Fund Expenses

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, administrative service fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. The examples below are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period in each Class and held for the entire period from March 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the table provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. Shareholders that invest in the Fund through an IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

 

Institutional Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High  Yield
Opportunities

Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,053.10      $ 1,016.17      $ 988.84      $ 1,048.92   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 8/31/12 *

   $ 2.08      $ 4.21      $ 4.95      $ 4.33   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     0.79     0.83     0.99     0.84

Y Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,052.10      $ 1,013.63      $ 987.30      $ 1,047.08   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 8/31/12 *

   $ 2.35      $ 4.81      $ 5.45      $ 4.84   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     0.89     0.95     1.09     0.94

Investor Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,052.10      $ 1,013.63      $ 987.30      $ 1,047.08   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 8/31/12 *

   $ 3.08      $ 6.23      $ 6.84      $ 6.12   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     1.17     1.23     1.37     1.19

 

Retirement Class

   Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,017.69      $ 985.67   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 8/31/12 *

   $ 7.96      $ 8.73   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     1.58     1.75

 

12


Fund Expenses

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

A Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,052.10      $ 1,013.62      $ 987.32      $ 1,045.26   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 8/31/12 *

   $ 3.40      $ 6.68      $ 7.44      $ 6.89   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     1.29     1.32     1.49     1.34

C Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,050.09      $ 1,009.68      $ 983.20      $ 1,042.40   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 8/31/12 *

   $ 5.37      $ 10.66      $ 11.27      $ 10.78   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     2.04     2.11     2.26     2.10

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) by days in the year (366) to reflect the half-year period.
** Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the short period May 29, 2012 - August 31, 2012 multiplied by the average account value over the same period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the period (94) by days in the year (366) to reflect the half-year period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The “Hypothetical” lines of the table provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. Shareholders that invest in the Fund through an IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs charged by the Fund. Similarly, the expense examples for other funds do not reflect any transaction costs charged by those funds, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” lines of the table are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If you were subject to any transaction costs during the period, your costs would have been higher.

 

Institutional Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,010.81      $ 1,020.96      $ 1,020.16      $ 1,020.91   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 08/31/12 *

   $ 2.04      $ 4.22      $ 5.03      $ 4.27   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     0.79     0.83     0.99     0.84

Y Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,010.56      $ 1,018.95      $ 1,018.25      $ 1,019.15   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 08/31/12 *

   $ 2.30      $ 4.82      $ 5.53      $ 4.77   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     0.89     0.95     1.09     0.94

 

13


Fund Expenses

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

Investor Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,009.84      $ 1,018.95      $ 1,018.25      $ 1,019.15   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 08/31/12 *

   $ 3.02      $ 6.24      $ 6.95      $ 6.04   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     1.17     1.23     1.37     1.19

 

Retirement Class

   Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,017.24      $ 1,016.34   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 08/31/12 *

   $ 7.96      $ 8.87   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     1.58     1.75

 

A Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,009.53      $ 1,018.50      $ 1,017.65      $ 1,018.40   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 08/31/12 *

   $ 3.33      $ 6.70      $ 7.56      $ 6.80   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     1.29     1.32     1.49     1.34

C Class

   The London
Company
Income Equity
Fund**
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Beginning Account Value 3/1/12

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00   

Ending Account Value 08/31/12

   $ 1,007.60      $ 1,014.53      $ 1,013.77      $ 1,014.58   

Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/12 - 08/31/12 *

   $ 5.26      $ 10.68      $ 11.44      $ 10.63   

Annualized Expense Ratio

     2.04     2.11     2.26     2.10

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) by days in the year (366) to reflect the half-year period.
** Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the short period May 29, 2012 - August 31, 2012 multiplied by the average account value over the same period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the period (94) by days in the year (366) to reflect the half-year period.

 

14


American Beacon FundsSM

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of

American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund, American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund, and American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund:

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of the American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund, American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund, and American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund (four of the funds comprising the American Beacon Funds) (collectively, the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2012, and the related statements of operations, statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund, American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund, and American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund at August 31, 2012, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Dallas, Texas

October 30, 2012

 

15


American Beacon The London Company Income Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

PREFERRED STOCK - 3.82%

     

FINANCIALS - 3.82%

     

Diversified Financials - 3.08%

     

Aegon N.V., 8.00%, Due 2/15/2042

     7,702       $ 214   

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust VIII, 6.45%, Due 4/15/2067

     8,560         214   
     

 

 

 
        428   
     

 

 

 

Insurance - 0.74%

     

Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., 8.875%, Due 12/31/2049

     3,850         102   
     

 

 

 

Total Financials

        530   
     

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stock (Cost $521)

        530   
     

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK - 89.75%

     

CONSUMER
DISCRETIONARY - 5.02%

     

Leisure Equipment & Products - 2.77%

     

Hasbro, Inc.

     10,266         385   
     

 

 

 

Specialty Retail - 2.25%

     

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     10,963         312   
     

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

        697   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES - 19.51%

     

Beverages - 3.25%

     

Coca-Cola Co

     12,055         451   
     

 

 

 

Food & Drug Retailing - 3.16%

     

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

     6,034         438   
     

 

 

 

Food Products - 2.54%

     

Hershey Co

     4,898         352   
     

 

 

 

Tobacco - 10.56%

     

Altria Group, Inc.

     12,349       $ 419   

Lorillard, Inc.

     3,359         421   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     3,646         326   

Reynolds American, Inc.

     6,501         300   
     

 

 

 
        1,466   
     

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

        2,707   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY - 5.09%

     

Chevron Corp.

     3,747         421   

ConocoPhillips

     5,025         285   
     

 

 

 

Total Energy

        706   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIALS - 16.58%

     

Banks - 3.21%

     

Wells Fargo & Co

     13,064         445   
     

 

 

 

Diversified Financials - 3.26%

     

Federated Investors, Inc., Class B

     21,305         452   
     

 

 

 

Insurance - 5.85%

     

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class BA

     4,611         389   

Cincinnati Financial Corp

     10,979         424   
     

 

 

 
        813   
     

 

 

 

Real Estate - 4.26%

     

Hatteras Financial Corp.B

     12,111         351   
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

UDR, Inc.B

     9,520       $ 240   
     

 

 

 
        591   
     

 

 

 

Total Financials

        2,301   
     

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE - 7.83%

     

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co

     13,604         449   

Johnson & Johnson

     2,642         178   

Pfizer, Inc.

     19,242         459   
     

 

 

 

Total Health Care

        1,086   
     

 

 

 

INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY - 13.87%

     

Communications Equipment - 2.64%

     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     19,194         366   
     

 

 

 

Computers & Peripherals - 2.16%

     

International Business Machines Corp.

     1,539         300   
     

 

 

 

IT Consulting & Services - 2.39%

     

Paychex, Inc.

     9,972         332   
     

 

 

 

Semiconductor Equipment &
Products - 2.63%

     

Intel Corp.

     14,695         365   
     

 

 

 

Software - 4.05%

     

Microsoft Corp.

     18,249         562   
     

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

        1,925   
     

 

 

 

MATERIALS - 9.79%

     

Chemicals - 7.62%

     

Albemarle Corp.

     9,447         517   

NewMarket Corp.

     2,191         540   
     

 

 

 
        1,057   
     

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products - 2.17%

     

MeadWestvaco Corp.

     10,475         301   
     

 

 

 

Total Materials

        1,358   
     

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION
SERVICES - 3.43%

     

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     11,085         476   
     

 

 

 

UTILITIES - 8.63%

     

Electric Utilities - 5.65%

     

Dominion Resources, Inc.

     8,416         441   

Duke Energy Corp.

     5,289         343   
     

 

 

 
        784   
     

 

 

 

Gas Utilities - 2.98%

     

Kinder Morgan Management LLCA C

     5,580         414   
     

 

 

 

Total Utilities

        1,198   
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stock
(Cost $12,277)

        12,454   
     

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS - 3.90% (Cost $541)

     

JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Capital Class

     540,675         541   
 

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon The London Company Income Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 97.47%
(Cost $13,339)

   $ 13,525   

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF
LIABILITIES - 2.53%

     351   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

   $ 13,876   
  

 

 

 

    

 

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

 

A 

Non-income producing security.

B 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

C 

Limited Liability Company.

Futures Contracts Open on August 31, 2012 ($000’s):

 

Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)D
 

S&P 500 Mini E Index Future

     Long         6         September, 2012       $ 422       $ 0   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 422       $ 0   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

D 

Amount between ($500) and $0.

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

COMMON STOCK - 95.46%

     

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY - 8.67%

  

  

Auto Components - 1.90%

     

Autoliv, Inc.

     259       $ 15   

Lear Corp.

     339         13   

LKQ Corp.A

     574         22   

Magna International, Inc., Class A

     2,534         110   

Sauer-Danfoss, Inc.

     295         11   

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.A

     1,489         65   

Visteon Corp.A

     368         17   

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.

     98         8   
     

 

 

 
        261   
     

 

 

 

Distributors - 0.29%

     

Genuine Parts Co

     630         40   
     

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 0.62%

  

  

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

     320         10   

Icahn Enterprises LPB

     1,867         75   
     

 

 

 
        85   
     

 

 

 

Household Durables - 0.45%

  

  

Garmin Ltd.

     919         37   

Snap-On, Inc.

     365         25   
     

 

 

 
        62   
     

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail - 0.60%

  

  

Liberty Media Corp - Liberty Capital,
Class A
A

     798         83   
     

 

 

 

Media - 3.78%

     

CTC Media, Inc.

     688         6   

Gannett Co. Inc.

     1,000         15   

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A

     396         20   

Nielsen Holdings N.V.A

     911         26   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     620         32   

Shaw Communications, Inc., Class BC

     2,088         43   

Thomson Reuters Corp.

     5,255         149   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

     810         72   

Viacom, Inc., Class B

     2,892         144   

Washington Post Co., Class B

     31         11   
     

 

 

 
        518   
     

 

 

 

Multiline Retail - 0.56%

     

Dollar General Corp.A

     1,506         77   
     

 

 

 

Specialty Retail - 0.36%

     

Cabela’s, Inc.A

     153         7   

Copart, Inc.A

     533         14   

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

     279         7   

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.A

     781         22   
     

 

 

 
        50   
     

 

 

 

Textiles & Apparel - 0.11%

     

Gildan Activewear, Inc.

     510         15   
     

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

        1,191   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES - 7.73%

  

  

Beverages - 1.02%

     

Brown-Forman Corp., Class B

     607         39   

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class AA

     1,777         59   

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

     950         42   
     

 

 

 
        140   
     

 

 

 
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Food & Drug Retailing - 0.56%

  

  

Sysco Corp.

     2,548       $ 77   
     

 

 

 

Food Products - 3.87%

     

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co

     4,417         117   

Bunge Ltd.

     1,119         71   

Campbell Soup Co

     1,614         57   

Hormel Foods Corp.

     1,517         44   

Ingredion, Inc.

     438         24   

JM Smucker Co

     480         41   

Kellogg Co

     1,729         88   

McCormick & Co., Inc.C

     599         37   

Seaboard Corp.A

     19         40   

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

     925         14   
     

 

 

 
        533   
     

 

 

 

Household Products - 1.22%

     

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

     257         14   

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

     1,832         153   
     

 

 

 
        167   
     

 

 

 

Tobacco - 1.06%

     

Reynolds American, Inc.

     3,153         145   
     

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

        1,062   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY - 5.93%

     

Energy - 0.04%

     

Access Midstream Partners LPB

     201         6   
     

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services - 0.14%

     

Precision Drilling Corp.A

     938         7   

Unit Corp.A

     313         12   
     

 

 

 
        19   
     

 

 

 

Oil & Gas - 5.75%

     

Alliance Holdings GP LPB

     503         24   

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

     2,089         68   

Energy Transfer Equity LPB

     877         39   

Enerplus Corp.

     595         9   

HollyFrontier Corp.

     2,321         94   

Kinder Morgan Inc.

     2,511         90   

Linn Energy LLCD

     1,025         41   

Magellan Midstream Partners LPB

     656         54   

NuStar Energy LPB

     391         20   

Plains All American Pipeline LPB

     1,152         100   

Spectra Energy Corp.

     3,009         85   

Sunoco Logistics Partners LPB

     802         37   

Talisman Energy, Inc.

     1,886         26   

TransCanada Corp.

     2,276         103   
     

 

 

 
        790   
     

 

 

 

Total Energy

        815   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIALS - 26.14%

     

Banks - 4.24%

     

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

     7,701         174   

BB&T Corp.

     1,560         49   

BOK Financial Corp.

     553         32   

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

     1,928         149   

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

     509         20   

East West BanCorp., Inc.

     367         8   

First Republic Bank

     861         28   

Fulton Financial Corp.

     556         5   

Hancock Holding Co

     362         11   

Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.

     3,956         28   
 

 

See accompanying notes

 

18


American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

M&T Bank Corp.

     629       $ 55   

Ocwen Financial Corp.A

     455         12   

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.

     116         5   

Webster Financial Corp.

     264         6   
     

 

 

 
        582   
     

 

 

 

Diversified Financials - 7.27%

     

American Capital Ltd.A

     6,165         68   

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

     1,164         64   

Ares Capital Corp.E

     1,556         27   

BlackRock, Inc., Class A

     784         138   

Capital One Financial Corp.

     2,192         124   

Credit Acceptance Corp.A

     226         22   

Discover Financial Services

     4,980         193   

Franklin Resources, Inc.

     1,318         155   

Lazard Ltd., Class AC

     256         7   

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

     645         23   

SEI Investments Co

     822         18   

SLM Corp.

     1,728         27   

State Street Corp.

     2,598         108   

Towers Watson & Co., Class A

     346         19   

Wright Express Corp.A

     95         6   
     

 

 

 
        999   
     

 

 

 

Insurance - 11.59%

     

ACE Ltd.

     1,979         145   

Aflac, Inc.

     3,052         141   

Alleghany Corp.

     67         23   

Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings AG

     195         15   

Alterra Capital Holdings Ltd.

     289         7   

American Financial Group, Inc.

     840         32   

American National Insurance Co

     297         21   

Aon plc

     758         39   

Arch Capital Group Ltd.A

     920         37   

Assurant, Inc.

     704         25   

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

     3,228         43   

Chubb Corp.

     1,587         117   

CNA Financial Corp.

     2,756         72   

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

     1,457         13   

Erie Indemnity Co., Class A

     252         16   

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

     547         10   

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.

     636         21   

Leucadia National Corp.

     504         11   

Loews Corp.

     2,637         107   

Manulife Financial Corp.

     7,706         86   

Markel Corp.A

     40         17   

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

     1,223         42   

Mercury General Corp.

     201         8   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

     873         24   

ProAssurance Corp.

     253         23   

Progressive Corp.

     2,979         58   

Protective Life Corp.

     832         24   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

     3,699         201   

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

     807         47   

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

     1,876         44   

Torchmark Corp.

     553         28   

Unum Group

     1,080         21   

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.

     13         7   

Willis Group Holdings plc

     972         36   

WR Berkley Corp.

     823         31   
     

 

 

 
        1,592   
     

 

 

 
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Real Estate - 3.04%

     

Brookfield Asset Management,
Inc., Class A

     6,528       $ 226   

Brookfield Office Properties, Inc.F

     11,074         185   

WP Carey & Co. LLCD

     135         6   
     

 

 

 
        417   
     

 

 

 

Total Financials

        3,590   
     

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE - 7.75%

     

Biotechnology - 0.09%

     

Techne Corp.

     171         12   
     

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 2.87%

  

  

Baxter International, Inc.

     1,645         97   

Becton Dickinson and Co

     1,101         84   

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class AA

     174         17   

Bruker Corp.A

     386         5   

Covidien plc

     1,389         78   

Stryker Corp.

     2,138         113   
     

 

 

 
        394   
     

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services - 4.38%

  

  

Aetna, Inc.

     2,584         98   

Cigna Corp.

     1,963         90   

Coventry Health Care, Inc.

     978         41   

HCA Holdings, Inc.

     2,511         72   

Henry Schein, Inc.A

     377         29   

Humana, Inc.

     422         30   

McKesson Corp.

     580         51   

Mednax, Inc.A

     216         15   

Service Corp International

     1,225         16   

WellPoint, Inc.

     2,683         160   
     

 

 

 
        602   
     

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals - 0.41%

     

Forest Laboratories, Inc.A

     1,037         36   

Warner Chilcott plc, Class A

     1,468         20   
     

 

 

 
        56   
     

 

 

 

Total Health Care

        1,064   
     

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS - 12.15%

     

Aerospace & Defense - 5.99%

     

Alliant Techsystems, Inc.

     180         9   

General Dynamics Corp.

     3,230         211   

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

     921         65   

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     2,404         218   

Moog, Inc., Class AA

     147         5   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

     2,251         151   

Raytheon Co

     2,898         164   
     

 

 

 
        823   
     

 

 

 

Airlines - 0.83%

     

Alaska Air Group, Inc.A

     488         16   

Copa Holdings S.A., Class A

     245         19   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.A

     5,246         45   

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

     1,824         34   
     

 

 

 
        114   
     

 

 

 

Building Products - 0.30%

     

Armstrong World Industries, Inc.

     127         6   

Crane Co

     384         15   

Masco Corp.

     1,457         20   
     

 

 

 
        41   
     

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.68%

  

  

Dun & Bradstreet Corp.

     231         19   
 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 

19


American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Education Management Corp.A

     1,098       $ 3   

Genpact Ltd.

     1,253         24   

KAR Auction Services, Inc.A

     530         9   

Morningstar, Inc.

     207         12   

Rollins, Inc.

     576         13   

Verisk Analytics, Inc., Class AA

     275         13   
     

 

 

 
        93   
     

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering - 0.29%

  

AECOM Technology Corp.A

     1,004         20   

Engility Holdings, Inc.A

     153         3   

URS Corp.

     475         17   
     

 

 

 
        40   
     

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment - 0.55%

     

AMETEK, Inc.

     1,135         40   

Hubbell, Inc., Class B

     327         26   

Woodward, Inc.

     300         10   
     

 

 

 
        76   
     

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates - 0.28%

  

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

     363         19   

KBR, Inc.

     470         13   

Teleflex, Inc.

     107         7   
     

 

 

 
        39   
     

 

 

 

Machinery - 2.80%

     

CNH Global N.V.A

     2,701         107   

Donaldson Co, Inc.

     625         22   

IDEX Corp.

     455         18   

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

     2,310         137   

ITT Corp.

     1,184         24   

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

     489         20   

Nordson Corp.

     158         9   

Pentair, Inc.

     218         9   

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

     238         12   

Timken Co.

     301         12   

Valmont Industries, Inc.

     60         8   

Zebra Technologies Corp.,
Class A
A

     155         6   
     

 

 

 
        384   
     

 

 

 

Road & Rail - 0.38%

     

Amerco, Inc.

     227         21   

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

     306         26   

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.A

     114         5   
     

 

 

 
        52   
     

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.05%

  

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A

     97         7   
     

 

 

 

Total Industrials

        1,669   
     

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - 7.70%

  

Communications Equipment - 1.00%

  

Anixter International, Inc.

     178         11   

Corning, Inc.

     6,794         81   

Harris Corp.

     845         40   

NeuStar, Inc., Class AA

     153         6   
     

 

 

 
        138   
     

 

 

 

Computers & Peripherals - 1.84%

  

Dell, Inc.

     12,618         133   

Seagate Technology plc

     2,549         82   

Western Digital Corp.A

     907         38   
     

 

 

 
        253   
     

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment & Instruments - 2.06%

  

Arrow Electronics, Inc.

     1,080         39   

Avnet, Inc.A

     1,440         46   
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

AVX Corp.

