N-CSRS 1 d693108dncsrs.htm N-CSRS N-CSRS

 

 

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)

 

 

220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200

Irving, Texas 75039

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

 

 

GENE L. NEEDLES, JR., PRESIDENT

220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200

Irving, Texas 75039

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

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

Date of fiscal year end: June 30, 2018

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2018

 

 

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

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

 

 

 


ITEM 1. REPORTS 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.

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by going to www.americanbeaconfunds.com and clicking on “Quick Links” and then “Register for E-Delivery.”

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-658-5811, option 1, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary of your wish. A notice that will be mailed to you each time a report is posted will also include instructions for informing the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the American Beacon Funds Complex or your financial intermediary, as applicable.

ALPHA QUANT FUNDS

Investing in value stocks may limit downside risk over time; however, the Funds may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. Investing in medium-capitalization stocks may involve greater volatility and lower liquidity than larger company stocks. The Funds are also subject to the following risks: American Beacon Alpha Quant Core Fund – growth stocks; American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend Fund – dividend-paying stocks, growth stocks, fewer issuers; American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality Fund – growth stocks, fewer issuers; American Beacon Alpha Quant Value Fund – fewer issuers. Growth stocks typically are more volatile than value stocks; however, value stocks have a lower expected growth rate in earnings and sales. Investing in dividend-paying stocks may result in less earnings growth or capital appreciation than investing in non-dividend paying stocks. Because the Funds may invest in fewer issuers than a more diversified portfolio, the fluctuating value of a single holding may have a greater effect on the value of the Funds. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Funds’ risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of the Funds will be met.

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 each 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

December 31, 2018


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Performance Overviews

    2  

Expense Examples

    10  

Schedules of Investments:

 

Alpha Quant Core Fund

    13  

Alpha Quant Dividend Fund

    17  

Alpha Quant Quality Fund

    20  

Alpha Quant Value Fund

    23  

Financial Statements

    25  

Notes to Financial Statements

    29  

Financial Highlights:

 

Alpha Quant Core Fund

    45  

Alpha Quant Dividend Fund

    48  

Alpha Quant Quality Fund

    51  

Alpha Quant Value Fund

    54  

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  

 


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

December 2018, a month in which market volatility spiked and all major U.S. equity indexes declined, ending the year in negative territory, serves as a prime example of the importance of having a long-term investment perspective.

 

While long-term investing isn’t about identifying and anticipating the next big market move, it is about identifying the right investment products for riding out those moves. As a long-term investor, you should strive to accomplish the three Ds: direction, discipline and diversification.

 

u   Direction: Achieving your long-term financial goals requires an individualized plan of action. You may want your plan to provide some

  measure of protection against periods of geopolitical turmoil, economic uncertainty, market volatility and job insecurity. Your plan should be reviewed annually and be adjusted in the event your long-range needs change.

 

u  

Discipline: Long-term, systematic participation in an investment portfolio requires your resolution to stay the course. Spending time in the market – rather than trying to time the market – may place you in a better position to reach your long-term financial goals.

 

u  

Diversification: By investing in different types of investment categories and asset classes, you may be able to help mitigate financial risks across your investment portfolio. By allocating your investment portfolio according to your risk-tolerance level, you may be better positioned to weather storms and achieve your long-term financial goals.

Since 1986, American Beacon has endeavored to provide investors with a disciplined approach to realizing long-term financial goals. As a manager of managers, we strive to provide investment products that may enable investors to participate during market upswings while potentially insulating against market downswings. Our approach is more than a concept. It’s the cornerstone of our culture. And we strive to apply it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment products for your investment portfolio.

Many of the sub-advisors to our mutual funds pursue upside capture and/or downside protection using proprietary strategies. The investment teams behind our mutual funds seek to produce consistent, long-term results rather than focus only on short-term movements in the markets. In managing our investment products, we emphasize identifying opportunities that offer the potential for long-term rewards.

Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our 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


American Beacon Alpha Quant Core FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Alpha Quant Core Fund (the “Fund”) returned -9.33% for the six months ended December 31, 2018, underperforming the S&P 500 Index (the “Index”) return of -6.85% for the same period.

 

Total Returns for the Period ended December 31, 2018

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

1 Year

 

Since Inception

03/22/2017

Institutional Class (1,3)

     AQCIX          (9.03 )%        (6.33 )%       4.65 %

Y Class (1,3)

     AQCYX          (9.12 )%        (6.42 )%       4.54 %

Investor Class (1,3)

     AQCPX          (9.33 )%        (6.71 )%       4.21 %
                    

S&P 500 Index (2)

              (6.85 )%        (4.38 )%       5.79 %

 

*

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 calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of the 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. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.

 

2.

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks publicly traded in the United States. The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and has been licensed for use by American Beacon Advisors. Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”). Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). The American Beacon Alpha Quant Core Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P or their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of the S&P 500 Index. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

3.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y and Investor Class shares were 5.55%, 5.63% and 6.73%, 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 due mostly to security selection, while sector allocation was a positive contributor to relative performance.

During the period, stock selection in the Information Technology and Health Care sectors detracted the most from relative performance. In the Information Technology sector, Western Digital Corp. (down 51.5%) and DXC Technology Co. (down 41.0%) were the largest detractors. In the Health Care sector, WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (down 28.7%) and an absence from index-constituent Pfizer, Inc. (up 22.3%) also detracted from relative returns. Conversely, stock selection in the Consumer Staples sector, Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (up 23.8%) and Clorox Company (up 14.2%) partially offset the aforementioned performance.

From a sector allocation standpoint, an overweight to the top-performing Health Care sector (up 4.9%) and Consumer Staples sector (up 0.1%) contributed to performance. Slightly offsetting this performance was a null weight in the Utilities sector (up 3.8%).

The Fund’s sub-advisor remains focused on implementing a quantitative investment process rooted in fundamental factors that seeks to deliver shareholder value and above-market performance.

 

 

2


American Beacon Alpha Quant Core FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

AbbVie, Inc.           2.4  
Boeing Co.           2.2  
Booking Holdings, Inc.           2.2  
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.           2.2  
Amgen, Inc.           2.1  
Apple, Inc.           2.1  
Cigna Corp.           2.1  
F5 Networks, Inc.           2.1  
Intuit, Inc.           2.1  
Lam Research Corp.           2.1  
Total Fund Holdings      55       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Information Technology           27.5  
Health Care           17.0  
Consumer Staples           15.3  
Consumer Discretionary           13.0  
Industrials           12.7  
Materials           5.0  
Energy           4.8  
Communication Services           4.7  

 

 

3


American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) returned -3.01% for the six months ended December 31, 2018, outperforming the S&P 500 Value Index (the “Index”) return of -6.88% for the same period.

 

Total Returns for the Period ended December 31, 2018

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

1 Year

 

Since Inception

03/22/2017

Institutional Class (1,3)

     AQDIX          (2.80 )%        (7.12 )%       2.23 %

Y Class (1,3)

     AQDYX          (2.90 )%        (7.22 )%       2.12 %

Investor Class (1,3)

     AQDPX          (3.01 )%        (7.42 )%       1.84 %
                    

S&P 500 Value Index (2)

              (6.88 )%        (8.95 )%       1.32 %

 

*

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 calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of the 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. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.

 

2.

The S&P 500 Value Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks publicly traded in the United States, which represents the value companies, as determined by the Index sponsor, of the S&P 500 Index. The Index measures the performance of large-capitalization value stocks. The S&P 500 Value Index and the S&P 500 Index are products of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and have been licensed for use by American Beacon Advisors. Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”). Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). The American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P or their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of the S&P 500 Value Index or the S&P 500 Index. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

3.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y and Investor Class shares were 5.91%, 5.98% and 7.11%, 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 outperformed the Index due to both security selection and sector allocation contributing positively to relative performance.

During the period, stock selection in the Materials and Industrials sectors contributed positively to relative performance. In the Materials sector, International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (up 8.4%) and Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (up 4.0%) were the largest contributors. In the Industrials sector, Cummins, Inc. (up 2.6%) and an absence from index-constituent General Electric Co. (down 43.8%) contributed positively to relative returns. Conversely, stock selection in the Financials sector, including People’s United Financial (down 19.4%) and an absence from index-name Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B (up 9.4%) detracted from relative performance.

From a sector allocation standpoint, an underweight to both the Energy sector (down 22.9%) and the Financials sector (down 9.2%), as well as an overweight to the Utilities sector (up 3.2%) contributed positively to relative performance. Slightly offsetting this performance was an overweight to the Industrials sector (down 12.2%).

The Fund’s sub-advisor remains focused on implementing a quantitative investment process rooted in fundamental factors that seeks to deliver shareholder value and above-market performance.

 

 

4


American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

Procter & Gamble Co.           3.9  
Verizon Communications, Inc.           3.9  
Cisco Systems, Inc.           3.7  
Cummins, Inc.           3.7  
American Electric Power Co., Inc.           3.6  
Coca-Cola Co.           3.6  
Kimberly-Clark Corp.           3.6  
Pfizer, Inc.           3.6  
Omnicom Group, Inc.           3.6  
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.           3.5  
Total Fund Holdings      30       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)        
Consumer Staples           14.4  
Health Care           13.4  
Utilities           13.3  
Industrials           12.6  
Information Technology           10.0  
Materials           9.8  
Communication Services           7.5  
Real Estate           6.3  
Energy           6.2  
Consumer Discretionary           3.4  
Financials           3.1  

 

 

5


American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality Fund (the “Fund”) returned -7.02% for the six months ended December 31, 2018, underperforming the S&P 500 Growth Index (the “Index”) return of -6.79% for the same period.

 

Total Returns for the Period ended December 31, 2018

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

1 Year

 

Since Inception

03/22/2017

Institutional Class (1,3)

     AQQIX          (6.90 )%        (1.58 )%       7.86 %

Y Class (1,3)

     AQQYX          (6.99 )%        (1.66 )%       7.75 %

Investor Class (1,3)

     AQQPX          (7.02 )%        (1.93 )%       7.49 %
                    

S&P 500 Growth Index (2)

              (6.79 )%        (0.01 )%       9.82 %

 

*

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 calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of the 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. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.

 

2.

The S&P 500 Growth Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks publicly traded in the United States, which represents the growth companies, as determined by the Index sponsor, of the S&P 500 Index. The Index measures the performance of large-capitalization growth stocks. The S&P 500 Growth Index and the S&P 500 Index are products of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and have been licensed for use by American Beacon Advisors. Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”). Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). The American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P or their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of the S&P 500 Growth Index or the S&P 500 Index. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

3.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y and Investor Class shares were 5.69%, 5.78% and 6.83%, 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 due mostly to security selection, while sector allocation contributed positively to relative performance.

During the period, stock selection in the Information Technology and Materials sectors detracted the most from relative performance. In the Information Technology sector, Applied Materials (down 27.5%) detracted from relative performance, as did an absence from index-name Microsoft Corp. (up 3.9%). In the Materials sector, LyondellBasell Industries (down 22.9%) detracted the most from relative returns. Slightly offsetting this performance was stock selection in the Consumer Staples sector, led by positions in Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (up 24.4%) and Procter & Gamble Co. (up 11.4%).

From a sector allocation standpoint, a significant overweight to the Consumer Staples sector (down 0.7%) and an underweight to the Informational Technology sector (down 7.8%) contributed positively to relative performance. Conversely, a sizeable overweight to the Energy sector (down 28.7%) hurt relative returns as this was the worst performing sector of the Index.

The Fund’s sub-advisor remains focused on implementing a quantitative investment process rooted in fundamental factors that seeks to deliver shareholder value and above-market performance.

 

 

6


American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

Booking Holdings, Inc.           3.9  
Amgen, Inc.           3.8  
Biogen, Inc.           3.8  
AbbVie, Inc.           3.6  
Boeing Co.           3.6  
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.           3.5  
Intuit, Inc.           3.4  
Procter & Gamble Co.           3.4  
Apple, Inc.           3.3  
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.           3.3  
Total Fund Holdings      30       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Industrials           19.8  
Information Technology           19.5  
Health Care           17.7  
Consumer Staples           16.7  
Consumer Discretionary           10.4  
Energy           6.4  
Communication Services           6.4  
Materials           3.1  

 

 

7


American Beacon Alpha Quant Value FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Alpha Quant Value Fund (the “Fund”) returned -12.60% for the six months ended December 31, 2018, underperforming the S&P 500 Value Index (the “Index”) return of -6.88% for the same period.

 

Total Returns for the Period ended December 31, 2018

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

1 Year

 

Since Inception

03/22/2017

Institutional Class (1,3)

     AQVVX          (12.45 )%        (9.56 )%       3.10 %

Y Class (1,3)

     AQVYX          (12.54 )%        (9.65 )%       2.99 %

Investor Class (1,3)

     AQVPX          (12.60 )%        (9.85 )%       2.71 %
                    

S&P 500 Value Index (2)

              (6.88 )%        (8.95 )%       1.32 %

 

*

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 calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of the 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. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.

 

2.

The S&P 500 Value Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks publicly traded in the United Sates, which represents the value companies, as determined by the Index sponsor, of the S&P 500 Index. The Index measures the performance of large-capitalization value stocks. The S&P 500 Value Index and the S&P 500 Index are products of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and have been licensed for use by American Beacon Advisors. Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”). Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). The American Beacon Alpha Quant Value Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P or their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of the S&P 500 Value Index or the S&P 500 Index. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

3.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y and Investor Class shares were 5.18%, 5.30% and 6.21%, 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 due mostly to security selection, while sector allocation was a slight contributor to relative performance.

During the period, stock selection in the Information Technology and Health Care sectors detracted the most from relative performance. In the Information Technology sector, positions in Western Digital Corp. (down 49.9%), Micron Technology (down 36.8%), and DXC Technology Co. (down 41.5%) detracted from relative performance. In the Health Care sector, WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (down 28.1%) and an absence from Merck & Co., Inc. (up 27.7%) detracted. Conversely, stock selection in the Industrials sector, Cummins, Inc. (up 1.3%) and an absence from General Electric Co. (down 43.8%), slightly offset the aforementioned performance.

From a sector allocation standpoint, a significant overweight to the top-performing Health Care sector (up 6.4%) and a complete absence from the Financials sector (down 9.2%) contributed positively to the Fund’s relative return. Slightly offsetting this performance was an underweight in both the Communication Services sector (up 1.6%) and the Utilities sector (up 3.2%).

The Fund’s sub-advisor remains focused on implementing a quantitative investment process rooted in fundamental factors that seeks to deliver shareholder value and above-market performance.

 

 

 

8


American Beacon Alpha Quant Value FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

HP, Inc.           3.7  
Amgen, Inc.           3.5  
Kohl’s Corp.           3.5  
Lam Research Corp.           3.5  
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.           3.5  
Marathon Petroleum Corp.           3.5  
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.           3.5  
Boeing Co.           3.4  
Gilead Sciences, Inc.           3.4  
Juniper Networks, Inc.           3.4  
Total Fund Holdings      30       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Information Technology           30.1  
Health Care           16.8  
Consumer Discretionary           13.2  
Consumer Staples           10.3  
Energy           9.9  
Materials           9.6  
Industrials           6.9  
Communication Services           3.2  

 

 

9


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Funds 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, 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 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “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 Funds through an IRA or Roth 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 tables provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Funds’ actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds 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 Funds through an IRA or Roth 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 Funds, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, as applicable. 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 tables 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.

 

 

10


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon Alpha Quant Core Fund            
    Beginning Account Value
7/1/2018
  Ending Account Value
12/31/2018
  Expenses Paid  During
Period

7/1/2018-12/31/2018*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $909.70       $3.32
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.73       $3.52
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $908.80       $3.80
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.22       $4.02
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $906.70       $5.14
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.81       $5.45

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.69%, 0.79%, and 1.07% for the Institutional, Y, and Investor 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 (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend Fund            
    Beginning Account Value
7/1/2018
  Ending Account Value
12/31/2018
  Expenses Paid  During
Period

7/1/2018-12/31/2018*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $972.00       $3.43
Hypothetical       $1,000.00       $1,021.73       $3.52
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $971.00       $3.92
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.22       $4.02
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $969.90       $5.31
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.81       $5.45

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.69%, 0.79%, and 1.07% for the Institutional, Y, and Investor 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 (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

11


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality Fund            
    Beginning Account Value
7/1/2018
  Ending Account Value
12/31/2018
  Expenses Paid  During
Period

7/1/2018-12/31/2018*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $931.00       $3.36
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.73       $3.52
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $930.10       $3.84
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.22       $4.02
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $929.80       $5.20
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.81       $5.45

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.69%, 0.79%, and 1.07% for the Institutional, Y, and Investor 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 (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

American Beacon Alpha Quant Value Fund            
    Beginning Account Value
7/1/2018
  Ending Account Value
12/31/2018
  Expenses Paid  During
Period

7/1/2018-12/31/2018*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $875.50       $3.26
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.73       $3.52
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $874.60       $3.73
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.22       $4.02
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $874.00       $5.05
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.81       $5.45

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.69%, 0.79%, and 1.07% for the Institutional, Y, and Investor 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 (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

12


American Beacon Alpha Quant Core FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.15%            
Communication Services - 4.70%            
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 1.68%            
Verizon Communications, Inc.       850         $ 47,787
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 1.38%            
Facebook, Inc., Class AA       301           39,458
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 1.64%            
Omnicom Group, Inc.       636           46,581
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              133,826
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 12.91%            
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.81%            
Starbucks Corp.       800           51,520
           

 

 

 
           
Household Durables - 1.61%            
PulteGroup, Inc.       1,766           45,898
           

 

 

 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail - 2.24%            
Booking Holdings, Inc.A       37           63,729
           

 

 

 
           
Multiline Retail - 1.93%            
Kohl’s Corp.       831           55,129
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 3.50%            
Best Buy Co., Inc.       778           41,203
Foot Locker, Inc.       1,101           58,573
           

 

 

 
              99,776
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 1.82%            
NIKE, Inc., Class B       700           51,898
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              367,950
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 15.14%            
Beverages - 3.46%            
Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B       940           52,790
Monster Beverage Corp.A       930           45,775
           

 

 

 
              98,565
           

 

 

 
           
Food & Staples Retailing - 5.79%            
Sysco Corp.       800           50,128
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.       911           62,249
Walmart, Inc.       565           52,630
           

 

 

 
              165,007
           

 

 

 
           
Household Products - 4.05%            
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.       877           57,671
Procter & Gamble Co.       627           57,634
           

 

 

 
              115,305
           

 

 

 
           
Tobacco - 1.84%            
Altria Group, Inc.       1,062           52,452
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              431,329
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon Alpha Quant Core FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.15% (continued)            
Energy - 4.77%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 4.77%            
HollyFrontier Corp.       910         $ 46,519
Marathon Petroleum Corp.       775           45,733
Valero Energy Corp.       581           43,558
           

 

 

 
              135,810
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              135,810
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 16.82%            
Biotechnology - 7.75%            
AbbVie, Inc.       733           67,575
Amgen, Inc.       306           59,569
Biogen, Inc.A       164           49,351
Gilead Sciences, Inc.       710           44,411
           

 

 

 
              220,906
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 7.60%            
AmerisourceBergen Corp.       753           56,023
Cardinal Health, Inc.       1,231           54,903
Cigna Corp.A       311           59,065
McKesson Corp.       420           46,397
           

 

 

 
              216,388
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 1.47%            
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.       807           41,948
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              479,242
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 12.60%            
Aerospace & Defense - 2.15%            
Boeing Co.       190           61,275
           

 

 

 
           
Air Freight & Logistics - 3.61%            
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.       621           52,220
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.       745           50,727
           

 

 

 
              102,947
           

 

 

 
           
Airlines - 3.23%            
Delta Air Lines, Inc.       1,027           51,247
Southwest Airlines Co.       878           40,810
           

 

 

 
              92,057
           

 

 

 
           
Machinery - 1.87%            
Cummins, Inc.       398           53,188
           

 

 

 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors - 1.74%            
WW Grainger, Inc.       175           49,413
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              358,880
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 27.29%            
Communications Equipment - 5.79%            
Cisco Systems, Inc.       1,166           50,523
F5 Networks, Inc.A       374           60,599
Juniper Networks, Inc.       2,000           53,820
           

 

 

 
              164,942
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon Alpha Quant Core FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.15% (continued)            
Information Technology - 27.29% (continued)            
IT Services - 1.74%            
Visa, Inc., Class A       375         $ 49,477
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 8.79%            
Applied Materials, Inc.       1,480           48,455
KLA-Tencor Corp.       587           52,531
Lam Research Corp.       449           61,140
Micron Technology, Inc.A       1,265           40,139
NVIDIA Corp.       360           48,060
           

 

 

 
              250,325
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 2.09%            
Intuit, Inc.       303           59,645
           

 

 

 
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 8.88%            
Apple, Inc.       384           60,572
HP, Inc.       2,599           53,176
NetApp, Inc.       869           51,853
Seagate Technology PLC       1,300           50,167
Western Digital Corp.       1,011           37,377
           

 

 

 
              253,145
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              777,534
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 4.92%            
Chemicals - 3.33%            
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.       1,060           46,121
LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A       587           48,815
           

 

 

 
              94,936
           

 

 

 
           
Metals & Mining - 1.59%            
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.       4,400           45,364
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              140,300
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,966,022)

              2,824,871
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.71% (Cost $20,074)            
Investment Companies - 0.71%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%B C       20,074           20,074
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.86% (Cost $2,986,096)

              2,844,945

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.14%

              4,056
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 2,849,001
           

 

 

 
           
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Non-income producing security.

B The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

C 7-day yield.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon Alpha Quant Core FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of December 31, 2018, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Alpha Quant Core Fund

  Level 1           Level 2            Level 3           Total  

Assets

              

Common Stocks

  $ 2,824,871       $ -        $ -       $ 2,824,871  

Short-Term Investments

    20,074         -          -         20,074  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 2,844,945       $ -        $ -       $ 2,844,945  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to level 3 to be disclosed. During the period ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.87%            
Communication Services - 7.50%            
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 3.90%            
Verizon Communications, Inc.       1,739         $ 97,767
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 3.60%            
Omnicom Group, Inc.       1,229           90,012
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              187,779
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 3.37%            
Multiline Retail - 3.37%            
Target Corp.       1,277           84,397
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 14.43%            
Beverages - 6.90%            
Coca-Cola Co.       1,909           90,391
PepsiCo, Inc.       750           82,230
           

 

 

 
              172,621
           

 

 

 
           
Household Products - 7.53%            
Kimberly-Clark Corp.       787           89,671
Procter & Gamble Co.       1,075           98,814
           

 

 

 
              188,485
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              361,106
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 6.22%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 6.22%            
Chevron Corp.       720           78,278
Exxon Mobil Corp.       1,137           77,532
           

 

 

 
              155,810
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              155,810
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 3.16%            
Insurance - 3.16%            
Principal Financial Group, Inc.       1,789           79,020
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 13.38%            
Biotechnology - 3.54%            
Amgen, Inc.       455           88,575
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 3.15%            
Cardinal Health, Inc.       1,771           78,987
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 6.69%            
Johnson & Johnson       609           78,281
Pfizer, Inc.       2,041           89,089
           

 

 

 
              167,370
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              334,932
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 12.54%            
Aerospace & Defense - 2.82%            
Lockheed Martin Corp.       270           70,697
           

 

 

 
           
Air Freight & Logistics - 3.07%            
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B       788           76,853
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.87% (continued)            
Industrials - 12.54% (continued)            
Electrical Equipment - 2.97%            
Emerson Electric Co.       1,245         $ 74,389
           

 

 

 
           
Machinery - 3.68%            
Cummins, Inc.       689           92,078
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              314,017
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 9.95%            
Communications Equipment - 3.67%            
Cisco Systems, Inc.       2,121           91,903
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 3.15%            
International Business Machines Corp.       693           78,773
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 3.13%            
Texas Instruments, Inc.       832           78,391
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              249,067
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 9.80%            
Chemicals - 9.80%            
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.       554           88,668
Ecolab, Inc.       537           78,418
PPG Industries, Inc.       769           78,138
           

 

 

 
              245,224
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              245,224
           

 

 

 
           
Real Estate - 6.26%            
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - 6.26%            
Ventas, Inc.       1,350           78,308
Welltower, Inc.       1,144           78,285
           

 

 

 
              156,593
           

 

 

 
           

Total Real Estate

              156,593
           

 

 

 
           
Utilities - 13.26%            
Electric Utilities - 10.12%            
American Electric Power Co., Inc.       1,195           89,314
Duke Energy Corp.       913           78,341
Southern Co.       1,952           85,732
           

 

 

 
              253,387
           

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities - 3.14%            
Consolidated Edison, Inc.       1,031           78,458
           

 

 

 
           

Total Utilities

              331,845
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,578,930)

              2,499,790
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.81% (Cost $20,158)            
Investment Companies - 0.81%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%A B       20,158           20,158
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.68% (Cost $2,599,088)

              2,519,948

LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (0.68%)

              (16,996 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 2,502,952
           

 

 

 
           
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

B 7-day yield.