     1,985       $ 20   

Diebold, Inc.

     163         5   

Flextronics International Ltd.A

     7,007         47   

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class AA

     500         8   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

     2,902         103   

Teledyne Technologies, Inc.A

     230         15   
     

 

 

 
        283   
     

 

 

 

IT Consulting & Services - 1.42%

  

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

     560         13   

CGI Group, Inc., Class AA

     1,316         34   

Computer Sciences Corp.

     751         24   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

     1,470         47   

Fiserv, Inc.A

     314         22   

IHS, Inc., Class AA

     111         13   

SAIC, Inc.

     2,829         35   

Syntel, Inc.

     122         7   
     

 

 

 
        195   
     

 

 

 

Office Electronics - 0.54%

     

Xerox Corp.

     10,037         74   
     

 

 

 

Software - 0.84%

     

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     2,683         32   

Amdocs Ltd.

     511         16   

Ansys, Inc.A

     148         10   

CA, Inc.

     1,325         35   

DST Systems, Inc.

     337         17   

National Instruments Corp.

     198         5   
     

 

 

 
        115   
     

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

  

     1,058   
     

 

 

 

MATERIALS - 5.95%

     

Chemicals - 3.60%

     

Agrium, Inc.

     1,276         126   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

     1,071         88   

Cabot Corp.

     156         5   

Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

     1,129         19   

Methanex Corp.

     340         10   

NewMarket Corp.

     76         19   

PPG Industries, Inc.

     748         82   

RPM International, Inc.

     628         17   

Sigma-Aldrich Corp.

     473         34   

Terra Nitrogen Co. LPB

     146         32   

Valhi, Inc.

     1,541         19   

Valspar Corp.

     204         11   

Westlake Chemical Corp.

     461         32   
     

 

 

 
        494   
     

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging - 0.60%

  

Aptargroup, Inc.

     361         18   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.A

     2,616         15   

Jarden Corp.

     339         16   

Silgan Holdings, Inc.

     324         14   

Sonoco Products Co.

     628         19   
     

 

 

 
        82   
     

 

 

 

Metals & Mining - 1.75%

     

Southern Copper Corp.

     7,394         241   
     

 

 

 

Total Materials

        817   
     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes

 

20


American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - 0.71%

  

Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.58%

  

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

     1,985       $ 80   
     

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.13%

  

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.

     271         7   

US Cellular Corp.A

     287         11   
     

 

 

 
        18   
     

 

 

 

Total Telecommunication Services

        98   
     

 

 

 

UTILITIES - 12.73%

     

Electric Utilities - 9.93%

     

AES Corp.

     1,999         23   

Alliant Energy Corp.

     536         24   

Ameren Corp.

     1,089         36   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

     2,665         115   

Cleco Corp.

     162         7   

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

     625         38   

Dominion Resources, Inc.

     2,748         143   

DTE Energy Co.

     834         49   

Duke Energy Corp.

     1,444         94   

Edison International

     1,578         69   

Entergy Corp.

     1,285         87   

Exelon Corp.

     1,777         65   

FirstEnergy Corp.

     1,035         45   

Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.

     456         12   

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     2,718         182   

Northeast Utilities

     774         29   

OGE Energy Corp.

     541         29   

PG&E Corp.

     2,228         97   

PPL Corp.

     3,527         103   

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     3,729         118   
     

 

 

 
        1,365   
     

 

 

 

Gas Utilities - 1.61%

     

AGL Resources, Inc.

     571         23   

Atmos Energy Corp.

     499         17   

Energen Corp.

     217         11   

Integrys Energy Group, Inc.

     163         9   

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

     931         20   

Sempra Energy

     1,609         107   

TC Pipelines LPB

     379         17   

UGI Corp.

     558         17   
     

 

 

 
        221   
     

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities - 1.14%

     

SCANA Corp.

     669         32   

Vectren Corp.

     416         12   

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

     1,086         41   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

     2,560         71   
     

 

 

 
        156   
     

 

 

 

Water Utilities - 0.05%

     

Aqua America, Inc.

     260         7   
     

 

 

 

Total Utilities

        1,749   
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stock
(Cost $12,397)

   

     13,113   
     

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 3.73%
(Cost $512)

   

JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Capital Class

     511,646         512   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.19%
(Cost $12,909)

   $ 13,625   

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.81%

     111   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

   $ 13,736   
     

 

 

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

 

A 

Non-income producing security.

B 

Limited Partnership.

C 

Non-voting participating shares.

D 

Limited Liability Company.

E 

Business Development Company.

F 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

21


American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

Futures Contracts Open on August 31, 2012 ($ 000’s):

 

Description    Type    Number of
Contracts
  

Expiration Date

   Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

S&P 500 Mini E Index Future

   Long    7    September, 2012    $ 492       $ 1   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 492       $ 1   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

22


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

COMMON STOCK - 96.68%

     

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY - 11.96%

  

Auto Components - 1.46%

     

Argan, Inc.

     179       $ 3   

China Automotive Systems, Inc.A

     1,458         6   

Dorman Products, Inc.A

     1,051         31   

Sauer-Danfoss, Inc.

     949         36   

Superior Industries International, Inc.

     855         15   

Tower International, Inc.A

     584         4   
     

 

 

 
        95   
     

 

 

 

Automobiles - 0.63%

     

Federal-Mogul Corp.A

     4,415         41   

Distributors - 0.54%

     

Core-Mark Holding Co, Inc.

     304         14   

DXP Enterprises, Inc.A

     319         14   

VOXX International Corp.A

     878         7   
     

 

 

 
        35   
     

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.68%

  

AFC Enterprises, Inc.

     537         13   

Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

     601         10   

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.A

     338         2   

Churchill Downs, Inc.

     433         25   

Denny’s Corp.A

     1,022         5   

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc.

     432         7   

Interval Leisure Group, Inc.

     1,075         20   

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.A

     459         3   

Marcus Corp.

     252         3   

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.A

     229         2   

Speedway Motorsports, Inc.

     1,254         19   
     

 

 

 
        109   
     

 

 

 

Household Durables - 2.11%

     

CSS Industries, Inc.

     337         7   

Deer Consumer Products, Inc.F

     4,336         10   

Flexsteel Industries, Inc.

     104         2   

Helen of Troy Ltd.A

     1,251         38   

Lancaster Colony Corp.

     328         24   

Libbey, Inc.A

     672         10   

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

     605         7   

Matthews International Corp., Class A

     775         23   

National Presto Industries, Inc.

     120         9   

Universal Electronics, Inc.A

     485         7   
     

 

 

 
        137   
     

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail - 1.24%

  

Global Sources Ltd.A

     1,926         11   

Insight Enterprises, Inc.A

     1,847         33   

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.A

     838         19   

Systemax, Inc.

     1,519         18   
     

 

 

 
        81   
     

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services - 0.03%

  

Orbitz Worldwide, Inc.A

     724         2   

Leisure Equipment & Products - 0.32%

  

Johnson Outdoors, Inc., Class AA

     779         16   

Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.

     201         5   
     

 

 

 
        21   
     

 

 

 

Media - 1.66%

     

Courier Corp.

     387         4   

CTC Media, Inc.

     3,316         29   
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Entercom Communications Corp., Class AA

     1,327       $ 8   

Harte-Hanks, Inc.

     1,772         12   

Journal Communications, Inc., Class AA

     1,397         7   

LIN TV Corp., Class AA

     2,923         12   

McClatchy Co., Class AA

     2,820         4   

Saga Communications, Inc., Class AA

     144         6   

Scholastic Corp.

     493         16   

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., Class A

     865         10   
     

 

 

 
        108   
     

 

 

 

Multiline Retail - 0.05%

     

Stein Mart, Inc.

     351         3   
     

 

 

 

Specialty Retail - 1.58%

     

America’s Car-Mart, Inc.A

     248         11   

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.

     227         2   

Casual Male Retail Group, Inc.A

     1,485         6   

Cato Corp., Class A

     425         12   

PC Connection, Inc.

     1,442         18   

Rex Stores Corp.A

     132         2   

Rush Enterprises, Inc.,
Class A
A

     871         15   

Shoe Carnival, Inc.

     447         10   

Susser Holdings Corp.A

     351         12   

West Marine, Inc.A

     830         9   

Winmark Corp.

     123         6   
     

 

 

 
        103   
     

 

 

 

Textiles & Apparel - 0.66%

     

Culp, Inc.

     448         5   

Delta Apparel, Inc.A

     372         5   

RG Barry Corp.

     404         6   

Rocky Brands, Inc.A

     234         3   

Unifi, Inc.A

     275         3   

Unifirst Corp.

     221         14   

Weyco Group, Inc.

     306         7   
     

 

 

 
        43   
     

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

  

     778   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES - 5.56%

  

Beverages - 0.46%

     

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

     141         10   

National Beverage Corp.

     1,367         20   
     

 

 

 
        30   
     

 

 

 

Food & Drug Retailing - 1.58%

  

Andersons, Inc.

     638         26   

Arden Group, Inc., Class A

     54         5   

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

     548         9   

Nash Finch Co.

     511         10   

Seneca Foods Corp., Class AA

     127         4   

Spartan Stores, Inc.

     572         9   

Village Super Market, Inc., Class A

     220         7   

Weis Markets, Inc.

     797         33   
     

 

 

 
        103   
     

 

 

 

Food Products - 2.49%

     

Alico, Inc.

     211         7   

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

     515         21   

Dole Food Co. IncA

     3,181         41   

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.

     1,711         42   

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

     409         23   

John B Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.A

     408         6   

Schiff Nutrition International, Inc.

     253         5   

SunOpta, Inc.A

     807         5   
 

 

See accompanying notes

 

23


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

USANA Health Sciences, Inc.A

     271       $ 12   
     

 

 

 
        162   
     

 

 

 

Household Products - 0.09%

     

WD-40 Co.

     122         6   
     

 

 

 

Personal Products - 0.88%

     

National American University Holdings, Inc.

     398         2   

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc.

     654         10   

Revlon, Inc., Class AA

     1,707         23   

Steiner Leisure Ltd.A

     477         22   
     

 

 

 
        57   
     

 

 

 

Tobacco - 0.06%

     

Alliance One International, Inc.A

     1,411         4   
     

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

        362   
     

 

 

 

ENERGY - 7.15%

     

Energy Equipment & Services - 0.40%

  

  

Matrix Service Co.A

     643         7   

PAA Natural Gas Storage LP

     516         10   

Tesco Corp.A

     530         5   

TGC Industries, Inc.

     637         4   
     

 

 

 
        26   
     

 

 

 

Oil & Gas - 6.75%

     

Adams Resources & Energy, Inc.

     156         5   

Alon USA Energy, Inc.

     1,957         27   

Arabian American Development Co.A

     645         6   

Callon Petroleum Co.A

     3,380         19   

Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP

     701         20   

Clayton Williams Energy, Inc.A

     237         11   

Crestwood Midstream Partners LPB

     390         10   

Delek US Holdings, Inc.

     3,455         91   

Eagle Rock Energy Partners LPB

     2,721         26   

Gran Tierra Energy, Inc.A

     5,024         22   

Hugoton Royalty TrustC

     736         4   

Legacy Reserves LPB

     1,379         38   

North European Oil Royalty TrustC

     352         10   

NuStar GP Holdings LLCD

     874         27   

Panhandle Oil and Gas, Inc., Class A

     91         3   

Permian Basin Royalty TrustC

     615         10   

Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners LPB

     1,694         43   

Sabine Royalty TrustC

     453         24   

San Juan Basin Royalty TrustC

     717         10   

Saratoga Resources, Inc.A

     885         5   

Synergy Resources Corp.A

     1,047         3   

Vanguard Natural Resources LLCD

     732         21   

Warren Resources, Inc.A

     1,441         4   
     

 

 

 
        439   
     

 

 

 

Total Energy

        465   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIALS - 29.50%

     

Banks - 14.55%

     

1st Source Corp.

     582         13   

Alliance Financial Corp.

     111         4   

American National Bankshares, Inc.

     198         4   

Ames National Corp.

     207         4   

Arrow Financial Corp.

     263         6   

Bancfirst Corp.

     336         14   

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior S.A

     868         18   
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Bancorp, Inc.A

     458       $ 4   

Bank of Kentucky Financial Corp.

     189         5   

Bank of Marin Bancorp

     123         5   

Bar Harbor Bankshares

     35         1   

BBCN Bancorp, Inc.A

     1,484         19   

Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc.A

     831         7   

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

     532         12   

BofI Holding, Inc.A

     366         9   

Bridge Bancorp, Inc.

     182         4   

Bridge Capital HoldingsA

     87         1   

Bryn Mawr Bank Corp.

     284         6   

C&F Financial Corp.

     35         1   

Camden National Corp.

     243         9   

Cardinal Financial Corp.

     689         9   

Cathay General Bancorp

     1,360         22   

Center Bancorp, Inc.

     398         5   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.A

     1,547         22   

Chemical Financial Corp.

     552         13   

Citizens & Northern Corp.

     317         6   

City Holding Co.

     264         9   

Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc.

     212         2   

CNB Financial Corp.

     286         5   

CoBiz Financial, Inc.

     1,044         7   

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

     354         12   

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

     875         12   

Eagle Bancorp, Inc.A

     432         7   

Enterprise Bancorp, Inc.

     136         2   

Enterprise Financial Services Corp.

     695         9   

ESB Financial Corp.

     353         5   

Financial Institutions, Inc.

     364         6   

First Bancorp, Inc.

     227         4   

First Busey Corp.

     1,456         7   

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

     181         30   

First Community Bancshares, Inc.

     473         7   

First Defiance Financial Corp.

     246         4   

First Financial Bancorp

     986         16   

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

     503         17   

First Financial Corp.

     322         10   

First Interstate Bancsystem, Inc.

     135         2   

First Merchants Corp.

     448         6   

First of Long Island Corp.

     214         6   

Flushing Financial Corp.

     711         11   

German American Bancorp, Inc.

     283         7   

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

     272         8   

Hanmi Financial Corp.A

     1,017         13   

Heritage Financial Corp.

     90         1   

Home Bancshares, Inc.

     553         17   

Horizon Bancorp

     64         2   

Hudson Valley Holding Corp.

     102         2   

Independent Bank Corp.

     430         13   

International Bancshares Corp.

     1,451         26   

Investors Bancorp, Inc.A

     1,816         32   

Kearny Financial Corp.

     509         5   

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.

     543         6   

Lakeland Financial Corp.

     332         9   

MainSource Financial Group, Inc.

     504         6   

MB Financial, Inc.

     359         7   

Mercantile Bank Corp.A

     147         2   

Merchants Bancshares, Inc.

     157         4   

Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc.A

     348         5   

MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc.A

     131         1   

National Bankshares, Inc.

     158         5   
 

 

See accompanying notes

 

24


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

National Penn Bancshares, Inc.

     2,315       $ 21   

NBT Bancorp, Inc.

     690         15   

Northfield Bancorp, Inc.

     412         6   

Northrim BanCorp, Inc.

     158         3   

OceanFirst Financial Corp.

     438         6   

PacWest Bancorp

     259         6   

Park National Corp.

     279         19   

Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc.

     94         4   

Peoples Bancorp, Inc.

     237         5   

Preferred BankA

     226         3   

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

     660         10   

Provident New York Bancorp

     637         5   

Renasant Corp.

     407         7   

S&T Bancorp, Inc.

     514         9   

Sandy Spring BanCorp., Inc.

     513         9   

SCBT Financial Corp.

     207         8   

Simmons First National Corp., Class A

     276         6   

Southside Bancshares, Inc.

     494         11   

StellarOne Corp.

     339         4   

Sterling BanCorp.

     490         5   

Sterling Financial Corp.

     1,023         22   

SY Bancorp, Inc.

     302         7   

Taylor Capital Group, Inc.A

     387         7   

Territorial Bancorp, Inc.

     173         4   

Tompkins Financial Corp.

     256         10   

TowneBank

     538         8   

Trico Bancshares

     296         5   

Trustco Bank Corp NY

     1,780         10   

Trustmark Corp.

     369         9   

UMB Financial Corp.

     379         19   

Union First Market Bankshares Corp.

     526         8   

United Community Banks, Inc.A

     414         3   

United Financial Bancorp, Inc.

     223         3   

Univest Corp of Pennsylvania

     321         5   

ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc.

     209         4   

Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc.A

     705         6   

Washington Banking Co.

     342         5   

Washington Federal, Inc.

     815         13   

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.

     364         9   

WesBanco, Inc.

     619         13   

West Bancorporation, Inc.

     389         4   

West Coast BancorpA

     400         8   

Wilshire Bancorp, Inc.A

     903         6   

WSFS Financial Corp.

     161         7   
     

 

 

 
        947   
     

 

 

 

Diversified Financials - 6.70%

     

Artio Global Investors, Inc.

     1,184         4   

Asset Acceptance Capital Corp.

     1,244         8   

Asta Funding, Inc.

     597         6   

Calamos Asset Management, Inc., Class A

     153         2   

Capital Southwest Corp.E

     75         8   

Cass Information Systems, Inc.

     284         11   

CBIZ, Inc.A

     1,638         9   

Citizens Republic Bancorp, Inc.A

     344         7   

Cowen Group, Inc., Class AA

     1,023         3   

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.

     56         4   

Duff & Phelps Corp., Class A

     365         5   

Edelman Financial Group, Inc.

     382         3   

Encore Capital Group, Inc.A

     887         25   

Epoch Holding Corp.

     317         7   

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.A

     1,095         19   
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C

     101       $ 3   

GAMCO Investors, Inc., Class A

     105         5   

Generac Holdings, Inc.

     2,129         46   

GFI Group, Inc.

     1,880         5   

Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc.A

     865         7   

Golub Capital BDC, Inc.

     226         4   

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

     395         10   

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.E

     620         7   

INTL. FCStone, Inc.A

     455         8   

Main Street Capital Corp.E

     374         10   

MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.

     228         5   

National Financial Partners Corp.A

     557         8   

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

     1,684         40   

NewStar Financial, Inc.A

     521         6   

Nicholas Financial, Inc.

     456         6   

Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC, Class AD

     7,776         61   

Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc., Class A

     112         2   

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.

     463         46   

Rockville Financial, Inc.

     393         5   

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.A

     731         11   

Texas Pacific Land TrustC

     144         9   

THL Credit, Inc.E

     216         3   

TICC Capital Corp.E

     310         3   

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

     139         5   
     

 

 

 
        436   
     

 

 

 

Insurance - 6.88%

     

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

     964         11   

American Safety Insurance Holdings Ltd.A

     122         2   

AMERISAFE, Inc.A

     279         7   

Amtrust Financial Services, Inc.

     1,131         29   

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd

     167         5   

Baldwin & Lyons, Inc., Class B

     53         1   

Crawford & Co., Class B

     850         4   

Donegal Group, Inc., Class A

     109         2   

EMC Insurance Group, Inc.

     99         2   

Enstar Group Ltd.A

     311         29   

Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings S.A

     591         5   

Greenlight Capital Re Ltd.,
Class A
A

     910         22   

Homeowners Choice, Inc.

     1,692         34   

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

     954         17   

Independence Holding Co

     327         3   

Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.

     159         9   

Kansas City Life Insurance Co.

     290         10   

Kemper Corp.

     621         19   

Maiden Holdings Ltd

     2,245         21   

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.

     688         5   

National Interstate Corp.

     433         11   

National Western Life Insurance Co., Class A

     115         16   

Navigators Group, Inc.A

     92         4   

OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd., Class A

     224         3   

Phoenix Cos., Inc.A

     139         4   

Primerica, Inc.

     1,479         43   

RLI Corp.

     233         15   

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

     229         10   

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

     712         13   

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.

     493         15   

State Auto Financial Corp.