 

See accompanying notes

 

18


American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of December 31, 2018, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Alpha Quant Dividend Fund

  Level 1           Level 2            Level 3           Total  

Assets

              

Common Stocks

  $ 2,499,790       $ -        $ -       $ 2,499,790  

Short-Term Investments

    20,158         -          -         20,158  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 2,519,948       $ -        $ -       $ 2,519,948  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to level 3 to be disclosed. During the period ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

19


American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.29%            
Communication Services - 6.36%            
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 3.26%            
Verizon Communications, Inc.       1,416         $ 79,608
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 3.10%            
Facebook, Inc., Class AA       579           75,901
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              155,509
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 10.34%            
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail - 3.88%            
Booking Holdings, Inc.A       55           94,733
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 3.25%            
Best Buy Co., Inc.       1,500           79,440
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 3.21%            
NIKE, Inc., Class B       1,058           78,440
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              252,613
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 16.60%            
Beverages - 3.16%            
Monster Beverage Corp.A       1,571           77,325
           

 

 

 
           
Food & Staples Retailing - 3.22%            
Sysco Corp.       1,255           78,638
           

 

 

 
           
Household Products - 6.92%            
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.       1,295           85,159
Procter & Gamble Co.       914           84,015
           

 

 

 
              169,174
           

 

 

 
           
Tobacco - 3.30%            
Altria Group, Inc.       1,630           80,506
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              405,643
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 6.36%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 6.36%            
HollyFrontier Corp.       1,504           76,884
Valero Energy Corp.       1,049           78,644
           

 

 

 
              155,528
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              155,528
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 17.59%            
Biotechnology - 11.19%            
AbbVie, Inc.       964           88,871
Amgen, Inc.       477           92,857
Biogen, Inc.A       305           91,781
           

 

 

 
              273,509
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 3.13%            
AmerisourceBergen Corp.       1,030           76,632
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 3.27%            
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.       1,536           79,841
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              429,982
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

20


American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.29% (continued)            
Industrials - 19.61%            
Aerospace & Defense - 3.58%            
Boeing Co.       271         $ 87,398
           

 

 

 
           
Air Freight & Logistics - 6.65%            
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.       972           81,735
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.       1,188           80,891
           

 

 

 
              162,626
           

 

 

 
           
Airlines - 6.45%            
Delta Air Lines, Inc.       1,608           80,239
Southwest Airlines Co.       1,665           77,389
           

 

 

 
              157,628
           

 

 

 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors - 2.93%            
WW Grainger, Inc.       254           71,720
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              479,372
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 19.40%            
IT Services - 3.21%            
Visa, Inc., Class A       594           78,372
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 9.48%            
Applied Materials, Inc.       2,225           72,847
KLA-Tencor Corp.       890           79,646
NVIDIA Corp.       594           79,299
           

 

 

 
              231,792
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 3.39%            
Intuit, Inc.       421           82,874
           

 

 

 
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 3.32%            
Apple, Inc.       515           81,236
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              474,274
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 3.03%            
Chemicals - 3.03%            
LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A       890           74,012
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,539,324)

              2,426,933
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.60% (Cost $14,723)            
Investment Companies - 0.60%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%B C       14,723           14,723
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.89% (Cost $2,554,047)

              2,441,656

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.11%

              2,708
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 2,444,364
           

 

 

 
           
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Non-income producing security.

B The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

C 7-day yield.

 

See accompanying notes

 

21


American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of December 31, 2018, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Alpha Quant Quality Fund

  Level 1           Level 2            Level 3           Total  

Assets

              

Common Stocks

  $ 2,426,933       $ -        $ -       $ 2,426,933  

Short-Term Investments

    14,723         -          -         14,723  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 2,441,656       $ -        $ -       $ 2,441,656  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to level 3 to be disclosed. During the period ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

22


American Beacon Alpha Quant Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.01%            
Communication Services - 3.14%            
Media - 3.14%            
Omnicom Group, Inc.       2,019         $ 147,871
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 13.13%            
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 3.11%            
Starbucks Corp.       2,278           146,703
           

 

 

 
           
Household Durables - 3.09%            
PulteGroup, Inc.       5,600           145,544
           

 

 

 
           
Multiline Retail - 3.52%            
Kohl’s Corp.       2,503           166,049
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 3.41%            
Foot Locker, Inc.       3,016           160,451
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              618,747
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 10.19%            
Beverages - 3.33%            
Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B       2,793           156,855
           

 

 

 
           
Food & Staples Retailing - 6.86%            
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.       2,383           162,830
Walmart, Inc.       1,720           160,218
           

 

 

 
              323,048
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              479,903
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 9.79%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 9.79%            
HollyFrontier Corp.       3,108           158,881
Marathon Petroleum Corp.       2,759           162,809
Valero Energy Corp.       1,861           139,519
           

 

 

 
              461,209
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              461,209
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 16.62%            
Biotechnology - 6.87%            
Amgen, Inc.       837           162,939
Gilead Sciences, Inc.       2,574           161,004
           

 

 

 
              323,943
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 9.75%            
Cardinal Health, Inc.       3,540           157,884
Cigna Corp.A       829           157,444
McKesson Corp.       1,303           143,942
           

 

 

 
              459,270
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              783,213
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 6.81%            
Aerospace & Defense - 3.43%            
Boeing Co.       501           161,573
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

23


American Beacon Alpha Quant Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.01% (continued)            
Industrials - 6.81% (continued)            
Machinery - 3.38%            
Cummins, Inc.       1,191         $ 159,165
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              320,738
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 29.77%            
Communications Equipment - 10.11%            
Cisco Systems, Inc.       3,695           160,104
F5 Networks, Inc.A       951           154,091
Juniper Networks, Inc.       6,017           161,917
           

 

 

 
              476,112
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 6.63%            
Lam Research Corp.       1,200           163,404
Micron Technology, Inc.A       4,693           148,909
           

 

 

 
              312,313
           

 

 

 
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 13.03%            
HP, Inc.       8,411           172,089
NetApp, Inc.       2,466           147,146
Seagate Technology PLC       3,859           148,919
Western Digital Corp.       3,945           145,847
           

 

 

 
              614,001
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              1,402,426
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 9.56%            
Chemicals - 6.61%            
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.       3,358           146,106
LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A       1,986           165,156
           

 

 

 
              311,262
           

 

 

 
           
Metals & Mining - 2.95%            
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.       13,479           138,969
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              450,231
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $5,132,321)

              4,664,338
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.01% (Cost $5,132,321)

              4,664,338

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.99%

              46,746
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 4,711,084
           

 

 

 
           
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Non-income producing security.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of December 31, 2018, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Alpha Quant Value Fund

  Level 1           Level 2            Level 3           Total  

Assets

              

Common Stocks

  $ 4,664,338       $ -        $ -       $ 4,664,338  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 4,664,338       $ -        $ -       $ 4,664,338  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to level 3 to be disclosed. During the period ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

24


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Alpha Quant
Core Fund
          Alpha Quant
Dividend Fund
          Alpha Quant
Quality Fund
          Alpha Quant
Value Fund
 

Assets:

             

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value

  $ 2,824,871       $ 2,499,790       $ 2,426,933       $ 4,664,338  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    20,074         20,158         14,723          

Dividends and interest receivable

    3,006         5,228         1,542         6,476  

Receivable for investments sold

            812,246                 59,893  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    84         33                  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    15,701         15,643         15,651         16,472  

Prepaid expenses

    14,645         14,479         14,527         16,411  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

    2,878,381         3,367,577         2,473,376         4,763,590  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

             

Payable for investments purchased

            835,284                  

Dividends and interest expense payable

                            22,037  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    1,485         1,307         1,268         2,655  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    25         84         27         281  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    149         138         135         229  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    344         344         344         344  

Professional fees payable

    24,269         24,274         24,271         24,268  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    759         842         617         340  

Other liabilities

    2,349         2,352         2,350         2,352  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    29,380         864,625         29,012         52,506  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 2,849,001       $ 2,502,952       $ 2,444,364       $ 4,711,084  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

             

Paid-in-capital

  $ 3,060,518       $ 2,698,945       $ 2,564,365       $ 5,380,651  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    (211,517       (195,993       (120,001       (669,567
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 2,849,001       $ 2,502,952       $ 2,444,364       $ 4,711,084  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

             

Institutional Class

    261,172         209,451         214,493         203,193  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

    19,871         11,031         25,586         143,020  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

    13,524         46,092         14,599         130,204  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

             

Institutional Class

  $ 2,527,206       $ 1,969,279       $ 2,060,034       $ 2,014,342  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 191,912       $ 103,494       $ 245,203       $ 1,415,013  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 129,883       $ 430,179       $ 139,127       $ 1,281,729  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

             

Institutional Class

  $ 9.68       $ 9.40       $ 9.60       $ 9.91  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 9.66       $ 9.38       $ 9.58       $ 9.89  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 9.60       $ 9.33       $ 9.53       $ 9.84  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 2,966,022       $ 2,578,930       $ 2,539,324       $ 5,132,321  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 20,074       $ 20,158       $ 14,723       $  

A The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

25


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Operations

For the period ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Alpha Quant
Core Fund
          Alpha Quant
Dividend Fund
          Alpha Quant
Quality Fund
          Alpha Quant
Value Fund
 

Investment income:

             

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities

  $ 30,316       $ 44,599       $ 25,459       $ 53,664  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 7)

    359         223         203         754  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

    30,675         44,822         25,662         54,418  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Expenses:

             

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    8,949         7,628         8,092         14,830  

Transfer agent fees:

             

Institutional Class (Note 2)

    119         52         35         37  

Y Class (Note 2)

    70         84         78         980  

Investor Class

    543         544         542         570  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    8,126         8,107         8,116         8,162  

Professional fees

    19,555         19,526         19,550         19,581  

Registration fees and expenses

    21,322         21,314         21,313         24,693  

Service fees (Note 2):

             

Investor Class

    6,105         6,192         6,115         6,654  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    1,062         1,048         1,049         1,089  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    82         71         76         112  

Other expenses

    1,928         1,923         1,925         1,995  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

    67,861         66,489         66,891         78,703  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net fees waived and expenses (reimbursed) (Note 2)

    (57,210       (57,100       (57,170       (58,879
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net expenses

    10,651         9,389         9,721         19,824  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

    20,024         35,433         15,941         34,594  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

             

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    45,686         (117,036       171,668         (148,556

Change in net unrealized (depriciation) of:

             

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    (368,967       (19,240       (378,964       (717,337
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (loss) from investments

    (323,281       (136,276       (207,296       (865,893
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (303,257     $ (100,843     $ (191,355     $ (831,299
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

A The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities.

 

B The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

26


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Alpha Quant Core Fund           Alpha Quant Dividend Fund  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
          Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)                       (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

             

Operations:

             

Net investment income

  $ 20,024       $ 31,910       $ 35,433       $ 58,380  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments in unaffiliated securities

    45,686         128,511         (117,036       124,002  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities

    (368,967       188,355         (19,240       (45,759
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (303,257       348,776         (100,843       136,623  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Net investment income:

             

Institutional Class

    -         (24,547       -         (51,025

Y Class

    -         (1,582       -         (3,219

Investor Class

    -         (1,400       -         (2,929

Net realized gain from investments:

             

Institutional Class

    -         -         -         (689

Y Class

    -         -         -         (45

Investor Class

    -         -         -         (39

Total retained earnings: *

             

Institutional Class

    (238,434       -         (138,103       -  

Y Class

    (18,171       -         (7,641       -  

Investor Class

    (12,328       -         (27,155       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (268,933       (27,529       (172,899       (57,946
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 10):

             

Proceeds from sales of shares

    530,613         240,724         359,229         239,050  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    268,933         27,529         172,899         57,946  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (8,665       (1,616       (32,371       (100,808
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

    790,881         266,637         499,757         196,188  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    218,691         587,884         226,015         274,865  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

             

Beginning of period

    2,630,310         2,042,426         2,276,937         2,002,072  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 2,849,001       $ 2,630,310       $ 2,502,952       $ 2,276,937  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

* Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are combined for the period ended December 31, 2018. See Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements for more information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

27


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Alpha Quant Quality Fund           Alpha Quant Value Fund  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
          Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)                       (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

             

Operations:

             

Net investment income

  $ 15,941       $ 17,620       $ 34,594       $ 46,327  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments in unaffiliated securities

    171,668         179,184         (148,556       125,143  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities

    (378,964       243,152         (717,337       201,721  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (191,355       439,956         (831,299       373,191  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Net investment income:

             

Institutional Class

    -         (14,994       -         (31,446

Y Class

    -         (976       -         (2,250

Investor Class

    -         (857       -         (1,939

Net realized gain from investments:

             

Institutional Class

    -         -         -         -  

Y Class

    -         -         -         -  

Investor Class

    -         -         -         -  

Total retained earnings: *

             

Institutional Class

    (312,405       -         (92,857       -  

Y Class

    (37,253       -         (70,474       -  

Investor Class

    (21,418       -         (59,407       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (371,076       (16,827       (222,738       (35,635
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 10):

             

Proceeds from sales of shares

    167,073         28,491         2,657,015         1,140,762  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    371,076         16,827         217,885         35,635  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (22,102       -         (675,765       (881
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

    516,047         45,318         2,199,135         1,175,516  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (46,384       468,447         1,145,098         1,513,072  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

             

Beginning of period

    2,490,748         2,022,301         3,565,986         2,052,914  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 2,444,364       $ 2,490,748       $ 4,711,084       $ 3,565,986  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

* Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are combined for the period ended December 31, 2018. See Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements for more information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

28


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”), is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Funds, each a series within the Trust, are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as diversified, open-end management investment companies. As of December 31, 2018, the Trust consists of thirty-three active series, four of which are presented in this filing: American Beacon Alpha Quant Core Fund, American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend Fund, American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality Fund, and American Beacon Alpha Quant Value Fund (collectively, the “Funds” and each individually a “Fund”). The remaining twenty-nine active series are reported in separate filings.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). RIM is, in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Acquisition, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (“RIH”). RIH is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P., investment funds affiliated with Kelso & Company, L.P. (“Kelso”) or Estancia Capital Management, LLC (“Estancia”), which are private equity firms.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-08, Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in the ASU shorten the premium amortization period on a purchased callable debt security from the security’s contractual life to the earliest call date. It is anticipated that this change will enhance disclosures by reducing losses recognized when a security is called on an earlier date. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Manager continues to evaluate the impact this ASU will have on the financial statements and other disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The amendments in the ASU impact disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. It is anticipated that this change will enhance the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted and can include the entire standard or certain provisions that exclude or amend disclosures. For the period ended December 31, 2018, the Funds have chosen to adopt the standard. The adoption of this ASU guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements and other disclosures.

In August 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements in Securities Act Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, which is intended to facilitate the disclosure of information to investors and simplify compliance without significantly altering the total mix of information provided to investors. Effective with the current reporting period, the Funds adopted the amendments with the impacts being that the Funds are no longer required to present components of distributable earnings on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities or the sources of distributable earnings and the amount of undistributed net investment income on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

 

29


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Class Disclosure

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

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum
Initial Investments
 
Institutional    Large institutional investors - sold directly through intermediary channels.    $ 250,000  
Y Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 100,000  
Investor    All investors using intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or retirement plan sponsors.    $ 2,500  

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 service, distribution, transfer agent fees, and sub-transfer agent fees that vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Funds in preparation of the financial statements. The Funds are considered investment companies and accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.

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, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold are determined on the basis of specific lot identification.

Distributions to Shareholders

Distributions, if any, of net investment income are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions, if any, of net realized capital gains are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. To the extent necessary to fully distribute capital gains, the Funds may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.

Commission Recapture

The Funds have established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the Funds’ investment advisor chooses to execute a transaction through a participating broker, the broker rebates a portion of the commission back to the Funds. Any collateral benefit received through participation in the

 

 

30


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Funds are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Funds. Expenses directly charged or attributable to any Fund will be paid from the assets of the Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Funds on a basis that the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Funds or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Funds.

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 liabilities 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.

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Funds and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Funds with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will receive an annualized management fee based on a percentage of each Funds’ average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedule:

 

First $5 billion

     0.35

Next $5 billion

     0.325

Next $10 billion

     0.30

Over $20 billion

     0.275

The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”), an affiliate of the Manager, pursuant to which each Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on the Funds’ average daily net assets according to the following schedule:

 

First $5 billion

     0.25

Over $5 billion

     0.20

 

 

31


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Funds for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

Alpha Quant Core Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 5,218  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.25       3,731  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.60     $ 8,949  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Alpha Quant Dividend Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 4,448  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.25       3,180  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.60     $ 7,628  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Alpha Quant Quality Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 4,719  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.25       3,373  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.60     $ 8,092  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Alpha Quant Value Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 8,638  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.25       6,192  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.60     $ 14,830  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distribution Plans

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 fee received by the Manager and the investment advisors 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 Fund shares.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into Service Plans that obligate the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor Class of the Funds. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Funds.

Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

The Manager has entered into agreements, which include servicing agreements, with financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, processing, shareholder communications and other services to customers of the intermediaries that hold positions in the Institutional and Y Classes of the Funds and has agreed to

 

 

32


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

compensate the intermediaries for providing these services. Intermediaries transact with the Funds primarily through the use of omnibus accounts on behalf of their customers who hold positions in the Funds. Certain services would have been provided by the Funds’ transfer agent and other service providers if the shareholders’ accounts were maintained directly by the Funds’ transfer agent. Accordingly, the Funds, pursuant to Board approval, have agreed to reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries for the Institutional and Y Classes. The reimbursement amounts (sub-transfer agent fees) paid to the Manager are subject to a fee limit of up to 0.10% of an intermediary’s average net assets in the Institutional and Y Classes on an annual basis. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statements of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Alpha Quant Core

   $ 137  

Alpha Quant Dividend

     90  

Alpha Quant Quality

     67  

Alpha Quant Value

     959  

As of December 31, 2018, the Funds owed the Manager the following reimbursement of sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees payable” on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Fund

   Reimbursement
Sub-Transfer Agent Fees
 

Alpha Quant Core

   $ 13  

Alpha Quant Dividend

     4  

Alpha Quant Quality

     4  

Alpha Quant Value

     124  

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Funds may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (the “USG Select Fund”). Cash collateral received by the Funds in connection with securities lending may also be invested in the USG Select Fund. The Funds and the USG Select Fund have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The Manager serves as investment advisor to the USG Select Fund and receives management fees and administrative fees totaling 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the USG Select Fund. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager earned fees on the Funds’ direct investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:

 

Fund

   Direct Investments in
USG Select Fund
 

Alpha Quant Core

   $ 18  

Alpha Quant Dividend

     11  

Alpha Quant Quality

     10  

Alpha Quant Value

     39  

Interfund Credit Facility

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Funds, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in a credit facility whereby each fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other participating funds for temporary purposes. The interfund credit facility is advantageous to the funds because it provides added liquidity, and eliminates the need to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemptions. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and certain funds have insufficient cash on hand to satisfy such redemptions or when sales of securities do not settle as expected, resulting in a cash shortfall for a fund. When a fund liquidates portfolio securities to meet redemption requests, they often do not receive payment

 

 

33


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). Redemption requests normally are satisfied on the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting areas who report the activities of the credit facility to the Board. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Alpha Quant Value Fund borrowed on average $72,439 for 9 days at an average interest rate of 2.76% with interest charges of $51. These amounts are recorded as “Other expenses” in the Statements of Operations. For the period ended December 31, 2018 the Alpha Quant Core, Alpha Quant Dividend and Alpha Quant Quality Funds did not utilize the credit facility.

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Manager contractually agreed to reduce fees and/or reimburse expenses for the classes of the Funds to the extent that total operating expenses exceed the Funds’ expense cap. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                   Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Fund

   Class    7/1/2018 -
 12/31/2018
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
 

Alpha Quant Core

   Institutional      0.69   $ 45,106      $        2021  

Alpha Quant Core

   Y      0.79     3,355               2021  

Alpha Quant Core

   Investor      1.07     8,749               2021  

Alpha Quant Dividend

   Institutional      0.69     42,394               2021  

Alpha Quant Dividend

   Y      0.79     2,639               2021  

Alpha Quant Dividend

   Investor      1.07     12,067               2021  

Alpha Quant Quality

   Institutional      0.69     43,358               2021  

Alpha Quant Quality

   Y      0.79     4,505               2021  

Alpha Quant Quality

   Investor      1.07     9,307               2021  

Alpha Quant Value

   Institutional      0.69     25,055               2021  

Alpha Quant Value

   Y      0.79     17,192               2021  

Alpha Quant Value

   Investor      1.07     16,632               2021  

Of these amounts, $15,701, $15,643, $15,651, and $16,472 were disclosed as a receivable from the Manager on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 2018 for the Alpha Quant Core Fund, Alpha Quant Dividend Fund, Alpha Quant Quality Fund, and Alpha Quant Value Fund, respectively.

The Funds have adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Funds for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years after the Manager’s own waiver or reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Funds’ annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. The reimbursed expenses listed above will expire in 2021. The Funds did not record a liability for potential reimbursement due to the current assessment that a reimbursement is unlikely. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager are as follows:

 

Fund

   Recouped
Expenses
     Excess Expense
Carryover
     Expired Expense
Carryover
     Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Alpha Quant Core

   $      $ 67,123      $      $ 2020  

Alpha Quant Dividend

            66,829               2020  

Alpha Quant Quality

            66,815               2020  

Alpha Quant Value

            66,877               2020  

Concentration of Ownership

From time to time, the Funds may have a concentration of one or more accounts constituting a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities by holders of accounts that represent a significant ownership

 

 

34


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

of more than 5% of the Funds’ outstanding shares could have a material impact on the Funds. As of December 31, 2018, based on management’s evaluation of the shareholder account base, 1 account has been identified as representing an affiliated significant ownership of approximately 68%, 75%, 84%, and 40% for the Alpha Quant Core Fund, Alpha Quant Dividend Fund, Alpha Quant Quality Fund, and Alpha Quant Value Fund, respectively.

Trustee Fees and Expenses

As compensation for their service to the Trust, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, and American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund, each Trustee receives an annual retainer of $120,000, plus $10,000 for each Board meeting attended in person or via teleconference, $2,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee, and $1,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, Committee meetings, and relevant educational seminars. The Trustees also may be compensated for attendance at special Board and/or Committee meetings from time to time. The Board Chair receives an additional annual retainer of $50,000 as well as a $2,500 fee each quarter for attendance at the committee meetings. The Chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee each receive an additional annual retainer of $25,000 and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000. These expenses are allocated on a prorated basis to each Fund of the Trusts according to its respective net assets.

3.  Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The price of the Fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (“NAV”) per share. The Fund’s NAV is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.

The NAV of each class of the Fund’s shares is determined based on a pro rata allocation of the Fund’s investment income, expenses and total capital gains and losses. The Fund’s NAV per share is determined each business day as of the regular close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE” or “Exchange”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET, the Fund’s NAV per share typically would still be determined as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE. The Fund does not price its shares on days that the NYSE is closed. Foreign exchanges may permit trading in foreign securities on days when the Fund is not open for business, which may result in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments being affected at a time when you are unable to buy or sell shares.

Equity securities, including shares of closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are valued at the last sale price or official closing price taken from the primary exchange in which each security trades. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Debt securities are valued at bid quotes from broker/dealers or evaluated bid prices from pricing services, who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as prices of comparable securities, yield curves, spreads, credit ratings, coupon rates, maturity, default rates, and underlying collateral. Futures are valued based on their daily settlement prices. Exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued at the last sale price. Options with no last sale for the day are priced at mid quote. Swaps are valued at evaluated mid prices from pricing services.

The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. ET.

Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when (i) trading for a

 

 

35


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Fund’s NAV, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger-capitalization companies. The Fund may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which the Fund invests as described below. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.

The Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund’s pricing time of 4:00 p.m. ET. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. If the Manager determines that the last quoted prices of non-U.S. securities will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all its portfolio securities, the Manager can 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. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service, using methods approved by the Board, that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) and futures contracts. The Valuation Committee, established by the Board, may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the 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.

Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust the Fund’s fair valuation procedures.

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the fair 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.

 

 

36


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

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

Common stocks, ETFs and financial derivative instruments, such as futures 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. Preferred securities and other equities traded on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments are generally categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

4.  Securities and Other Investments

Common Stock

Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or over-the-counter (“OTC”). OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Funds may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies, ETFs, unit investment trusts, and other investment companies of the Trust. The Funds may invest in investment company securities advised by the Manager or a sub-advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Funds become a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the Funds’ shareholders indirectly will bear the Funds’ proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses the Funds’ shareholders directly bear in connection with the Funds’ own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Funds in their Prospectus, if applicable. Investments in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Funds may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. The Funds re-characterize distributions received from REIT investments based on information provided by the REITs into the following categories: ordinary income, long-term capital gains, and return of capital. If information is not available on a timely basis from the REITs, the re-characterization will be estimated based on available information, which may include the previous year allocation. If new or additional information becomes available from the REITs at a later date, a re-characterization will be made the following year.

 

 

37


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

5.  Principal Risks

Investing in the Funds may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Equity Investments Risk

Equity securities are subject to market risk. The Funds’ investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks, REITs, depositary receipts, and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges. Such investments may expose the Funds to additional risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company. Preferred stocks and convertible securities are sensitive to movements in interest rates. Preferred stocks may be less liquid than common stocks and, unlike common stocks, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. Distributions on preferred stocks generally are payable at the discretion of an issuer and after required payments to bond holders. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit standing of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible securities’ investment value. Investments in REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry such as adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. Depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency fluctuations and political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt or foreign stock.

Focused Holdings Risk

Because the Funds may have a focused portfolio of fewer companies, the increase or decrease of the value of a single investment may have a greater impact on the Funds’ NAV and total return when compared to other diversified funds.

Market Risk

Since the financial crisis that started in 2008, the U.S. and many foreign economies continue to experience its after-effects. Conditions in the U.S. and many foreign economies have resulted, and may continue to result, in certain instruments experiencing unusual liquidity issues, increased price volatility and, in some cases, credit downgrades and increased likelihood of default. These events have reduced the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, and have made it more difficult for some borrowers to obtain financing on attractive terms, if at all. In some cases, traditional market participants have been less willing to make a market in some types of debt instruments, which has affected the liquidity of those instruments. During times of market turmoil, investors tend to look to the safety of securities issued or backed by the U.S. Treasury, causing the prices of these securities to rise and the yields to decline. Reduced liquidity in fixed income and credit markets may negatively affect many issuers worldwide. In addition, global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

In response to the financial crisis, the U.S. and other governments and the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. In some countries where economic conditions are recovering, they are nevertheless perceived as still fragile. Withdrawal of government support, failure of efforts in response to the crisis, or investor perception that such efforts are not succeeding, could adversely impact the value and liquidity of certain securities. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations, including changes in tax laws. The impact of new financial regulation legislation on the markets and the practical implications for market

 

 

38


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

participants may not be fully known for some time. Regulatory changes are causing some financial services companies to exit long-standing lines of business, resulting in dislocations for other market participants. In addition, political and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad, such as the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The U.S. government has recently reduced federal corporate income tax rates, and future legislative, regulatory and policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less stringent prudential regulation of certain players in the financial markets, and significant new investments in infrastructure and national defense. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the markets’ expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out.

Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact of a significant rate increase on various markets. For example, because investors may buy securities or other investments with borrowed money, a significant increase in interest rates may cause a decline in the markets for those investments. Because of the sharp decline in the worldwide price of oil, there is a concern that oil producing nations may withdraw significant assets now held in U.S. Treasuries, which could force a substantial increase in interest rates. Regulators have expressed concern that rate increases may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. In addition, there is a risk that the prices of goods and services in the U.S. and many foreign economies may decline over time, known as deflation (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and creditworthiness and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and may be difficult to reverse. The precise details and the resulting impact of the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union (the “EU”), commonly referred to as “Brexit,” are not yet known. The effect on the United Kingdom’s economy will likely depend on the nature of trade relations with the EU and other major economies following its exit, which are matters to be negotiated. The outcomes may cause increased volatility and have a significant adverse impact on world financial markets, other international trade agreements, and the United Kingdom and European economies, as well as the broader global economy for some time, which could significantly adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Funds may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including money market funds. To the extent that the Funds invest in shares of other registered investment companies, the Funds will indirectly bear the fees and expenses charged by those investment companies in addition to the Funds’ direct fees and expenses and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies.

6.  Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of each Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions 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 unrecorded tax liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended December 31, 2018 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Funds recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the Statements of Operations.

 

 

39


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

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.

As of December 31, 2018 the tax cost for each Fund and their respective gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Fund

  Tax Cost           Unrealized
Appreciation
          Unrealized
(Depreciation)
          Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Alpha Quant Core   $ 2,986,096       $ 147,459       $ (288,610     $ (141,151
Alpha Quant Dividend     2,599,088         91,242         (170,382       (79,140
Alpha Quant Quality     2,554,047         119,659         (232,050       (112,391
Alpha Quant Value     5,132,321         101,143         (569,126       (467,983

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (“RIC MOD”), net capital losses recognized by the Funds in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 are carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as short-term and/or long-term losses.

As of June 30, 2018, the Funds did not have any capital loss carryforwards. Alpha Quant Core utilized $5,964 short-term capital loss carryforward, Alpha Quant Quality utilized $10,733 short-term capital loss carryforward, and Alpha Quant Value utilized $6,071 short-term capital loss carryforward.

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

Fund   Purchases (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Sales (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
 
Alpha Quant Core   $ 1,769,151       $ 1,224,821  
Alpha Quant Dividend     1,260,065         882,292  
Alpha Quant Quality     1,323,261         1,163,956  
Alpha Quant Value     4,287,176         2,292,214  

A summary of the Funds’ transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        June 30,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           December 31,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Dividend
Income
 
Alpha Quant Core   Direct     $ 25,830       $ 587,225       $ 592,981       $ 20,074       $ 359  
Alpha Quant Dividend   Direct       14,544         442,637         437,023         20,158         223  
Alpha Quant Quality   Direct       15,913         223,013         224,203         14,723         203  
Alpha Quant Value   Direct       34,476         2,356,810         2,391,286                 754  

 

 

40


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

8.  Securities Lending

The Funds may lend their securities to qualified financial institutions, such as certain broker-dealers, to earn additional income. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with collateral in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned, initially in an amount at least equal to 102% of the fair value of domestic securities loaned and 105% of the fair value of international securities loaned. Collateral is monitored and marked-to-market daily. Daily mark-to-market amounts are required to be paid to the borrower or received from the borrower by the end of the following business day. This one day settlement for mark-to-market amounts may result in the collateral being temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan or temporarily more than the required minimum collateral.

To the extent that a loan is collateralized by cash, such cash collateral shall be invested by the securities lending agent (the “Agent”) in money market mutual funds and other short-term investments, provided the investments meet certain quality and diversification requirements. Securities purchased with cash collateral proceeds are listed in the Funds’ Schedule of Investments and the collateral is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a payable.

Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs. The Funds, the Agent, and the Manager retained 80%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of the income generated from securities lending.

While securities are on loan, the Funds continue to receive certain income associated with that security and any gain or loss in the market price that may occur during the term of the loan. In the case of domestic equities, the value of any dividend is received in the form of a substitute payment approximately equal to the dividend. In the case of foreign securities, a negotiated amount is received that is less than the actual dividend, but higher than the dividend amount minus the foreign tax that the Funds would be subject to on the dividend.

Securities lending transactions pose certain risks to the Funds, including that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or return the securities when due, that the value of the short-term investments will be less than the amount of cash collateral required to be returned to the borrower, that non-cash collateral may be subject to legal constraints in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, and that the cash collateral investments could become illiquid and unable to be used to return collateral to the borrower. The Funds could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Funds bear the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the cash collateral available for return to the borrower and any action which impairs its ability to liquidate non-cash collateral to satisfy a borrower default.

As of December 31, 2018, the Funds did not have any outstanding securities on loan.

Cash collateral is listed on the Funds’ Schedules of Investments and is shown on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Income earned on these investments is included in “Income derived from securities lending” on the Statements of Operations.

Non-cash collateral received by the Funds may not be sold or re-pledged except to satisfy a borrower default. Therefore, non-cash collateral is not included on the Funds’ Schedules of Investments or Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

9.  Borrowing Arrangements

Effective November 15, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), the Funds, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager (“Participating Funds”), entered into a committed revolving line of credit (the “Committed Line”)

 

 

41


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line is $250 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Each of the Participating Funds will pay a closing fee of $100,000 on the Effective Date and a quarterly commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line amount. The Committed Line expires November 14, 2019, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement.

On the Effective Date, the Funds, along with certain other Participating Funds managed by the Manager, also entered into an uncommitted discretionary demand revolving line of credit (the “Uncommitted Line”) agreement with the Bank to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line is $50 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on each outstanding loan. Each of the Participating Funds will pay a closing fee of $35,000 on the Effective Date. The Uncommitted Line expires November 14, 2019 unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement.

During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Funds did not utilize this facility.

10.  Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Funds:

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Core Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     35,674       $ 434,019         18,666       $ 216,444  
Reinvestment of dividends     25,204         238,433         2,136         24,547  
Shares redeemed     (369       (4,307       (139       (1,616
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     60,509       $ 668,145         20,663       $ 239,375  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Core Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     6,083       $ 74,768         1,725       $ 19,960  
Reinvestment of dividends     1,925         18,171         138         1,582  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     8,008       $ 92,939         1,863       $ 21,542  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Core Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     1,795       $ 21,826         370       $ 4,320  
Reinvestment of dividends     1,313         12,329         122         1,400  
Shares redeemed     (369       (4,358                
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     2,739       $ 29,797         492       $ 5,720  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Dividend Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     678       $ 7,546         9,439       $ 100,806  
Reinvestment of dividends     14,428         138,103         4,906         51,713  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     15,106       $ 145,649         14,345       $ 152,519  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

42


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Dividend Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold           $         11,913       $ 128,860  
Reinvestment of dividends     796         7,641         309         3,264  
Shares redeemed     (2,539       (26,958       (9,448       (100,806
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (1,743     $ (19,317       2,774       $ 31,318  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Dividend Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     32,257       $ 351,683         864       $ 9,384  
Reinvestment of dividends     2,888         27,155         283         2,969  
Shares redeemed     (498       (5,413               (2
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     34,647       $ 373,425         1,147       $ 12,351  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Quality Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Reinvestment of dividends     33,199       $ 312,405         1,294       $ 14,994  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     33,199       $ 312,405         1,294       $ 14,994  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Quality Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     9,822       $ 127,916         1,712       $ 19,960  
Reinvestment of dividends     3,968         37,253         84         976  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     13,790       $ 165,169         1,796       $ 20,936  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Quality Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     3,021       $ 39,158         739       $ 8,531  
Reinvestment of dividends     2,293         21,418         74         857  
Shares redeemed     (1,822       (22,102                
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     3,492       $ 38,474         813       $ 9,388  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     4,154       $ 52,500         9,808       $ 120,000  
Reinvestment of dividends     9,170         88,493         2,720         31,446  
Shares redeemed     (2,659       (31,884                
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     10,665       $ 109,109         12,528       $ 151,446  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

43


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     75,512       $ 918,258         78,892       $ 925,846  
Reinvestment of dividends     7,267         69,985         195         2,250  
Shares redeemed     (28,793       (304,302       (53       (650
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     53,986       $ 683,941         79,034       $ 927,446  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)    

 

 

Alpha Quant Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     136,627       $ 1,686,257         8,017       $ 94,916  
Reinvestment of dividends     6,201         59,407         168         1,939  
Shares redeemed     (31,382       (339,579       (19       (231
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     111,446       $ 1,406,085         8,166       $ 96,624  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

11.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Funds’ financial statements through this date.

 

 

44


American Beacon Alpha Quant Core FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.78       $ 10.20       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.07         0.15 B         0.03  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.15       1.56         0.17  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.08       1.71         0.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.12       (0.13       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.90       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.02       (0.13       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.68       $ 11.78       $ 10.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    (9.03 )%C        16.85       2.00 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 2,527,206       $ 2,364,264       $   1,835,621  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    4.10 %E        5.55       12.23 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.69 %E        0.69       0.69 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (2.04 )%E        (3.49 )%        (10.44 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    1.37 %E        1.37       1.09 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    42 %C        56       14 %F 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.16.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

45


American Beacon Alpha Quant Core FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.77       $ 10.20       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.07         0.13 B         0.03  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.16       1.57         0.17  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.09       1.70         0.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.12       (0.13       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.90       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.02       (0.13       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Redemption fees added to beneficial interests

    -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.66       $ 11.77       $ 10.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    (9.12 )%C        16.75       2.00 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $   191,912       $   139,588       $       101,951  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    4.17 %E        5.63       17.45 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.79 %E        0.79       0.79 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (2.08 )%E        (3.59 )%        (15.67 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    1.29 %E        1.25       0.99 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    42 %C        56       14 %F 

 

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.14.

A 

Commencement of operations.

D 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

46


American Beacon Alpha Quant Core FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.73       $ 10.19       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.06         0.11 B         0.02  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.17       1.56         0.17  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.11       1.67         0.19  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.12       (0.13       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.90       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.02       (0.13       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.60       $ 11.73       $ 10.19  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    (9.33 )%C        16.47       1.90 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $   129,883       $   126,458       $      104,854  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    13.65 %E        6.73       18.69 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.07 %E        1.07       1.07 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (11.61 )%E        (4.66 )%        (16.91 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.98 %E        1.01       0.71 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    42 %C        56       14 %F 

 

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.12.

A 

Commencement of operations.

D

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

E

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

47


American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.42       $ 10.00       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.15         0.29         0.07  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.47       0.41         (0.07
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.32       0.70         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.21       (0.28       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.49       (0.00 )B        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.70       (0.28       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.40       $ 10.42       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (2.80 )%D        7.00       0.00 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,969,279       $ 2,025,327       $   1,799,305  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    4.69 %E        5.91       12.37 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.69 %E        0.69       0.69 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.17 )%E        (2.42 )%        (9.23 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    2.83 %E        2.79       2.45 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39 %D        49       0 %F 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

48


American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.41       $ 9.99       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.15         0.29         0.06  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.48       0.41         (0.07
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.33       0.70         (0.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.21       (0.28       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.49       (0.00 )B        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.70       (0.28       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Redemption fees added to beneficial interests

    -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.38       $ 10.41       $ 9.99  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (2.90 )%D        7.01       (0.10 )%D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $   103,494       $   132,924       $      99,934  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    4.81 %E        5.98       17.67 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.79 %E        0.79       0.79 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.30 )%E        (2.41 )%        (14.54 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    2.72 %E        2.79       2.34 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39 %D        49       0 %F 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

49


American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.37       $ 9.99       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.15         0.26         0.05  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.49       0.40         (0.06
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.34       0.66         (0.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.21       (0.28       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.49       (0.00 )B        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.70       (0.28       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.33       $ 10.37       $ 9.99  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (3.01 )%D        6.60       (0.10 )%D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $   430,179       $ 118,686       $     102,833  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    9.34 %E        7.11       18.92 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.07 %E        1.07       1.07 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (5.74 )%E        (3.63 )%        (15.79 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    2.53 %E        2.41       2.06 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39 %D        49       0 %F 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

50


American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.20       $ 10.10       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.08         0.09         0.03  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.96       2.09         0.07  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.88       2.18         0.10  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.11       (0.08       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.61       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.72       (0.08       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.60       $ 12.20       $ 10.10  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (6.90 )%C        21.66       1.00 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 2,060,034       $ 2,212,134       $   1,817,518  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    4.46 %D        5.69       12.24 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.69 %D        0.69       0.69 %D 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (2.56 )%D        (4.21 )%        (10.33 )%D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    1.21 %D        0.79       1.22 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    44 %C        62       19 %E 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

E 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

51


American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.19       $ 10.09       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.06         0.07         0.03  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.95       2.11         0.06  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.89       2.18         0.09  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.11       (0.08       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.61       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.72       (0.08       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.58       $ 12.19       $ 10.09  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (6.99 )%C        21.68       0.90 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $   245,203       $   143,744       $      100,946  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    4.54 %D        5.78       17.48 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.79 %D        0.79       0.79 %D 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (2.60 )%D        (4.30 )%        (15.57 )%D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    1.15 %D        0.68       1.12 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    44 %C        62       19 %E 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

E 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

52


American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.14       $ 10.09       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.06         0.05         0.02  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.95       2.08         0.07  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.89       2.13         0.09  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.11       (0.08       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.61       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.72       (0.08       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.53       $ 12.14       $ 10.09  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (7.02 )%C        21.18       0.90 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $   139,127       $   134,870       $      103,837  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    12.94 %D        6.83       18.73 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.07 %D        1.07       1.07 %D 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (11.03 )%D        (5.35 )%        (16.82 )%D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.84 %D        0.41       0.84 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    44 %C        62       19 %E 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

E 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

53


American Beacon Alpha Quant Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.88       $ 10.23       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.09         0.21 B         0.03  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.58       1.61         0.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.49       1.82         0.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.11       (0.17       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.37       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.48       (0.17       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.91       $ 11.88       $ 10.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (12.45 )%D        17.88       2.30 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 2,014,342       $ 2,287,739       $   1,842,294  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.86 %E        5.18       12.16 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.69 %E        0.69       0.69 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.67 )%E        (2.58 )%        (10.48 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    1.50 %E        1.91       0.99 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    48 %D        53       11 %F 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.22.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

54


American Beacon Alpha Quant Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.87       $ 10.23       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.06         0.18 B         0.02  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.56       1.63         0.21  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.50       1.81         0.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.11       (0.17       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.37       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.48       (0.17       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.89       $ 11.87       $ 10.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (12.54 )%D        17.79       2.30 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,415,013       $   1,056,453       $     102,322  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    4.42 %E        5.30       17.37 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.17 %E        0.79       0.79 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.12 )%E        (2.69 )%        (15.69 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    2.13 %E        1.82       0.89 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    48 %D        53       11 %F 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.19.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

55


American Beacon Alpha Quant Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
          March 22,
2017A to
June 30,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.82       $ 10.22       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.04         0.17 B         0.02  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.54       1.60         0.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.50       1.77         0.22  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.11       (0.17       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.37       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.48       (0.17       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.84       $ 11.82       $ 10.22  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (12.60 )%D        17.41       2.20 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,281,729       $   221,794       $      108,298  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.84 %E        6.21       18.47 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.72 %E        1.07       1.07 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.36 )%E        (3.68 )%        (16.78 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.76 %E        1.46       0.61 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    48 %D        53       11 %F 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.18.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from March 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

56


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P.O. Box 219643

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Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules   Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records
 
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. 20549-2736. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800)-SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com approximately twenty days after the end of each month.   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, 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 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 Company

Boston, Massachusetts

   

TRANSFER AGENT

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

   

DISTRIBUTOR

Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

Irving, Texas

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 Alpha Quant Core Fund, American Beacon Alpha Quant Dividend Fund, American Beacon Alpha Quant Quality Fund, and American Beacon Alpha Quant Value Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

SAR 12/18


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.

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by going to www.americanbeaconfunds.com and clicking on “Quick Links” and then “Register for E-Delivery.”

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-658-5811, option 1, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary of your wish. A notice that will be mailed to you each time a report is posted will also include instructions for informing the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the American Beacon Funds Complex or your financial intermediary, as applicable.

ARK TRANSFORMATIONAL INNOVATION FUND

Because the Fund may invest in fewer issuers than a more diversified portfolio, the fluctuating value of a single holding may have a greater effect on the value of the Fund. Companies that the sub-advisor believes are capitalizing on disruptive innovation and developing technologies to displace older technologies or create new markets may not in fact do so. Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. Regulatory changes may impair the Fund’s ability to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a regulated investment company, which could result in the Fund and shareholders incurring significant income tax expense. To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors, its performance will be sensitive to factors affecting those sectors. Information Technology sector companies may face intense competition and rapid product obsolescence, have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel, and lose patent, copyright and trademark protections. Investing in Health Care sector companies involves risk due to government regulations, product litigation, competitive forces, and loss of patent protection. Industrials sector companies are subject to risk due to changes in government regulations, world events, economic conditions, environmental damages, product liability claims and exchange rates. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

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 each 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

December 31, 2018


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Performance Overview

    2  

Expense Examples

    4  

Schedule of Investments:

 

ARK Transformational Innovation Fund

    6  

Financial Statements

    9  

Notes to Financial Statements

    12  

Financial Highlights:

 

ARK Transformational Innovation Fund

    28  

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

December 2018, a month in which market volatility spiked and all major U.S. equity indexes declined, ending the year in negative territory, serves as a prime example of the importance of having a long-term investment perspective.

 

While long-term investing isn’t about identifying and anticipating the next big market move, it is about identifying the right investment products for riding out those moves. As a long-term investor, you should strive to accomplish the three Ds: direction, discipline and diversification.

 

u   Direction: Achieving your long-term financial goals requires an individualized plan of action. You may want your plan to provide some

  measure of protection against periods of geopolitical turmoil, economic uncertainty, market volatility and job insecurity. Your plan should be reviewed annually and be adjusted in the event your long-range needs change.

 

u  

Discipline: Long-term, systematic participation in an investment portfolio requires your resolution to stay the course. Spending time in the market – rather than trying to time the market – may place you in a better position to reach your long-term financial goals.

 

u  

Diversification: By investing in different types of investment categories and asset classes, you may be able to help mitigate financial risks across your investment portfolio. By allocating your investment portfolio according to your risk-tolerance level, you may be better positioned to weather storms and achieve your long-term financial goals.

Since 1986, American Beacon has endeavored to provide investors with a disciplined approach to realizing long-term financial goals. As a manager of managers, we strive to provide investment products that may enable investors to participate during market upswings while potentially insulating against market downswings. Our approach is more than a concept. It’s the cornerstone of our culture. And we strive to apply it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment products for your investment portfolio.

Many of the sub-advisors to our mutual funds pursue upside capture and/or downside protection using proprietary strategies. The investment teams behind our mutual funds seek to produce consistent, long-term results rather than focus only on short-term movements in the markets. In managing our investment products, we emphasize identifying opportunities that offer the potential for long-term rewards.

Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our 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


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund (the “Fund”) returned -15.47% for the six-month period ended December 31, 2018. The Fund underperformed the S&P 500 Index (the “Index”) return of -6.85% for the period.

 

Total Returns for the Period ended December 31, 2018

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

1 Year

 

Since Inception

01/27/2017

Institutional Class (1,3)

     ADNIX          (15.29 )%        (2.98 )%       28.99 %

Y Class (1,3)

     ADNYX          (15.31 )%        (3.04 )%       28.86 %

Investor Class (1,3)

     ADNPX          (15.47 )%        (3.30 )%       28.52 %
                    

S&P 500 Index (2)

              (6.85 )%        (4.38 )%       6.82 %

 

*

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 calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of the 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. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception. The strategy employed by the Fund’s sub-advisor has the potential for more volatility than broad market averages, which may result in significant fluctuations in the Fund’s short-term returns, both positive and negative.

 

2.

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks publicly traded in the United States. The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and has been licensed for use by American Beacon Advisors. Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”). Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). The American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P or their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of the S&P 500 Index. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

3.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A and C Class shares were 4.75%, 4.85%, 4.97%, 1.95% and 2.70%, 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 underperformance for the period was attributable to holdings primarily in the Health Care sector. Chief among the detractors was Intellia Therapeutics, Inc., one of the three public CRISPR genome editing pure plays. The company announced in its third quarter earnings call a delay in the filing of its investigational new drug (IND) application for the treatment of a rare liver disease causing the stock price to drop. Additional securities within the Health Care sector that detracted from relative performance include Crispr Therapeutics AG, Editas Medicine, Inc., and Bluebird Bio, Inc. Stocks held in the Information Technology sector also detracted from relative returns including Twitter Inc. and Nvidia Corp.

From a sector allocation standpoint, having a null weighting to both Energy and Materials contributed positively to relative performance as these were the worst two performing sectors during the period. Additionally, an overweight to the Information Technology sector aided relative returns.

The sub-advisor will continue to focus on thematic investing in disruptive innovation with the potential for excess returns.

 

 

2


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)        
Tesla, Inc.           9.3  
Stratasys Ltd.           5.6  
Square, Inc.           5.5  
Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.           5.0  
NVIDIA Corp.           5.0  
Baidu, Inc., Sponsored ADR           4.8  
Tencent Holdings Ltd., ADR           4.7  
Twitter, Inc.           4.7  
Illumina, Inc.           4.2  
Teradyne, Inc.           4.2  
Total Fund Holdings      39       
       
Sector Allocation (% Investments)        
Health Care           32.1  
Information Technology           27.9  
Communication Services           22.8  
Consumer Discretionary           12.5  
Financials           4.6  
Industrials           0.1  

 

 

3


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Expense Examples

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, 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 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “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 or Roth 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 tables 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 Funds through an IRA or Roth 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) or redemption fees, as applicable. 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 tables 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.

 

 

4


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Expense Examples

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
7/1/2018
  Ending Account Value
12/31/2018
  Expenses Paid During
Period
7/1/2018-12/31/2018*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $847.10       $4.70
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.11       $5.14
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $846.90       $5.12
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.66       $5.60
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $845.30       $6.47
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,018.20       $7.07

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 1.01%, 1.10%, and 1.39% for the Institutional, Y, and Investor 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 (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

5


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.20%            
Communication Services - 22.21%            
Entertainment - 5.17%            
Netflix, Inc.A       2,632         $ 704,481
Nintendo Co., Ltd.E       171           45,180
Spotify Technology S.A.A       3,528           400,428
           

 

 

 
              1,150,089
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 16.87%            
Baidu, Inc., Sponsored ADRA       6,695           1,061,827
Tencent Holdings Ltd., ADR       26,437           1,043,469
Twitter, Inc.A       36,266           1,042,285
Zillow Group, Inc., Class CA B       19,173           605,483
           

 

 

 
              3,753,064
           

 

 

 
           
Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.17%            
SoftBank Group Corp.E       555           36,583
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              4,939,736
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 12.13%            
Auto Components - 0.69%            
Aptiv PLC       2,503           154,110
           

 

 

 
           
Automobiles - 9.27%            
Tesla, Inc.A       6,194           2,061,363
           

 

 

 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail - 2.17%            
Amazon.com, Inc.A       321           482,132
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              2,697,605
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 4.43%            
Consumer Finance - 2.05%            
LendingClub Corp.A       173,719           456,881
           

 

 

 
           
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance - 2.38%            
LendingTree, Inc.A B       2,407           528,505
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              985,386
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 31.19%            
Biotechnology - 18.76%            
Bluebird Bio, Inc.A       2,800           277,760
Cellectis S.A., ADRA       6,767           112,671
CRISPR Therapeutics AGA B       10,593           302,642
Editas Medicine, Inc.A       29,124           662,571
Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.A       81,945           1,118,549
Invitae Corp.A       83,434           922,780
Organovo Holdings, Inc.A B       130,195           124,610
Seres Therapeutics, Inc.A B       35,346           159,764
Syros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.A       27,456           152,930
Veracyte, Inc.A       26,885           338,213
           

 

 

 
              4,172,490
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 1.55%            
Cerus Corp.A       68,123           345,384
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Technology - 3.91%            
Medidata Solutions, Inc.A       8,089           545,360

 

See accompanying notes

 

6


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.20% (continued)            
Health Care - 31.19% (continued)            
Health Care Technology - 3.91% (continued)            
Teladoc Health, Inc.A       6,528         $ 323,593
           

 

 

 
              868,953
           

 

 

 
           
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 6.85%            
Compugen Ltd.A B       56,726           123,095
Illumina, Inc.A       3,105           931,283
NanoString Technologies, Inc.A       31,684           469,874
           

 

 

 
              1,524,252
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 0.12%            
Bayer AGE       390           27,043
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              6,938,122
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 0.15%            
Machinery - 0.15%            
FANUC Corp.E       220           33,074
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 27.09%            
IT Services - 5.46%            
Square, Inc., Class AA       21,642           1,213,900
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 9.19%            
NVIDIA Corp.       8,357           1,115,659
Teradyne, Inc.       29,577           928,126
           

 

 

 
              2,043,785
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 6.87%            
2U, Inc.A       4,126           205,145
Materialise N.V., ADRA       6,823           136,664
salesforce.com, Inc.A       3,908           535,279
Splunk, Inc.A       6,202           650,280
           

 

 

 
              1,527,368
           

 

 

 
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 5.57%            
Stratasys Ltd.A       68,798           1,239,052
           

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

              6,024,105
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $23,629,503)

              21,618,028
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 4.67% (Cost $1,039,174)            
Investment Companies - 4.67%            

American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%C D

      1,039,174           1,039,174
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 3.50% (Cost $777,232)            
Investment Companies - 3.50%            

American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%C D

      777,232           777,232
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 105.37% (Cost $25,445,909)

              23,434,434

LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (5.37%)

              (1,193,271 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 22,241,163
           

 

 

 
           
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Non-income producing security.