     200         3   
 

 

See accompanying notes

 

25


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Symetra Financial Corp.

     3,980       $ 50   

Tower Group, Inc.

     341         6   

United Fire Group, Inc.

     562         12   

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

     1,706         6   
     

 

 

 
        448   
     

 

 

 

Real Estate - 1.37%

     

HFF, Inc., Class AA

     645         9   

KKR Financial Holdings LLCD

     8,914         80   
     

 

 

 
        89   
     

 

 

 

Total Financials

        1,920   
     

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE - 6.72%

     

Biotechnology - 1.17%

     

PDL BioPharma, Inc.

     8,787         65   

Sciclone Pharmaceuticals, Inc.A

     2,225         11   
     

 

 

 
        76   
     

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 1.46%

  

Atrion Corp.

     54         12   

China Cord Blood Corp.A

     1,832         5   

CONMED Corp.

     260         7   

Exactech, Inc.A

     309         5   

Given Imaging Ltd.

     422         6   

Hillenbrand, Inc.

     971         18   

Nutraceutical International Corp.A

     457         7   

Orthofix International N.V.A

     210         9   

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

     402         18   

Young Innovations, Inc.

     214         8   
     

 

 

 
        95   
     

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services - 3.63%

  

  

Amsurg Corp.A

     729         21   

Assisted Living Concepts, Inc., Class A

     341         3   

Cantel Medical Corp.

     271         7   

Carriage Services, Inc.

     257         2   

Corvel Corp.A

     280         12   

Ensign Group, Inc.

     646         19   

Gentiva Health Services, Inc.

     3,141         34   

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc.A

     812         7   

National Healthcare Corp.

     461         21   

Select Medical Holdings Corp.A

     5,578         58   

Stewart Enterprises, Inc., Class A

     742         5   

Team Health Holdings, Inc.A

     904         26   

Triple-S Management Corp.,
Class B
A

     709         14   

US Physical Therapy, Inc.

     268         7   
     

 

 

 
        236   
     

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals - 0.46%

     

Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.A

     604         1   

China Biologic Products, Inc.A

     746         7   

Obagi Medical Products, Inc.A

     260         3   

Pozen, Inc.A

     903         6   

Synutra International, Inc.A

     2,293         13   
     

 

 

 
        30   
     

 

 

 

Total Health Care

        437   
     

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS - 19.21%

     

Aerospace & Defense - 2.43%

     

Alliant Techsystems, Inc.

     821         40   

Astronics Corp.

     229         6   

Cubic Corp.

     638         32   

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

     708         21   

LMI Aerospace, Inc.A

     401         8   

Moog, Inc., Class AA

     1,225         46   
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Sparton Corp.

     542       $ 5   
     

 

 

 
        158   
     

 

 

 

Air Freight & Couriers - 0.45%

  

  

Air Transport Services Group, Inc.A

     3,321         16   

UTi Worldwide, Inc.

     969         13   
     

 

 

 
        29   
     

 

 

 

Airlines - 0.60%

     

Aircastle Ltd.

     1,555         18   

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.A

     2,904         17   

Republic Airways Holdings, Inc.A

     1,007         4   
     

 

 

 
        39   
     

 

 

 

Building Products - 0.29%

     

AAON, Inc.

     175         3   

Drew Industries, Inc.

     287         8   

Griffon Corp.

     584         6   

Patrick Industries, Inc.A

     168         2   
     

 

 

 
        19   
     

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies - 5.20%

  

  

Aceto Corp.

     773         7   

Bridgepoint Education, Inc.A

     1,037         10   

CDI Corp.

     352         6   

CRA International, Inc.A

     292         5   

CSG Systems International, Inc.A

     1,170         25   

Deluxe Corp.

     1,229         34   

Education Management Corp.A

     4,067         12   

Electro Rent Corp.

     558         10   

Ennis, Inc.

     804         12   

G&K Services, Inc., Class A

     427         13   

GP Strategies Corp.A

     451         9   

Hudson Global, Inc.A

     540         3   

Insperity, Inc.

     304         7   

Intersections, Inc.

     414         5   

Koppers Holdings, Inc.

     315         10   

Marlin Business Services Corp.

     82         1   

McGrath Rentcorp

     687         17   

Mine Safety Appliances Co

     457         16   

Monotype Imaging Holdings, Inc.

     360         5   

Multi-Color Corp.

     570         12   

National Research Corp.

     138         7   

Navigant Consulting, Inc.A

     672         7   

Providence Service Corp.A

     428         5   

Quad Graphics, Inc.

     931         17   

Schawk, Inc.

     809         11   

Standard Parking Corp.A

     395         9   

Team, Inc.

     212         7   

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.A

     1,745         29   

TRC Cos., Inc.A

     828         6   

United Stationers, Inc.

     532         13   

VSE Corp.

     386         9   
     

 

 

 
        339   
     

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering - 0.77%

  

  

Michael Baker Corp.

     292         7   

Primoris Services Corp.

     1,658         20   

Tutor Perini Corp.

     2,163         23   
     

 

 

 
        50   
     

 

 

 

Diversified Manufacturing - 0.09%

  

  

Myers Industries, Inc.

     421         6   
     

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment - 1.05%

  

  

Chase Corp.

     295         5   
 

 

See accompanying notes

 

26


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Coleman Cable, Inc.

     771       $ 7   

Encore Wire Corp.

     642         18   

Franklin Electric Co. Inc.

     193         10   

Houston Wire & Cable Co.

     510         6   

Jinpan International Ltd.

     1,225         7   

Preformed Line Products Co.

     228         13   

Vicor Corp.

     346         2   
     

 

 

 
        68   
     

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates - 1.63%

  

Furmanite Corp.A

     579         3   

ICF International, Inc.A

     533         12   

Lydall, Inc.A

     171         2   

Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.A

     798         17   

Raven Industries, Inc.

     648         19   

Standex International Corp.

     363         16   

Tredegar Corp.

     446         7   

Trimas Corp.A

     538         12   

US Ecology, Inc.

     307         6   

Viasystems Group, Inc.A

     787         12   
     

 

 

 
        106   
     

 

 

 

Machinery - 2.79%

     

Alamo Group, Inc.

     392         12   

Altra Holdings, Inc.

     349         6   

American Railcar Industries, Inc.A

     225         6   

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.

     383         6   

Blount International, Inc.A

     804         10   

Cascade Corp.

     202         10   

Columbus McKinnon Corp.A

     637         9   

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.A

     740         6   

Dynamic Materials Corp.

     140         2   

Gorman-Rupp Co.

     433         13   

Hardinge, Inc.

     553         5   

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.A

     1,098         10   

Hurco Cos., Inc.A

     215         4   

John Bean Technologies Corp.

     449         7   

L.B. Foster Co., Class A

     318         10   

Miller Industries, Inc.

     237         4   

NACCO Industries, Inc., Class A

     352         38   

RBC Bearings, Inc.A

     185         9   

Sun Hydraulics Corp.

     585         15   
     

 

 

 
        182   
     

 

 

 

Marine - 2.31%

     

CAI International, Inc.A

     1,029         20   

Danaos Corp.A

     2,951         11   

Diana Shipping, Inc.A

     1,573         10   

Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc.

     5,963         21   

Safe Bulkers, Inc.

     5,903         36   

Ship Finance International Ltd.

     2,746         45   

StealthGas, Inc.A

     1,068         7   
     

 

 

 
        150   
     

 

 

 

Road & Rail - 0.61%

     

Marten Transport Ltd.

     546         10   

Quality Distribution, Inc.A

     868         8   

Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc.A

     306         5   

Saia, Inc.A

     171         4   

TravelCenters of America LLCA

     958         5   

Universal Truckload Services, Inc.

     535         8   
     

 

 

 
        40   
     

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.68%

  

Textainer Group Holdings Ltd.

     1,248         44   
     

 

 

 
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Transportation Infrastructure - 0.31%

  

Macquarie Infrastructure Co. LLCD

     462       $ 20   
     

 

 

 

Total Industrials

        1,250   
     

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - 7.62%

     

Communications Equipment - 0.80%

  

Black Box Corp.

     691         18   

CalAmp Corp.A

     295         2   

Globecomm Systems, Inc.A

     252         3   

Mitel Networks Corp.A

     4,052         11   

Symmetricom, Inc.A

     1,064         7   

Verint Systems, Inc.A

     380         11   
     

 

 

 
        52   
     

 

 

 

Computers & Peripherals - 0.31%

  

Electronics for Imaging, Inc.A

     475         7   

Super Micro Computer, Inc.A

     1,000         13   
     

 

 

 
        20   
     

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment & Instruments - 2.43%

     

Coherent, Inc.A

     260         12   

CTS Corp.

     458         5   

ePlus, Inc.A

     290         10   

Littelfuse, Inc.

     247         13   

Measurement Specialties, Inc.A

     153         5   

MTS Systems Corp.

     474         24   

Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc.A

     681         17   

Newport Corp.A

     730         9   

Orbotech Ltd.

     1,782         15   

Park Electrochemical Corp.

     232         6   

Scansource, Inc.A

     857         26   

Sypris Solutions, Inc.

     357         2   

Tessco Technologies, Inc.

     265         5   

Zygo Corp.A

     532         10   
     

 

 

 
        159   
     

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services - 0.40%

  

Perficient, Inc.A

     674         7   

United Online, Inc.

     3,825         19   
     

 

 

 
        26   
     

 

 

 

IT Consulting & Services - 1.28%

     

Computer Task Group, Inc.A

     439         7   

Exponent, Inc.A

     245         13   

iGATE Corp.A

     653         11   

Lionbridge TechnologiesA

     696         2   

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.A

     525         7   

SYNNEX Corp.A

     722         24   

TechTarget, Inc.A

     388         2   

TNS, Inc.

     381         6   

Virtusa Corp.A

     630         11   
     

 

 

 
        83   
     

 

 

 

Semiconductor Equipment & Products - 1.55%

     

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Ltd.A

     351         3   

Brooks Automation, Inc.

     764         6   

GSI Group, Inc.A

     862         8   

Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc.A

     1,530         15   

IXYS Corp.A

     1,187         12   

Magnachip Semiconductor Corp.A

     1,446         20   

Microsemi Corp.

     1,145         22   

Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd.A

     1,046         8   

PDF Solutions, Inc.A

     217         3   

Rudolph Technologies, Inc.A

     430         4   
     

 

 

 
        101   
     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 

 

27


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Software - 0.85%

     

American Software, Inc., Class A

     231       $ 2   

Deltek, Inc.A

     1,160         15   

EPIQ Systems, Inc.

     791         9   

Magic Software Enterprises Ltd.

     586         3   

Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc.A

     2,324         22   

TeleNav, Inc.A

     625         4   
     

 

 

 
        55   
     

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

  

     496   
     

 

 

 

MATERIALS - 6.56%

     

Chemicals - 4.04%

     

A Schulman, Inc.

     854         21   

China Green Agriculture, Inc.A

     3,492         13   

China XD Plastics Co. LtdA

     4,518         20   

FutureFuel Corp.

     1,557         16   

Gulf Resources, Inc.A

     3,551         4   

Hawkins, Inc.

     224         9   

Innospec, Inc.A

     907         29   

KMG Chemicals, Inc.

     333         6   

Landec Corp.A

     281         3   

NL Industries, Inc.

     2,436         28   

Omnova Solutions, Inc.A

     1,499         12   

Quaker Chemical Corp.

     209         10   

Sensient Technologies Corp.

     651         23   

Stepan Co.

     317         30   

Yongye International, Inc.A

     8,482         35   

Zep, Inc.

     304         4   
     

 

 

 
        263   
     

 

 

 

Construction Materials - 0.12%

  

  

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.A

     181         8   
     

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging - 0.26%

  

  

AEP Industries, Inc.A

     51         3   

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp.A

     732         14   
     

 

 

 
        17   
     

 

 

 

Metals & Mining - 1.83%

     

AMCOL International Corp.

     406         12   

China Gerui Advanced Materials Group Ltd.A

     6,398         11   

China Valves Technology, Inc.A,F

     1,613         2   

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.A

     307         3   

Great Northern Iron Ore Properties

     47         3   

Hallador Energy Co.

     870         7   

Metals USA Holdings Corp.A

     1,773         24   

MFC Industrial Ltd.

     2,782         24   

NN, Inc.A

     336         3   

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp.

     3,861         23   

Olympic Steel, Inc.

     423         7   
     

 

 

 
        119   
     

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products - 0.31%

  

Mercer International, Inc.A

     2,399         14   

Neenah Paper, Inc.

     206         6   
     

 

 

 
        20   
     

 

 

 

Total Materials

        427   
     

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES - 1.17%

     

Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.74%

     

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

     346         13   

Loral Space & Communications, Inc.

     289         22   

Premiere Global Services, Inc.A

     643         6   
     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.

     486       $ 7   
     

 

 

 
        48   
     

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.43%

     

Iridium Communications, Inc.A

     917         7   

Pendrell Corp.A

     6,827         8   

USA Mobility, Inc.

     1,153         13   
     

 

 

 
        28   
     

 

 

 

Total Telecommunication Services

        76   
     

 

 

 

UTILITIES - 1.23%

     

Electric Utilities - 0.49%

     

MGE Energy, Inc.

     518         26   

Pike Electric Corp.A

     709         6   
     

 

 

 
        32   
     

 

 

 

Gas Utilities - 0.49%

     

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

     134         6   

Enbridge Energy Management LLCA

     423         13   

Laclede Group, Inc.

     312         13   
     

 

 

 
        32   
     

 

 

 

Water Utilities - 0.25%

     

Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

     64         2   

Middlesex Water Co.

     289         5   

SJW Corp.

     362         9   
     

 

 

 
        16   
     

 

 

 

Total Utilities

        80   
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stock (Cost $6,151)

        6,291   
     

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM
INVESTMENTS - 2.57% (Cost $167)

   

JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Capital Class

     166,892         167   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.25% (Cost $6,318)

      $ 6,458   

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.75%

        49   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

      $ 6,507   
     

 

 

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

 

A 

Non-income producing security.

B 

Limited Partnership.

C 

Royalty Trust.

D 

Limited Liability Company.

E 

Business Development Company.

F 

These securities are valued in good faith as determined under policies and procedures established by and under supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. At August 31, 2012, the aggregate value of these securities was $12, which rounds to zero percent of total net assets.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 

 

28


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

Futures Contracts Open on August 31, 2012 ($000’s):

 

Description

   Type      Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Russell 2000 Mini Index Future

     Long       2      September, 2012       $ 162       $ 6   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 162       $ 6   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

29


American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Shares      Fair Value  
            (000’s)  

COMMON STOCKS - 1.47% (Cost $3,987)

     

FINANCIALS- 1.47%

     

Real Estate - 1.47%

     

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.A

     185,000       $ 4,443   
     

 

 

 

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS - 2.62% (Cost $8,048)

     

INDUSTRIALS- 2.62%

     

Airlines - 2.62%

     

Continental Airlines Finance Trust II, 6.00%, Due 11/15/2030

     236,250         7,900   
     

 

 

 
     Par AmountD         
     (000’s)         

CONVERTIBLE OBLIGATIONS - 5.23%

     

Industrials - 5.23%

     

Marine Harvest ASA, 4.50%, Due 2/23/2015

   EUR 6,200         8,718   

Pescanova S.A.,

     

5.125%, Due 4/20/2017

   EUR 1,250         1,415   

8.75%, Due 2/17/2019

   EUR 4,500         5,660   
     

 

 

 

Total Convertible Obligations (Cost $14,620)

        15,793   
     

 

 

 

CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 81.00%

     

Financials - 9.49%

     

Cirsa Funding Luxembourg S.A., 8.75%, Due 5/15/2018B

   EUR 6,300         6,953   

CoreLogic Inc, 7.25%, Due 6/1/2021

   $ 4,700         5,029   

Nuveen Investments, Inc., 10.50%, Due 11/15/2015

     7,750         7,886   

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc., 5.875%, Due 3/15/2024A B

     3,000         3,195   

Ono Finance II plc, 11.125%, Due 7/15/2019B

   EUR 5,500         5,569   
     

 

 

 
        28,632   
     

 

 

 

Industrials - 66.84%

     

ADS Tactical, Inc., 11.00%, Due 4/1/2018B

     7,288         7,324   

Alliance HealthCare Services, Inc., 8.00%, Due 12/1/2016

     7,200         5,958   

American Seafoods Group LLC, 10.75%, Due 5/15/2016B C

     2,075         2,008   

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC, 8.25%, Due 1/15/2019C

     2,000         2,160   

Calpine Corp., 7.875%, Due 1/15/2023B

     5,500         6,215   

Ceridian Corp., 11.25%, Due 11/15/2015

     4,500         4,421   

CityCenter Holdings LLC., 10.75%, Due 1/15/2017C

     3,365         3,567   

Ducommun, Inc., 9.75%, Due 7/15/2018

     6,385         6,680   

Eileme 2 AB, 11.75%, Due 1/31/2020B

   EUR 4,900         6,687   

Entravision Communications Corp., 8.75%, Due 8/1/2017

     5,731         6,146   

Forbes Energy Services Ltd., 9.00%, Due 6/15/2019

     3,150         3,056   

Goodman Networks, Inc., 12.375%, Due 7/1/2018B

     5,300         5,565   

Harmony Foods Corp., 10.00%, Due 5/1/2016B

     3,085         3,193   

HCA, Inc., 7.50%, Due 2/15/2022

     7,200         8,010   

IMS Health, Inc., 12.50%, Due 3/1/2018B

     1,375         1,616   

Kindred Healthcare, Inc., 8.25%, Due 6/1/2019

     7,800         7,527   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.,

     

8.125%, Due 5/15/2018B

     500         535   

7.00%, Due 9/1/2020B

     6,000         6,128   

Merge Healthcare, Inc., 11.75%, Due 5/1/2015

     3,900         4,173   

MGM Resorts International, 7.75%, Due 3/15/2022

     6,000         6,045   

Moto Finance plc, 10.25%, Due 3/15/2017B

   GBP 4,350         6,165   

Multiplan, Inc., 9.875%, Due 9/1/2018B

     5,880         6,468   

NESCO LLC., 11.75%, Due 4/15/2017B C

     6,500         6,825   

Nord Anglia Education UK Holdings plc, 10.25%, Due 4/1/2017B

     2,250         2,402   

North Atlantic Trading Co., 11.00%, Due 1/15/2017B

     7,500         6,994   

Obrascon Huarte Lain S.A.,

     

8.75%, Due 3/15/2018

   EUR 2,100         2,684   

7.625%, Due 3/15/2020

   EUR 3,500         4,182   

OTE plc, 4.625%, Due 5/20/2016

   EUR 6,150         5,068   

 

See accompanying notes

 

30


American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Par Amount      Fair Value  
     (000’s)      (000’s)  

Quality Distribution LLC, 9.875%, Due 11/1/2018C

   $ 3,450       $ 3,726   

Sabre Holdings Corp., 8.35%, Due 3/15/2016

     7,000         6,886   

Saratoga Resources, Inc., 12.50%, Due 7/1/2016

     5,515         5,446   

Satmex Escrow SA de CV,

     

9.50%, Due 5/15/2017B

     5,895         6,072   

SPL Logistics Escrow LLC, 8.875%, Due 8/1/2020B C

     5,000         5,150   

Syncreon Global Ireland Ltd., 9.50%, Due 5/1/2018B

     8,500         8,712   

Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8.00%, Due 8/1/2020

     6,230         6,604   

Univision Communications, Inc.,

     

8.50%, Due 5/15/2021B

     4,750         4,809   

6.75%, Due 9/15/2022B

     2,750         2,760   

Western Areas NL, 6.40%, Due 7/2/2015

   AUD 6,000         6,138   

Wynn Las Vegas LLC, 5.375%, Due 3/15/2022B C

     7,500         7,669   
     

 

 

 
        201,774   
     

 

 

 

Utilities - 4.67%

     

Energy Future Intermediate Holding Co. LLC, 10.00%, Due 12/1/2020C

     5,650         6,342   

NRG Energy, Inc.,

     

8.25%, Due 9/1/2020

     5,700         6,142   

7.875%, Due 5/15/2021

     1,500         1,605   
     

 

 

 
        14,089   
     

 

 

 

Total Corporate Obligations (Cost $241,015)

        244,495   
     

 

 

 

SOVEREIGN OBLIGATIONS - 2.74% (Cost $8,234)

     

Mexican Bonos, 7.25%, Due 12/15/2016

   MXN 100,000         8,258   

U.S. AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 2.98%

     

Federal National Mortgage Association,

     

1.375%, Due 11/15/2016

     1,000         1,032   

1.25%, Due 1/30/2017

     7,750         7,963   
     

 

 

 

Total U.S. Agency Obligations (Cost $8,860)

        8,995   
     

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 0.42% (Cost $1,255)

     

U.S. Treasury Note, 0.875%, Due 2/28/2017

     1,250         1,270   
     

 

 

 
     Shares         

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.79% (Cost $2,383)

     

Other Investment Companies - 0.79%

     

JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Capital Class

     2,382,770         2,383   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 97.25% (Cost $288,402)

      $ 293,537   

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 2.75%

        8,289   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

      $ 301,826   
     

 

 

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

 

A 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust.