B All or a portion of this security is on loan at December 31, 2018.

C The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

D 7-day yield.

E Fair valued pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. At period end, the value of these securities amounted to $141,880 or 0.64% of net assets.

ADR - American Depositary Receipt.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

 

See accompanying notes

 

7


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of December 31, 2018, the investments were classified as described below:

 

ARK Transformational Innovation Fund

  Level 1           Level 2            Level 3           Total  

Assets

              

Common Stocks

  $ 21,476,148       $ 141,880        $ -       $ 21,618,028  

Short-Term Investments

    1,039,174         -          -         1,039,174  

Securities Lending Collateral

    777,232         -          -         777,232  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 23,292,554       $ 141,880        $ -       $ 23,434,434  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to level 3 to be disclosed. During the period ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

8


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value §

  $ 21,618,028  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    1,816,406  

Dividends and interest receivable

    1,821  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    312,935  

Receivable for tax reclaims

    280  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    22,057  

Prepaid expenses

    107,170  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    23,878,697  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    779,045  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    19,283  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    1,718  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    1,274  

Payable upon return of securities loaned (Note 8)§

    777,232  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    2,203  

Professional fees payable

    56,391  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    201  

Other liabilities

    187  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,637,534  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 22,241,163  
 

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 23,136,477  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    (895,314
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 22,241,163  
 

 

 

 

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

 

Institutional Class

    158,540  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

    870,500  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

    481,359  
 

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 2,343,047  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 12,836,211  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 7,061,905  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 14.78  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 14.75  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 14.67  
 

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 23,629,503  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 1,816,406  

§ Fair value of securities on loan

  $ 753,227  

AThe Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Statement of Operations

For the period ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment income:

 

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)

  $ 389,885  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 7)

    9,576  

Income derived from securities lending (Note 8)

    18,044  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    417,505  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    116,068  

Transfer agent fees:

 

Institutional Class (Note 2)

    252  

Y Class (Note 2)

    9,433  

Investor Class

    733  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    15,101  

Professional fees

    54,220  

Registration fees and expenses

    23,501  

Service fees (Note 2):

 

Investor Class

    12,891  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    4,546  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    625  

Other expenses

    7,918  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    245,288  
 

 

 

 

Net fees waived and expenses (reimbursed) (Note 2)

    (94,247
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    151,041  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    266,464  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    937,903  

Foreign currency transactions

    (13

Change in net unrealized appreciation of:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    (5,267,926

Foreign currency transactions

    (3
 

 

 

 

Net (loss) from investments

    (4,330,039
 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (4,063,575
 

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 205  

A The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities.

B The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Six Months Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30,
2018
 
    (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

     

Operations:

     

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 266,464       $ (11,385

Net realized gain from investments in unaffiliated securities, and foreign currency transactions

    937,890         1,572,428  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities, and foreign currency transactions

    (5,267,929       2,516,596  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (4,063,575       4,077,639  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

     

Net investment income:

     

Institutional Class

    -         (26,679

Y Class

    -         (16,074

Investor Class

    -         (18,772

Net realized gain from investments:

     

Institutional Class

    -         (140,437

Y Class

    -         (84,610

Investor Class

    -         (98,701

Total retained earnings:*

     

Institutional Class

    (142,278       -  

Y Class

    (764,186       -  

Investor Class

    (482,172       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (1,388,636       (385,273
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 10):

     

Proceeds from sales of shares

    16,444,486         20,034,082  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    1,386,473         381,774  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (14,585,866       (4,500,822
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

    3,245,093         15,915,034  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (2,207,118       19,607,400  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Beginning of period

    24,448,281         4,840,881  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 22,241,163       $ 24,448,281  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

* Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are combined for the period ended December 31, 2018. See Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements for more information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”), is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund, a series within the Trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a non-diversified, open-end management investment company. As of December 31, 2018, the Trust consists of thirty-three active series, one of which is presented in this filing: American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund (the “Fund”). The remaining thirty-two active series are reported in separate filings.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). RIM is, in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Acquisition, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (“RIH”). RIH is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P., investment funds affiliated with Kelso & Company, L.P. (“Kelso”) or Estancia Capital Management, LLC (“Estancia”), which are private equity firms.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-08, Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in the ASU shorten the premium amortization period on a purchased callable debt security from the security’s contractual life to the earliest call date. It is anticipated that this change will enhance disclosures by reducing losses recognized when a security is called on an earlier date. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Manager continues to evaluate the impact this ASU will have on the financial statements and other disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (“Topic 820”). The amendments in the ASU impact disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. It is anticipated that this change will enhance the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted and can include the entire standard or certain provisions that exclude or amend disclosures. For the period ended December 31, 2018, the Fund has chosen to adopt the standard. The adoption of this ASU guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements and other disclosures.

In August 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements in Securities Act Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, which is intended to facilitate the disclosure of information to investors and simplify compliance without significantly altering the total mix of information provided to investors. Effective with the current reporting period, the Fund adopted the amendments with the impacts being that the Fund is no longer required to present components of distributable earnings on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities or the sources of distributable earnings and the amount of undistributed net investment income on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

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

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
Institutional    Large institutional investors - sold directly through intermediary channels.    $ 250,000  
Y Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 100,000  
Investor    All investors using intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or retirement plan sponsors.    $ 2,500  

 

 

12


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 service, distribution, transfer agent fees, and sub-transfer agent fees that vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

Consolidation of Subsidiaries

The American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd. (the “Cayman Subsidiary”) and American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (the “Delaware Subsidiary”), wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries (together, the “Subsidiaries”) closed on October 1, 2018 and October 25, 2018 respectively. Hence there was no consolidation of the Subsidiaries for the period ended December 31, 2018.

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Funds in preparation of the financial statements. The Funds are considered investment companies and accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.

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 Fund. Interest income, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold 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 the 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 on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

Distributions to Shareholders

Distributions, if any, of net investment income are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions, if any, of net realized capital gains are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. To the extent necessary to fully distribute capital gains, the Fund may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.

 

 

13


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Commission Recapture

The Fund has established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the 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.

Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Fund is allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Expenses directly charged or attributable to any Fund will be paid from the assets of the Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Fund on a basis that the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Fund or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Fund.

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.

Distributions from Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin Gold

The Manager continues to monitor public filings, press releases and communications with the Sponsor for any news related to additional Forks in the blockchain and the Sponsor’s participation in such Forks. As of December 31, 2018, the Fund did not hold any units of the Bitcoin Investment Trust.

Other

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities 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.

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Fund and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will receive an annualized management fee based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedule:

 

First $5 billion

     0.35

Next $5 billion

     0.325

Next $10 billion

     0.30

Over $20 billion

     0.275

 

 

14


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with ARK Investment Management LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”) pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on the Fund’s average daily net assets according to the following schedule:

 

First $5 billion

     0.55

Next $5 billion

     0.525

Next $10 billion

     0.50

Over $20 billion

     0.475

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Fund for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 46,411  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.55       69,657  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.90     $ 116,068  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Fund, the lending Fund pays to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee up to 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers, a fee up to 10% of such loan fees. These fees are included in “Income derived from securities lending” and “Management and investment advisory fees” on the Statement of Operations. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager received securities lending fees of $1,667 for the securities lending activities of the Fund.

Distribution Plans

The Fund has 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 Fund for distribution purposes. However, the Plan authorizes the management fee received by the Manager and the investment advisors 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.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor Class of the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plans, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Fund.

Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

The Manager has entered into agreements, which include servicing agreements, with financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, processing, shareholder communications and other services to customers of the intermediaries that hold positions in the Institutional and Y Classes of the Fund and has agreed to compensate the intermediaries for providing these services. Intermediaries transact with the Fund primarily through the use of omnibus accounts on behalf of its customers who hold positions in the Fund. Certain services would have been provided by the Fund’s transfer agent and other service providers if the shareholders’ accounts were maintained directly by the Fund’s transfer agent. Accordingly, the Fund, pursuant to Board approval, has agreed to reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries for the Institutional and Y Classes. The reimbursement amounts (sub-transfer agent fees) paid to the

 

 

15


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Manager are subject to a fee limit of up to 0.10% of an intermediary’s average net assets in the Institutional and Y Classes on an annual basis. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

ARK Transformational Innovation

   $ 8,423  

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund owed the Manager the following reimbursement of sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees payable” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Fund

   Reimbursement
Sub-Transfer Agent Fees
 

ARK Transformational Innovation

   $ 1,163  

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Fund may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (the “USG Select Fund”). Cash collateral received by the Fund in connection with securities lending may also be invested in the USG Select Fund. The Fund and the USG Select Fund have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The Manager serves as investment advisor to the USG Select Fund and receives management fees and administrative fees totaling 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the USG Select Fund. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager earned fees on the Fund’s direct investments and securities lending collateral investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:

 

Fund

   Direct Investments in
USG Select Fund
     Securities Lending
Collateral in USG
Select Fund
     Total  

ARK Transformational Innovation

   $ 477      $ 952      $ 1,429  

Interfund Credit Facility

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in a credit facility whereby each fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other participating funds for temporary purposes. The interfund credit facility is advantageous to the funds because it provides added liquidity, and eliminates the need to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemptions. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and certain funds have insufficient cash on hand to satisfy such redemptions or when sales of securities do not settle as expected, resulting in a cash shortfall for a fund. When a fund liquidates portfolio securities to meet redemption requests, they often do not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). Redemption requests normally are satisfied on the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting areas who report the activities of the credit facility to the Board. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Fund borrowed on average $1,055,587 for 2 days at an average interest rate of 2.91% with interest charges of $168. These amounts are recorded as “Other expenses” in the Statement of Operations.

 

 

16


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Manager contractually agreed to reduce fees and/or reimburse expenses for the classes of the Fund to the extent that total operating expenses exceed the Fund’s expense cap. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                   Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Fund

   Class    7/1/2018 -
12/31/2018
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
 

ARK Transformational Innovation

   Institutional      0.99   $ 14,980      $ -        2021  

ARK Transformational Innovation

   Y      1.09     48,980        -        2021  

ARK Transformational Innovation

   Investor      1.37     30,287        -        2021  

Of these amounts, $22,057 was disclosed as a receivable from the Manager on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 2018.

The Fund has adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years after the Manager’s own waiver or reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Fund’s annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. The reimbursed expenses listed above will expire in 2021. The Fund did not record a liability for potential reimbursement due to the current assessment that a reimbursement is unlikely. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager are as follows:

 

Fund

   Recouped
Expenses
     Excess Expense
Carryover
     Expired Expense
Carryover
     Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

ARK Transformational Innovation

   $ -      $ 141,632      $ -        2020  

ARK Transformational Innovation

     -        468,018        -        2021  

Concentration of Ownership

From time to time, the Fund may have a concentration of one or more accounts constituting a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities by holders of accounts that represent a significant ownership of more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares could have a material impact on the Fund. As of December 31, 2018, based on management’s evaluation of the shareholder account base, one account in the Fund has been identified as representing an unaffiliated significant ownership of approximately 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

Trustee Fees and Expenses

As compensation for their service to the Trust, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, and American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund, each Trustee receives an annual retainer of $120,000, plus $10,000 for each Board meeting attended in person or via teleconference, $2,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee, and $1,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, Committee meetings, and relevant educational seminars. The Trustees also may be compensated for attendance at special Board and/or Committee meetings from time to time. The Board Chair receives an additional annual retainer of $50,000 as well as a $2,500 fee each quarter for attendance at the committee meetings. The Chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee each receive an additional annual retainer of $25,000 and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000. These expenses are allocated on a prorated basis to each Fund of the Trusts according to its respective net assets.

 

 

17


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

3.  Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The price of the Fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (“NAV”) per share. The Fund’s NAV is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.

The NAV of each class of the Fund’s shares is determined based on a pro rata allocation of the Fund’s investment income, expenses and total capital gains and losses. The Fund’s NAV per share is determined each business day as of the regular close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE” or “Exchange”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET, the Fund’s NAV per share typically would still be determined as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE. The Fund does not price its shares on days that the NYSE is closed. Foreign exchanges may permit trading in foreign securities on days when the Fund is not open for business, which may result in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments being affected at a time when you are unable to buy or sell shares.

Equity securities, including shares of closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are valued at the last sale price or official closing price taken from the primary exchange in which each security trades. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Debt securities are valued at bid quotes from broker/dealers or evaluated bid prices from pricing services, who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as prices of comparable securities, yield curves, spreads, credit ratings, coupon rates, maturity, default rates, and underlying collateral. Futures are valued based on their daily settlement prices. Exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued at the last sale price. Options with no last sale for the day are priced at mid quote. Swaps are valued at evaluated mid prices from pricing services.

The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. ET.

Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Fund’s NAV, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger-capitalization companies. The Fund may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which the Fund invests as described below. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.

The Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund’s pricing time of 4:00 p.m. ET. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. If the Manager determines that the last quoted prices of non-U.S. securities will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all its portfolio securities, the Manager can 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

 

 

18


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

and baskets of foreign securities. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service, using methods approved by the Board, that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) and futures contracts. The Valuation Committee, established by the Board, may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the 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.

Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust the Fund’s fair valuation procedures.

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the fair 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 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.

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

Common stocks, ETFs, and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts or options 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.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

4.  Securities and Other Investments

American Depositary Receipts

ADRs are depositary receipts for foreign issuers in registered form traded in U.S. securities markets. Depositary receipts may not be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. Investing in depositary receipts entails substantially the same risks as direct investment in foreign securities. There is generally

 

 

19


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

less publicly available information about foreign companies and there may be less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies. In addition, such companies may use different accounting and financial standards (and certain currencies may become unavailable for transfer from a foreign currency), resulting in the Fund’s possible inability to convert immediately into U.S. currency proceeds realized upon the sale of portfolio securities of the affected foreign companies. In addition, the Fund may invest in unsponsored depositary receipts, the issuers of which are not obligated to disclose material information about the underlying securities to investors in the United States. Ownership of unsponsored depositary receipts may not entitle the Fund to the same benefits and rights as ownership of a sponsored depositary receipt or the underlying security.

Common Stock

Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or over-the-counter (“OTC”). OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

Foreign Securities

The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers. Foreign issuers are issuers organized and doing business principally outside the United States and include corporations, banks, non-U.S. governments, and quasi-governmental organizations. While investments in foreign securities are intended to reduce risk by providing further diversification, such investments involve sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political or social instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation); the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, less governmental supervision and regulation of financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards or the application of standards that are different or less stringent than those applied in the United States; different laws and customs governing securities tracking; and possibly limited access to the courts to enforce the Fund’s rights as an investor.

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies, ETFs, unit investment trusts, and other investment companies of the Trust. The Fund may invest in investment company securities advised by the Manager or a sub-advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the Fund’s shareholders indirectly will bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses the Fund’s shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. Investments in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.

 

 

20


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

5.  Principal Risks

Investing in the Fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Asset Selection Risk

Assets selected by the sub-advisor or the Manager for the Fund may not perform to expectations. The sub-advisor’s investment models may rely in part on data derived from third parties and may not perform as intended. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.

Currency Risk

The Fund may have exposure to foreign currencies by making direct investments in non-U.S. currencies, in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies or by purchasing or selling forward foreign currency exchange contracts in non-U.S. currencies. Foreign currencies will fluctuate, and may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and other currencies and thereby affect the Fund’s investments in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities that traded in, and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies.

Equity Investments Risk

Equity securities are subject to investment and market risk. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks. Investing in such securities may expose the funds to additional risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company.

Foreign Investing Risk

Non-U.S. investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity and greater volatility, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) increased price volatility, (6) less government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets.

Market Risk

Since the financial crisis that started in 2008, the U.S. and many foreign economies continue to experience its after-effects. Conditions in the U.S. and many foreign economies have resulted, and may continue to result, in certain instruments experiencing unusual liquidity issues, increased price volatility and, in some cases, credit downgrades and increased likelihood of default. These events have reduced the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, and have made it more difficult for some borrowers to obtain financing on attractive terms, if at all. In some cases, traditional market participants have been less willing to make a market in some types of debt instruments, which has affected the liquidity of those instruments. During times of market turmoil, investors tend to look to the safety of securities issued or backed by the U.S. Treasury, causing the prices of these securities to rise and the yields to decline. Reduced liquidity in fixed income and credit markets may negatively affect many issuers worldwide. In addition, global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

 

 

21


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

In response to the financial crisis, the U.S. and other governments and the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. In some countries where economic conditions are recovering, they are nevertheless perceived as still fragile. Withdrawal of government support, failure of efforts in response to the crisis, or investor perception that such efforts are not succeeding, could adversely impact the value and liquidity of certain securities. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations, including changes in tax laws. The impact of new financial regulation legislation on the markets and the practical implications for market participants may not be fully known for some time. Regulatory changes are causing some financial services companies to exit long-standing lines of business, resulting in dislocations for other market participants. In addition, political and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad, such as the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The U.S. government has recently reduced federal corporate income tax rates, and future legislative, regulatory and policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less stringent prudential regulation of certain players in the financial markets, and significant new investments in infrastructure and national defense. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the markets’ expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out.

Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact of a significant rate increase on various markets. For example, because investors may buy securities or other investments with borrowed money, a significant increase in interest rates may cause a decline in the markets for those investments. Because of the sharp decline in the worldwide price of oil, there is a concern that oil producing nations may withdraw significant assets now held in U.S. Treasuries, which could force a substantial increase in interest rates. Regulators have expressed concern that rate increases may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. In addition, there is a risk that the prices of goods and services in the U.S. and many foreign economies may decline over time, known as deflation (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and creditworthiness and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and may be difficult to reverse. The precise details and the resulting impact of the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union (the “EU”), commonly referred to as “Brexit,” are not yet known. The effect on the United Kingdom’s economy will likely depend on the nature of trade relations with the EU and other major economies following its exit, which are matters to be negotiated. The outcomes may cause increased volatility and have a significant adverse impact on world financial markets, other international trade agreements, and the United Kingdom and European economies, as well as the broader global economy for some time, which could significantly adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Non-Diversification Risk

The Fund is non-diversified, which means the Fund may focus its investments in the securities of a comparatively small number of issuers. Investments in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Fund to greater market risk and potential losses than if assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including money market funds. To the extent that the Fund invest in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses charged by those investment companies in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies.

 

 

22


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Securities Lending Risk

A Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions to seek income. There is a risk that a borrower may default on its obligations to return loaned securities; however, a Fund’s securities lending agent may indemnify the Fund against that risk. There is a risk that the assets of a Fund’s securities lending agent may be insufficient to satisfy any contractual indemnification requirements to the Fund. Borrowers of a Fund’s securities typically provide collateral in the form of cash that is reinvested in securities. A Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including any collateral invested in an affiliated money market fund. A Fund may lose money on its investment of cash collateral or may fail to earn sufficient income on its investment to meet obligations to the borrower. In addition, delays may occur in the recovery of securities from borrowers, which could interfere with a Fund’s ability to vote proxies or to settle transactions and there is the risk of possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.

Tax Risk

To qualify as a RIC and receive the “modified pass-through” tax treatment accorded thereto (as described in the SAI), the Fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from sources treated as “qualifying income” under Subchapter M. Although qualifying income does not include income derived directly from commodities – the IRS has ruled that bitcoin is “property,” which thus could be considered a commodity, and the Fund, therefore will restrict its gross income from direct investments therein (including shares of the Bitcoin Investment Trust) to a maximum of 10% of its gross income for each taxable year – the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiaries is expected to provide the Fund with indirect exposure to the Bitcoin Investment Trust within the limitations of the federal tax requirements of Subchapter M.

The IRS issued a large number of private letter rulings (which the Fund may not cite as precedent) from 2006 through 2011 that income a RIC derives from a wholly owned foreign subsidiary (a “controlled foreign corporation” or “CFC”) (such as the Cayman Subsidiary) that earns income derived from commodities – the IRS has ruled that bitcoin is “property,” which thus could be considered a commodity – is qualifying income. However, proposed Treasury regulations published on September 28, 2016, would limit qualifying income for a RIC from a CFC to distributions the CFC makes to the RIC out of its associated earnings and profits for the applicable taxable year. Although the Fund currently expects to receive distributions from the Cayman Subsidiary out of such earnings and profits each taxable year, if in one or more taxable years the Fund did not receive distributions thereof (or received less than all of same) or the IRS concluded that the amounts it did receive were not “distributions” for federal income tax purposes, the Fund might have difficulty in those years satisfying the source-of-income requirement to qualify as a RIC. Additional information regarding the federal income tax treatment by a RIC of income from a CFC is included in the “Tax Information” section of the SAI. The federal income tax treatment of the Fund’s income from the Cayman Subsidiary may be materially adversely affected by future legislation, the final version of the above mentioned proposed regulations or of other Treasury regulations, and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect whether income from such investments is qualifying income under Subchapter M, or otherwise materially affect the character, timing or recognition, and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income and/or net capital gains and, therefore, the distributions the Fund makes. If the Fund were unable to qualify as a RIC for one or more taxable years, it would incur potentially significant federal income tax expense. In certain such instances, its income available for distribution to shareholders would be reduced and all such distributions from current or accumulated earnings and profits would be taxable to them as dividend income.

Valuation Risk

The Fund may value certain assets at a price different from the price at which they can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as certain derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become illiquid.

 

 

23


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Fund is a party to enforceable master netting agreements between brokers and counterparties which provide for the right to offset under certain circumstances. The Fund employs multiple money managers and counterparties and has elected not to offset qualifying financial and derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as such all financial and derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis. The impacts of netting arrangements that provide the right to offset are detailed below. The net amount represents the net receivable or payable that would be due from or to the counterparty in the event of default. Exposure from borrowings and other financing agreements such as repurchase agreements can only be netted across transactions governed by the same Master Agreement with the same legal entity. All amounts reported below represent the balance as of the report date, December 31, 2018.

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of December 31, 2018
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

                 

Common Stocks

  $ 777,232       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 777,232  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 777,232       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 777,232  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 777,232  
                 

 

 

 

6.  Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions 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 unrecorded tax liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended December 31, 2018 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 expenses” on the Statement of Operations.

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 (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

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.

As of December 31, 2018 the tax cost for the Fund and their respective gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Fund

  Tax Cost         Unrealized
Appreciation
          Unrealized
(Depreciation)
          Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
ARK Transformational Innovation   $26,119,538     $ 1,359,591       $ (4,044,695     $ (2,685,104

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (“RIC MOD”), net capital losses recognized by the Fund in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 are carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as short-term and/or long-term losses.

As of June 30, 2018, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

 

 

24


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Purchases (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Sales (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
 
ARK Transformational Innovation   $ 15,652,579       $ 13,216,674  

A summary of the Fund’s transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        June 30,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           December 31,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Dividend
Income
 
ARK Transformational Innovation   Direct     $ 741,158       $ 12,164,744       $ 11,866,728       $ 1,039,174       $ 9,576  
ARK Transformational Innovation   Securities Lending       2,919,466         18,690,912         20,857,646         777,232         N/A  

8.  Securities Lending

The Fund may lend its securities to qualified financial institutions, such as certain broker-dealers, to earn additional income. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with collateral in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned, initially in an amount at least equal to 102% of the fair value of domestic securities loaned and 105% of the fair value of international securities loaned. Collateral is monitored and marked-to-market daily. Daily mark-to-market amounts are required to be paid to the borrower or received from the borrower by the end of the following business day. This one day settlement for mark-to-market amounts may result in the collateral being temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan or temporarily more than the required minimum collateral.

To the extent that a loan is collateralized by cash, such cash collateral shall be invested by the securities lending agent (the “Agent”) in money market mutual funds and other short-term investments, provided the investments meet certain quality and diversification requirements. Securities purchased with cash collateral proceeds are listed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and the collateral is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a payable.

Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs. The Fund, the Agent, and the Manager retained 80%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of the income generated from securities lending.

While securities are on loan, the Fund continues to receive certain income associated with that security and any gain or loss in the market price that may occur during the term of the loan. In the case of domestic equities, the value of any dividend is received in the form of a substitute payment approximately equal to the dividend. In the case of foreign securities, a negotiated amount is received that is less than the actual dividend, but higher than the dividend amount minus the foreign tax that the Fund would be subject to on the dividend.

Securities lending transactions pose certain risks to the Fund, including that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or return the securities when due, that the value of the short-term investments will be less than the amount of cash collateral required to be returned to the borrower, that non-cash collateral may be subject to legal constraints in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, and that the cash collateral investments

 

 

25


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

could become illiquid and unable to be used to return collateral to the borrower. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the cash collateral available for return to the borrower and any action which impairs its ability to liquidate non-cash collateral to satisfy a borrower default.

As of December 31, 2018, the value of outstanding securities on loan and the value of collateral were as follows:

 

Fund

  Market Value of
Securities on Loan
          Cash Collateral
Received
          Non-Cash Collateral
Received
          Total Collateral
Received
 
ARK Transformational Innovation   $ 753,227       $ 777,232       $ -       $ 777,232  

Cash collateral is listed on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Income earned on these investments is included in “Income derived from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Non-cash collateral received by the Fund may not be sold or re-pledged except to satisfy a borrower default. Therefore, non-cash collateral is not included on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments or Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

9.  Borrowing Arrangements

Effective November 15, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), the Fund, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager (“Participating Funds”), entered into a committed revolving line of credit (the “Committed Line”) agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line is $250 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Each of the Participating Funds will pay a closing fee of $100,000 on the Effective Date and a quarterly commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line amount. The Committed Line expires November 14, 2019, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement.

On the Effective Date, the Fund, along with certain other Participating Funds managed by the Manager, also entered into an uncommitted discretionary demand revolving line of credit (the “Uncommitted Line”) agreement with the Bank to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line is $50 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on each outstanding loan. Each of the Participating Funds will pay a closing fee of $35,000 on the Effective Date. The Uncommitted Line expires November 14, 2019 unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement.

The Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations, along with commitment fees, that have been allocated among the Participating Funds based on average daily net assets.

During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize this facility.

 

 

26


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

10.  Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Fund:

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 

ARK Transformational Innovation Fund

                                         
Shares sold     27,700       $ 510,816        
121,016
 
    $ 2,224,632  
Reinvestment of dividends     9,765         142,277         10,278         167,117  
Shares redeemed     (290,219       (5,633,201       -         (3
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (252,754     $ (4,980,108       131,294       $ 2,391,746  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 

ARK Transformational Innovation Fund

                                         
Shares sold     526,077       $ 9,355,764        
542,353
 
    $
8,991,190
 
Reinvestment of dividends     52,436         762,415         6,000         97,436  
Shares redeemed     (240,443       (4,114,653       (27,847       (457,807
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     338,070       $ 6,003,526        
520,506
 
    $
8,630,819
 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
    Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 

ARK Transformational Innovation Fund

                                         
Shares sold     358,835       $ 6,577,906        
529,735
 
    $
8,818,260
 
Reinvestment of dividends     33,295         481,781         7,231         117,221  
Shares redeemed     (284,137       (4,838,012       (247,935      
(4,043,012

 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     107,993       $ 2,221,675        
289,031
 
    $
4,892,469
 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

11.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.

 

 

27


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
         

Year Ended
June 30,

2018

         

January 27,

2017A to

June 30,

2017

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 18.60       $ 12.87       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss)

    0.05         0.06         (0.03

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (2.91       6.25         2.90  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (2.86       6.31         2.87  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.09       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.96       (0.49       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.96       (0.58       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.78       $ 18.60       $ 12.87  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (15.29 )%C        49.76       28.70 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 2,343,047       $ 7,650,448       $ 3,603,636  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.78 %D        4.74       10.29 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursementsE

    1.01 %D        1.02       0.99 %D 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.57 %D        (3.59 )%        (10.01 )%D 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    1.34 %D        0.14       (0.70 )%D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    55 %C        59       28 %C 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

E 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses.

 

See accompanying notes

 

28


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
         

Year Ended
June 30,

2018

         

January 27,
2017A to
June 30,

2017

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 18.57       $ 12.87       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss)

    0.18         (0.02 )B        (0.03

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (3.04       6.30         2.90  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (2.86       6.28         2.87  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.09       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.96       (0.49       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.96       (0.58       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.75       $ 18.57       $ 12.87  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (15.31 )%        49.52       28.70 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 12,836,211       $ 9,887,450       $ 153,410  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.89 %E        4.84       14.30 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursementsF

    1.10 %E        1.12       1.09 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    1.46 %E        (3.85 )%        (14.01 )%E 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    2.25 %E        (0.13 )%        (0.81 )%E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    55 %D        59       28 %C 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses.

 

See accompanying notes

 

29


American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
         

Year Ended
June 30,

2018

         

January 27,
2017A to
June 30,

2017

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 18.51       $ 12.85       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss)

    0.23         (0.06 )B        (0.02

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (3.11       6.30         2.87  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (2.88       6.24         2.85  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.09       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.96       (0.49       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.96       (0.58       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.67       $ 18.51       $ 12.85  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (15.47 )%D        49.28       28.50 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 7,061,905       $ 6,910,383       $ 1,083,835  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.05 %E        4.96       12.53 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursementsF

    1.39 %E        1.40       1.37 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    1.55 %E        (3.92 )%        (12.37 )%E 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    2.22 %E        (0.36 )%        (1.21 )%E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    55 %D        59       28 %C 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses.

 

See accompanying notes

 

30


  

 

 

 

 

 

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31


  

 

 

 

 

 

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32


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

By Telephone:

Call (800) 658-5811

 

LOGO

By Mail:

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

   
     
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules   Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records
 
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. 20549-2736. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800)-SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com approximately twenty days after the end of each month.   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, 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 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 Company

Boston, Massachusetts

   

TRANSFER AGENT

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

   

DISTRIBUTOR

Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

Irving, Texas

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 Funds and American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

SAR 12/18


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.

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by going to www.americanbeaconfunds.com and clicking on “Quick Links” and then “Register for E-Delivery.”

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-658-5811, option 1, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary of your wish. A notice that will be mailed to you each time a report is posted will also include instructions for informing the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the American Beacon Funds Complex or your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

SHAPIRO EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Investing in value stocks may limit downside risk over time; however, the Fund may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. Because the Fund may invest in fewer issuers than a more diversified portfolio, the fluctuating value of a single holding may have a greater effect on the value of the Fund. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

SHAPIRO SMID CAP EQUITY FUND

Investing in value stocks may limit downside risk over time; however, the Fund may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. Investing in small- or mid-capitalization stocks may involve greater volatility and lower liquidity than larger company stocks. Because the Fund may invest in fewer issuers than a more diversified portfolio, the fluctuating value of a single holding may have a greater effect on the value of the Fund. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

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 each 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

December 31, 2018


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Performance Overviews

    2  

Expense Examples

    6  

Schedules of Investments:

 

American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

    8  

American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

    11  

Financial Statements

    14  

Notes to Financial Statements

    17  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

    33  

American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

    36  

Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreements

          

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

December 2018, a month in which market volatility spiked and all major U.S. equity indexes declined, ending the year in negative territory, serves as a prime example of the importance of having a long-term investment perspective.

 

While long-term investing isn’t about identifying and anticipating the next big market move, it is about identifying the right investment products for riding out those moves. As a long-term investor, you should strive to accomplish the three Ds: direction, discipline and diversification.

 

u   Direction: Achieving your long-term financial goals requires an individualized plan of action. You may want your plan to provide some

  measure of protection against periods of geopolitical turmoil, economic uncertainty, market volatility and job insecurity. Your plan should be reviewed annually and be adjusted in the event your long-range needs change.

 

u  

Discipline: Long-term, systematic participation in an investment portfolio requires your resolution to stay the course. Spending time in the market – rather than trying to time the market – may place you in a better position to reach your long-term financial goals.

 

u  

Diversification: By investing in different types of investment categories and asset classes, you may be able to help mitigate financial risks across your investment portfolio. By allocating your investment portfolio according to your risk-tolerance level, you may be better positioned to weather storms and achieve your long-term financial goals.

Since 1986, American Beacon has endeavored to provide investors with a disciplined approach to realizing long-term financial goals. As a manager of managers, we strive to provide investment products that may enable investors to participate during market upswings while potentially insulating against market downswings. Our approach is more than a concept. It’s the cornerstone of our culture. And we strive to apply it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment products for your investment portfolio.

Many of the sub-advisors to our mutual funds pursue upside capture and/or downside protection using proprietary strategies. The investment teams behind our mutual funds seek to produce consistent, long-term results rather than focus only on short-term movements in the markets. In managing our investment products, we emphasize identifying opportunities that offer the potential for long-term rewards.

Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our 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


American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) returned -13.95% for the six months ended December 31, 2018. The Fund underperformed the Russell 3000 Index (the “Index”) return of -8.20% for the same period.

 

Total Returns for the Period ended December 31, 2018

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

1 Year

 

Since Inception
09/12/2017

Institutional Class (1,3)

     SHXIX          (13.73 )%        (9.32 )%       (1.89 )%

Y Class (1,3)

     SHXYX          (13.81 )%        (9.32 )%       (1.89 )%

Investor Class (1,3)

     SHXPX          (13.95 )%        (9.70 )%       (2.27 )%
                    

Russell 3000® Index (2)

              (8.20 )%        (5.24 )%       1.64 %

 

*

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 calculated based on the published end of day net asset values 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 1-800-9687-9009 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. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving was lower than actual returns shown since inception.

 

2.

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the U.S. equity market. The Russell 3000 Index is a registered trademark of Frank Russell Company. Frank Russell Company (“Russell”) is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company. Neither Russell nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings or underlying data, and no party may rely on any Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings and/or underlying data contained in this communication. No further distribution of Russell Data is permitted without Russell’s express written consent. Russell does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

3.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y and Investor Class shares were 2.83%, 2.79% and 4.90%, 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 majority of the fund’s underperformance for the six months ending December 31, 2018 was attributed to security selection in the Consumer Discretionary and Industrials sectors. In the Consumer Discretionary sector, Hanesbrands, Inc. (down 39.7%), and Caesars Entertainment (down 34.9%) were the largest detractors. In the Industrials sector, Maxar Technologies Ltd. (down 67.4%) detracted from performance. The aforementioned underperformance was somewhat offset by security selection in the Health Care sector. Positions in Merck + Co., Inc. (up 26.0%) and Pfizer, Inc. (up 22.0%) contributed positively to relative performance.

From a sector allocation perspective, a significant underweight allocation to both the Health Care and Consumer Staples sectors detracted from performance relative to the Index.

Looking ahead, the Fund’s sub-advisor will continue to employ a team-oriented investment process that is driven by deep fundamental research in a concentrated, value-oriented approach.

 

 

2


American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

FireEye, Inc.           6.3  
First Data Corp.           6.2  
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.           6.0  
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.           5.9  
Walt Disney Co.           5.8  
Apple, Inc.           5.7  
Regions Financial Corp.           5.7  
Bank of America Corp.           5.6  
Hanesbrands, Inc.           5.5  
Caesars Entertainment Corp.           5.4  
Total Fund Holdings      23       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Information Technology           26.1  
Communication Services           18.5  
Consumer Discretionary           15.9  
Financials           11.5  
Materials           10.2  
Industrials           5.9  
Health Care           5.0  
Energy           4.9  
Exchange-Traded Funds           2.0  

 

 

3


American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund (the “Fund”) returned -20.73% for the six months ended December 31, 2018. The Fund underperformed the Russell 2500 Index (the “Index”) return of -14.66% for the same period.

 

Total Returns for the Period ended December 31, 2018

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

1 Year

 

Since Inception
09/12/2017

Institutional Class (1,3)

     SHDIX          (20.59 )%        (16.56 )%       (7.41 )%

Y Class (1,3)

     SHDYX          (20.68 )%        (16.58 )%       (7.49 )%

Investor Class (1,3)

     SHDPX          (20.73 )%        (16.78 )%       (7.72 )%
                    

Russell 2500® Index (2)

              (14.66 )%        (10.00 )%       (1.71 )%

 

*

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 calculated based on the published end of day net asset values 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. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown since inception.

 

2.

The Russell 2500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small to mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and includes approximately 2,500 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market capitalization and current index membership. The Russell 2500 Index and the Russell 3000 Index are registered trademarks of Frank Russell Company. Frank Russell Company (“Russell”) is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company. Neither Russell nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings or underlying data, and no party may rely on any Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings and/or underlying data contained in this communication. No further distribution of Russell Data is permitted without Russell’s express written consent. Russell does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

3.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y and Investor Class shares were 4.33%, 5.70%, and 6.13%, 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 over the six-month period due to stock selection. This was slightly offset by sector allocation which contributed positively to relative performance.

Most of the Fund’s underperformance related to security selection was attributed to holdings in the Industrials and Consumer Discretionary sectors. In the Industrials sector, positions in Maxar Technologies Ltd. (down 75.7%) and BWX Technologies, Inc. (down 25.1%) were the largest detractors. In the Consumer Discretionary sector, Hanesbrands, Inc. (down 41.1%) and Caesars Entertainment Corp. (down 34.2%) detracted from performance. The aforementioned underperformance was somewhat offset by security selection in the Information Technology sector. Ciena Corp. (up 28.0%) and Fireeye, Inc. (up 6.4%) were the largest contributors to performance.

From a sector allocation perspective, overweighting the Information Technology sector, one of the top-performing sectors, (down 9.3%) added value relative to the Index. Additionally, underweighting the Industrials sector (down 15.0%) contributed positively to performance. Offsetting some of the gains was an overweight allocation to the Materials sector (down 20.4%), which detracted from relative performance.

Looking forward, the Fund’s sub-advisor will continue to employ a team-oriented investment process that is driven by deep fundamental research in a concentrated, value-oriented approach.

 

 

4


American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

FireEye, Inc.           5.4  
Caesars Entertainment Corp.           5.3  
Graphic Packaging Holding Co.           5.2  
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.           5.1  
Hanesbrands, Inc.           5.0  
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.           5.0  
First Data Corp., Class A           4.9  
Regions Financial Corp.           4.9  
AMC Networks, Inc.           4.8  
BWX Technologies, Inc.           4.8  
Total Fund Holdings      26       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Information Technology           27.9  
Materials           19.0  
Communication Services           17.6  
Consumer Discretionary           14.2  
Industrials           8.4  
Financials           5.1  
Energy           3.9  
Health Care           3.9  

 

 

5


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Funds 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, 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 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “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 Funds through an IRA or Roth 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 tables provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Funds’ actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds 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 Funds through an IRA or Roth 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 Funds, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, as applicable. 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 tables 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.

 

 

6


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
7/1/2018
  Ending Account Value
12/31/2018
  Expenses Paid During
Period
7/1/2018-12/31/2018*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $862.70       $3.71
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.22       $4.02
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $861.90       $4.18
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.72       $4.53
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $861.30       $5.49
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.31       $5.96

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.79%, 0.89%, and 1.17% for the Institutional, Y, and Investor 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 (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
7/1/2018
  Ending Account Value
12/31/2018
  Expenses Paid  During
Period

7/1/2018-12/31/2018*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $794.10       $4.02
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.72       $4.53
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $793.20       $4.52
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.16       $5.09
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $792.70       $5.74
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,018.80       $6.46

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.89%, 1.00%, and 1.27% for the Institutional, Y, and Investor 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 (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

7


American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 96.70%            
Communication Services - 18.29%            
Entertainment - 13.44%            
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class B       239,600         $ 3,565,248
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.A       20,400           1,004,700
Walt Disney Co.       31,500           3,453,975
           

 

 

 
              8,023,923
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 4.85%            
CBS Corp., Class B, NVDR       66,300           2,898,636
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              10,922,559
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 15.73%            
Automobiles - 4.85%            
General Motors Co.       86,600           2,896,770
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 5.37%            
Caesars Entertainment Corp.A B       472,600           3,208,954
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 5.51%            
Hanesbrands, Inc.       262,400           3,287,872
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              9,393,596
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 4.79%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 4.79%            
Devon Energy Corp.       95,100           2,143,554
WPX Energy, Inc.A       63,000           715,050
           

 

 

 
              2,858,604
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              2,858,604
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 11.29%            
Banks - 11.29%            
Bank of America Corp.       136,400           3,360,896
Regions Financial Corp.       253,000           3,385,140
           

 

 

 
              6,746,036
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              6,746,036
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 4.96%            
Pharmaceuticals - 4.96%            
Merck & Co., Inc.       38,800           2,964,708
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 5.83%            
Aerospace & Defense - 5.83%            
BWX Technologies, Inc.       50,700           1,938,261
Maxar Technologies Ltd.       129,300           1,546,428
           

 

 

 
              3,484,689
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              3,484,689
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 25.78%            
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 4.08%            
Corning, Inc.       80,600           2,434,926
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 6.19%            
First Data Corp., Class AA       218,800           3,699,908
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

8


American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 96.70% (continued)            
Information Technology - 25.78% (continued)            
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 3.48%            
Entegris, Inc.       74,525         $ 2,078,875
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 6.35%            
FireEye, Inc.A       233,800           3,789,898
           

 

 

 
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 5.68%            
Apple, Inc.       21,525           3,395,353
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              15,398,960
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 10.03%            
Chemicals - 6.86%            
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.A       150,900           3,534,078
Mosaic Co.       19,300           563,753
           

 

 

 
              4,097,831
           

 

 

 
           
Containers & Packaging - 3.17%            
Graphic Packaging Holding Co.       177,800           1,891,792
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              5,989,623
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $70,264,778)

              57,758,775
           

 

 

 
           
EXCHANGE-TRADED INSTRUMENTS - 2.01% (Cost $1,289,739)            
Exchange-Traded Funds - 2.01%            
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust       4,800           1,199,616
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.32% (Cost $190,718)            
Investment Companies - 0.32%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%C D       190,718           190,718
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 4.69% (Cost $2,799,545)            
Investment Companies - 4.69%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%C D       2,799,545           2,799,545
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 103.72% (Cost $74,544,780)

              61,948,654

LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (3.72%)

              (2,217,969 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 59,730,685
           

 

 

 
           
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

 

A Non-income producing security.

B All or a portion of this security is on loan at December 31, 2018.

C The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

D 7-day yield.

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund.

NVDR - Non Voting Depositary Receipt.

SPDR - Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt.

S&P 500 - Standard & Poor’s U.S. Equity Large-Cap Index.

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of December 31, 2018, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

  Level 1           Level 2            Level 3           Total  

Assets

 

Common Stocks

  $ 57,758,775       $ -        $ -       $ 57,758,775  

Exchange-Traded Instruments

    1,199,616         -          -         1,199,616  

Short-Term Investments

    190,718         -          -         190,718  

Securities Lending Collateral

    2,799,545         -          -         2,799,545  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 61,948,654       $ -        $ -       $ 61,948,654  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to level 3 to be disclosed. During the period ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 96.89%            
Communication Services - 17.08%            
Entertainment - 12.26%            
IMAX Corp.A       12,000         $ 225,720
Liberty Media Corp-Liberty BravesA       2,400           59,736
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class B       18,200           270,816
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.A       2,300           113,275
           

 

 

 
              669,547
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 4.82%            
AMC Networks, Inc., Class AA       4,800           263,424
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              932,971
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 13.81%            
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 5.28%            
Caesars Entertainment Corp.A B       42,500           288,575
           

 

 

 
           
Leisure Products - 3.55%            
Acushnet Holdings Corp.       9,200           193,844
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 4.98%            
Hanesbrands, Inc.       21,700           271,901
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              754,320
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 3.79%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 3.79%            
SemGroup Corp., Class A       4,400           60,632
WPX Energy, Inc.A       12,900           146,415
           

 

 

 
              207,047
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              207,047
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 4.95%            
Banks - 4.95%            
Regions Financial Corp.       20,200           270,276
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 3.74%            
Health Care Technology - 3.74%            
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.A       21,200           204,368
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 8.09%            
Aerospace & Defense - 8.09%            
BWX Technologies, Inc.       6,900           263,787
Maxar Technologies Ltd.       14,915           178,383
           

 

 

 
              442,170
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              442,170
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 26.99%            
Communications Equipment - 3.29%            
Ciena Corp.A       5,300           179,723
           

 

 

 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 0.49%            
Knowles Corp.A       2,000           26,620
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 8.26%            
First Data Corp., Class AA       15,700           265,487

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 96.89% (continued)            
Information Technology - 26.99% (continued)            
IT Services - 8.26% (continued)            
GreenSky, Inc., Class AA       19,400         $ 185,658
           

 

 

 
              451,145
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 6.57%            
Entegris, Inc.       7,600           212,002
Versum Materials, Inc.       5,300           146,916
           

 

 

 
              358,918
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 8.38%            
ChannelAdvisor Corp.A       14,500           164,575
FireEye, Inc.A       18,100           293,401
           

 

 

 
              457,976
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              1,474,382
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 18.44%            
Chemicals - 9.84%            
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.A       11,800           276,356
Valvoline, Inc.       13,500           261,225
           

 

 

 
              537,581
           

 

 

 
           
Containers & Packaging - 5.16%            
Graphic Packaging Holding Co.       26,500           281,960
           

 

 

 
           
Metals & Mining - 3.44%            
Compass Minerals International, Inc.       4,500           187,605
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              1,007,146
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $6,542,100)

              5,292,680
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.83% (Cost $154,527)            
Investment Companies - 2.83%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%C D       154,527           154,527
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 4.18% (Cost $228,095)            
Investment Companies - 4.18%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%C D       228,095           228,095
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 103.90% (Cost $6,924,722)

              5,675,302

LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (3.90%)

              (212,837 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 5,462,465
           

 

 

 
           
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Non-income producing security.

B All or a portion of this security is on loan at December 31, 2018.

C The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

D 7-day yield.

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of December 31, 2018, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

  Level 1           Level 2            Level 3           Total  

Assets

              

Common Stocks

  $ 5,292,680       $ -        $ -       $ 5,292,680  

Short-Term Investments

    154,527         -          -         154,527  

Securities Lending Collateral

    228,095         -          -         228,095  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 5,675,302       $ -        $ -       $ 5,675,302  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to level 3 to be disclosed. During the period ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shapiro Equity
Opportunities Fund
          Shapiro SMID Cap
Equity Fund
 

Assets:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value§

  $ 58,958,391       $ 5,292,680  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    2,990,263         382,622  

Cash

    29,784         2,975  

Dividends and interest receivable

    141,788         5,396  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    393,145         -  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    24,839         14,732  

Prepaid expenses

    57,272         28,422  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

    62,595,482         5,726,827  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for investments purchased

    -         6,221  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    4,646         -  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    40,911         3,530  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    95         125  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    1,959         193  

Payable upon return of securities loaned (Note 8)§

    2,799,545         228,095  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    344         344  

Professional fees payable

    16,485         20,683  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    -         2,445  

Other liabilities

    812         2,726  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,864,797         264,362  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 59,730,685       $ 5,462,465  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 71,735,746       $ 6,671,547  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    (12,005,061       (1,209,082
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 59,730,685       $ 5,462,465  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

 

Institutional Class

    4,442,533         569,311  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

    1,825,533         20,730  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

    53,241         70,818  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 41,979,489       $ 4,708,635  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 17,250,794       $ 171,274  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 500,402       $ 582,556  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 9.45       $ 8.27  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 9.45       $ 8.26  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 9.40       $ 8.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 71,554,517       $ 6,542,100  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 2,990,263       $ 382,622  

§ Fair value of securities on loan

  $ 2,715,559       $ 221,252  

A The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Operations

For the period ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shapiro Equity
Opportunities Fund
          Shapiro SMID Cap
Equity Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)

  $ 700,355       $ 38,495  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 7)

    27,385         1,640  

Income derived from securities lending (Note 8)

    3,682         459  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

    731,422         40,594  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    269,524         22,400  

Transfer agent fees:

     

Institutional Class (Note 2)

    895         466  

Y Class (Note 2)

    11,567         97  

Investor Class

    553         548  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    11,385         9,007  

Professional fees

    21,993         21,020  

Registration fees and expenses

    46,905         33,649  

Service fees (Note 2):

     

Investor Class

    5,727         6,173  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    3,737         3,263  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    1,598         158  

Other expenses

    2,665         1,836  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

    376,549         98,617  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net fees waived and expenses (reimbursed) (Note 2)

    (57,999       (70,712
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net expenses

    318,550         27,905  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

    412,872         12,689  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    1,864,099         290,083  

Commission recapture (Note 1)

    58,671         3,155  

Foreign currency transactions

    (536       (263

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    (13,133,994       (1,628,073
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (loss) from investments

    (11,211,760       (1,335,098
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (10,798,888     $ (1,322,409
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 9,767       $ 1,132  

A The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities.

 

B The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund           Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          September 12, 2017A
to June 30, 2018
          Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          September 12, 2017A
to June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)                       (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

             

Operations:

             

Net investment income

  $ 412,872       $ 44,143       $ 12,689       $ 2,645  

Net realized gain from investments in unaffiliated securities, commission recapture, and foreign currency transactions

    1,922,234         149,703         292,975         184,967  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities

    (13,133,994       537,868         (1,628,073       378,653  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (10,798,888       731,714         (1,322,409       566,265  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Net investment income:

             

Institutional Class

    -         (5,619       -         -  

Y Class

    -         (159       -         -  

Investor Class

    -         (214       -         -  

Net realized gain from investments:

             

Institutional Class

    -         (282       -         -  

Y Class

    -         (8       -         -  

Investor Class

    -         (11       -         -  

Total retained earnings: *

             

Institutional Class

    (1,211,245       -         (391,569       -  

Y Class

    (707,549       -         (14,218       -  

Investor Class

    (12,800       -         (47,151       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (1,931,594       (6,293       (452,938       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 10):

 

Proceeds from sales of shares

    7,498,777         70,166,173         1,184,636         2,486,584  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    1,931,594         6,293         452,938         -  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (7,366,014       (3,501,077       (93,387       (359,224
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

    2,064,357         66,671,389         1,544,187         2,127,360  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (10,666,125       67,396,810         (231,160       2,693,625  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Beginning of period

    70,396,810         3,000,000 B         5,693,625         3,000,000 B  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 59,730,685       $ 70,396,810       $ 5,462,465       $ 5,693,625  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

* Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are combined for the period ended December 31, 2018. See Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements for more information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

 

A Commencement of operations.

             

B Seed capital.

             

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”), is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Funds, each a series within the Trust, are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Act”), as non-diversified, open-end management investment companies. As of December 31, 2018, the Trust consists of thirty-three active series, two of which are presented in this filing: American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund and American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund (collectively, the “Funds” and each individually a “Fund”). The remaining thirty-one active series are reported in separate filings.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). RIM is, in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Acquisition, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (“RIH”). RIH is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P., investment funds affiliated with Kelso & Company, L.P. (“Kelso”) or Estancia Capital Management, LLC (“Estancia”), which are private equity firms.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-08, Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in the ASU shorten the premium amortization period on a purchased callable debt security from the security’s contractual life to the earliest call date. It is anticipated that this change will enhance disclosures by reducing losses recognized when a security is called on an earlier date. This ASU was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 The Manager continues to evaluate the impact this ASU will have on the financial statements and other disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The amendments in the ASU impact disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. It is anticipated that this change will enhance the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted and can include the entire standard or certain provisions that exclude or amend disclosures. For the period ended December 31, 2018, the Funds have chosen to adopt the standard. The adoption of this ASU guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements and other disclosures.