B 

Security exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A. At the period end, the value of these securities amounted to $113,097 or 37.47% of net assets. The Fund has no right to demand registration of these securities.

C 

Limited Liability Company.

D 

In U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted.

 

See accompanying notes

 

31


American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities FundSM

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2012

 

 

Futures Contracts Open on August 31, 2012 (000’s):

 

Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Euro Currency Future

     Short         303         September, 2012       $ 47,654       $ (378

GBP Currency Future

     Short         41         September, 2012         4,070         (100

AUD Currency Future

     Short         60         September, 2012         6,187         95   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 57,911       $ (383
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

OTC swap agreements outstanding on August 31, 2012:

Credit Default Swaps on Corporate Issues - Sell Protection (1) (000’s):

 

Index/Obligation

   Counterparty    Fixed Rate     Maturity
Date
     Implied
Credit
Spread  at

8/31/2012(2)
    Notional
Amount
(3)
     Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Fair
Value
 

Delta Airlines

   GLM      5.000     12/20/2016         8.0090   $ 1,000,000       $ (185   $ 81      $ (104

Delta Airlines

   GLM      5.000     3/20/2017         8.0465     1,000,000         (106     (4     (110

Delta Airlines

   GLM      5.000     3/20/2017         8.0465     1,000,000         (127     17        (110

Delta Airlines

   JPM      5.000     6/20/2017         8.2923     2,000,000         (225     (5     (230

Delta Airlines

   FBF      5.000     6/20/2017         8.2923     2,000,000         (234     4        (230

Delta Airlines

   GLM      5.000     6/20/2017         8.2923     1,000,000         (131     16        (115

Delta Airlines

   JPM      5.000     9/20/2017         8.1118     2,000,000         (238     (3     (241
               

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                $ (1,246   $ 106      $ (1,140
               

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

(2) 

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swaps agreements on corporate issues and sovereign issues of an emerging country as of period end serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

(3)

The maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement.

Glossary:

 

Counterpary Abbreviations:

  
FBF    Credit Suisse   
GLM    Goldman Sachs Bank USA   
JPM    JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.   

Currency Abbreviations:

  
AUD    Australian Dollar   
EUR    Euro   
GBP    British Pound   
MXN    Mexican Peso   

Exchange Abbreviations:

  
OTC    Over-the-Counter   

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

32


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2012 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

     The London
Company
Income
Equity Fund
     Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
     Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
     SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Assets:

           

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value A

   $ 13,525       $ 13,625       $ 6,458       $ 293,537   

Foreign currency, at fair value B

     —           —           —           846   

Deposit with brokers for derivative contracts

     21         25         12         1,522   

Receivable for investments sold

     411         —           —           591   

Dividends and interest receivable

     25         37         7         6,119   

Receivable for fund shares sold

     311         7         4         1,352   

Receivable for tax reclaims

     —           —           —           84   

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

     63         66         60         26   

Unrealized appreciation from swap agreements

     —           —           —           118   

Receivable for variation margin on open futures contracts

     2         3         1         —     

Prepaid expenses

     59         31         30         31   

Other assets

     —           —           —           1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     14,417         13,794         6,572         304,227   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Payable for investments purchased

     503         —           —           —     

Swap premium received

     —           —           —           1,246   

Payable for fund shares redeemed

     —           4         26         150   

Payable for variation margin from open futures contracts

     —           —           —           382   

Dividends payable

     —           —           —           287   

Management and investment advisory fees payable (Note 2)

     7         9         7         116   

Administrative service and service fees payable (Note 2)

     3         9         4         157   

Professional fees payable

     21         29         27         37   

Trustee fees payable

     —           1         1         —     

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

     1         —           —           4   

Unrealized depreciation from swap agreements

     —           —           —           12   

Other liabilities

     6         6         —           10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     541         58         65         2,401   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 13,876       $ 13,736       $ 6,507       $ 301,826   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Analysis of Net Assets:

           

Paid-in-capital

   $ 13,650       $ 12,794       $ 6,123       $ 295,926   

Undistributed net investment income (loss)

     18         133         65         (64

Accumulated net realized gain

     22         92         174         1,090   

Unrealized appreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts,futures contracts, and swap agreements

     186         717         145         4,874   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 13,876       $ 13,736       $ 6,507       $ 301,826   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding at no par value (unlimited shares authorized):

           

Institutional Class

     984,930         71,578         74,471         6,320,418   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Y Class

     52,488         22,494         94,227         1,928,058   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

     197,815         170,814         134,293         15,196,597   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Retirement Class

     N/A         102         103         N/A   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A Class

     61,740         786,449         179,147         4,316,056   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

C Class

     26,206         35,701         41,238         2,684,226   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

33


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2012 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

     The London
Company
Income
Equity Fund
     Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
     Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
     SiM High Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

           

Institutional Class

   $ 10.49       $ 12.57       $ 12.40       $ 9.93   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Y Class

   $ 10.49       $ 12.68       $ 12.46       $ 9.92   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

   $ 10.48       $ 12.64       $ 12.44       $ 9.90   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Retirement Class

     N/A       $ 12.59       $ 12.38         N/A   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A Class (net asset value and redemption price)

   $ 10.47       $ 12.65       $ 12.46       $ 9.92   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

   $ 11.11       $ 13.42       $ 13.22       $ 10.41   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

C Class

   $ 10.46       $ 12.52       $ 12.28       $ 9.94   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets (not in thousands):

           

Institutional Class

   $ 10,330,902       $ 899,557       $ 923,572       $ 62,790,153   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Y Class

     550,601         285,283         1,173,851         19,129,077   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

     2,073,316         2,158,604         1,670,426         150,395,958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Retirement Class

     N/A         1,281         1,270         N/A   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A Class

     646,710         9,944,919         2,231,680         42,832,447   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

C Class

     274,067         446,794         506,602         26,678,852   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A        Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

   $ 13,339       $ 12,909       $ 6,318       $ 288,402   

B        Cost of foreign currency

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 843   

 

See accompanying notes

 

34


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Operations

For the year ended August 31, 2012 (in thousands)

 

 

     The London
Company
Income
Equity
FundB
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
Fund
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
Fund
    SiM High
Yield
Opportunities
Fund
 

Investment Income:

        

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes) A

   $ 55      $ 379      $ 172      $ 464   

Interest income

     —          —          —          10,693   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

     55        379        172        11,157   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

        

Management and investment advisory fees (Note 2)

     7        59        40        617   

Administrative service fees (Note 2):

        

Institutional Class

     4        6        4        115   

Y Class

     —          2        2        17   

Investor Class

     —          10        6        172   

A Class

     —          36        9        73   

C Class

     —          2        2        37   

Transfer agent fees:

        

Institutional Class

     2        —          —          3   

Y Class

     2        —          —          2   

Investor Class

     2        5        2        16   

A Class

     2        6        2        7   

C Class

     2        —          —          4   

Custody and fund accounting fees

     —          1        1        10   

Professional fees

     89        34        32        86   

Registration fees and expenses

     17        116        114        93   

Service fees (Note 2):

        

Y Class

     —          1        1        5   

Investor Class

     —          11        7        143   

A Class

     —          14        4        28   

C Class

     —          1        1        14   

Distribution fees (Note 2):

        

A Class

     —          23        6        46   

C Class

     —          5        5        93   

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

     1        13        7        24   

Trustee fees

     —          1        1        7   

Other expenses

     4        5        5        5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     132        351        251        1,617   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net fees waived and expenses reimbursed (Note 2)

     (118     (167     (156     (156
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses

     14        184        95        1,461   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

     41        195        77        9,696   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

        

Net realized gain (loss) from:

        

Investments

     4        23        79        (263

Foreign currency transactions

     —          —          —          (225

Futures contracts and swap agreements

     18        73        59        1,609   

Change in net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of:

        

Investments

     186        1,299        530        7,250   

Foreign currency contracts

     —          —          —          (1,114

Futures contracts and swap agreements

     —          (3     (8     (277
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net gain from investments

     208        1,392        660        6,980   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 249      $ 1,587      $ 737      $ 16,676   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

A        Foreign taxes

   $ —        $ 8      $ —        $ —     

B       The London Company Income Equity Fund commenced operations on May 29, 2012 (inception date).

           

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

35


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (in thousands)

 

 

     The
London
Company
Income
Equity
Fund
    Zebra Large Cap
Equity Fund
    Zebra Small Cap
Equity Fund
 
     From May
29 to
August 31,
2012
    Year
Ended
August  31,

2012
    Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
    Year
Ended
August 31,
2012
    Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

          

Operations:

          

Net investment income

   $ 41      $ 195      $ 77      $ 77      $ 33   

Net realized gain (loss) from investments, foreign currency transactions, futures contracts, and swap agreements

     22        96        29        138        172   

Change in net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of investments, foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, and swap agreements

     186        1,296        (583     522        (335
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     249        1,587        (477 )      737        (130 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

          

Net investment income:

          

Institutional Class

     (20     (19     (7     —          (6

Y Class

     (1     (9     (2     —          (1

Investor Class

     (1     (33     (5     (1     (4

A Class

     (1     (56     (2     (1     (1

C Class

     —          (1     —          —          —     

Net realized gain from investments:

          

Institutional Class

     —          —          (4     (26     (3

Y Class

     —          —          (5     (13     (2

Investor Class

     —          —          (11     (46     (6

A Class

     —          —          (9     (52     (3

C Class

     —          —          (1     (11     (1

Tax basis return of capital:

          

Institutional Class

     —          —          —          —          —     

Y Class

     —          —          —          —          —     

Investor Class

     —          —          —          —          —     

A Class

     —          —          —          —          —     

C Class

     —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

     (23 )      (118 )      (46 )      (150 )      (27 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

          

Proceeds from sales of shares

     8,630        4,132        16,750        2,738        8,789   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     23        85        41        143        26   

Cost of shares redeemed

     (3     (6,461     (2,962     (3,610     (2,995

Redemption fees

     —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

     8,650        (2,244 )      13,829        (729 )      5,820   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     8,876        (775     13,306        (142     5,663   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets:

          

Beginning of period

     5,000        14,511        1,205        6,649        986   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of Period *

   $ 13,876      $ 13,736      $ 14,511      $ 6,507      $ 6,649   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

* Includes undistributed net investment income (loss) of

   $ 18      $ 133      $ 64      $ 65      $ 18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

36


American Beacon Funds

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (in thousands)

 

 

SiM High Yield
Opportunities Fund
     
Year
Ended

August 31,
2012
     From
Feb. 14 to

August  31,
2011
   
$ 9,696       $ 479     
  1,121         (99  
  5,859         (985  

 

 

    

 

 

   
  16,676         (605  

 

 

    

 

 

   
  (2,703)         (336  
  (454)         (4  
  (4,489)         (53  
  (1,415)         (55  
  (639)         (22  
  —           —       
  —           —       
  —           —       
  —           —       
  —           —       
  —           (6  
  —           —       
  —           (1  
  —           —       
     (1  

 

 

    

 

 

   
  (9,700)         (478  

 

 

    

 

 

   
  283,954         22,181     
  7,956         384     
  (18,425)         (4,201  
  83         1     

 

 

    

 

 

   
  273,568         18,365     

 

 

    

 

 

   
  280,544         17,282     

 

 

    

 

 

   
  21,282         4,000     

 

 

    

 

 

   
$ 301,826       $ 21,282     

 

 

    

 

 

   
$ (64)       $ 4     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

See accompanying notes

 

37


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”), which is comprised of 24 Funds, is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. These financial statements and notes to the financial statements relate to the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund, the American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund, the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund, and the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), each a series of the Trust.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lighthouse Holdings, Inc. and was organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors.

Class Disclosure

May 29, 2012 is the inception date for all classes of The London Company Income Equity Fund.

Each Fund has multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors. The following table sets forth the differences amongst the classes:

 

    

Class:

 

Offered to:

  Institutional Class   Investors making an initial investment of $ 250,000
  Y Class   Investors making an initial investment of $ 100,000
  Investor Class   Individual investors investing directly or through an intermediary
  Retirement Class   Investors investing through retirement plans
  A Class   General public and investors investing through an intermediary with applicable sales charges
  C Class   General public and investors investing through an intermediary with applicable sales charges

Each class offered by the Trust has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Income and non-class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class on the basis of the relative net assets. Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of each class are allocated daily based on the relative net assets of each class of the respective Fund. Class specific expenses, where applicable, currently include administrative service fees, service fees and distribution fees and vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU No. 2011-04 “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”)”. ASU No. 2011-04 amends FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to establish common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. ASU No. 2011-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and for interim period March 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012.

Management has evaluated the implications of these changes and determined that the impact of the new guidance will only affect the disclosure requirements related to the financial statements. However, as the Funds did not hold any Level 3 investments as of August 31, 2012, the financial statement disclosures were not affected.

 

 

38


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

2. Transactions with Affiliates

Management Agreement

The Trust and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide or oversee the provision of all investment advisory, fund management, and securities lending services. Investment assets of the Funds are managed by investment advisors which have entered into separate investment advisory agreements with the Manager. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Management Agreement, the Manager receives from the Funds an annualized fee equal to 0.05% of the average daily net assets plus amounts paid by the Manager to the unaffiliated investment advisors hired by the Manager to direct investment activities for the Funds. Management fees paid by the Funds during the year ended August 31, 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Fund

   Management Fee
Rate
    Management Fee      Amounts paid to
Investment Advisors
     Net Amounts
Retained by
Manager
 

The London Company Income Equity

     0.40   $ 7       $ 6       $ 1   

Zebra Large Cap Equity

     0.38     59         51         8   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

     0.57     40         37         3   

SiM High Yield Opportunities

     0.50     617         555         62   

Of these amounts $7,015, $8,888, $7,098, and $115,598 was payable to the Manager for The London Company Income Equity, Zebra Large Cap Equity, Zebra Small Cap Equity, and SiM High Yield Opportunities Funds, respectively, at August 31, 2012.

Administrative Services Agreement

The Manager and the Trust entered into an Administrative Services Agreement which obligates the Manager to provide or oversee administrative services to the Funds. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Manager receives an annualized fee of 0.30% of the average daily net assets of the Institutional, Y, Investor, and Retirement Classes of the Funds and 0.40% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes of the Funds. Expenses for Retirement Classes for the year ended August 31, 2012 were less than $500.

Distribution Plans

The Funds, except for the Retirement, A, and C Classes of the Funds, have adopted a “defensive” Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Act, pursuant to which no separate fees may be charged to the Funds for distribution purposes. However, the Plan authorizes the management and administrative service fees received by the Manager and the investment advisor hired by the Manager to be used for distribution purposes. Under this Plan, the Funds do not intend to compensate the Manager or any other party, either directly or indirectly, for the distribution of the Funds’ shares.

Separate Distribution Plans (the “Distribution Plans”) have been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act for the Retirement, A and C Classes of the Funds. Under the Distribution Plans, as compensation for distribution assistance, the Manager receives an annual fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A Classes, 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Retirement Classes, and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the C Classes of each Fund. The fee will be payable without regard to whether the amount of the fee is more or less than the actual expenses incurred in a particular month by the Manager for distribution assistance. Expenses for the Retirement Classes for the year ended August 31, 2012 were less than $500.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into Service Plans that obligate the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Y, Investor, Retirement, A, and C Classes. As compensation for performing the

 

 

39


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

duties required under the Service Plans, the Manager receives 0.10% of the average daily net assets of Y Class, 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Retirement Class, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Funds. Expenses for the Retirement Classes for the year ended August 31, 2012 were less than $500.

Interfund Lending Program

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Funds, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Funds to borrow from other participating Funds. During the year ended August 31, 2012, the Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund borrowed from the American Beacon Short-Term Bond Fund on average $579,397 for 5 days at an average equity rate of 0.79% with interest charges of $63, the Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund borrowed from the American Beacon Short-Term Bond Fund on average $80,270 for 7 days at an average rate of 0.77% with interest charges of $9, and the SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund borrowed from the Short-Term Bond Fund on average $657,891 for 6 days at an average rate of 0.74% with interest charges of $80.

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Manager contractually agreed to reimburse the following Funds to the extent that total annual fund operating expenses exceeded the Funds’ expense cap. For the period ended August 31, 2012, the Manager waived or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

Fund

   Class    Expense Cap     Waived or  Reimbursed
Expenses
     Expiration  

The London Company Income Equity

   Institutional      0.79   $ 94,470         2015   

The London Company Income Equity

   Y      0.89     5,298         2015   

The London Company Income Equity

   Investor      1.17     8,794         2015   

The London Company Income Equity

   A      1.29     5,411         2015   

The London Company Income Equity

   C      2.04     3,632         2015   

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   Institutional      0.79     18,505         2015   

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   Y      0.89     7,144         2015   

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   Investor      1.17     34,485         2015   

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   Retirement      1.54     94         2015   

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   A      1.29     100,866         2015   

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   C      2.04     5,447         2015   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   Institutional      0.99     28,295         2015   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   Y      1.09     18,731         2015   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   Investor      1.37     45,094         2015   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   Retirement      1.74     249         2015   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   A      1.49     52,518         2015   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   C      2.24     10,745         2015   

SiM High Yield Opportunities

   Institutional      0.84     73,435         2015   

SiM High Yield Opportunities

   Y      0.94     8,348         2015   

SiM High Yield Opportunities

   Investor      1.22     23,919         2015   

SiM High Yield Opportunities

   A      1.34     34,420         2015   

SiM High Yield Opportunities

   C      2.09     15,604         2015   

Of these amounts $62,591, $66,428, $59,548, and $26,248 was receivable from the Manager for The London Company Income Equity, Zebra Large Cap Equity, Zebra Small Cap Equity, and SiM High Yield Opportunities Funds, respectively, at August 31, 2012. The Funds have adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of fees waived or expenses reimbursed for a period of up to three years. However, reimbursement will occur only if the Class’s average net assets have grown or expenses have declined sufficiently to allow reimbursement without causing its expense ratio to exceed the previously agreed upon contractual expense limit. The reimbursed expenses listed above will expire in 2015. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager but not recorded as a liability for the Zebra Large Cap Equity, and the Zebra Small Cap Equity Funds, expiring in 2013 are $45,286 and $45,137, respectively. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager but not recorded as a liability for the Zebra Large Cap Equity, the Zebra Small Cap Equity, and the SiM High Yield Opportunities Funds

 

 

40


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

expiring in 2014 are $93,890, $100,737, and $126,463, respectively. The London Company Income Equity Fund did not have carryover expenses from the prior year since its inception was during the current fiscal year. The Funds have not recorded a liability for potential reimbursements, due to the current assessment that a reimbursement is unlikely.