In August 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements in Securities Act Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, which is intended to facilitate the disclosure of information to investors and simplify compliance without significantly altering the total mix of information provided to investors. Effective with the current reporting period, the Funds adopted the amendments with the impacts being that the Funds are no longer required to present components of distributable earnings on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities or the sources of distributable earnings and the amount of undistributed net investment income on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

Class Disclosure

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

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
Institutional    Large institutional investors - sold directly through intermediary channels.    $ 250,000  
Y Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 100,000  
Investor    All investors using intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or retirement plan sponsors.    $ 2,500  

 

 

17


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 service, distribution, transfer agent fees, and sub-transfer agent fees that vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Funds in preparation of the financial statements. The Funds are considered investment companies and accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.

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, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold 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 the 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 on the Funds’ Statements of Operations.

Distributions to Shareholders

Distributions, if any, of net investment income are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions, if any, of net realized capital gains are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. To the extent necessary to fully distribute capital gains, the Funds may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.

Commission Recapture

The Funds have established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the Funds’ investment advisor chooses to execute a transaction through a participating broker, the broker rebates a portion of the commission back to the Funds. 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.

 

 

18


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Funds are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Funds. Expenses directly charged or attributable to any Fund will be paid from the assets of the Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Funds on a basis that the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Funds or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Funds.

Organization and Offering Costs

Organizational costs consist of the costs of forming the Funds, drafting the bylaws, administration, custody and transfer agency agreements, and legal services in connection with the initial meeting of trustees, and were expensed immediately as incurred. Offering costs consist of the costs of preparation, review and filing with the SEC the Funds’ registration statement (including the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information), the costs of preparation, the costs associated with the printing, mailing or other distribution of the Prospectus, SAI and the amounts of associated filing fees and legal fees associated with the offering. Organizational costs and offering costs are subject to the Funds’ expense limitation agreement discussed in Note 2 and offering costs require amortization over twelve months on a straight-line basis from the commencement of operations.

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 liabilities 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.

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Funds and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Funds with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will receive an annualized management fee based on a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedule:

 

First $5 billion

     0.35

Next $5 billion

     0.325

Next $10 billion

     0.30

Over $20 billion

     0.275

The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Shapiro Capital Management LLC (“Shapiro”), an affiliate of the Manager pursuant to which each Fund has agreed to pay Shapiro an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on the Funds’ average daily net assets according to the following schedule:

 

 

19


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

 

First $250 million

     0.35

Next $250 million

     0.30

Over $500 million

     0.25

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

 

First $250 million

     0.40

Next $250 million

     0.35

Over $500 million

     0.30

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Funds for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 134,866  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.35       134,658  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.70     $ 269,524  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 10,480  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.40       11,920  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.75     $ 22,400  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Funds, the lending Fund pays to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee up to 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers, a fee up to 10% of such loan fees. These fees are included in “Income derived from securities lending” and “Management and investment advisory fees” on the Statements of Operations. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager received securities lending fees of $619 and $66 for the securities lending activities of the Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund and Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund, respectively.

Distribution Plans

The Funds, except for the 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 fee received by the Manager and the investment advisors 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 Fund shares.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor Class of the Funds. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Funds.

 

 

20


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

The Manager has entered into agreements, which include servicing agreements, with financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, processing, shareholder communications and other services to customers of the intermediaries that hold positions in the Institutional and Y Classes of the Funds and has agreed to compensate the intermediaries for providing these services. Intermediaries transact with the Funds primarily through the use of omnibus accounts on behalf of their customers who hold positions in the Funds. Certain services would have been provided by the Funds’ transfer agent and other service providers if the shareholders’ accounts were maintained directly by the Funds’ transfer agent. Accordingly, the Funds, pursuant to Board approval, have agreed to reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries for the Institutional and Y Classes. The reimbursement amounts (sub-transfer agent fees) paid to the Manager are subject to a fee limit of up to 0.10% of an intermediary’s average net assets in the Institutional and Y Classes on an annual basis. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statements of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Shaprio Equity Opportunities

   $ 11,937  

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity

     468  

As of December 31, 2018, the Funds owed the Manager the following reimbursement of sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees payable” on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Fund

   Reimbursement
Sub-Transfer Agent  Fees
 

Shaprio Equity Opportunities

   $ 1,959  

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity

     55  

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Funds may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (the “USG Select Fund”). Cash collateral received by the Funds in connection with securities lending may also be invested in the USG Select Fund. The Funds and the USG Select Fund have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The Manager serves as investment advisor to the USG Select Fund and receives management fees and administrative fees totaling 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the USG Select Fund. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager earned fees on the Funds’ direct investments and securities lending collateral investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:

 

Fund

   Direct Investments in
USG Select Fund
     Securities Lending
Collateral in  USG
Select Fund
     Total  

Shaprio Equity Opportunities

   $ 1,424      $ 1,211      $ 2,635  

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity

     84        117        201  

Interfund Credit Facility

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Funds, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in a credit facility whereby each fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other participating funds for temporary purposes. The interfund credit facility is advantageous to the funds because it provides added liquidity, and eliminates the need to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemptions. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and certain funds have insufficient cash on hand to satisfy such redemptions or when sales of securities do not settle as expected, resulting in a cash shortfall for a fund. When a fund liquidates portfolio securities to meet redemption requests, they often do not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). Redemption requests normally are

 

 

21


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

satisfied on the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting areas who report the activities of the credit facility to the Board. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund borrowed $1,355,924 for 1 day at an interest rate of 3.06% with interest charges of $114. These amounts are recorded as “Other expenses” in the Statements of Operations. For the period ended December 31, 2018, the Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund did not utilize the credit facility.

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Manager contractually agreed to reduce fees and/or reimburse expenses for the classes of the Funds to the extent that total operating expenses exceed the Funds’ expense cap. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                   Expiration  of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Fund

   Class    7/1/2018 -
12/31/2018
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
 

Shaprio Equity Opportunities

   Institutional      0.79   $ 35,271      $ -        2021  

Shaprio Equity Opportunities

   Y      0.89     16,811        -        2021  

Shaprio Equity Opportunities

   Investor      1.17     5,917        -        2021  

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity

   Institutional      0.89     55,940        -        2021  

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity

   Y      0.99     2,242        -        2021  

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity

   Investor      1.27     12,530        -        2021  

Of these amounts, $24,839 and $14,732 were disclosed as a receivable from the Manager on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 2018 for the Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund and Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund, respectively.

The Funds have adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Funds for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years after the Manager’s own waiver or reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Funds’ annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. The reimbursed expenses listed above will expire in 2021. The Funds did not record a liability for potential reimbursement due to the current assessment that a reimbursement is unlikely.

Concentration of Ownership

From time to time, the Funds may have a concentration of one or more accounts constituting a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities by holders of accounts that represent a significant ownership of more than 5% of the Funds’ outstanding shares could have a material impact on the Funds. As of December 31, 2018, based on management’s evaluation of the shareholder account base, two accounts have been identified as representing an unaffiliated significant ownership of approximately 57% for the Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund and one account has been identified as representing an affiliated significant ownership of approximately 46% for the Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund.

Trustee Fees and Expenses

As compensation for their service to the Trust, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, and American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund, each Trustee receives an annual retainer of $120,000, plus $10,000 for each Board meeting attended in person or via teleconference, $2,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee, and $1,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Nominating and

 

 

22


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Governance Committee, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, Committee meetings, and relevant educational seminars. The Trustees also may be compensated for attendance at special Board and/or Committee meetings from time to time. The Board Chairman receives an additional annual retainer of $50,000 as well as a $2,500 fee each quarter for his attendance at the committee meetings. The Chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee each receive an additional annual retainer of $25,000 and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000. These expenses are allocated on a prorated basis to each Fund of the Trusts according to its respective net assets.

3.  Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The price of the Fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (“NAV”) per share. The Fund’s NAV is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.

The NAV of each class of the Fund’s shares is determined based on a pro rata allocation of the Fund’s investment income, expenses and total capital gains and losses. The Fund’s NAV per share is determined each business day as of the regular close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE” or “Exchange”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET, the Fund’s NAV per share typically would still be determined as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE. The Fund does not price its shares on days that the NYSE is closed. Foreign exchanges may permit trading in foreign securities on days when the Fund is not open for business, which may result in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments being affected at a time when you are unable to buy or sell shares.

Equity securities, including shares of closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are valued at the last sale price or official closing price taken from the primary exchange in which each security trades. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Debt securities are valued at bid quotes from broker/dealers or evaluated bid prices from pricing services, who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as prices of comparable securities, yield curves, spreads, credit ratings, coupon rates, maturity, default rates, and underlying collateral. Futures are valued based on their daily settlement prices. Exchange-traded and OTC options are valued at the last sale price. Options with no last sale for the day are priced at mid quote. Swaps are valued at evaluated mid prices from pricing services.

The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. ET.

Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Fund’s NAV, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger-capitalization companies. The Fund may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which the Fund invests as described below. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.

 

 

23


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund’s pricing time of 4:00 p.m. ET. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. If the Manager determines that the last quoted prices of non-U.S. securities will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all its portfolio securities, the Manager can 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. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service, using methods approved by the Board, that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) and futures contracts. The Valuation Committee, established by the Board, may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the 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.

Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust the Fund’s fair valuation procedures.

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the fair 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.

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

Common stocks, ETFs and financial derivative instruments, such as futures 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. Preferred securities and other equities traded on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments are generally categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

24


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

4.  Securities and Other Investments

Common Stock

Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or over-the-counter (“OTC”). OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

Non-Voting Depositary Receipts

Non-Voting Depositary Receipts (“NVDRs”) represent financial interests in an issuer but the holder is not entitled to any voting rights. Depositary receipts may not be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. Investing in depositary receipts entails substantially the same risks as direct investment in foreign securities. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies and there may be less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies. In addition, such companies may use different accounting and financial standards (and certain currencies may become unavailable for transfer from a foreign currency), resulting in the Fund’s possible inability to convert immediately into U.S. currency proceeds realized upon the sale of portfolio securities of the affected foreign companies. In addition, the Funds may invest in unsponsored depositary receipts, the issuers of which are not obligated to disclose material information about the underlying securities to investors in the United States. Ownership of unsponsored depositary receipts may not entitle the Funds to the same benefits and rights as ownership of a sponsored depositary receipt or the underlying security.

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Funds may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies, ETFs, unit investment trusts, and other investment companies of the Trust. The Funds may invest in investment company securities advised by the Manager or a sub-advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Funds become a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the Funds’ shareholders indirectly will bear the Funds’ proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses the Funds’ shareholders directly bear in connection with the Funds’ own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Funds in their Prospectus, if applicable. Investments in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.

5.  Principal Risks

Investing in the Funds may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Equity Investments Risk

Equity securities are subject to market risk. The Funds’ investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks, REITs, depositary

 

 

25


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

receipts, and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges. Such investments may expose the Funds to additional risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company. Preferred stocks and convertible securities are sensitive to movements in interest rates. Preferred stocks may be less liquid than common stocks and, unlike common stocks, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. Distributions on preferred stocks generally are payable at the discretion of an issuer and after required payments to bond holders. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit standing of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible securities’ investment value. Investments in REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry such as adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. Depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency fluctuations and political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt or foreign stock.

Focused Holdings Risk

Because the Funds may have a focused portfolio of fewer companies, the increase or decrease of the value of a single investment may have a greater impact on the Funds’ NAV and total return when compared to other diversified funds.

Market Risk

Since the financial crisis that started in 2008, the U.S. and many foreign economies continue to experience its after-effects. Conditions in the U.S. and many foreign economies have resulted, and may continue to result, in certain instruments experiencing unusual liquidity issues, increased price volatility and, in some cases, credit downgrades and increased likelihood of default. These events have reduced the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, and have made it more difficult for some borrowers to obtain financing on attractive terms, if at all. In some cases, traditional market participants have been less willing to make a market in some types of debt instruments, which has affected the liquidity of those instruments. During times of market turmoil, investors tend to look to the safety of securities issued or backed by the U.S. Treasury, causing the prices of these securities to rise and the yields to decline. Reduced liquidity in fixed income and credit markets may negatively affect many issuers worldwide. In addition, global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

In response to the financial crisis, the U.S. and other governments and the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. In some countries where economic conditions are recovering, they are nevertheless perceived as still fragile. Withdrawal of government support, failure of efforts in response to the crisis, or investor perception that such efforts are not succeeding, could adversely impact the value and liquidity of certain securities. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations, including changes in tax laws. The impact of new financial regulation legislation on the markets and the practical implications for market participants may not be fully known for some time. Regulatory changes are causing some financial services companies to exit long-standing lines of business, resulting in dislocations for other market participants. In addition, political and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad, such as the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The U.S. government has recently reduced federal corporate income tax rates, and future legislative, regulatory and

 

 

26


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less stringent prudential regulation of certain players in the financial markets, and significant new investments in infrastructure and national defense. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the markets’ expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out.

Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact of a significant rate increase on various markets. For example, because investors may buy securities or other investments with borrowed money, a significant increase in interest rates may cause a decline in the markets for those investments. Because of the sharp decline in the worldwide price of oil, there is a concern that oil producing nations may withdraw significant assets now held in U.S. Treasuries, which could force a substantial increase in interest rates. Regulators have expressed concern that rate increases may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. In addition, there is a risk that the prices of goods and services in the U.S. and many foreign economies may decline over time, known as deflation (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and creditworthiness and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and may be difficult to reverse. The precise details and the resulting impact of the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union (the “EU”), commonly referred to as “Brexit,” are not yet known. The effect on the United Kingdom’s economy will likely depend on the nature of trade relations with the EU and other major economies following its exit, which are matters to be negotiated. The outcomes may cause increased volatility and have a significant adverse impact on world financial markets, other international trade agreements, and the United Kingdom and European economies, as well as the broader global economy for some time, which could significantly adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Non-Diversification Risk

The Funds are non-diversified, which means the Funds may focus their investments in the securities of a comparatively small number of issuers. Investments in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Funds to greater market risk and potential losses than if assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Funds may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including ETFs and money market funds that are advised by the Manager. To the extent that the Funds invest in shares of other registered investment companies, the Funds will indirectly bear the fees and expenses charged by those investment companies in addition to the Funds’ direct fees and expenses and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies. For example, ETF shares may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of its benchmark index.

Securities Lending Risk

A Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions to seek income. There is a risk that a borrower may default on its obligations to return loaned securities; however, a Fund’s securities lending agent may indemnify the Fund against that risk. There is a risk that the assets of a Fund’s securities lending agent may be insufficient to satisfy any contractual indemnification requirements to the Fund. Borrowers of a Fund’s securities typically provide collateral in the form of cash that is reinvested in securities. A Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including any collateral invested in an affiliated money market fund. A Fund may lose money on its investment of cash collateral or may fail to earn sufficient income on its investment to meet obligations to the borrower. In addition, delays may occur in the recovery of securities from borrowers, which could interfere with a Fund’s ability to vote proxies or to settle transactions and there is the risk of possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.

 

 

27


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Securities Selection Risk

Securities selected by the sub-advisor or the Manager for the Funds may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Funds’ underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Funds are parties to enforceable master netting agreements between brokers and counterparties which provide for the right to offset under certain circumstances. The Funds employ multiple money managers and counterparties and have elected not to offset qualifying financial and derivative instruments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, as such all financial and derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis. The impacts of netting arrangements that provide the right to offset are detailed below. The net amount represents the net receivable or payable that would be due from or to the counterparty in the event of default. Exposure from borrowings and other financing agreements such as repurchase agreements can only be netted across transactions governed by the same Master Agreement with the same legal entity. All amounts reported below represent the balance as of the report date, December 31, 2018.

Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of December 31, 2018
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

 

Common Stocks

  $ 2,799,545       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 2,799,545  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 2,799,545       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 2,799,545  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 2,799,545  
   

 

 

 

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of December 31, 2018
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

 

Common Stocks

  $ 228,095       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 228,095  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 228,095       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 228,095  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 228,095  
   

 

 

 

6.  Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of each Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions 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 unrecorded tax liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended December 31, 2018 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Funds recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the Statements of Operations.

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 (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

 

 

28


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

As of December 31, 2018 the tax cost for each Fund and their respective gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Fund

   Tax Cost      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Shaprio Equity Opportunities

   $ 769,846      $ 1,237,815      $ (14,059,007   $ (12,821,192

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity

     6,931,590        131,559        (1,387,847     (1,256,288

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (“RIC MOD”), net capital losses recognized by the Funds in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 are carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as short-term and/or long-term losses.

As of June 30, 2018, the Funds did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

Fund

   Purchases (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
     Sales (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
 

Shaprio Equity Opportunities

   $ 44,661,901      $ 27,222,347  

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity

     2,805,984        1,801,755  

A summary of the Funds’ transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        June 30,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           December 31,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Dividend
Income
 
Shapiro Equity Opportunities   Direct     $ 4,720,491       $ 29,288,341       $ 33,818,114       $ 190,718       $ 27,385  
Shapiro Equity Opportunities   Securities
Lending
      -         29,821,207         27,021,662         2,799,545         N/A  
Shapiro SMID Cap Equity   Direct       108,004         2,129,500         2,082,977         154,527         1,640  
Shapiro SMID Cap Equity   Securities
Lending
      248,939         2,694,714         2,715,558         228,095         N/A  

8.   Securities Lending

The Funds may lend their securities to qualified financial institutions, such as certain broker-dealers, to earn additional income. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with collateral in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned, initially in an amount at least equal to 102% of the fair value of domestic securities loaned and 105% of the fair value of international securities loaned. Collateral is monitored and marked-to-market daily. Daily mark-to-market amounts are required to be paid to the borrower or received from the borrower by the end of the following business day. This one day settlement for mark-to-market amounts may result in the collateral being temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan or temporarily more than the required minimum collateral.

 

 

29


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

To the extent that a loan is collateralized by cash, such cash collateral shall be invested by the securities lending agent (the “Agent”) in money market mutual funds and other short-term investments, provided the investments meet certain quality and diversification requirements. Securities purchased with cash collateral proceeds are listed in the Funds’ Schedule of Investments and the collateral is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a payable.

Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs. The Funds, the Agent, and the Manager retained 80%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of the income generated from securities lending.

While securities are on loan, the Funds continue to receive certain income associated with that security and any gain or loss in the market price that may occur during the term of the loan. In the case of domestic equities, the value of any dividend is received in the form of a substitute payment approximately equal to the dividend. In the case of foreign securities, a negotiated amount is received that is less than the actual dividend, but higher than the dividend amount minus the foreign tax that the Funds would be subject to on the dividend.

Securities lending transactions pose certain risks to the Funds, including that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or return the securities when due, that the value of the short-term investments will be less than the amount of cash collateral required to be returned to the borrower, that non-cash collateral may be subject to legal constraints in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, and that the cash collateral investments could become illiquid and unable to be used to return collateral to the borrower. The Funds could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Funds bear the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the cash collateral available for return to the borrower and any action which impairs its ability to liquidate non-cash collateral to satisfy a borrower default.

As of December 31, 2018, the value of outstanding securities on loan and the value of collateral were as follows:

 

Fund

   Market Value of
Securities on Loan
     Cash Collateral
Received
     Non-Cash Collateral
Received
     Total Collateral
Received
 

Shaprio Equity Opportunities

   $ 2,715,559      $ 2,799,545      $          -      $ 2,799,545  

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity

     221,252        228,095           -        228,095  

Cash collateral is listed on the Funds’ Schedules of Investments and is shown on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Income earned on these investments is included in “Income derived from securities lending” on the Statements of Operations.

Non-cash collateral received by the Funds may not be sold or re-pledged except to satisfy a borrower default. Therefore, non-cash collateral is not included on the Funds’ Schedules of Investments or Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

9.  Borrowing Arrangements

Effective November 15, 2018, the Funds (the “Effective Date”), along with certain other funds managed by the Manager (“Participating Funds”), entered into a committed revolving line of credit (the “Committed Line”) agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line is $250 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Each of the Participating Funds will pay a closing fee of $100,000 on the Effective Date and a quarterly commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line amount. The Committed Line expires November 14, 2019, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement.

 

 

30


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

On the Effective Date, the Funds, along with certain other Participating Funds managed by the Manager, also entered into an uncommitted discretionary demand revolving line of credit (the “Uncommitted Line”) agreement with the Bank to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line is $50 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on each outstanding loan. Each of the Participating Funds will pay a closing fee of $35,000 on the Effective Date. The Uncommitted Line expires November 14, 2019 unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement.

The Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Other expenses” on the Statements of Operations, along with commitment fees, that have been allocated among the Participating Funds based on average daily net assets.

During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Funds did not utilize this facility.

10.  Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Funds:

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          September 12, 2017A to
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     452,164       $ 5,081,362         4,171,644 B       $ 44,283,809 B  
Reinvestment of dividends     130,945         1,211,245         547         5,901  
Shares redeemed     (19,426       (218,295       (293,341       (3,324,098
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     563,683       $ 6,074,312         3,878,850       $ 40,965,612  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          September 12, 2017A to
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     170,307       $ 1,983,644         2,348,499 B       $ 25,754,034 B  
Reinvestment of dividends     76,493         707,549         15         167  
Shares redeemed     (759,766       (7,107,097       (10,015       (113,876
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (512,966     $ (4,415,904       2,338,499       $ 25,640,325  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          September 12, 2017A to
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     39,945       $ 433,771         22,070 B       $ 128,330 B  
Reinvestment of dividends     1,391         12,800         21         225  
Shares redeemed     (4,159       (40,622       (6,027       (63,103
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     37,177       $ 405,949         16,064       $ 65,452  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          September 12, 2017A to
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     72,678       $ 725,590         449,932 B       $ 1,783,380 B  
Reinvestment of dividends     48,885         391,569         -         -  
Shares redeemed     (2,184       (17,495       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     119,379       $ 1,099,664         449,932       $ 1,783,380  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

31


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          September 12, 2017A to
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     1,206       $ 9,453         49,895 B       $ 449,955 B  
Reinvestment of dividends     1,777         14,218         -         -  
Shares redeemed     (1,206       (9,791       (30,942       (339,128
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     1,777       $ 13,880         18,953       $ 110,827  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          September 12, 2017A to
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     40,280       $ 449,593         33,037 B       $ 253,249 B  
Reinvestment of dividends     5,916         47,151         -         -  
Shares redeemed     (6,451       (66,101       (1,964       (20,096
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     39,745       $ 430,643         31,073       $ 233,153  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Seed capital was received on September 12, 2017 in the amount of $2,800,000, $100,000, and $100,000 for the Institutional, Y, and Investor Classes, respectively. As a result, shares were issued in the amounts of 280,000, 10,000, and 10,000 for the Institutional, Y, and Investor Classes, respectively, for both Funds.

11.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Funds’ financial statements through this date.

 

 

32


American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
         

September 12,
2017A to
June 30,

2018

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.29       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    0.06         0.02  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.62       1.29  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.56       1.31  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.07       (0.02

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.21       (0.00 )B 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.28       (0.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.45       $ 11.29  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (13.73 )%D        13.07 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 41,979,489       $ 43,796,676  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    0.94 %E        2.81 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.79 %E        0.79 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.96 %E        (1.53 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    1.11 %E        0.49 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39 %D        9 %D 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

33


American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
   

Six Months

Ended

December 31,

2018

         

September 12,

2017A to

June 30,

2018

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.30       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    0.05         0.03  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.62       1.29  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.57       1.32  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.07       (0.02

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.21       (0.00 )B 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.28       (0.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.45       $ 11.30  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (13.81 )%D        13.17 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 17,250,794       $ 26,419,367  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.01 %E        2.77 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.89 %E        0.89 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.89 %E        (0.79 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    1.00 %E        1.09 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39 %D        9 %D 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

34


American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
   

Six Months

Ended

December 31,

2018

         

September 12,

2017A to

June 30,

2018

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.25       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    0.04         0.02  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.61       1.25  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.57       1.27  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.07       (0.02

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.21       (0.00 )B 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.28       (0.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.40       $ 11.25  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (13.87 )%D        12.67 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 500,402       $ 180,767  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    4.96 %E        4.88 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.17 %E        1.17 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (2.83 )%E        (3.54 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.96 %E        0.17 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39 %D        9 %D 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

35


American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
   

Six Months

Ended

December 31,

2018

         

September 12,

2017A to

June 30,

2018

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.39       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    0.02         0.01  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (2.39       1.38  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (2.37       1.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.04       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.71       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.75       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.27       $ 11.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (20.59 )%C        13.90 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 4,708,635       $ 5,124,948  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    3.08 %D        4.32 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.89 %D        0.89 %D 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.72 )%D        (3.34 )%D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.47 %D        0.08 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    31 %C        22 %C 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

36


American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
         

September 12,
2017A to
June 30,

2018

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.39       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    0.02         0.01  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (2.40       1.38  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (2.38       1.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.04       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.71       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.75       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.26       $ 11.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (20.68 )%C        13.90 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 171,274       $ 215,795  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    3.16 %D        5.69 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.99 %D        0.99 %D 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.83 )%D        (4.47 )%D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.34 %D        0.22 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    31 %C        22 %C 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

37


American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
   

Six Months

Ended

December 31,

2018

         

September 12,

2017A to

June 30,

2018

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.36       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss)

    0.01         (0.01

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (2.39       1.37  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (2.38       1.36  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.04       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.71       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.75       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.23       $ 11.36  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (20.73 )%C        13.60 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 582,556       $ 352,882  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    5.14 %D        6.12 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.27 %D        1.27 %D 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (3.75 )%D        (5.09 )%D 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    0.12 %D        (0.24 )%D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    31 %C        22 %C 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

38


  

 

 

 

 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

39


  

 

 

 

 

 

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40


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

By Telephone:

Call (800) 658-5811

 

LOGO

By Mail:

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

   
     
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules   Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records
 
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. 20549-2736. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800)-SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com approximately sixty days after the end of each calendar quarter.   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, 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 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 Company

Boston, Massachusetts

   

TRANSFER AGENT

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

   

DISTRIBUTOR

Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

Irving, Texas

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 Funds, American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund and American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

SAR 12/18


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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.

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by going to www.americanbeaconfunds.com and clicking on “Quick Links” and then “Register for E-Delivery.”

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-658-5811, option 1, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary of your wish. A notice that will be mailed to you each time a report is posted will also include instructions for informing the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the American Beacon Funds Complex or your financial intermediary, as applicable.

TWENTYFOUR STRATEGIC INCOME FUND

Investing in derivative instruments involves liquidity, credit, interest rate and market risks. Investments in high yield securities are subject to greater levels of credit, interest rate, market and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities. Because the Fund may invest in fewer issuers than a more diversified portfolio, the fluctuating value of a single holding may have a greater effect on the value of the Fund. Investing in foreign and emerging market securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

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 each 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

December 31, 2018


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Performance Overview

    2  

Expense Example

    4  

Schedule of Investments:

 

American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

    6  

Financial Statements

    11  

Notes to Financial Statements

    14  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

    38  

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  

 


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

December 2018, a month in which market volatility spiked and all major U.S. equity indexes declined, ending the year in negative territory, serves as a prime example of the importance of having a long-term investment perspective.

 

While long-term investing isn’t about identifying and anticipating the next big market move, it is about identifying the right investment products for riding out those moves. As a long-term investor, you should strive to accomplish the three Ds: direction, discipline and diversification.

 

u   Direction: Achieving your long-term financial goals requires an individualized plan of action. You may want your plan to provide some

measure of protection against periods of geopolitical turmoil, economic uncertainty, market volatility and job insecurity. Your plan should be reviewed annually and be adjusted in the event your long-range needs change.

 

u  

Discipline: Long-term, systematic participation in an investment portfolio requires your resolution to stay the course. Spending time in the market – rather than trying to time the market – may place you in a better position to reach your long-term financial goals.

 

u  

Diversification: By investing in different types of investment categories and asset classes, you may be able to help mitigate financial risks across your investment portfolio. By allocating your investment portfolio according to your risk-tolerance level, you may be better positioned to weather storms and achieve your long-term financial goals.

Since 1986, American Beacon has endeavored to provide investors with a disciplined approach to realizing long-term financial goals. As a manager of managers, we strive to provide investment products that may enable investors to participate during market upswings while potentially insulating against market downswings. Our approach is more than a concept. It’s the cornerstone of our culture. And we strive to apply it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment products for your investment portfolio.

Many of the sub-advisors to our mutual funds pursue upside capture and/or downside protection using proprietary strategies. The investment teams behind our mutual funds seek to produce consistent, long-term results rather than focus only on short-term movements in the markets. In managing our investment products, we emphasize identifying opportunities that offer the potential for long-term rewards.

Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our 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


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund (the “Fund”) returned -0.56% for the six-month period ended December 31, 2018, underperforming the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (the “Index”) return of 0.26% and the secondary index, the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month LIBOR Constant Maturity Index, return of 1.15% for the same period.

 

Total Returns for the Period ended December 31, 2018

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

1 Year

 

Since Inception
04/03/2017

Institutional Class (1,3)

     TFGIX          (0.32 )%        (0.82 )%       3.29 %

Y Class (1,3)

     TFGYX          (0.43 )%        (0.92 )%       3.18 %

Investor Class (1,3)

     TFGPX          (0.56 )%        (1.26 )%       2.86 %

A Class with Sales Charge (1,3)

     TFSAX          (4.17 )%        (4.64 )%       0.97 %

A Class without Sales Charge (1,3)

     TFSAX          (0.46 )%        (0.95 )%       3.21 %

C Class with Sales Charge (1,3)

     TFGCX          (1.57 )%        (2.04 )%       3.12 %

C Class without Sales Charge (1,3)

     TFGCX          (0.61 )%        (1.11 )%       3.12 %

Ultra Class (1,3)

     TFGUX          (0.43 )%        (0.82 )%       3.29 %
                    

Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (2)

              0.26 %        (1.20 )%       2.34 %

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month LIBOR Constant Maturity Index (2)

              1.15 %        2.08 %       1.69 %

 

*

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 calculated based on the published end of day net asset values 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. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception. 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.

The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month LIBOR Constant Maturity Index tracks the performance of a synthetic asset paying LIBOR to a stated maturity. The index is based on the assumed purchase at par of a synthetic instrument having exactly its stated maturity and with a coupon equal to that day’s fixing rate. That issue is assumed to be sold the following business day (at a yield equal to the current day fixing rate) and rolled into a new instrument. The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index tracks the performance of global investment-grade debt, including treasury, government-related, corporate and securitized fixed-rate bonds, denominated in local currencies from developed and emerging markets issuers. Securities must have at least one year until final maturity, or average life as applicable, and must meet minimum issue size criteria. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

3.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C and Ultra Class shares were 1.74%, 1.78%, 2.16%, 1.36%, 2.06% and 1.73%, 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 underperformance was primarily a result of its lower duration and exposure to below investment-grade securities. The Fund’s weighted-average credit quality at period end was investment grade, but certain holdings in non-investment grade issuers underperformed during the period. Regarding currency, the Fund held positions denominated in local currencies in the UK, Europe and Australia; however, all foreign currency exposures were hedged back to the U.S. dollar.

The Fund’s short duration, at approximately 4.1 years during the period, was nearly half that of the Index, at approximately 7.0 years, and accounted for some of the underperformance. U.S. interest rates ended the period lower as domestic economic concerns mounted and international tensions grew. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank raised interest rates twice during the period (0.25% each time), leaving the Fed Funds Rate in a range of 2.25% to 2.50%. Yet, by period end, market volatility and skepticism of global economic strength led to a sharp decline in U.S. interest rates and widening in credit spreads.

Markets were generally strong and resilient through October 2018, but as year-end neared, equity markets, trade tariffs, Brexit concerns and the US Federal Reserve overwhelmed investor appetite for risk and led to a flight to quality in long-term U.S. Treasuries.

 

 

2


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Performance Overview

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Among the Fund’s credit exposures, contingent convertible securities issued primarily by European financial institutions underperformed during the period as European markets, particularly the banking sector, ended on a weak note.

The Fund continued to maintain a higher yield at approximately 6.7%, than that of the Index, at approximately 2.0%. The Fund’s higher yield, coupled with its lower duration, reflected the sub-advisor’s investment process that incorporates top-down asset allocation and duration management with rigorous bottom-up credit analysis in a highly flexible approach that seeks to take advantage of prevailing market conditions. This team-based process has remained consistent since the Fund’s inception.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)        
U.S. Treasury Notes/Bonds, 1.000%, Due 11/30/2019           7.8  
U.S. Treasury Notes/Bonds, 1.875%, Due 12/31/2019           7.8  
U.S. Treasury Notes/Bonds, 2.875%, Due 11/30/2025           5.3  
Australia Government Bond, 3.250%, Due 4/21/2025, Series 139           5.2  
Coventry Building Society, 6.375%, Due 11/1/2019, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 4.113%)           2.8  
Nationwide Building Society, Series CCDS           2.2  
Oak Hill European Credit Partners III Ltd., 4.950%, Due 7/22/2030, 3X ER (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 4.950%)           1.7  
Halcyon Loan Adv, 5.130%, Due 10/18/2031           1.4  
Cabot Financial Luxembourg S.A., 7.500%, Due 10/1/2023           1.3  
Voya Euro CLO I DAC, 4.580%, Due 10/15/2030, 1X E, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 4.580%)           1.3  
Total Fund Holdings      113       
       
Sector Allocation (% Fixed Income)

 

Financial           43.6  
U.S. Treasury Obligations           21.9  
Asset-Backed Obligations           11.7  
Foreign Sovereign Obligations           6.5  
Communications           6.0  
Consumer, Non-Cyclical           3.4  
Energy           2.8  
Consumer, Cyclical           1.3  
Industrial           1.3  
Utilities           0.8  
Basic Materials           0.7  

 

 

3


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Expense Example

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, 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 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “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 or Roth 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 tables 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 Funds through an IRA or Roth 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) or redemption fees, as applicable. 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 tables 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.

 

 

4


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Expense Example

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
7/1/2018
  Ending Account Value
12/31/2018
  Expenses Paid During
Period
7/1/2018-12/31/2018*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $996.80       $3.62
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.58       $3.67
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $995.70       $4.12
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.07       $4.18
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $994.40       $5.48
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.71       $5.55
A ClassA            
Actual       $1,000.00       $987.30       $1.92
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.56       $5.70
C ClassA            
Actual       $1,000.00       $986.80       $3.21
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,015.78       $9.50
Ultra Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $995.70       $3.37
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.83       $3.41

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.72%, 0.82%, 1.09%, 1.12%, 1.87%, and 0.67% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C, and Ultra 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 (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

A

Class commenced operations October 29, 2018 (Note 1).

 

 

5


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
PREFERRED STOCKS - 2.24% (Cost $2,353,501)            
Financials - 2.24%            
Nationwide Building Society, Series CCDSA B       1,166,700         $ 2,070,753
           

 

 

 
    Principal Amount*        
           
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 2.54%            
Communications - 0.94%            

Sprint Corp., 7.875%, Due 9/15/2023

    $ 850,000           872,313
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer, Cyclical - 0.50%            

Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.000%, Due 8/15/2026

      500,000           467,500
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer, Non-Cyclical - 0.88%            

ADT Security Corp.,

           

3.500%, Due 7/15/2022

      446,000           412,550

4.125%, Due 6/15/2023

      153,000           139,995

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.,

           

5.125%, Due 8/1/2021

      110,000           102,025

6.250%, Due 3/31/2023

      175,000           159,040
           

 

 

 
              813,610
           

 

 

 
Energy - 0.22%            

EP Energy LLC / Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc., 8.000%, Due 11/29/2024C

      273,000           203,385
           

 

 

 
           

Total Corporate Obligations (Cost $2,503,186)

              2,356,808
           

 

 

 
           
FOREIGN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 52.34%            
Basic Materials - 0.65%            

Lecta S.A., 6.500%, Due 8/1/2023A

    EUR 570,000           602,366
           

 

 

 
           
Communications - 4.79%            

Altice France S.A., 6.250%, Due 5/15/2024C

      800,000           746,000

Altice Luxembourg S.A., 7.250%, Due 5/15/2022A

    EUR 700,000           744,921

America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., 6.375%, Due 9/6/2073, Series C, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 4.100%)A D

    GBP 600,000           795,413

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A/S, 5.750%, Due 10/15/2025A

          1,000,000           911,148

TV Azteca S.A.B. de C.V., 8.250%, Due 8/9/2024A

      400,000           384,004

VTR Finance B.V., 6.875%, Due 1/15/2024A

      860,000           860,000
           

 

 

 
              4,441,486
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer, Cyclical - 0.70%            

International Game Technology PLC, 6.250%, Due 2/15/2022C

      500,000           501,250

Intralot Capital Luxembourg S.A., 5.250%, Due 9/15/2024C

    EUR 200,000           144,479
           

 

 

 
              645,729
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer, Non-Cyclical - 2.38%            

Intertrust Group B.V., 3.375%, Due 11/15/2025C

    EUR 450,000           506,822

Kernel Holding S.A., 8.750%, Due 1/31/2022A

      200,000           191,598

MARB BondCo PLC,

           

7.000%, Due 3/15/2024A

      500,000           472,380

6.875%, Due 1/19/2025A

      200,000           185,352

Marfrig Holdings Europe B.V., 6.875%, Due 6/24/2019A

      200,000           201,300

MHP SE, 7.750%, Due 5/10/2024A

      700,000           648,659
           

 

 

 
              2,206,111
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 2.43%            

Gazprom OAO Via Gaz Capital S.A., 4.250%, Due 4/6/2024A

    GBP 400,000           511,115

Petrobras Global Finance B.V.,

           

6.250%, Due 12/14/2026

    GBP 250,000           328,755

6.625%, Due 1/16/2034

    GBP 100,000           127,732

Petroleos Mexicanos,

           

2.500%, Due 8/21/2021A

    EUR 300,000           337,909

5.125%, Due 3/15/2023A

    EUR 400,000           473,464

 

See accompanying notes

 

6


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Principal Amount*       Fair Value
           
FOREIGN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 52.34% (continued)            
Energy - 2.43% (continued)            

Petroleos Mexicanos, (continued)

           

3.750%, Due 11/16/2025A

    GBP 150,000         $ 170,446

Transocean Phoenix Ltd., 7.750%, Due 10/15/2024C

    $ 305,600           304,072
           

 

 

 
              2,253,493
           

 

 

 
           
Financial - 39.40%            

Aareal Bank AG, 7.625%, Due 4/30/2020, (1-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 7.180%)A D

    EUR 800,000           923,016

Achmea B.V., 6.000%, Due 4/4/2043, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 5.330%)A D

    EUR 430,000           529,944

Aldermore Group PLC, 8.500%, Due 10/28/2026, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 7.784%)A D

    GBP 100,000           142,092

ASR Nederland N.V., 4.625%, Due 10/19/2027, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 3.789%)A D

    EUR 400,000           403,474

Assicurazioni Generali SpA,

           

8.500%, Due 3/6/2019, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 6.090%)A D

    EUR 250,000           290,250

6.416%, Due 2/8/2022, (3-mo. GBP LIBOR + 2.200%)A D

    GBP 700,000           866,569

ATF Netherlands B.V., 3.750%, Due 1/20/2023, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 4.375%)A D

    EUR 800,000           882,150

Aviva PLC, 6.875%, Due 11/21/2019, (5-Yr. UK Government Bond + 2.970%)D

    GBP 835,000           1,083,182

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.,

           

6.750%, Due 2/18/2020, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 6.604%)A D

    EUR 400,000           454,129

8.875%, Due 4/14/2021, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 9.177%)A D

    EUR 200,000           248,192

Banco de Sabadell S.A., 6.500%, Due 5/18/2022, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 6.414%)A D

    EUR 1,000,000           1,058,411

Banco Mercantil del Norte S.A., 5.750%, Due 10/4/2031, (5-Yr. CMT + 4.447%)A D

      1,000,000           898,980

Banco Santander S.A., 6.750%, Due 4/25/2022, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 6.803%)A D

    EUR 600,000           698,525

Bank of Ireland, 7.375%, Due 6/18/2020, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 6.956%)A D

    EUR 640,000           764,553

Barclays Bank PLC,

           

14.000%, Due 6/15/2019, (3-mo. GBP LIBOR + 13.400%)A D

    GBP 100,000           133,246

7.125%, Due 10/24/2020, (5-Yr. UK Government Bond + 3.150%)A D

    GBP 360,000           484,088

Barclays PLC, 7.875%, Due 9/15/2022, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 6.099%)A D

    GBP 200,000           254,923

BNP Paribas S.A., 6.500%, Due 3/6/2019

      300,000           298,427

BNP Paribas S.A., 4.875%, Due 10/17/2019

    EUR 710,000           830,598

Bracken MidCo1 PLC, 8.875%, Due 10/15/2023, Cash (8.875%) or PIK (in-kind rate 9.648%)C

    GBP 900,000           1,054,394

Cabot Financial Luxembourg S.A., 7.500%, Due 10/1/2023A

    GBP  1,001,000           1,159,259

CaixaBank S.A., 6.750%, Due 6/13/2024, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 6.498%)A D

    EUR 600,000           693,751

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA, 6.910%, Due 6/10/2038, (6-mo. GBP LIBOR + 2.825%)A D

    GBP 75,000           129,335

Coventry Building Society, 6.375%, Due 11/1/2019, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 4.113%)A D

    GBP     2,070,000           2,601,906

Credit Suisse Group AG, 7.500%, Due 12/11/2023, (5-Yr. Semi-Annual USD Swap + 4.598%)A D

      500,000           508,250

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG, 5.750%, Due 4/28/2023, (5-Yr. EUR Swap + 5.383%)A D

    EUR 600,000           641,906

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC, 4.750%, Due 12/7/2027, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 3.394%)A D

    GBP 200,000           205,529

ELM BV for Swiss Reinsurance Co., Ltd., 6.302%, Due 5/25/2019, (6-mo. GBP LIBOR +
2.120%)A D

    GBP 600,000           770,496

Ethias S.A., 5.000%, Due 1/14/2026A

    EUR 200,000           241,753

Garfunkelux Holdco S.A., 8.500%, Due 11/1/2022A

    GBP 400,000           427,929

Haya Finance S.A., 5.250%, Due 11/15/2022C

    EUR 100,000           105,717

HBOS Capital Funding LP, 6.850%, Due 3/23/2019A

      440,000           438,359

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA,

           

7.000%, Due 1/19/2021, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 6.884%)A D

    EUR 700,000           811,336

6.250%, Due 5/16/2024, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 5.856%)A D

    EUR 250,000           272,386

Jerrold Finco PLC, 6.125%, Due 1/15/2024A

    GBP 650,000           795,408

KBC Group N.V., 5.625%, Due 3/19/2019, (5-Yr. Annual EUR Swap + 4.759%)A D

    EUR 800,000           913,813

Legal & General Group PLC, 5.875%, Due 4/1/2019, (5-Yr. UK Government Bond + 2.330%)D

    GBP 835,000           1,064,372

Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Ltd., 6.500%, Due 5/22/2043, (5-Yr. UK Government Bond +
5.630%)A D

    GBP 500,000           668,435

Lloyds Bank PLC, 13.000%, Due 1/22/2029, (5-Yr. UK Government Bond + 13.400%)D

    GBP 450,000           920,778

Nationwide Building Society, 6.875%, Due 6/20/2019, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 4.880%)A D

    GBP 870,000           1,115,555

Nordea Bank Abp, 5.500%, Due 9/23/2019, (5-Yr. USD ICE Swap + 3.563%)A D

      550,000           536,250

Oaknorth Bank PLC, 7.750%, Due 6/1/2028, (5-Yr. UK Government Bond + 6.851%)A D

    GBP 250,000           313,870

OneSavings Bank PLC, 9.125%, Due 5/25/2022, (5-Yr. GBP ICE Swap + 8.359%)A D

    GBP 400,000           505,379

Paragon Banking Group PLC, 7.250%, Due 9/9/2026, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 6.731%)A D

    GBP 490,000           643,915

Pension Insurance Corp. PLC, 6.500%, Due 7/3/2024A

    GBP 800,000           1,085,508

Phoenix Group Holdings,

           

6.625%, Due 12/18/2025A

    GBP 250,000           324,078

5.750%, Due 12/31/2049A

    GBP 500,000           514,142

Principality Building Society, 7.000%, Due 6/1/2020, (5-Yr. UK Government Bond + 3.000%)D

    GBP 249,000           319,343

QBE Insurance Group Ltd., 6.115%, Due 5/24/2042, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 5.000%)A D

    GBP 800,000           1,077,734

Rothesay Life PLC, 6.875%, Due 9/12/2028, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 5.419%)A D

    GBP 450,000           540,590

Shawbrook Group PLC, 7.875%, Due 12/8/2022, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 6.752%)A D

    GBP 200,000           229,747

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, 5.750%, Due 5/13/2020, (5-Yr. Semi-Annual USD Swap +
3.850%)A D

      700,000           681,411

Standard Chartered PLC, 7.750%, Due 4/2/2023, (5-Yr. Semi-Annual USD Swap + 5.723%)A D

      200,000           197,000

 

See accompanying notes

 

7


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Principal Amount*       Fair Value
           
FOREIGN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 52.34% (continued)            
Financial - 39.40% (continued)            

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, 5.250%, Due 3/1/2021, (5-Yr. Semi-Annual USD Swap + 3.335%)A D

    $ 700,000         $ 673,750

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A/S, 5.875%, Due 3/16/2023A

      400,000           377,147

UnipolSai Assicurazioni SpA, 5.750%, Due 6/18/2024, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 5.180%)A D

    EUR 650,000           648,425

UNIQA Insurance Group AG, 6.875%, Due 7/31/2043, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 5.986%)A D

    EUR 300,000           386,360

Virgin Money Holdings UK PLC, 8.750%, Due 11/10/2021, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 7.930%)A D

    GBP 500,000           660,113
           

 

 

 
              36,500,178
           

 

 

 
Industrial - 1.28%            

ARD Finance S.A., 6.625%, Due 9/15/2023, PIK (in-kind rate 7.375%)

    EUR 450,000           491,973

Hidrovias International Finance SARL, 5.950%, Due 1/24/2025A

      400,000           364,004

Promontoria Holding 264 B.V.,

           

6.750%, Due 8/15/2023A

    EUR 100,000           110,146

6.750%, Due 8/15/2023C

    EUR 200,000           220,292
           

 

 

 
              1,186,415
           

 

 

 
           
Utilities - 0.71%            

Enel SpA, 7.750%, Due 9/10/2075, (5-Yr. GBP Swap + 5.662%)A D

    GBP 490,000           659,043
           

 

 

 
           

Total Foreign Corporate Obligations (Cost $51,407,654)

              48,494,821
           

 

 

 
           
FOREIGN SOVEREIGN OBLIGATIONS - 6.20%            

African Export-Import Bank, 4.125%, Due 6/20/2024A

      700,000           657,545

Australia Government Bond, 3.250%, Due 4/21/2025, Series 139A

    AUD     6,370,000           4,782,167

BBVA Bancomer S.A., 7.250%, Due 4/22/2020A

      298,000           308,579
           

 

 

 
           

Total Foreign Sovereign Obligations (Cost $5,842,767)

              5,748,291
           

 

 

 
           
ASSET-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 11.19%            

Aurium CLO III DAC, 4.900%, Due 4/15/2030, 3X E, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 4.900%)A D

    EUR 190,000           202,623

Barings Euro CLO B.V., 4.900%, Due 10/15/2030, 2017-1X E, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 4.900%)A D

    EUR 500,000           529,397

BNPP AM Euro CLO B.V., 4.700%, Due 10/15/2031, 2017-1X E, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 4.700%)A D

    EUR 500,000           525,171

Carlyle Euro CLO DAC,

           

5.230%, Due 8/28/2031, 2018-2A D, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 5.230%)C D

    EUR 500,000           539,061

4.580%, Due 1/15/2031, 3X D, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 4.580%)A D

    EUR 1,000,000           983,799

Carlyle Global Market Strategies Euro CLO DAC, 4.770%, Due 5/17/2031, 2016-1A DR, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 4.770%)C D

    EUR 500,000           516,265

Dryden 39 Euro CLO B.V., 4.970%, Due 10/15/2031, 2015-39X ER, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR +
4.970%)A D

    EUR     1,000,000           1,046,390

Dryden XXVII-R Euro CLO B.V., 3.150%, Due 5/15/2030, 2017-27X D, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 3.150%)A D

    EUR 1,000,000           1,096,658

Halcyon Loan Adv, 5.130%, Due 10/18/2031

    EUR 1,190,000           1,255,599

Jubilee CLO B.V., 4.682%, Due 1/15/2028, 2014-14X E, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 5.000%)A D

    EUR 400,000           436,377

Man GLG Euro CLO II DAC, 8.750%, Due 1/15/2030, 2X F, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 8.750%)A D

    EUR 200,000           229,282

Oak Hill European Credit Partners III Ltd., 4.950%, Due 7/22/2030, 3X ER, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 4.950%)A D

    EUR 1,500,000           1,610,339

SC Germany Consumer UG haftungsbeschraenkt, 10.332%, Due 12/13/2028, 2015 1 E, (1-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 10.700%)A D

    EUR 200,000           232,167

Voya Euro CLO I DAC, 4.580%, Due 10/15/2030, 1X E, (3-mo. EUR EURIBOR + 4.580%)A D

    EUR 1,180,000           1,162,146
           

 

 

 
           

Total Asset-Backed Obligations (Cost $11,139,882)

              10,365,274
           

 

 

 
           
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 20.94%            

U.S. Treasury Notes/Bonds,

           

1.000%, Due 11/30/2019

      7,382,000           7,273,288

1.875%, Due 12/31/2019

      7,250,000           7,197,324

2.875%, Due 11/30/2025

      4,840,000           4,926,780
           

 

 

 
           

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $19,338,571)

              19,397,392
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

8


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.37% (Cost $1,272,058)            
Investment Companies - 1.37%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.20%E F       1,272,058         $ 1,272,058
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 96.82% (Cost $93,857,619)

              89,705,397

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 3.18%

              2,949,644
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 92,655,041
           

 

 

 
           

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

*In U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted.

                 

A Reg S - Security purchased under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts from registration securities offered and sold outside of the United States. Such a security cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration.

B Coupon rate may change based on changes of the underlying collateral or prepayments of principal. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

C 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 $4,841,737 or 5.23% of net assets. The Fund has no right to demand registration of these securities.

D Variable, floating, or adjustable rate securities with an interest rate that changes periodically. Rates are periodically reset with rates that are based on a predetermined benchmark such as a widely followed interest rate such as T-bills, LIBOR or PRIME plus a fixed spread. The interest rate disclosed reflects the rate in effect on December 31, 2018.

E The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

F 7-day yield.

CLO - Collateralized Loan Obligation.

CMT - Constant Maturity Treasury.

EURIBOR - Euro Interbank Offered Rate.

ICE - Intercontinental Exchange.

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate.

LLC - Limited Liability Company.

LP - Limited Partnership.