Sales Commissions

The Funds’ distributor, Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside”), may receive a portion of A Class sales charges from broker dealers and it may be used to offset distribution related expenses. For the year ended August 31, 2012, Foreside has collected $924, $1,469, $1,601, and $94,399 for The London Company Income Equity, Zebra Large Cap Equity, Zebra Small Cap Equity, and SiM High Yield Opportunities Funds, respectively from the sale of Class A Shares.

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% will be deducted with respect to Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 1.00% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the Class C Shares redeemed. During the year ended August 31, 2012 the following CDSC fees were collected, $326, $2, and $3,192 for the Zebra Large Cap Equity, Zebra Small Cap Equity, and SiM High Yield Opportunities Funds, respectively.

3. Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

Investments are valued at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”), normally 4 p.m. ET, each day that the Exchange is open for business. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price or official closing price (closing bid price or last evaluated quote if no sale has occurred) on the primary market or exchange on which they trade.

Debt securities (other than short-term securities) normally are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service and may take into account appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. The prices of debt securities may be determined using quotes obtained from brokers.

Investments in mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of the mutual fund on the day of valuation. Investment grade short-term obligations with 60 days or less to maturity are valued using the amortized cost method, which approximates market value.

Securities for which the market prices are not readily available or are not reflective of the fair value of the security, as determined by the Manager, will be priced at fair value following procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”).

Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, a Fund is required to deposit with its futures broker, an amount of cash or U.S. Government and Agency Obligations in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and an appropriate payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Other investments and those financial instruments for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee, established by the Fund’s Board.

 

 

41


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

For valuation purposes, the last quoted prices of non-U.S. equity securities may be adjusted under the circumstances described below. If a Manager determines that developments between the close of a foreign market and the close of the Exchange will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of a fund’s portfolio securities, the Manager will adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the Exchange. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust closing prices to reflect fair value, the Manager reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. The Valuation Committee may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but a Fund is open. The Funds use outside pricing services to provide closing prices and information to evaluate and/or adjust those prices. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the Valuation Committee routinely compares closing prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices.

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

  Level 1   -    Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
  Level 2   -    Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and others.
  Level 3   -    Prices determined using other significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment, and would be based on the best information available.

Level 1 and Level 2 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value.

Fixed income securities including corporate, convertible and municipal bonds and notes, U.S. government agencies, U.S. treasury obligations, sovereign issues, bank loans, convertible preferred securities and non-U.S. bonds are normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker dealer quotations, reported trades or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The service providers’ internal models use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar assets. Securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fixed income securities purchased on a delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily until settlement at the forward settlement date and are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities are usually issued as separate tranches, or classes, of securities within each deal. These securities are also normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker dealer quotations or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The pricing models for these securities usually consider tranche-level attributes, current market data, estimated cash flows and market-based yield spreads for each tranche, and incorporates deal collateral performance, as available. Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Common stocks, exchange-traded funds and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts or options contracts that are traded on a national securities exchange, are stated at the last reported sale or settlement price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Valuation adjustments may be applied to certain securities that are solely traded on a foreign exchange to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market and the close of the Exchange. These securities are valued

 

 

42


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

using pricing service providers that consider the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to the intraday trading in the U.S. markets for investments. Securities using these valuation adjustments are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Preferred securities and other equities traded on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments are also categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the Net Asset Values (“NAVs”) of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments in privately held investment funds which are redeemable within 90 days of the measurement date, will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost which approximates fair market value. These investments are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Over-the-counter financial derivative instruments, such as foreign currency contracts, options contracts, or swaps agreements, derive their value from underlying asset prices, indices, reference rates, and other inputs or a combination of these factors. These contracts are normally valued on the basis of broker dealer quotations or pricing service providers. Depending on the product and the terms of the transaction, the value of the financial derivative contracts can be estimated by a pricing service provider using a series of techniques, including simulation pricing models. The pricing models use inputs that are observed from actively quoted markets such as issuer details, indices, spreads, interest rates, curves, dividends and exchange rates. Financial derivatives that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Funds’ investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. U.S. GAAP also requires all transfers between any levels to be disclosed. The end of the period timing recognition has been adopted for the transfers between levels of each Fund’s assets and liabilities. As of August 31, 2012, there were no transfers into or out of any level. As of August 31, 2012, the investments were classified as described below (in thousands):

 

The London Company Income Equity

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Preferred Stock

   $ 530       $ —         $ —         $ 530   

Common Stock

     12,454         —           —           12,454   

Short-Term Investments - Money Markets

     541         —           —           541   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $ 13,525       $ —         $ —         $ 13,525   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Futures Contracts*

     0         —           —           0   

*  Amount between ($500) and $0.

           

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stock

   $ 13,113       $ —         $ —         $ 13,113   

Short-Term Investments - Money Markets

     512         —           —           512   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $ 13,625       $ —         $ —         $ 13,625   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

     1               1   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stock

   $ 6,291       $ —         $ —         $ 6,291   

Short-Term Investments - Money Markets

     167         —           —           167   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $ 6,458       $ —         $ —         $ 6,458   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

     6               6   

 

 

43


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

SiM High Yield Opportunites

   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

   $ 4,443      $ —        $ —         $ 4,443   

Convertible Preferred Stock

     —          7,900        —           7,900   

Convertible Obligations

     —          15,793        —           15,793   

Corporate Obligations

     —          244,495        —           244,495   

Sovereign Obligations

     —          8,258        —           8,258   

U.S. Agency Obligations

     —          8,995        —           8,995   

U.S. Treasury Obligations

     —          1,270        —           1,270   

Short-Term Investments - Money Markets

     2,383        —          —           2,383   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $ 6,826      $ 286,711      $ —         $ 293,537   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Total  

Financial derivative instruments-assets*

         

Swap agreements

   $ —        $ 118      $ —         $ 118   

Futures contracts

     95        —          —           95   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 95      $ 118      $ —         $ 213   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Total  

Financial derivative instruments-liabilities*

         

Swap agreements

   $ —        $ (12   $ —         $ (12

Futures contracts

     (478     —          —           (478
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (478   $ (12   $ —         $ (490
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Financial derivative instruments may include open futures contracts, swaps agreements, written swaptions, and foreign currency contracts.

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date of the security purchase or sale. The Funds may purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date. At the time the Funds enter into a commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security is reflected in the net asset value. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations.

Dividend income, net of foreign taxes, is recorded on the ex-dividend date except certain dividends from foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Funds. Interest income is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. For financial and tax reporting purposes, realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of specific lot identification.

Currency Translation

All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currency values are converted into U.S. dollar values at the mean of the bid and ask prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as last quoted by a recognized dealer. Income, expenses and purchases and sales of investments are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments is separately identified from the fluctuations arising from changes in market values of securities held and is reported with all other foreign currency gains and losses in the Funds’ Statements of Operations.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income of the Zebra Large Cap Equity and Zebra Small Cap Equity Funds normally will be declared and paid at least annually. Dividends from net investment income for The London Company Income Equity Fund will be declared and paid monthly. Dividends for the SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund will be declared daily, payable monthly. Distributions, if any, of net realized capital gains are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

 

44


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

Commission Recapture

The Funds, except for the SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund, have established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If a Fund’s investment advisor chooses to execute a transaction through a participating broker, the broker rebates a portion of the commission back to the Fund. Any collateral benefit received through participation in the commission recapture program is directed exclusively to the Funds. This amount is reported with the net realized gain in the Funds’ Statements of Operations, if applicable. For the year ended August 31, 2012 the Funds did not have commission recapture income.

Allocation of Income, Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Income, expenses (other than those attributable to a specific class), gains, and losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets represented by such class. Operating expenses directly attributable to a specific class are charged against the operations of that class.

Redemption Fees

The SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares held for less than 90 days. The fee is deducted from the redemption proceeds and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact, and other costs associated with short-term trading activity in the Fund. The “first-in, first-out” method is used to determine the holding period. The fee is allocated to all classes of the Fund prorata based on their respective net assets.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimated.

Other

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnification to the other party or parties against potential costs or liabilities. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated. The Trust has had no prior claims or losses pursuant to any such agreement.

4. Securities and other Investments

Repurchase Agreements

Under the terms of a repurchase agreement, securities are acquired by a Fund from a securities dealer or a bank that are subject to resale at a later date. The agreement is backed by collateral in the form of securities and/or cash held by an eligible custody bank. All collateral is valued at cost, which approximates market value, and is monitored daily by the investment advisor to make the determination that the collateral’s value exceeds the carrying value of the repurchase agreement plus accrued interest.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds

The SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund may invest in inflation-indexed bonds. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted based on the rate of inflation. The

 

 

45


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

interest rate on these bonds is generally fixed at issuance at a rate lower than typical bonds. Over the life of an inflation-indexed bond, however, interest will be paid based on a principal value, which is adjusted for inflation. Any increase or decrease in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be included as interest income on the Statements of Operations, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.

Payment In-Kind Securities

The SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund may invest in payment in-kind securities. Payment in-kind securities (“PIKs”) give the issuer the option at each interest payment date of making interest payments in either cash or additional debt securities. Those additional debt securities usually have the same terms, including maturity dates and interest rates, and associated risks as the original bonds. The daily market quotations of the original bonds may include the accrued interest (referred to as a dirty price) and require a prorata adjustment from the unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investment to interest receivable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Restricted Securities

The SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities may be sold privately, but are required to be registered or exempted from such registration before being sold to the public. Private placement securities are generally considered to be restricted except for those securities traded between qualified institutional investors under the provisions of Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Disposal of restricted securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expenses, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult to achieve. Restricted securities outstanding at the year ended August 31, 2012 are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedules of Investments.

High-Yield Securities

Non-investment-grade securities are rated below the four highest credit grades by at least one of the public rating agencies (or are unrated if not publicly rated). Participation in high-yielding securities transactions generally involves greater returns in the form of higher average yields. However, participation in such transactions involves greater risks, including sensitivity to economic changes, solvency, and relative liquidity in the secondary trading market. Lower ratings may reflect a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer, or adverse changes in general economic conditions, or both, may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The prices and yields of lower-rated securities generally fluctuate more than higher-quality securities, and such prices may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty or rising interest rates.

5. Financial Derivative Instruments

Swap Agreements

The SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund may invest in swap agreements. Swap agreements are privately negotiated agreements between a Fund and a counterparty to exchange payments based on changes in the value of a specified index, rate or other instrument returns at specified, future intervals. A Fund may enter into credit default, cross-currency, interest rate and other forms of swap agreements to manage its exposure to credit, currency, interest rate, and inflation risk. In connection with these agreements, securities or cash may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy/insolvency.

Swaps are marked to market daily based upon values from third party vendors or quotations from market makers to the extent available and the change in value, if any, is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss

 

 

46


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. In the event that market quotes are not readily available and the swap cannot be valued pursuant to one of the valuation methods, the value of the swap will be determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee pursuant to procedures approved by the Board.

Payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are reflected as such on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and represent payments made or received upon entering into the swap agreement to compensate for differences between the stated terms of the swap agreement and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads, currency exchange rates, interest rates, and other relevant factors). These upfront payments are recorded as realized gains or losses on the Statements of Operations upon termination or maturity of the swap. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination of the swap is recorded as realized gain or loss on the Statements of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by a Fund are included as part of realized gains or losses on the Statements of Operations.

Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.

A Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted net value of the cash flows to be received from the counterparty over the contract’s remaining life, to the extent that amount is positive. The risk is mitigated by having a master netting arrangement between a Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral to a Fund to cover a Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

Credit Default Swap Agreements

Credit default swap agreements involve one party making a stream of payments (referred to as the buyer of protection) to another party (the seller of protection) in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default or other credit event for the referenced entity, obligation or index. As a seller of protection on credit default swap agreements, a Fund will generally receive from the buyer of protection a fixed rate of periodic premium throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, a Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure up to the notional amount of the swap.

If a Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, a Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation, other deliverable obligations or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. If a Fund is a buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, a Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced obligation, other deliverable obligations or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. Recovery values are estimated by market makers considering either industry standard recovery rates or entity specific factors and considerations until a credit event occurs. If a credit event has occurred, the recovery value is determined by a facilitated auction whereby a minimum number of allowable broker bids, together with a specified valuation method, are used to calculate the settlement value.

Credit default swap agreements on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default or other credit event. If a credit event occurs and cash

 

 

47


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

settlement is not elected, a variety of other deliverable obligations may be delivered in lieu of the specific referenced obligation. The ability to deliver other obligations may result in a cheapest-to-deliver option (the buyer of protection’s right to choose the deliverable obligation with the lowest value following a credit event). A Fund may use credit default swaps on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues to provide a measure of protection against defaults of the issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where a Fund owns or has exposure to the referenced obligation) or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default.

Credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default or other credit event. Unlike credit default swaps on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues, deliverable obligations in most instances would be limited to the specific referenced obligation as performance for asset-backed securities can vary across deals. Prepayments, principal paydowns, and other writedown or loss events on the underlying mortgage loans will reduce the outstanding principal balance of the referenced obligation. These reductions may be temporary or permanent as defined under the terms of the swap agreement and the notional amount for the swap agreement will be adjusted by corresponding amounts. A Fund may use credit default swaps on asset-backed securities to provide a measure of protection against defaults of the referenced obligation that the Fund owns or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular referenced obligation’s default that the Fund does not own.

Credit default swap agreements on credit indices involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising the credit index. A credit index is a basket of credit instruments or exposures designed to be representative of some part of the credit market as a whole. These indices are made up of reference credits that are judged by a poll of dealers to be the most liquid entities in the credit default swap market based on the sector of the index. Components of the indices may include, but are not limited to, investment grade securities, high yield securities, asset-backed securities, emerging markets, and/or various credit ratings within each sector. Credit indices are traded using credit default swaps with standardized terms including a fixed spread and standard maturity dates. An index credit default swap references all the names in the index, and if there is a default, the credit event is settled based on that name’s weight in the index. The composition of the indices changes periodically, usually every six months, and for most indices, each name has an equal weight in the index. A Fund may use credit default swaps on credit indices to hedge a portfolio of credit default swaps or bonds, which is less expensive than it would be to buy many credit default swaps to achieve a similar effect. Credit default swaps on indices are benchmarks for protecting investors owning bonds against default, and traders use them to speculate on changes in credit quality.

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues as of period end are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedules of Investments and serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent a market participant view of the likelihood or risk of default for the underlying referent security to credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. For credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values serve as the indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that a Fund as a seller of protection could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. Notional amounts of each individual credit default swap agreements outstanding as

 

 

48


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

of August 31, 2012 for which a Fund is the seller of protection are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedules of Investments. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront payments received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements entered into by a Fund for the same referenced entity or entities.

Futures Contracts

Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standard quantity of securities at a specified price on a future date. The Funds may enter into financial futures contracts as a method for keeping assets readily convertible to cash if needed to meet shareholder redemptions or for other needs while maintaining exposure to the stock or bond market, as applicable. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the possibility of illiquid markets or imperfect correlation between the values of the contracts and the underlying securities, or that the counterparty will fail to perform its obligations.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to set aside or deposit with a broker an amount, termed the initial margin, which typically represents a portion of the face value of the futures contract. The Funds usually reflects this amount on the Schedule of Investments as a U.S. Treasury Bill held as collateral for futures contracts or as Cash deposited with broker on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Payments to and from the broker, known as variation margin, are required to be made on a daily basis as the price of the futures contract fluctuates. Changes in initial settlement values are accounted for as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) until the contracts are terminated, at which time realized gains and losses are recognized. Futures contracts are valued at the most recent settlement price established each day by the exchange on which they are traded.

The London Company Income Equity

Values of Derivative Instruments not accounted for as hedging instruments as of August 31, 2012(3)

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   Derivatives     Fair Value  

Unrealized depreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts, and futures contracts(2)

     Equity Contracts *    $ 0 * 

Effect of derivative instruments not accounted for as hedging instruments during the year ended August 31, 2012

 

Statement of Operations

   Derivatives      Balance  

Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions, futures contracts, and swap agreements

     Equity Contracts       $ 18   

Change in net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, and swap agreements

     Equity Contracts         0 * 

 

* 

Amount between ($500) and $0.

Zebra Large Cap Equity

Values of Derivative Instruments not accounted for as hedging instruments as of August 31, 2012(3)

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   Derivatives      Fair Value  

Unrealized depreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts, and futures contracts(2)

     Equity Contracts       $ 1   

Effect of derivative instruments not accounted for as hedging instruments during the year ended August 31, 2012

 

Statement of Operations

   Derivatives      Balance  

Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions, futures contracts, and swap agreements

     Equity Contracts       $ 73   

Change in net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, and swap agreements

     Equity Contracts         (3

 

 

49


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

Zebra Small Cap Equity

Values of Derivative Instruments not accounted for as hedging instruments as of August 31, 2012(3)

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   Derivatives      Fair Value  

Unrealized depreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts, and futures contracts(2)

     Equity Contracts       $ 6   

Effect of derivative instruments not accounted for as hedging instruments during the year ended August 31, 2012

 

Statement of Operations

   Derivatives      Balance  

Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions, futures contracts, and swap agreements

     Equity Contracts       $ 59   

Change in net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, and swap agreements

     Equity Contracts         (8

SiM High Yield Opportunities

The following is a summary of the fair valuations of the derivative instruments held by the Fund categorized by risk exposure(1)(3):

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

     Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments  
     Credit
contracts
     Foreign
exchange
contracts
     Interest
rate
contracts
     Equity
contracts
     Total  

Assets:

              

Unrealized appreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts, and futures contracts (2)

   $ —         $ 95       $ —         $ —         $ 95   

Unrealized appreciation of swap agreements

     118         —           —           —           118   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 118       $ 95       $ —         $ —         $ 213   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments  
     Credit
contracts
    Foreign
exchange
contracts
     Interest
rate
contracts
     Equity
contracts
    Total  

Liabilities:

            

Unrealized depreciation of investments, foreign currency contracts, and futures contracts

   $ —        $ —         $ —         $ (478   $ (478

Unrealized depreciation of swap agreements

     (12     —           —           —          (12
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (12   $ —         $ —         $ (478   $ (490
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the period ended August 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

     Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments  
     Credit
contracts
     Foreign
exchange
contracts
     Equity
contracts
    Total  

Realized gain (loss) on derivatives recognized as a result from operations:

          

Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts, foreign currency contracts, and swap agreements

   $ —         $ —         $ 1,609      $ 1,609   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives recognized as a result from operations:

  

Change in net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of futures contracts, foreign currency contracts, and swap agreements

   $ —         $ —         $ (384   $ (384

 

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.
(2) Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The variation margin is included in the open futures cumulative appreciation or (depreciation) as reported in the Notes to the Schedule of Investments.
(3) The volume of derivative activity described above is reflective of the derivative activity through the current period of operations.

6. Principal Risks

In the normal course of business the Funds trade financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk), or failure or inability of the other party to a transaction to perform (credit and counterparty risk). See below for a detailed description of select principal risks.

 

 

50


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

Market Risks

A Fund’s investments in financial derivatives and other financial instruments expose the Fund to various risks such as, but not limited to, interest rate, foreign currency and equity risks.

Interest rate risk is the risk that fixed income securities will decline in value because of changes in interest rates. As nominal interest rates rise, the value of certain fixed income securities held by a Fund is likely to decrease. A nominal interest rate can be described as the sum of a real interest rate and an expected inflation rate. Fixed income securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Duration is useful primarily as a measure of the sensitivity of a fixed income’s market price to interest rate (i.e. yield) movements.

If a Fund invests directly in foreign currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, foreign currencies, or in financial derivatives that provide exposure to foreign currencies, it will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the base currency of the Fund, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the Fund’s base currency will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, a Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Fund.

The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. Equity securities and equity related investments generally have greater market price volatility than fixed income securities.

Credit and Counterparty Risks

A Fund will be exposed to credit risk on parties with whom it trades and will also bear the risk of settlement default. A Fund minimizes concentrations of credit risk by undertaking transactions with a large number of customers and counterparties on recognized and reputable exchanges. A Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a fixed income security, or the counterparty to a financial derivatives contract, repurchase agreement or a loan of portfolio securities, is unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. Securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk, which are often reflected in credit ratings.

Similar to credit risk, a Fund may be exposed to counterparty risk, or the risk that an institution or other entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions will default. Financial assets, which potentially expose a Fund to counterparty risk, consist principally of cash due from counterparties and investments.

All transactions in listed securities are settled/paid for upon delivery using approved counterparties. The risk of default is considered minimal, as delivery of securities sold is only made once a Fund has received payment. Payment is made on a purchase once the securities have been delivered by the counterparty. The trade will fail if either party fails to meet its obligation.

 

 

51


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

A Fund is subject to various Master Agreements, which govern the terms of certain transactions with select counterparties. These Master Agreements reduce the counterparty risk associated with relevant transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Since different types of forward and OTC derivative transactions have different mechanics and are sometimes traded out of different legal entities of a particular counterparty organization, each type of transaction may be covered by a different Master Agreement and result in the need for multiple agreements with a single counterparty. Therefore, exposure cannot be netted and collateralized across all types of transactions. Exposures can only be netted across transactions governed under the same Master Agreement with the same legal entity.

Master Agreements can also help limit counterparty risk by specifying collateral posting arrangements at pre-arranged exposure levels. Under the Master Agreements, collateral is routinely transferred if the total net exposure to certain transactions (net of existing collateral already in place) governed under the relevant master agreement with a counterparty in a given account exceeds a specified threshold, which typically ranges from zero to $250,000 depending on the counterparty and the type of Master Agreement. United States Treasury bills and US dollar cash are generally the preferred forms of collateral, although other forms of AAA rated paper may be used. A Fund’s overall exposure to counterparty risk can change substantially within a short period, as it is affected by each transaction subject to the relevant Master Agreement. Master Repurchase Agreements (“Master Repo Agreements”) govern transactions between a Fund and select counterparties. The Master Repo Agreements maintain provisions for, among other things, initiation, income payments, events of default, and maintenance of collateral for Repurchase Agreements.

Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (“Master Forward Agreements”) govern the considerations and factors surrounding the settlement of certain purchases and sales made on a delayed-delivery basis by and between a Fund and select counterparties. The Master Forward Agreements maintain provisions for, among other things, initiation and confirmation, payment and transfer, events of default, termination, and maintenance of collateral.

International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) govern OTC financial derivative transactions entered into by a Fund and those counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral and events of default or termination. Events of termination include conditions that may entitle counterparties to elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all outstanding transactions under the applicable ISDA Master Agreement. Any election to early terminate could be material to the financial statements. The market value of OTC financial derivative transactions net of collateral received in or pledged by counterparty as of period end is disclosed in the Notes to the Schedules of Investments.

7. Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of each Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company, by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distribution of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes. For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is treated as a single entity for the purpose of determining such qualification.

The Funds do not have any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The tax years for the periods ended August 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Funds recognized interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the Statements of Operations.

Dividends are categorized in accordance with income tax regulations which may treat certain transactions differently than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

52


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

The Funds may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on returns of income earned or gains realized or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows (in thousands):

 

      The London
Company
Income Equity
     Zebra Large Cap Equity  
     Period Ended
August 31, 2012
     Year Ended
August 31,  2012
     Year Ended
August 31,  2011
 

Distributions paid from:

        

Ordinary income*

        

Institutional Class

   $ 20       $ 17       $ 11   

Y Class

     1         8         7   

Investor Class

     1         30         16   

Retirement Class

     —           —           —     

A Class

     1         51         11   

C Class

     —           1         1   

Long-term Capital Gains

        

Institutional Class

     —           2         —     

Y Class

     —           1         —     

Investor Class

     —           3         —     

Retirement Class

     —           —           —     

A Class

     —           5         —     

C Class

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 23       $  118       $ 46   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Zebra Small Cap Equity      SiM High Yield Opportunities  
     Year Ended
August 31,  2012
     Year Ended
August 31,  2011
     Year Ended
August 31, 2012
     Period Ended
August 31,  2011
 

Distributions paid from:

           

Ordinary income*

           

Institutional Class

   $ 4       $ 9       $ 2,697       $ 336   

Y Class

     2         3         453         4   

Investor Class

     8         10         4,479         53   

Retirement Class

     —           —           —           —     

A Class

     9         4         1,412         55   

C Class

     2         1         638         22   

Long-term Capital Gains

           

Institutional Class

     22         —           6         —     

Y Class

     11         —           1         —     

Investor Class

     39         —           10         —     

Retirement Class

     —           —           —           —     

A Class

     44         —           3         —     

C Class

     9         —           1         —     

Tax Basis Return of Capital

           

Institutional Class

     —           —           —           6   

Y Class

     —           —           —           —     

Investor Class

     —           —           —           1   

Retirement Class

     —           —           —           —     

A Class

     —           —           —           —     

C Class

     —           —           —           1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 150       $ 27       $ 9,700       $ 478   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* For tax purposes, short-term capital gains are considered ordinary income distributions.

 

 

53


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

As of August 31, 2012, the components of distributable earnings or (deficits) on a tax basis were as follows (in thousands):

 

     The London
Company  Income
Equity
    Zebra Large
Cap Equity
    Zebra Small Cap
Equity
    SiM High Yield
Opportunites
 

Cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes

   $ 13,339      $ 12,930      $ 6,393      $ 288,367   

Unrealized appreciation

     267        1,116        507        7,494   

Unrealized depreciation

     (81     (421     (442     (2,324
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation)

     186        695        65        5,170   

Undistributed ordinary income

     29        109        121        —     

Undistributed long-term gain or (loss)

     11        138        126        714   

Other temporary differences

     —          —          72        16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributable earnings or (deficits)

   $ 226      $ 942      $ 384      $ 5,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences. The temporary differences between financial reporting and tax-basis reporting of unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses from wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains or(losses) on certain derivative instruments and the reclassification of income from real estate investment securities, royalty trusts, and publicly traded partnerships.

Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses and realized gains or (losses) under U.S. GAAP and federal income tax regulations, permanent differences between book and tax reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Accordingly, the following amounts represent current year permanent differences derived from foreign currency, paydown reclasses, reclassifications of income from real estate investment securities, publicly traded partnerships, and royalty trusts, and dividend reclasses that have been reclassified as of August 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

     The London Company
Income Equity
     Zebra Large
Cap Equity
    Zebra Small
Cap Equity
    SiM High Yield
Opportunities
 

Paid-in-capital

   $ —         $ 13      $ 9      $ —     

Undistributed net investment income

     —           (8     (28     (63

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

     —           (5     19        63   

Unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) of investments, foreigncurrency contracts, futures contracts, and swap agreements

     —           —          —          —     

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “RIC MOD”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. One of the more prominent changes addresses capital loss carryforwards. Under the RIC MOD, each Fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as permitted under previous regulation.

Finally, the RIC MOD contains several provisions aimed at preserving the character of distributions made by a fiscal year RIC during the portion of its taxable year ending after October 31 or December 31, reducing the circumstances under which a RIC might be required to file amended Forms 1099 to restate previously reported distributions. Except for the simplification provisions related to RIC qualification, the RIC MOD is effective for taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010. The provisions related to RIC qualification are effective for taxable years for which the extended due date of the tax return is after December 22, 2010.

 

 

54


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

As of August 31, 2012, the Funds did not have capital loss carryforwards and the SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund utilized $94,259 of capital loss carryforward from prior years.

8. Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments other than short-term obligations for the period ended August 31, 2012 were (in thousands):

 

     Purchases      Sales  

The London Company Income Equity

   $ 13,206       $ 411   

Zebra Large Cap Equity

     9,366         10,899   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

     6,730         7,152   

SiM High Yield Opportunities

     317,484         52,323   

9. Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Fund (dollars and shares in thousands):

For the year ended August 31, 2012

 

     Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class  

The London Company Income Equity

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     523      $ 5,500        42      $ 442        188      $ 1,974   

Reinvestment of dividends

     2        20        —          1        —          1   

Shares redeemed

     —          (3     —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     525      $ 5,517        42      $ 443        188      $ 1,975   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     A Class     C Class              

The London Company Income Equity

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount              

Shares sold

     52      $ 544        16      $ 170       

Reinvestment of dividends

     —          1        —          —         

Shares redeemed

     —          —          —          —         
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net increase in shares outstanding

     52      $ 545        16      $ 170       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     
     Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class  

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     32      $ 367        18      $ 218        60      $ 715   

Reinvestment of dividends

     2        19        1        8        2        27   

Shares redeemed

     (117     (1,419     (63     (774     (252     (3,093
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (83   $ (1,033     (44   $ (548     (190   $ (2,351
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Retirement Class     A Class     C Class  

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     —        $ —          235      $ 2,748        7      $ 84   

Reinvestment of dividends

     —          —          3        30        —          1   

Shares redeemed

     —          —          (90     (1,057     (9     (118
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in sharesoutstanding

     —        $ —          148      $ 1,721        (2   $ (33
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

55


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

     Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class  

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     69      $ 838        82      $ 981        32      $ 380   

Reinvestment of dividends

     3        31        1        17        4        44   

Shares redeemed

     (115     (1,375     (11     (139     (97     (1,132
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (43   $ (506     72      $ 859        (61   $ (708
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Retirement Class     A Class     C Class  

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     —        $ —          40      $ 458        7      $ 81   

Reinvestment of dividends

     —          —          4        42        1        9   

Shares redeemed

     —          —          (81     (924     (3     (40
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     —        $ —          (37   $ (424     5      $ 50   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class  

SiM High Yield Opportunities

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     5,528      $ 53,914        1,911      $ 18,513        15,330      $ 148,359   

Reinvestment of dividends

     265        2,575        45        444        389        3,777   

Shares redeemed

     (518     (5,021 )*      (68     (653 )*      (1,044     (9,920 )* 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     5,275      $ 51,468        1,888      $ 18,304        14,675      $ 142,216   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     A Class     C Class              

SiM High Yield Opportunities

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount              

Shares sold

     3,957      $ 38,326        2,557      $ 24,842       

Reinvestment of dividends

     80        771        40        389       

Shares redeemed

     (245     (2,330 )*      (44     (418 )*     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net increase in shares outstanding

     3,792      $ 36,767        2,553      $ 24,813       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     
For the Year ended August 31, 2011             
     Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class  

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     250      $ 3,094        63      $ 720        374      $ 4,438   

Reinvestment of dividends

     1        11        —          7        1        16   

Shares redeemed

     (196     (2,321     (5     (65     (25     (292
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     55      $ 784        58      $ 662        350      $ 4,162   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Retirement Class     A Class     C Class  

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     —        $ —          662      $ 8,036        38      $ 462   

Reinvestment of dividends

     —          —          1        7        —          —     

Shares redeemed

     —          —          (24     (283     —          (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     —        $ —          639      $ 7,760        38      $ 461   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class  

Zebra Small Cap Equity

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     169      $ 2,082        85      $ 1,016        208      $ 2,408   

Reinvestment of dividends

     1        8        —          3        1        10   

Shares redeemed

     (152     (1,799     (63     (759     (16     (191
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     18      $ 291        22      $ 260        193      $ 2,227   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

56


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2012

 

 

      Retirement Class     A Class     C Class  

Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     —        $ —          227      $ 2,726        47      $ 557   

Reinvestment of dividends

     —          —          —          4        —          1   

Shares redeemed

     —          —          (11     (134     (10     (112
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     —        $ —          216      $ 2,596        37      $ 446   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class  

SiM High Yield Opportunities

   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     1,426      $ 10,234        40      $ 385        522      $ 5,116   

Reinvestment of dividends

     31        301        —          4        4        34   

Shares redeemed

     (412     (4,108 )*      —          (1 )*      (4     (40 )* 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     1,045      $ 6,427        40      $ 388        522      $ 5,110   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

      A Class     C Class  

SiM High Yield Opportunities

   Shares     Amount     Shares      Amount  

Shares sold

     526      $ 5,160        130       $ 1,286   

Reinvestment of dividends

     3        27        2         18   

Shares redeemed

     (5     (50 )*      —           (1 )* 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     524      $ 5,137        132       $ 1,303   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Net of Redemption Fees

 

 

57


American Beacon The London Company Income Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

      Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class     A Class     C Class  
      May 29 to
August 31,

2012
    May 29 to
August 31,
2012
    May 29 to
August 31,
2012
    May 29 to
August 31,
2012
    May 29 to
August 31,
2012
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.00      $ 10.00      $ 10.00      $ 10.00      $ 10.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

          

Net investment income

     0.06        0.05        0.05        0.05        0.04   

Net gains on securities (both realized and unrealized)

     0.47        0.48        0.47        0.46        0.46   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

     0.53        0.53        0.52        0.51        0.50   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

          

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.04     (0.04     (0.04     (0.04     (0.04

Distributions from net realized gains on securities

     —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.04     (0.04     (0.04     (0.04     (0 .04
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 10.49      $ 10.49      $ 10.48      $ 10.47      $ 10.46   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return A,B, E

     5.31     5.31     5.21     5.11     5.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

          

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

   $ 10,331      $ 551      $ 2,073      $ 647      $ 274   

Ratios to average net assets (annualized):

          

Expenses, before reimbursements C

     7.28     10.59     10.14     11.94     13.83

Expenses, net of reimbursements C

     0.79     0.89     1.17     1.29     2.04

Net investment(loss), before reimbursements C

     (3.99 )%      (7.30 )%      (6.99 )%      (8.87 )%      (10.65 )% 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements C

     2.50     2.40     1.99     1.78     1.14

Portfolio turnover rate D

     6     6     6     6     6

 

A 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.

B 

May include adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Annualized.

D 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from May 29 through August 31, 2012.

E 

Not annualized.

 

 

58


 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

59


American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

     Institutional Class     Y Class  
     Year Ended August 31,     June 1 to
August
31,
2010
    Year Ended August 31,     June 1 to
August
31,
2010
 
     2012     2011       2012     2011    

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 11.46      $ 10.10      $ 10.00      $ 11.58      $ 10.10      $ 10.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

            

Net investment income

     0.39        0.23        0.05        0.38        0.13        0.02 A 

Net gains from securities (both realized and unrealized)

     0.84        1.41        0.05        0.84        1.51        0.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

     1.23        1.64        0.10        1.22        1.64        0.10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

            

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.12     (0.17     —          (0.12     (0.05     —     

Distributions from net realized gains on securities

     —          (0.11     —          —          (0 .11     —     

Return of capital

     —          —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.12     (0.28     —          (0.12     (0.16     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 12.57      $ 11.46      $ 10.10      $ 12.68      $ 11.58      $ 10.10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return B

     10.85     16.19     1.00 %C      10.68     16.18     1.00 %C 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

            

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

   $ 899      $ 1,776      $ 1,005      $ 285      $ 768      $ 84   

Ratios to average net assets (annualized):

            

Expenses, before reimbursements

     1.84     2.38     6.33 %D      1.91     2.57     6.00 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

     0.79     0.77     0.79 %D      0.89     0.86     0.89 %D 

Net investment income (loss), before reimbursements

     0.62     (0.16 )%      (3.63 )%D      0.53     (0.42 )%      (3.24 )%D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

     1.67     1.45     1.91 %D      1.54     1.29     1.87 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

     66     24     0 %C,E      66     24     0 %C,E 

 

A 

Based on average shares outstanding.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

E 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from June 1 through August 31, 2010.

 

 

60


American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

Investor Class     Retirement Class     A Class     C Class  
Year Ended August 31,     June 1 to
August  31,
2010
    Year Ended August 31,     June 1 to
August  31,
2010
    Year Ended August 31,     June 1 to
August  31,
2010
    Year Ended August 31,  
2012     2011       2012     2011       2012     2011       2012     2011  
$ 11.53      $ 10.08      $ 10.00      $ 11.49      $ 10.08      $ 10.00      $ 11.54      $ 10.08      $ 10.00      $ 11.46      $ 10.32   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  0.18        0.09        0.03 A      0.12        0.09        0.03        0.14        0.03        0.03        0.06        0.02   
  1.02        1.51        0.05        1.03        1.48        0.05        1.04        1.56        0.05        1.03        1.25   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1.20        1.60        0.08        1.15        1.57        0.08        1.18        1.59        0.08        1.09        1.27   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (0.09     (0.04     —          (0.05     (0.05     —          (0.07     (0.02     —          (0.03     (0.02
  —          (0.11     —          —          (0.11     —          —          (0.11     —          —          (0.11
  —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (0.09     (0.15     —          (0.05     (0.16     —          (0.07     (0.13     —          (0.03     (0.13

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 12.64      $ 11.53      $ 10.08      $ 12.59      $ 11.49      $ 10.08      $ 12.65      $ 11.54      $ 10.08      $ 12.52      $ 11.46   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  10.47     15.86     0.80 %C      10.04     15.50 %C      0.80     10.33     15.74     0.80 %C      9.50     12.24

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 2,159      $ 4,160      $ 114      $ 1      $ 1      $ 1      $ 9,945      $ 7,369      $ 1      $ 447      $ 437   
  2.25     2.45     6.12 %D      9.28     142.53     7.00 %D      2.40     2.26     7.17 %D      3.18     3.92
  1.17     1.14     0.93 %D      1.54     1 .41     1.54 %D      1.29     1.25     1.32 %D      2.04     1.96
  0.17     (0.23 )%      (3.86 )%D      (6.75 )%      (140.35 )%      (4.30 )%D      0.13     (0.11 )%      (4.53 )%D      (0.67 )%      (1.76 )% 
  1.26     1.08     1.33 %D      0.99     0 .77     1.17 %D      1.24     0.90     1.33 %D      0.47     0.21
  66     24     0 %C,E      66     24     0 %C,E      66     24     0 %C,E      66     24

 

 

61


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

     Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class  
     Year Ended August 31,     June 1 to
August  31,
2010
    Year Ended August 31,     June 1 to
August  31,
2010
    Year Ended
August 31,
 
     2012     2011       2012     2011       2012  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 11.30      $ 9.63      $ 10.00      $ 11.36      $ 9.62      $ 10.00      $ 11.31   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

              

Net investment income (loss)

     0.27        0.17        0.03        0.06        0.15        0.03        0.17   

Net gains (losses) from securities (both realized and unrealized)

     1.15        1.66        (0.40     1.37        1.66        (0.41     1.22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

     1.42        1.83        (0.37     1.43        1.81        (0.38     1.39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

              

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.10     (0.11     —          (0.11     (0.02     —          (0.04

Distributions from net realized gains on securities

     (0.22     (0.05     —          (0.22     (0.05     —          (0.22

Return of capital

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.32     (0.16     —          (0.33     (0.07     —          (0.26
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 12.40      $ 11.30      $ 9.63      $ 12.46      $ 11.36      $ 9.62      $ 12.44   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return B

     12.78     18.93     (3.70 )%C      12.78     18.81     (3.80 )%C      12.45
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

              

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

   $ 923      $ 1,325      $ 959      $ 1,174      $ 255      $ 1      $ 1,670   

Ratios to average net assets (annualized):

              

Expenses, before reimbursements

     3.18     3.24     18.32 %D      3.39     3.08     183.72 %D      3.60

Expenses, net of reimbursements

     0.99     0.99     0.99 %D      1.09     1.09     1.09 %D      1.37

Net investment income (loss), before reimbursements

     (0.71 )%      (1.16 )%      (16.04 )%D      (0.81 )%      (1.25 )%      (181.45 )%D      (1.14 )% 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

     1.48     1.09     1.28 %D      1.49     0.75     1.18 %D      1.08

Portfolio turnover rate

     103     66     1 %C,E      103     66     1 %C,E      103

 

A

Based on average shares outstanding.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

E 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from June 1 through August 31, 2010.

 

 

62


American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

   

 

    Retirement Class     A Class     C Class  
    Year
Ended
August 31,
    June 1 to
August  31,
2010
    Year Ended August 31,     June 1 to
August 31,
2010
    Year Ended August 31,     June 1 to
August  31,
2010
    Year Ended August 31,  
    2011       2012     2011       2012     2011       2012     2011  
  $ 9.62      $ 10.00      $ 11.26      $ 9.61      $ 10.00      $ 11.32      $ 9.61      $ 10.00      $ 11.24      $ 9.94   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                             
    0.06        0.01 A      0.09        0.04        0.01        0.13        0.02        0.02        0.03        (0.02
    1.71        (0.39     1.25        1.69        (0.40     1.24        1.76        (0.41     1.23        1.38   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1.77        (0.38     1.34        1.73        (0.39     1.37        1.78        (0.39     1.26        1.36   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                             
    (0.03     —          —          (0.03     —          (0.01     (0.02     —          —          (0.01
    (0.05     —          (0.22     (0.05     —          (0.22     (0.05     —          (0.22     (0.05
    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (0.08     —          (0.22     (0.08     —          (0.23     (0.07     —          (0.22     (0.06
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 11.31      $ 9.62      $ 12.38      $ 11.26      $ 9.61      $ 12.46      $ 11.32      $ 9.61      $ 12.28      $ 11.24   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    18.34     (3.80 )%C      12.04     18.00     (3.90 )%C      12.28     18.48     (3.90 )%C      11.35     13.64
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                             
  $ 2,207      $ 24      $ 1      $ 1      $ 1      $ 2,232      $ 2,451      $ 1      $ 507      $ 410   
                             
    3.18     55.64 %D      22.23     143.33     184.07 %D      3.71     3.20     186.19 %D      4.48     4.35
    1.36     1.36 %D      1.74     1.67     1.74 %D      1.49     1.47     1.49 %D      2.24     2.22
    (1.21 )%      (53.84 )%D      (19.76 )%      (141.30 )%      (181.81 )%D      (1.26 )%      (1.29 )%      (183.90 )%D      (2.02 )%      (2.44 )% 
    0.61     0.43 %D      0.72     0.36     0.52 %D      0.97     0.43     0.80 %D      0.23     (0.31 )% 
    66     1 %C,E      103     66     1 %C,E      103     66     1 %C,E      103     66

 

 

63


American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

     Institutional Class     Y Class     Investor Class     A Class  
     Year
Ended
August
31,

2012
    February
14 to
August
31,

2011
    Year
Ended
August
31,

2012
    February
14 to
August
31,

2011
    Year
Ended
August

31,
2012
    February
14 to
August
31,

2011
    Year
Ended
August
31,

2012
    February
14 to
August
31,

2011
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 9.42      $ 10.00      $ 9.41      $ 10.00      $ 9.38      $ 10.00      $ 9.41      $ 10.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

                

Net investment income

     0.77        0.37        0.76        0.36        0.73        0.35        0.72        0.34   

Net gains (losses) from securities (both realized and unrealized)

     0.51        (0.58     0.51        (0.59     0.52        (0.62     0.51        (0.59
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

     1.28        (0.21     1.27        (0.23     1.25        (0.27     1.23        (0.25
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.77     (0.37     (0.76     (0.36     (0.73     (0.35     (0.72     (0.34

Distributions from net realized gains on securities

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (0.77     (0.37     (0.76     (0.36     (0.73     (0.35     (0.72     (0.34
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees added to beneficial interests A

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 9.93      $ 9.42      $ 9.92      $ 9.41      $ 9.90      $ 9.38      $ 9.92      $ 9.41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return B

     14.19     (2.24 )%C      14.09     (2.44 )%C      13.92     (2.85 )%C      13.63     (2.61 )%C 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

   $ 62,790      $ 9,839      $ 19,129      $ 378      $ 150,396      $ 4,894      $ 42,832      $ 4,932   

Ratios to average net assets (annualized):

                

Expenses, before reimbursements

     1.06     2.62 %D      1.09     5.04 %D      1.23     2.78 %D      1.53     2.92 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

     0.84     0.82 %D      0.94     0.92 %D      1.19     1.19 %D      1.34     1.31 %D 

Net investment income, before reimbursements

     7.90     5.03 %D      7.92     2.87 %D      7.74     5.14 %D      7.44     4.98 %D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

     8.12     6.83 %D      8.07     6.99 %D      7.78     6.73 %D      7.62     6.60 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

     43     20 %E      43     20 %E      43     20 %E      43     20 %E 

 

A

Amounts represent less than $0.01 per share.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

E 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from February 14, 2011, the inception date, through August 31, 2011.

 

 

64


American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

C Class  
Year
Ended
August
31,

2012
    February
14 to
August
31,

2011
 
$ 9.42      $ 10.00   

 

 

   

 

 

 
           
  0.65        0.30   
  0.52        (0.58

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1.17        (0.28

 

 

   

 

 

 
           
  (0.65     (0.30
  —          —     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (0.65     (0.30

 

 

   

 

 

 
  —          —     
$ 9.94      $ 9.42   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  12.90     (2.88 )%C 

 

 

   

 

 

 
           
$ 26,679      $ 1,239   
           
  2.26     4.03 %D 
  2.09     2.07 %D 
  6.70     3.98 %D 
  6.87     5.94 %D 
  43     20 %E 

 

 

65


American Beacon FundsSM

Privacy Policy and Federal Tax Information

August 31, 2012 (Unaudited)

 

 

Privacy Policy

The American Beacon Funds recognize and respect the privacy of our shareholders. We are providing this notice to you so you will understand how shareholder information may be collected and used.

We may collect nonpublic personal information about you from one or more of the following sources:

 

   

information we receive from you on applications or other forms;

 

   

information about your transactions with us or our service providers; and

 

   

information we receive from third parties.

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.

We restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to those employees or service providers who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. To ensure the confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information, we maintain safeguards that comply with federal standards.

Federal Tax Information

Certain tax information regarding the Funds is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Funds’ income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2012. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2012.

The Funds designated the following items with regard to distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012. All designations are based on financial information available as of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Funds to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations there under.

 

Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction:

  

Zebra Large Cap Equity

     75.00

Zebra Small Cap Equity

     81.00

Qualified Dividend Income:

  

The London Company Income Equity

     100.00

Zebra Large Cap Equity

     100.00

Zebra Small Cap Equity

     100.00

Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

  

Zebra Large Cap Equity

   $ 9,971   

Zebra Small Cap Equity

     125,606   

SiM High Yield Opportunities

     21,702   

Shareholders will receive notification in January 2013 of the applicable tax information necessary to prepare their 2012 income tax returns.

 

 

66


Disclosure Regarding the Board of Trustees’ Approval of the Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreements of the Funds (Unaudited)

 

 

At its May 9, 2012 meeting, the Board of Trustees (“Board”) considered: (1) the renewal of the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Beacon Trust”) on behalf of each of their series (collectively, the “Funds”); (2) the renewal of each investment advisory agreement between the Manager and a subadvisor (each an “Investment Advisory Agreement”); and 3) the approval of a new investment advisory agreement between the Manager and The London Company of Virginia, LLC (the “New Investment Advisory Agreement”). The Management Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreements and the New Investment Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to herein as the “Agreements.” In preparation for the Board’s consideration to renew and approve these Agreements, the Board and its Investment Committee undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the subadvisors and Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and each subadvisor.

In addition, the Board’s Investment Committee worked with Lipper to obtain relevant comparative information regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Funds. The Investment Committee held a separate meeting on May 4, 2012 to consider the information provided by Lipper. Further, the Board took into consideration information furnished for the Board’s review and consideration throughout the year at regular Board and Investment Committee meetings, as well as information specifically prepared in connection with the renewal process.

In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Management Agreement, each Investment Advisory Agreement, and the New Investment Advisory Agreement, the Trustees received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. The materials requested by the Board included, among other information, the following:

 

   

a description of any significant changes (actual or anticipated) to principal activities, personnel, services provided to the Funds, or any other area, including how these changes might affect the Funds;

 

   

a copy of the firm’s most recent audited or unaudited financial statements, as well as Parts 1 and 2 of its Form ADV registration statement with the SEC;

 

   

a summary of any material pending or anticipated litigation or regulatory proceedings involving the firm or its personnel, including the results of any recent regulatory examination or independent audit;

 

   

a comparison of the performance of that portion of Fund assets managed or to be managed by each firm with the performance of other similar accounts managed by the firm, including a discussion of relative performance versus a peer group average and any remedial measures if the firm’s performance was materially below that of the peer group;

 

   

any actual or anticipated economies of scale in relation to the services the Manager and the firm provide or will provide to each Fund and whether the current fee rates charged or to be charged to each Fund reflects these economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s investors;

 

   

an analysis of compensation, including a comparison with fee rates charged to other clients for which similar services are provided, any proposed changes to the fee schedule, if applicable, and the effect of any fee waivers;

 

   

a description of any payments made or to be made by the subadvisors to the Manager to support a Fund’s marketing efforts;

 

   

a copy of the firm’s proxy voting policies and procedures and, if applicable, the name of the third party voting service used by the firm;

 

   

an evaluation of any other benefits to the firm or Funds as a result of their relationship, if any;

 

   

confirmation that the firm’s financial condition would not impair its ability to provide high-quality advisory services to the Funds;

 

   

a description of the scope of portfolio management services provided or to be provided to the Funds, including whether such services differ from the services provided to other clients, including other registered investment companies, and any advantages or disadvantages that might accrue to the Funds due to the firm’s involvement in other activities;

 

   

a description of the personnel who are or will be assigned primary responsibility for managing the Funds, including any changes during the past year, and a discussion of the adequacy of current and projected staffing levels to service the Funds;

 

   

a description of the basis upon which portfolio managers are compensated, including any “incentive” arrangements, and a description of the oversight mechanisms used to prevent a portfolio manager whose compensation is tied to performance of a Fund from taking undue risks;

 

   

a description of the firm’s practices in monitoring the quality of portfolio holdings and in reviewing portfolio valuation;

 

   

a description of the firm’s use of derivatives, short sells, leveraged trading strategies or other similar trading strategies for the Funds;

 

   

a discussion regarding the firm’s participation in third-party and proprietary “soft dollar” arrangements, if any, or other brokerage allocation policies with respect to Fund transactions;

 

   

a discussion of the firm’s methodology for obtaining best execution, including any plans to improve the quality of execution in the upcoming year, and the use of any affiliated broker-dealers;

 

   

a description of any actual or potential conflicts of interest anticipated in managing Fund assets;

 

   

a discussion of whether the firm has identified any investment or operational matters that likely present a high risk in managing Fund assets;

 

   

a description of the firm’s criteria for assessing counterparties and counterparty risk to the extent the firm enters into transactions with counterparties on a Fund’s behalf;

 

   

a description of trade allocation procedures among accounts managed by the firm;

 

 

67


Disclosure Regarding the Board of Trustees’ Approval of the Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreements of the Funds (Unaudited)

 

 

   

a discussion of whether the firm utilizes “commission recapture” or “directed brokerage” arrangements for the benefit of the Funds or “step-out” transactions;

 

   

a discussion of whether the firm receives, or anticipates receiving, other compensation, including any payment for order flow or ECN liquidity rebates with respect to the Funds;

 

   

a certification by the firm regarding the reasonable design of its compliance program;

 

   

a summary of the results of the firm’s most recent annual review of its compliance program and a discussion of any material compliance problems encountered by a subadvisor since the most recent annual review;

 

   

information regarding the firm’s code of ethics, insider trading policy and disaster recovery plan, including a description of any material changes thereto and a related certification of compliance by the firm;

 

   

a description of the firm’s affiliation with any broker-dealer;

 

   

a discussion of any anticipated change in the firm’s controlling persons; and

 

   

verification of the firm’s insurance coverage with regards to the services provided to the Funds.

In addition to the foregoing, the Manager provided the following information specific to the renewal of the Management Agreement:

 

   

a comparison of the performance of each Fund to comparable investment companies and appropriate indices, including comments on the relative performance of, as applicable, each subadvisor and each Fund versus the respective peer group average;

 

   

a discussion, if applicable, of any underperformance by a subadvisor relative to its peer group and what, if any, remedial measures the Manager has or intends to take;

 

   

a comparison of advisory fee rates and expense ratios for comparable mutual funds;

 

   

a profit/loss analysis of the Manager;

 

   

an analysis of any material complaints received from Fund shareholders;

 

   

a description of the extent to which the Manager monitors the investment activities and financial conditions of each subadvisor to the Funds;

 

   

a description of the Manager’s distribution activities with respect to promoting sales of Fund shares, including any revenue sharing practices;

 

   

a description of the Manager’s securities lending practices and the fees received from such practices;

 

   

a discussion of any rebate arrangements between the Manager and a service provider to the Funds pursuant to which the Manager receives direct or indirect benefits from the service provider;

 

   

a description of the portfolio turnover rate and average execution costs for each Fund and, as applicable, each subadvisor to a Fund; and

 

   

a description of how expenses that are not readily identifiable to a particular Fund are allocated.

In connection with the Management Agreement and each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board also obtained an analysis provided by Lipper that compared: (i) investment performance of each Fund versus comparable investment companies and appropriate indices; (ii) total Fund expenses of each Fund versus comparable mutual funds; and (iii) each Fund’s investment advisory fee rate versus comparable mutual funds. For each Fund with more than one class of shares, the class of shares used for comparative purposes was the class with the longest performance history, which in most cases was the Institutional Class. References below to each Fund’s Lipper peer group are to the group of comparable mutual funds included in the analysis provided by Lipper.

Provided below is an overview of the primary factors the Trustees considered at the Investment Committee meeting on May 4, 2012 at which the Trustees reviewed the investment performance of the Manager and each subadvisor and the primary factors considered by the Board at its May 9, 2012 meeting at which the Board considered the renewal of the Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreements. In addition, provided below is an overview of the primary factors considered by the Board in regard to the approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement.

The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to renew or approve each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal and approval of each Agreement. The memorandum explained the regulatory requirements surrounding the Trustees’ process for evaluating investment advisors and the terms of the contracts. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the renewal and approval of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders.

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and each Investment Advisory Agreement

In determining whether to renew the Management Agreement and each Investment Advisory Agreement on behalf of the Funds, the Trustees considered the best interests of each Fund separately. While the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreements for all of the Funds were considered at the May 9, 2012 meeting, the Board considered each Fund’s investment management and subadvisory relationships separately.

 

 

68


Disclosure Regarding the Board of Trustees’ Approval of the Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreements of the Funds (Unaudited)

 

 

In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of a Fund and, as applicable, each subadvisor for a Fund; (3) the costs incurred by the Manager in rendering services to the Funds and its resulting profits or losses; (4) the extent to which economies of scale have been taken into account in setting each fee schedule; (5) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors; (6) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or a subadvisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional funds); and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or a subadvisor from their relationship with a Fund. The Trustees posed questions to various management personnel of the Manager regarding certain key aspects of the materials submitted in support of the renewal.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: each Fund’s long-term performance and the background and experience of key investment personnel at the Manager; the low cost structure of the Funds; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support for compliance operations that reduce risks to the Funds; the manager’s commitment to enhance the Funds’ product line and increase assets in the Funds; the Manager’s high quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate recommending additional or replacement subadvisors; the Manager’s commitment to training employees; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staff levels.

With respect to the renewal of each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Trustees considered the level of staffing, quality, background and experience of each subadvisor’s investment personnel responsible for managing the Funds, the size of the subadvisor and the subadvisor’s ability to continue to attract and retain qualified investment personnel. The Board also considered the adequacy of the resources committed to the Funds by each subadvisor, and whether those resources were commensurate with the needs of the Funds and are sufficient to sustain appropriate levels of performance and compliance needs. In this regard, the Board considered the financial stability of each subadvisor. The Board also considered the subadvisors’ representations regarding their compliance programs and code of ethics. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and each subadvisor were appropriate for each Fund and, thus, determined to renew the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement for each Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Lipper and the Manager regarding each Fund’s investment performance relative to its benchmark index(es) and peer group. The Board considered the information provided by Lipper regarding its independent peer selection methodology to select all peer groups and universes. The Board also considered the performance reports and discussions with management at Board and Committee meetings throughout the year. The Manager also noted that it generally was satisfied with the performance of the subadvisors. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to each Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund.”

Costs of the Services Provided to the Funds and the Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Funds. In analyzing the cost of services and profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager. The profits or losses were noted at both an aggregate level for all Funds and at an individual Fund level, with some Funds being profitable for the Manager and with the Manager sustaining losses with respect to other Funds. The Board also considered that the Management Agreement for the Beacon Trust stipulates that, to the extent that a Fund invests all of its investable assets in another registered investment company (i.e., is a “Feeder Fund”), the Fund will not pay the Manager a management fee. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Funds, the difference reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Funds.

The Board also noted that the Manager proposed to continue the expense waivers and reimbursements for certain Funds and classes that were in place during the last fiscal year and to put in place new expense waivers and reimbursements for certain new classes of the Funds and new series of the Beacon Trust. The Board further considered that each subadvised Fund pays the Manager the amounts due to its subadvisors, and the Manager remits these amounts directly to the applicable subadvisors. The Board considered that the Manager receives service and administrative fees to compensate the Manager for providing administrative services to the Funds and to compensate third-party administrators and broker-dealers for services to Fund shareholders. In addition, the Board considered that the Manager receives management fees for overseeing the securities lending program on behalf of various Funds. The Board also noted that certain classes of the Funds maintain higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party distributors.

In analyzing the cost of services and profitability for each subadvisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Fund, the Board considered that, in many cases, the Manager has negotiated the lowest subadvisory fee rate a subadvisor charges for any comparable client accounts. The Board did not consider profitability data of the subadvisors as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the subadvisors with respect to the negotiation of subadvisory fee rates.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to each Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as the Funds grow and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that the Manager has negotiated breakpoints in many subadvisory fee rates. The Board also noted that, for purposes of determining the fee rates chargeable to the Funds, many subadvisors have agreed to take into account assets of AMR Corporation and its pension plans that are managed by the subadvisors. Thus, the Funds are able to receive lower effective fee rates.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that many of the Funds benefit from economies of scale because comparably low fee rate levels are reflected in the current management and administration fee rates the Manager charges. The Board

 

 

69


Disclosure Regarding the Board of Trustees’ Approval of the Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreements of the Funds (Unaudited)

 

 

further noted the Manager’s representation that many of the Funds benefit from these comparably low fee rate levels despite not having yet reached an asset size at which economies of scale would traditionally be considered to exist, and the Manager’s belief that breakpoints are not appropriate at this time. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and subadvisor fee schedules for each Fund provides for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the Funds.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Funds. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the subadvisors as a result of the advisory relationships with the Funds, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or subadvisor’s investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the subadvisors. The Board also considered that the Manager uses its proprietary American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund model to manage its collective investment trust.

In addition, the Manager noted that the Trusts also derive benefits from their association with the Manager. Specifically, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that it provides services to most Funds at a lower than industry average cost. The Board considered that certain of the subadvisors reimburse the Manager for certain of its costs relating to distribution activities for the Funds. The Board also considered that the Funds did not pay commissions to any affiliated broker-dealer of the Manager or the relevant subadvisor during the most recent fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the subadvisors by virtue of their relationships with the Funds appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund

The performance comparisons below were made versus each Fund’s Lipper peer universe median and/or benchmark index. References to the Lipper expense universe below are to the group of comparable mutual funds included in the analysis provided to the Trustees by Lipper. In reviewing the performance, the Trustees viewed longer-term performance over five years or longer as the most important consideration, because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events that do not reflect manager skill.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement for the American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund, the Trustees considered the following additional factors: (1) the American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund underperformed the peer universe median for the one-year period ended March 31, 2012; (2) the Fund underperformed its benchmark for the one-year period ended March 31, 2012; and (3) the expense ratio of the Institutional Class of the Fund ranked better than the median of its Lipper expense universe.

In considering the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Zebra Capital Management, LLC (“Zebra”), the Trustees considered the following additional factors: (1) Zebra underperformed the peer universe median for the one-year period ended March 31, 2012; (2) Zebra’s unique investment style; (3) the performance of Zebra with respect to the Fund’s assets it manages as compared to similarly managed accounts was not available because Zebra does not manage other accounts comparable to the Fund; (4) representations by Zebra regarding fee rates Zebra charges comparable clients; (5) whether Zebra uses Fund commissions to obtain proprietary or third-party research; and (6) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor.

Based on these and other considerations the Trustees (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; (2) determined that the American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and subadvisor’s continued management of the Fund; and (3) approved the renewal of the Management and Investment advisory Agreements with respect to the American Beacon Zebra Large Cap Equity Fund.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement for the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund, the Trustees considered the following additional factors: (1) the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund outperformed the peer universe median for the one-year period ended March 31, 2012; (2) the Fund outperformed its benchmark for the one-year period ended March 31, 2012; and (3) the expense ratio of the Institutional Class of the Fund ranked better than the median of its Lipper expense universe.

In considering the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Zebra, the Trustees considered the following additional factors: (1) Zebra outperformed the peer universe median for the one-year period ended March 31, 2012; (2) Zebra’s unique investment style; (3) the performance of Zebra with respect to the Fund’s assets it manages as compared to similarly managed accounts was not available because Zebra does not manage other accounts comparable to the Fund; (4) representations by Zebra regarding fee rates Zebra charges other comparable clients; (5) whether Zebra uses Fund commissions to obtain proprietary or third-party research; and (6) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor.

Based on these and other considerations the Trustees (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; (2) determined that the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and subadvisor’s continued management of the Fund; and (3) approved the renewal of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund.

 

 

70


Disclosure Regarding the Board of Trustees’ Approval of the Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreements of the Funds (Unaudited)

 

 

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement for the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund, the Trustees considered the following additional factors: (1) the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund outperformed the peer universe median for the one-year period ended March 31, 2012; and (2) the expense ratio of the Institutional Class ranked better than the median of its Lipper expense universe.

In considering the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Strategic Income Management, LLC (“SiM”), the Trustees considered the following additional factors: (1) SiM outperformed the peer universe median for the one-year period ended March 31, 2012; and (2) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor.

Based on these and other considerations the Trustees (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; (2) determined that the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and subadvisor’s continued management of the Fund; and (3) approved the renewal of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements with respect to the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund.

Considerations With Respect to the Approval of the Appointment of The London Company of Virginia, LLC with Respect to the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund

At the May 9, 2012 Board meeting, the Manager proposed that the Board approve The London Company of Virginia, LLC (“The London Company”) as an investment subadvisor to the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund (the “Fund”). Prior to the meeting, the Board requested and reviewed information provided by The London Company in connection with its consideration of The London Company as an investment subadvisor to the Fund, and the Investment Committee of the Board met with representatives from The London Company. A discussion of the factors relating to the Board’s selection of The London Company and approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement between the Manager and The London Company follows.

Nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by The London Company. The Board considered information regarding The London Company’s principal business activities, its reputation, financial condition and overall capabilities to perform the services under the New Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, the Board considered the background and experience of the personnel who will be assigned responsibility for managing the Fund. The Board also considered The London Company’s investment resources, infrastructure and the adequacy of its compliance program. In addition, the Board took into consideration the Manager’s recommendation of The London Company. The London Company also represented that its financial condition is adequate to provide high quality advisory services to the Fund and that its current staffing levels were adequate to service the Fund. Based on this information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the advisory services to be provided by The London Company were appropriate for the Fund in light of its investment objective, and, thus, supported a decision to approve the New Investment Advisory Agreement.

Performance of The London Company. The Board evaluated The London Company’s historical investment performance record in managing assets under a similar investment mandate. In this regard, the Board evaluated the investment performance of The London Company Income Equity Composite (“Composite”) for the 2007 through 2011 periods, as compared to the S&P 500 Index (“Index”). The Board considered that the performance of the Composite outperformed the Index in 2008 and 2011 and underperformed the Index in 2007, 2009 and 2010. In light of all the information provided, the Board concluded that the historical investment performance record of The London Company supported the approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement.

Comparisons of the amounts to be paid under the New Investment Advisory Agreement with those under contracts between The London Company and its other clients. In evaluating the New Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board reviewed the proposed advisory fee rate for services to be performed by The London Company on behalf of the Fund. The Board considered The London Company’s representation that, in addition to the Fund, The London Company has multiple clients that pay below The London Company’s standard annual fee rate. This information assisted the Board in concluding that The London Company’s advisory fee rate under the New Investment Advisory Agreement appeared to be within a reasonable range for the services to be provided to the Fund, in light of all the factors considered.

Extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors. The Board considered that the subadvisory fee rate that The London Company proposed for the Fund includes breakpoints that reflect economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s investors. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the breakpoints under the proposed fee schedule reflect economies of scale associated with the services to be provided by The London Company to the Fund.

Costs of the services to be provided and profits to be realized by The London Company and its affiliates from the relationship with the Fund. The Board did not consider the costs of the services to be provided and profits to be realized by The London Company from its relationship with the Fund, noting instead the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and The London Company with respect to the negotiation of the advisory fee rate on behalf the Fund.

Benefits to be derived by The London Company from the relationship with the Fund. The Board considered The London Company’s statement that it may receive fall out benefits as a result of the advisory relationship with the Fund in the form of research provided by brokers from the generation of soft dollar credits. In this regard, the Board also considered The London Company’s

 

 

71


Disclosure Regarding the Board of Trustees’ Approval of the Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreements of the Funds (Unaudited)

 

 

representation that it uses soft dollars to acquire research products and services that fall within the safe harbor under Section 28(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that “fall-out” benefits that may accrue to The London Company were not a material factor in approving the New Investment Advisory Agreement.

Board’s Conclusion. Based on the various considerations described above, the Board, including a majority of Trustees who are not parties to the New Investment Advisory Agreement or “interested persons” of any such party, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, concluded that the proposed advisory fee rate is reasonable and is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and, as a result, approved the New Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund.

 

 

72


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Funds

(Unaudited)

 

 

The Trustees and officers of the American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person listed below is 4151 Amon Carter Boulevard, MD 2450, Fort Worth, Texas 76155. Each Trustee oversees twenty-six funds in the fund complex that includes the Trust and the American Beacon Select Funds. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available without charge by calling 1-800-658-5811.

 

Name, Age and Address

  

Position, Term of Office
and Length of Time
Served with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships

INTERESTED TRUSTEES      
   Term   
   Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or retirement*   
Gerard J. Arpey** (54)    Trustee since 2012    Partner, Emerald Creek Group (private equity firm) (2011-Present); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, (2003-2011), AMR Corp. and American Airlines; Inc.; Director, S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (privately held company) (2008- present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present).
Alan D. Feld** (75)    Trustee since 1996    Sole Shareholder of a professional corporation which is a Partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP (law firm) (1960-Present); Director, Clear Channel Communications (1984-2008);Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (1996-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (1999- Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (1996-2012).
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES      
   Term   
   Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or retirement*   
W. Humphrey Bogart (68)    Trustee since 2004    Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2004-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2004-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2004-2012).
Brenda A. Cline (51)    Trustee since 2004    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, Kimbell Art Foundation (1993-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2004-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2004-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust
(2004-2012).
Eugene J. Duffy (58)    Trustee since 2008    Principal and Executive Vice President, Paradigm Asset Management (1994- Present); Director, Sunrise Bank of Atlanta (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2008-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2008-2012).
Thomas M. Dunning (69)    Trustee since 2008    Chairman Emeritus (2008-Present); Chairman (1998-2008) and Chief Executive Officer (1998-2007), Lockton Dunning Benefits (consulting firm in employee benefits); Board Director, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (2007-Present); Board Member, BancTec (2010-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2008-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2008-2012).
Richard A. Massman (69)    Trustee since 2004 Chairman since 2008    Consultant and General Counsel Emeritus (2009-Present) and Senior Vice President and General Counsel (1994-2009), Hunt Consolidated, Inc. (holding company engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, refining, real estate, farming, ranching and venture capital activities); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2004-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2004-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2004-2012).

 

 

73


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM

(Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age and Address

  

Position, Term of Office
and Length of Time
Served with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships

Barbara J. McKenna, CFA (49)    Trustee since 2012    Managing Principal, Longfellow Investment Management Company (2005- Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present).

R. Gerald Turner (66)

225 Perkins Admin. Bldg.

Southern Methodist Univ.

Dallas, Texas 75275

   Trustee since 2001    President, Southern Methodist University (1995-Present); Director, J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (1996-Present); Director, Kronus Worldwide Inc. (chemical manufacturing) (2003-Present); Director, First Broadcasting Investment Partners, LLC (2003-2007); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2001- 2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2001-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2001-2012).
Paul J. Zucconi,CPA (72)    Trustee since 2008    Director, Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. (producer of nonstandard automobile insurance) (2004-Present); Director, Titanium Metals Corporation (producer of titanium melted and mill products) (2002-Present); Director, Torchmark Corporation (life and health insurance products) (2002-Present); Director, Charter Bank (community bank services and products) (2010-2011); Trustee, American Beacon Mileage Funds (2008-2012); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Master Trust (2008-2012).
OFFICERS    Term   
   One Year   
Gene L. Needles, Jr. (57)    President since 2009 Executive Vice President since 2009    President, CEO and Director (2009-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; President (2009-Present), President, CEO and Director (2009-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; President and CEO (2009-Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.; President (2009-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; President (2009-Present), American Beacon Mileage Funds; President (2008- 2012), Touchstone Investments; President (2003-2007), CEO (2004-2007), AIM Distributors.
Rosemary K. Behan (53)    VP, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2006    Vice President, Legal and Compliance, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2006- Present); Secretary (2008-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; Secretary (2008- Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.
Brian E. Brett (52)    VP since 2004    Vice President, Director of Sales, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2004- Present).
Wyatt Crumpler (46)    VP since 2007    Chief Investment Officer (2012-Present), Vice President, Asset Management (2009-2011), and Vice President, Trust Investments (2007-2009), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
Erica Duncan (41)    VP Since 2011    Vice President, Marketing and Client Services (2011-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Supervisor, Brand Marketing (2010-2011), Invesco; Supervisor, Marketing Communications (2009-2010) and Senior Financial Writer (2004- 2009), Invesco AIM.
Michael W. Fields (58)    VP since 1989    Chief Fixed Income Officer (2011-Present) and Vice President, Fixed Income Investments, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (1988-2011); Director, American Beacon Global Funds SPC (2002-2011); Director, American Beacon Global Funds plc (2007-2009).
Melinda G. Heika (51)    Treasurer since 2010    Treasurer (2010-Present), and Controller (2005-2009), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Treasurer (2010-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; Treasurer (2010-Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.
Terri L. McKinney (48)    VP since 2010    Vice President, Enterprise Services (2009-Present) and Managing Director (2003- 2009), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (37)    VP since 2010    Chief Operating Officer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2010-Present); Vice President, Product Management, Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (2007-2010); Senior Director, Business Integration, Fidelity Investments (2005-2007).

 

 

74


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Funds

(Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age and Address

  

Position, Term of Office
and Length of Time
Served with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships

Samuel J. Silver (49)    VP Since 2011    Vice President, Fixed Income Investments (2011-Present) and Senior Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income Investments (1999-2011), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
Christina E. Sears (40)    Chief Compliance Officer since 2004 and Asst. Secretary since1999    Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present) and Senior Compliance Analyst (1998- 2004), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
John J. Okray (38)    Asst. Secretary since 2010    Assistant General Counsel, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2010-Present); Asst. Secretary (2010-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; Asst. Secretary (2010- Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.; Vice President, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (2004-2010).
Sonia L. Bates (55)    Asst. Treasurer since 2011    Director, Tax and Financial Reporting (2011 - Present) and Manager, Tax and Financial Reporting (2005-2010), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Asst. Treasurer (2011-Present), Lighthouse Holdings, Inc.; Asst. Treasurer (2011- Present), Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc.

 

* The Board has adopted a retirement plan that requires Trustees to retire no later than the last day of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 72, provided, however, that the board may determine to grant one or more annual exemptions to this requirement.
** Mr. Arpey is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the 1940 Act. Mr. Arpey previously served as CEO of AMR Corp., which has a material relationship with the Manager.
*** Mr. Feld is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the 1940 Act. Mr. Feld’s law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP has provided legal services within the past two years to the Manager and one or more of the Trust’s sub-advisors.

 

 

75


 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

76


 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

77


 

LOGO

 

 

 

Delivery of Documents

eDelivery is NOW AVAILABLE - Stop traditional mail delivery and receive your

shareholder reports and summary prospectus on-line. Sign up at

www.americanbeaconfunds.com

If you invest in the Fund through a financial institution, you may be able to receive the Fund’s regulatory mailings, such as the Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report, by e-mail. If you are interested in this option, please go to www.icsdelivery.com and search for your financial institution’s name or contact your financial institution directly.

To obtain more information about the Fund:

 

LOGO    LOGO
 
By E-mail:    On the Internet:
american_beacon.funds@ambeacon.com    Visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com

    

    

    

  
 
LOGO    LOGO
 
By Telephone:    By Mail:

Institutional, Y, and Investor Classes

Call (800) 658-5811

  

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

    

    
  

Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

 

In addition to the Schedule of Investments provided in each semi-annual and annual report, the Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-Q as of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090. A complete schedule of each Fund’s portfolio holdings is also made available on the Funds’ website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

  

Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records

 

A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which is available free of charge on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com and by calling
1-800-967-9009 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 is filed annually with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Fund’s Forms N-PX are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record may also be obtained by calling 1-800-967-9009.

Fund Service Providers:

 

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and Trust

Boston, Massachusetts

    

TRANSFER AGENT

Boston Financial Data

Services

Kansas City, Missouri

     

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

Dallas, Texas

     

DISTRIBUTOR

Foreside Fund Services, LLC

Portland, Maine

                

This report is prepared for shareholders of the American Beacon Funds and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus of Summary Prospectus.

 

American Beacon Funds, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund, American Beacon Zebra large Cap Equity Fund, American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund, and American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

AR 8/12

 


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

The Trust has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive and financial officers (the “Code”). The Trust amended its code February 16, 2010 to disclose a change in the Principal Financial Office. The Trust did not grant any waivers to the provisions of the Code during the period covered by the shareholder report presented in Item 1. The Code is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined that Mr. Paul Zucconi, a member of the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee, is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Form N-CSR. Mr. Paul Zucconi is “independent” as defined in Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

(a)

Audit Fees

   Fiscal Year Ended  

$144,159

     8/31/2011   

$328,501

     10/31/2011   

$72,527

     12/31/2011   

$27,241

     6/30/2012   

$162,479

     8/31/2012   

$372,802

     10/31/2012   

$54,482

     11/30/2012   

$163,621

     12/31/2012   

 

(b)

Audit-Related Fees

   Fiscal Year Ended  

$0

     8/31/2011   

$0

     10/31/2011   

$0

     12/31/2011   

$0

     6/30/2012   

$0

     8/31/2012   

$0

     10/31/2012   

$0

     11/30/2012   

$0

     12/31/2012   

 

(c)

Tax Fees

   Fiscal Year Ended  

$3,426

     8/31/2011   

$50,971

     10/31/2011   

$3,398

     12/31/2011   

$3,500

     6/30/2012   

$28,000

     8/31/2012   

$74,500

     10/31/2012   

$7,000

     11/30/2012   

$10,500

     12/31/2012   


(d)

All Other Fees

   Fiscal Year Ended  

$0

     8/31/2011   

$0

     10/31/2011   

$0

     12/31/2011   

$0

     6/30/2012   

$0

     8/31/2012   

$0

     10/31/2012   

$0

     11/30/2012   

$0

     12/31/2012   

(e)(1) Pursuant to its charter, the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee shall have the following duties and powers pertaining to pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the Trust’s principal accountant:

- to approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of auditors to annually audit and provide their opinion on the Trusts’ financial statements, and, in connection therewith, reviewing and evaluating matters potentially affecting the independence and capabilities of the auditors;

- to approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of the auditors to provide non-audit services to the Trusts, an investment adviser to any series of the Trusts or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser (“adviser affiliate”) that provides ongoing services to the Trusts, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Trusts;

- to consider whether the non-audit services provided by a Trust’s auditor to an investment adviser or any adviser affiliate that provides ongoing services to a series of the Trusts, which services were not pre-approved by the Committee, are compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence;

- to review the arrangements for and scope of the annual audit and any special audits; and

- to review and approving the fees proposed to be charged to the Trusts by the auditors for each audit and non-audit service.

The Audit and Compliance Committee may delegate any portion of its authority, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, to a subcommittee of one or more members. Any decisions of the subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall be presented to the full audit committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(e)(2) None of the fees disclosed in paragraphs (b) through (d) above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not applicable.


(g)

Aggregate Non-Audit Fees for Services Rendered to the:

 

Registrant

   Adviser      Adviser’s Affiliates  Providing
Ongoing Services to Registrant
     Fiscal Year Ended  

$3,426

   $ 7,885         N/A         8/31/2011   

$50,971

   $ 0         N/A         10/31/2011   

$3,398

   $ 0         N/A         12/31/2011   

$3,500

   $ 0         N/A         6/30/2012   

$28,000

   $ 0         N/A         8/31/2012   

$74,500

   $ 0         N/A         10/31/2012   

$7,000

   $ 0         N/A         11/30/2012   

$10,500

   $ 0         N/A         12/31/2012   

 

(h) Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

The schedules of investments for each series of the Trust are included in the shareholder report presented in Item 1.

 

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.

The Trust has made no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Trust’s Board of Trustees since the Trust last disclosed such procedures in Schedule 14A.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) Based upon an evaluation within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the principal executive and financial officers concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust are effective.

(b) There were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting.


ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

(a)(1) Filed herewith as EX-99.CODE ETH.

(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached hereto as EX-99.CERT.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(b) The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached hereto as EX-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): American Beacon Funds
By   /s/ Gene L. Needles, Jr.
 

Gene L. Needles, Jr.

President

Date: November 8, 2012

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/ Gene L. Needles, Jr.
 

Gene L. Needles, Jr.

President

Date: November 8, 2012

 

By   /s/ Melinda G. Heika
 

Melinda G. Heika

Treasurer

Date: November 8, 2012