PIK - Payment in Kind.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

PRIME - A rate, charged by banks, based on the U.S. Federal Funds rate.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts Open on December 31, 2018:

 

Currency Purchased*        Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty    Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
EUR      39,949        USD      39,526      1/9/2019    SSB    $ 423      $ -     $ 423  
EUR      163,891        USD      163,216      1/9/2019    SSB      675        -       675  
GBP      202,091        USD      200,388      1/9/2019    SSB      1,703        -       1,703  
GBP      269,577        USD      266,708      1/9/2019    SSB      2,869        -       2,869  
USD      27,141,647        EUR      27,304,580      1/9/2019    SSB      -        (162,933     (162,933
USD      25,229,973        GBP      25,359,951      1/9/2019    SSB      -        (129,978     (129,978
USD      5,027,803        AUD      4,940,201      1/9/2019    SSB      87,602        -       87,602  
USD      332,498        GBP      334,261      1/9/2019    SSB      -        (1,763     (1,763
USD      277,222        EUR      276,604      1/9/2019    SSB      618        -       618  
USD      241,643        EUR      242,435      1/9/2019    SSB      -        (792     (792
USD      209,461        GBP      210,032      1/9/2019    SSB      -        (571     (571
USD      203,698        EUR      204,074      1/9/2019    SSB      -        (376     (376
USD      140,685        GBP      140,721      1/9/2019    SSB      -        (36     (36
USD      70,239        AUD      70,078      1/9/2019    SSB      161        -       161  
                   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 94,051      $ (296,449   $ (202,398
                   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

All values denominated in USD.

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Glossary:   
  
Counterparty Abbreviations:
SSB    State Street Bank & Trust Co.
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD    Australian Dollar
EUR    Euro
GBP    Pound Sterling
USD    United States Dollar

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of December 31, 2018, the investments were classified as described below:

 

TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

  Level 1           Level 2            Level 3           Total  

Assets

              

Preferred Stocks

  $ -       $ 2,070,753        $ -       $ 2,070,753  

Corporate Obligations

    -         2,356,808          -         2,356,808  

Foreign Corporate Obligations

    -         48,494,821          -         48,494,821  

Foreign Sovereign Obligations

    -         5,748,291          -         5,748,291  

Asset-Backed Obligations

    -         10,365,274          -         10,365,274  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    -         19,397,392          -         19,397,392  

Short-Term Investments

    1,272,058         -          -         1,272,058  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 1,272,058       $ 88,433,339        $ -       $ 89,705,397  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

              

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

  $ -       $ 94,051        $ -       $ 94,051  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ -       $ 94,051        $ -       $ 94,051  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Liabilities

              

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

  $ -       $ (296,449      $ -       $ (296,449
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Liabilities

  $ -       $ (296,449      $ -       $ (296,449
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to level 3 to be disclosed. During the period ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value

  $ 88,433,339  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    1,272,058  

Foreign currency, at fair value^

    1,897,820  

Dividends and interest receivable

    1,195,744  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    250,036  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    25,467  

Unrealized appreciation from forward foreign currency contracts

    94,051  

Prepaid expenses

    152,527  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    93,321,042  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for investments purchased

    183  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    207,883  

Dividends payable

    2,044  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    56,358  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    2,371  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    4,120  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    35,493  

Professional fees payable

    56,921  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    1,117  

Unrealized depreciation from forward foreign currency contracts

    296,449  

Other liabilities

    3,062  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    666,001  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 92,655,041  
 

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 96,932,669  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    (4,277,628
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 92,655,041  
 

 

 

 

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

 

Institutional Class

    4,248,578  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

    3,777,551  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

    152,730  
 

 

 

 

A ClassB

    320,235  
 

 

 

 

C ClassB

    149,116  
 

 

 

 

Ultra Class

    937,897  
 

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 41,110,634  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 36,483,805  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 1,467,239  
 

 

 

 

A ClassB

  $ 3,077,956  
 

 

 

 

C ClassB

  $ 1,433,762  
 

 

 

 

Ultra Class

  $ 9,081,645  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 9.68  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 9.66  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 9.61  
 

 

 

 

A ClassB

  $ 9.61  
 

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)B

  $ 9.98  
 

 

 

 

C ClassB

  $ 9.62  
 

 

 

 

Ultra Class

  $ 9.68  
 

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 92,585,561  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 1,272,058  

^ Cost of foreign currency

  $ 1,897,250  

A The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end.

B Class commenced operations October 29, 2018 (Note 1).

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Statement of Operations

For the period ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment income:

 

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 8)

  $ 26,021  

Interest income (net of foreign taxes)

    1,303,952  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,329,973  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    180,740  

Transfer agent fees:

 

Institutional Class (Note 2)

    2,561  

Y Class (Note 2)

    10,306  

Investor Class

    561  

A ClassA

    185  

C ClassA

    185  

Ultra Class

    124  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    11,932  

Professional fees

    53,188  

Registration fees and expenses

    42,227  

Service fees (Note 2):

 

Investor Class

    2,797  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

 

A ClassA

    867  

C ClassA

    1,721  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    8,734  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    1,008  

Other expenses

    4,088  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    321,224  
 

 

 

 

Net fees waived and expenses (reimbursed) (Note 2)

    (111,950
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    209,274  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,120,699  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    (530,418

Foreign currency transactions

    179,473  

Forward foreign currency contracts

    1,277,433  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesC

    (2,338,415

Foreign currency transactions

    (2,355

Forward foreign currency contracts

    (481,897
 

 

 

 

Net (loss) from investments

    (1,896,179
 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (775,480
 

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 2  

A Class commenced operations October 29, 2018 (Note 1).

B The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities.

C The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Six Months Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

     

Operations:

     

Net investment income

  $ 1,120,699       $ 914,909  

Net realized gain from investments in unaffiliated securities, foreign currency transactions, and forward foreign currency contracts

    926,488         388,965  

Change in net unrealized (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities, foreign currency transactions, and forward foreign currency contracts

    (2,822,667       (894,064
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (775,480       409,810  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

     

Net investment income:

     

Institutional Class

    -         (48,595

Y Class

    -         (272,222

Investor Class

    -         (30,565

Ultra Class

    -         (529,543

Total retained earnings: *

     

Institutional Class

    (962,854       -  

Y Class

    (1,059,871       -  

Investor Class

    (52,970       -  

A ClassA

    (56,949       -  

C ClassA

    (24,430       -  

Ultra Class

    (329,935       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (2,487,009       (880,925
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 10):

     

Proceeds from sales of shares

    13,327,879         35,268,804  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    2,477,352         880,925  

Issued in reorganization (Note 1)

    55,815,668         -  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (14,827,927       (12,631,868
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

    56,792,972         23,517,861  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets

    53,530,483         23,046,746  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Beginning of period

    39,124,558         16,077,812  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 92,655,041       $ 39,124,558  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

* Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are combined for the period ended December 31, 2018. See Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements for more information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

 

A Class commenced operations October 29, 2018 (Note 1).

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”), is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund, a series within the Trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. As of December 31, 2018, the Trust consists of thirty-three active series, one of which is presented in this filing: American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund (the “Fund”). The remaining thirty-two active series are reported in separate filings.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). RIM is, in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Acquisition, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (“RIH”). RIH is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P., investment funds affiliated with Kelso & Company, L.P. (“Kelso”) or Estancia Capital Management, LLC (“Estancia”), which are private equity firms.

Fund Reorganization

At a meeting held on August 22, 2018, the Board of Trustees (“Board”) of the American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) approved a proposal to reorganize the American Beacon Flexible Bond Fund (the “Target Fund”) into the American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), each a series of the Trust (the “Reorganization”). The Manager proposed the Reorganization in order to consolidate funds of the Trust that are similar investment products under the same management.

On the same date, the Board approved the appointment of TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP (“TwentyFour”) as an additional sub-advisor to the Target Fund. On August 31, 2018, TwentyFour became a sub-advisor to the Target Fund and the Target Fund’s investment strategies were changed to be consistent with those of the Acquiring Fund. Thereafter, the other sub-advisors to the Target Fund began an orderly disposition of the Target Fund’s portfolio securities and transferred sales proceeds to the management of TwentyFour in anticipation of TwentyFour assuming management responsibilities for the Target Fund’s entire portfolio. On October 1, 2018, TwentyFour became the sole sub-advisor to the Target Fund. The Reorganization was set to occur on or about November 16 , 2018. No shareholder approval was required for the Reorganization.

On November 16, 2018, pursuant to the Plan, the Target Fund transferred all of its property and assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for voting shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption of all of the Target Fund’s liabilities. The Target Fund’s shareholders received a pro rata portion of the Acquiring Fund’s shares in exchange for their shares therein and in liquidation and termination of the Target Fund. Class shares outstanding, net assets applicable to each class and NAV per share outstanding immediately before the Reorganization were as follows:

 

Target Fund

Class

Prior to

Reorganization

 

Target Fund

Shares

Outstanding

Prior to

Reorganization

   

Target Fund

Net Assets

Prior to

Reorganization

   

Target Fund

NAV Per Share

Prior to

Reorganization

   

Acquiring Fund

Class

Prior to

Reorganization

 

Acquiring Fund
Shares

Outstanding

Prior to

Reorganization

   

Acquiring Fund

Net Assets

Prior to

Reorganization

   

Acquiring Fund

NAV Per Share

Prior to

Reorganization

   

Exchange

Ratio1

 

Institutional

    4,276,771     $ 40,388,347     $ 9.44     Institutional     723,312     $ 7,205,450     $ 9.96       0.948  

Y

    962,649       9,076,049       9.43     Y     2,393,213       23,797,475       9.94       0.949  

Investor

    326,974       3,071,987       9.40     Investor     76,415       756,395       9.90       0.949  

A

    174,724       1,633,194       9.35     A     101       998       9.90       0.944  

C

    161,713       1,509,474       9.33     C     101       998       9.90       0.942  

Ultra

    -       -       -     Ultra     920,546       9,175,375       9.97       -  

 

1

Calculated by dividing the NAV of the Target Fund by the NAV of the Acquiring Fund on Reorganization date.

 

 

14


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Class shares outstanding, net assets applicable to each class and NAV per share outstanding immediately after the Reorganization were as follows:

 

Acquiring Fund Class – After Reorganization

   Shares
Outstanding
     Net Assets      NAV Per Share  

Institutional

     4,778,367      $ 47,593,797      $ 9.96  

Y

     3,306,296        32,873,524        9.94  

Investor

     386,717        3,828,382        9.90  

A

     165,070        1,634,193        9.90  

C

     152,573        1,510,472        9.90  

Ultra

     920,546        9,175,375        9.97  

The Reorganization was structured to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code for federal income tax purposes. As such, the Target Fund’s shareholders recognized no gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.

The cost, fair value and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the investments of the Target Fund as of the date of Reorganization, were as follows:

 

Target Fund – Prior to Reorganization

 

Cost of investments

   $ 49,598,707  

Fair value of investments

     48,436,039  

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     (1,162,668

For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Acquiring Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the Target Fund were carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Acquiring Fund’s realized and unrealized gains and losses with the amount distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.

Assuming the Reorganization had been completed on July 1, 2018, the beginning of the Acquiring Fund’s current fiscal period, the pro forma results of operations for the current period would have been as follows:

 

Acquiring Fund – Pro Forma Results from Operations

 

Net investment income

   $ 1,457,940  

Net realized and unrealized gains

     (10,185,490

Change in net assets resulting in operations

     (8,727,550

Because the combined investment portfolios for the Reorganization have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the Reorganization was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Target Fund that have been included in the Statement of Operations for the Acquiring Fund since the Reorganization was consummated.

In connection with the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund incurred certain associated expenses. Such amounts were included as components of “Other liabilities” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-08, Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in the ASU shorten the premium amortization period on a purchased callable debt security from the security’s contractual life to the earliest call date. It is anticipated that this change will enhance disclosures by reducing losses recognized when a security is called on an earlier date. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Manager continues to evaluate the impact this ASU will have on the financial statements and other disclosures.

 

 

15


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (“Topic 820”). The amendments in the ASU impact disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. It is anticipated that this change will enhance the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted and can include the entire standard or certain provisions that exclude or amend disclosures. For the period ended December 31, 2018, the Fund has chosen to adopt the standard. The adoption of this ASU guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements and other disclosures.

In August 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements in Securities Act Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, which is intended to facilitate the disclosure of information to investors and simplify compliance without significantly altering the total mix of information provided to investors. Effective with the current reporting period, the Fund adopted the amendments with the impacts being that the Fund is no longer required to present components of distributable earnings on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities or the sources of distributable earnings and the amount of undistributed net investment income on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

Class Disclosure

On October 29, 2018, the Fund created the A and C Classes, new classes made available for sale through intermediary organizations pursuant to the Fund’s registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for more details.

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

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
Institutional    Large institutional investors - sold directly through intermediary channels.    $ 250,000  
Y Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 100,000  
Investor    All investors using intermediary organizations such as broker-dealers or retirement plan sponsors - sold directly through intermediary channels.    $ 2,500  
A Class    All investors who invest through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or third party administrator. Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary such as a broker, bank, or registered investment advisor which may include a front-end sales charge and a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”).    $ 2,500  
C Class    Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary such as a broker or through employee directed benefit plans with applicable sales charges which may include CDSC.    $ 1,000  
Ultra    Large institutional investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 350,000,000  

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 service, distribution, transfer agent fees, and sub-transfer agent fees that vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of the financial statements. The Fund is considered an investment company and accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies, a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

 

16


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.

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 Fund. Interest income, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold 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 the 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 on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

Distributions to Shareholders

Distributions, if any, of net investment income are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions, if any, of net realized capital gains are generally paid at least annually and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. To the extent necessary to fully distribute capital gains, the Fund may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.

Commission Recapture

The Fund has established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the 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.

Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Fund is allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Expenses directly charged or attributable to any Fund will be paid from the assets of the Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Fund on a basis that the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Fund or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Fund.

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.

 

 

17


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Other

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities 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.

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Fund and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will receive an annualized management fee based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedule:

 

First $5 billion

     0.35

Next $5 billion

     0.325

Next $10 billion

     0.30

Over $20 billion

     0.275

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP (the “Sub-Advisor”) pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on the Fund’s average daily net assets according to the following schedule:

 

First $1 billion

     0.32

Over $1 billion

     0.27

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Fund for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 93,630  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.32       87,110  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.67     $ 180,740  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distribution Plans

The Fund has 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 Fund for distribution purposes. However, the Plan authorizes the management fee received by the Manager and the investment advisors 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.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into Service Plans that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor Class of the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plans, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Fund.

 

 

18


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

The Manager has entered into agreements, which include servicing agreements, with financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, processing, shareholder communications and other services to customers of the intermediaries that hold positions in the Institutional and Y Classes of the Fund and has agreed to compensate the intermediaries for providing these services. Intermediaries transact with the Fund primarily through the use of omnibus accounts on behalf of its customers who hold positions in the Fund. Certain services would have been provided by the Fund’s transfer agent and other service providers if the shareholders’ accounts were maintained directly by the Fund’s transfer agent. Accordingly, the Fund, pursuant to Board approval, has agreed to reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries for the Institutional and Y Classes. The reimbursement amounts (sub-transfer agent fees) paid to the Manager are subject to a fee limit of up to 0.10% of an intermediary’s average net assets in the Institutional and Y Classes on an annual basis. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   $ 12,598  

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund owed the Manager the following reimbursement of sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees payable” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Fund

   Reimbursement
Sub-Transfer Agent Fees
 

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   $ 4,120  

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Fund may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (the “USG Select Fund”). Cash collateral received by the Fund in connection with securities lending may also be invested in the USG Select Fund. The Fund and the USG Select Fund have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The Manager serves as investment advisor to the USG Select Fund and receives management fees and administrative fees totaling 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the USG Select Fund. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager earned fees on the Fund’s direct investments and securities lending collateral investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:

 

Fund

   Direct Investments in USG
Select Fund
 

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   $ 1,023  

Interfund Credit Facility

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in a credit facility whereby each fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other participating funds for temporary purposes. The interfund credit facility is advantageous to the funds because it provides added liquidity, and eliminates the need to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemptions. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and certain funds have insufficient cash on hand to satisfy such redemptions or when sales of securities do not settle as expected, resulting in a cash shortfall for a fund. When a fund liquidates portfolio securities to meet redemption requests, they often do not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). Redemption requests normally are satisfied on the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting areas who report the activities

 

 

19


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

of the credit facility to the Board. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Fund borrowed $63,488 for 2 days at an average interest rate of 2.83% with interest charges of $10. These amounts are recorded as “Other expenses” in the Statement of Operations.

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Manager contractually agreed to reduce fees and/or reimburse expenses for the classes of the Fund to the extent that total operating expenses exceed the Fund’s expense cap. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                   Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Fund

   Class    7/1/2018 -
12/31/2018
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
 

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   Institutional      0.72   $ 31,095      $ -        2021  

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   Y      0.82     53,137        -        2021  

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   Investor      1.09     3,552        -        2021  

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   A      1.12     703        -        2021  

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   C      1.87     451        -        2021  

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   Ultra      0.67     23,012        -        2021  

Of these amounts, $25,467 was disclosed as a receivable from the Manager on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 2018.

The Fund has adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years after the Manager’s own waiver or reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Fund’s annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. The reimbursed expenses listed above will expire in 2021. The Fund did not record a liability for potential reimbursement due to the current assessment that a reimbursement is unlikely. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager are as follows:

 

Fund

   Recouped
Expenses
     Excess Expense
Carryover
     Expired Expense
Carryover
     Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

TwentyFour Strategic Income

   $ -      $               149,855      $ -        2020  

TwentyFour Strategic Income

     -        215,369        -        2021  

The Distributor

Effective March 1, 2018, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”) replaced Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside”) as the Fund’s distributor and principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares.

RID is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). The Distributor is affiliated with the Manager through common ownership. Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, the Distributor acts as the distributor and principal underwriter of the Trust in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Fund. The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of the Fund’s shares. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, to the extent applicable, the Distributor receives, and may re-allocate to broker-dealers, all or a portion of the sales charge paid by the purchasers of A Class and C Class shares. For A Class and C Class shares, the Distributor receives commission revenue consisting of the portion of A Class and C Class sales charge remaining after the allowances by the Distributor to the broker-dealers. The Distributor retains any portion of the commission fees that are not paid to the broker-dealers for use solely to pay distribution related expenses.

 

 

20


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Prior to March 1, 2018, Foreside served as the distributor and principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares. Pursuant to a Sub-Administration Agreement between Foreside and the Manager in effect through February 28, 2018, Foreside received a fee from the Manager for providing administrative services in connection with the marketing and distribution of shares of the Trust, including the registration of Manager employees as registered representatives of Foreside to facilitate distribution of Fund shares. Foreside also received a fee from the Manager under a Marketing Agreement pursuant to which Foreside provided services in connection with the marketing of a Fund to institutional investors. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement with the Trust in effect through February 28, 2018, Foreside received, and may have re-allocated to broker-dealers, all or a portion of the sales charge paid by the purchasers of A and C Class shares. For A and C Class shares, Foreside received commission revenues consisting of the portion of A and C Class sales charge remaining after the allowances by Foreside to the broker dealers. Foreside retained any portion of the commission fees that were not paid to the broker-dealers for use solely to pay distribution related expenses.

Concentration of Ownership

From time to time, the Fund may have a concentration of one or more accounts constituting a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities by holders of accounts that represent a significant ownership of more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares could have a material impact on the Fund. As of December 31, 2018, based on management’s evaluation of the shareholder account base, one account in the Fund has been identified as representing an affiliated significant ownership of approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding shares and two accounts in the Fund have been identified as representing an unaffiliated significant ownership of approximately 26% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

Sales Commissions

The Fund’s Distributor, formerly Foreside, may receive a portion of the A Class sales charges from broker dealers and it may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the period ended December 31, 2018, RID collected $8,223 from the sale of Class A Shares of the Fund.

A CDSC of 0.50% will be deducted with respect to Class A Shares on certain purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed in whole or part within 18 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Funds’ Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 0.50% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the Class A Shares redeemed. During the period ended December 31, 2018, there were no CDSC fees collected for Class A Shares of the Fund.

A 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 Fund’s 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 period ended December 31, 2018 there were no CDSC fees collected by RID for Class C Shares of the Fund.

Trustee Fees and Expenses

As compensation for their service to the Trust, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, and American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund, each Trustee receives an annual retainer of $120,000, plus $10,000 for each Board meeting attended in person or via teleconference, $2,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee, and $1,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, Committee meetings, and relevant educational seminars. The Trustees also may be compensated for attendance at special Board and/or Committee meetings from time to time. The Board Chair receives an additional annual retainer of $50,000 as well as a $2,500 fee each quarter for attendance at the committee meetings. The Chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee each receive an

 

 

21


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

additional annual retainer of $25,000 and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000. These expenses are allocated on a prorated basis to each Fund of the Trusts according to its respective net assets.

3.  Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The price of the Fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (“NAV”) per share. The Fund’s NAV is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.

The NAV of each class of the Fund’s shares is determined based on a pro rata allocation of the Fund’s investment income, expenses and total capital gains and losses. The Fund’s NAV per share is determined each business day as of the regular close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE” or “Exchange”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET, the Fund’s NAV per share typically would still be determined as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE. The Fund does not price its shares on days that the NYSE is closed. Foreign exchanges may permit trading in foreign securities on days when the Fund is not open for business, which may result in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments being affected at a time when you are unable to buy or sell shares.

Equity securities, including shares of closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are valued at the last sale price or official closing price taken from the primary exchange in which each security trades. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Debt securities are valued at bid quotes from broker/dealers or evaluated bid prices from pricing services, who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as prices of comparable securities, yield curves, spreads, credit ratings, coupon rates, maturity, default rates, and underlying collateral. Futures are valued based on their daily settlement prices. Exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued at the last sale price. Options with no last sale for the day are priced at mid quote. Swaps are valued at evaluated mid prices from pricing services.

The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. ET.

Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Fund’s NAV, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger-capitalization companies. The Fund may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which the Fund invests as described below. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.

The Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund’s pricing time of 4:00 p.m. ET. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. If the Manager determines that the last quoted prices of non-U.S. securities will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all its portfolio securities, the

 

 

22


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Manager can 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. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service, using methods approved by the Board, that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) and futures contracts. The Valuation Committee, established by the Board, may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the 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.

Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust the Fund’s fair valuation procedures.

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share of the mutual fund on the day of valuation.

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 Board.

Other investments 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 Manager’s Valuation Committee, pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the fair 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 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.

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

 

 

23


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 (“ABS”) 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, ETFs, and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts or options 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 generally categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Over-the-counter (“OTC”) financial derivative instruments, such as forward foreign currency contracts 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 fair 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.

4.  Securities and Other Investments

Asset-Backed Securities

ABS are securities issued by trusts and special purpose entities that are backed by pools of assets, such as automobile and credit-card receivables and home equity loans, which pass through the payments on the underlying obligations to the security holders (less servicing fees paid to the originator or fees for any credit enhancement). Typically, loans or accounts receivable paper are transferred from the originator to a specially created trust, which repackages the trust’s interests as securities with a minimum denomination and a specific term. The securities are then privately placed or publicly offered. Examples include certificates for automobile receivables and so-called plastic bonds, backed by credit card receivables. The Fund is permitted to invest in asset-backed securities, subject to the Fund’s rating and quality requirements.

The value of an asset-backed security is affected by, among other things, changes in the market’s perception of the asset backing the security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans and the financial institution providing any credit enhancement. Payments of principal and interest passed through to holders of asset-backed securities are frequently supported by some form of credit

 

 

24


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guarantee by another entity or by having a priority to certain of the borrower’s other assets. The degree of credit enhancement varies, and generally applies to only a portion of the asset-backed security’s par value. Value is also affected if any credit enhancement has been exhausted.

Collateralized Loan Obligations

The Fund may invest in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities. CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. CLOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses.

For CLOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since they are partially protected from defaults, senior tranches from a CLO trust typically have higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CLO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CLO securities as a class.

Foreign Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in foreign fixed and floating rate income securities (including emerging market securities) all or a portion of which may be non-U.S. dollar denominated and which include: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments with taxing authority or by their agencies or instrumentalities, including Brady Bonds; (b) debt obligations of supranational entities; (c) debt obligations of the U.S. Government issued in non-dollar securities; (d) debt obligations and other fixed income securities of foreign corporate issuers (both dollar and non-dollar denominated); and (e) U.S. corporate issuers (both Eurodollar and non-dollar denominated). There is no minimum rating criteria for the Fund’s investments in such securities. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special considerations that are not typically associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, emerging markets are markets that have risks that are different and higher than those in more developed markets.

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.

Illiquid and 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 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

 

 

25


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

1933 (the “Securities Act”). Illiquid securities have included securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity of longer than seven calendar days. Disposal of both illiquid and restricted securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expenses, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult to achieve. Restricted securities outstanding during the period ended December 31, 2018 are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedule of Investments.

Regulation S under the Securities Act permits the sale abroad of securities that are not registered for sale in the United States and includes a provision for U.S. investors, such as the Fund, to purchase such unregistered securities if certain conditions are met.

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

The Fund may invest in mortgage or other ABS. These securities may include mortgage instruments issued by U.S. government agencies (“agency mortgages”) or those issued by private entities (“non-agency mortgages”). Specific types of instruments may include mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), commercial mortgage-backed securities, mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals, stripped mortgage-backed securities and other securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by a payable from, mortgage loans on real property. The value of the Fund’s MBS may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in interest rates, factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgage, or the quality of the underlying assets. The mortgages underlying the securities may default or decline in quality or value. Through its investments in MBS, a Fund has exposure to subprime loans, Alt-A loans and non-conforming loans as well as to the mortgage and credit markets generally. Underlying collateral related to subprime, Alt-A and non-conforming mortgage loans has become increasingly susceptible to defaults and declines in quality or value, especially in a declining residential real estate market. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities markets as a whole.

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies, ETFs, unit investment trusts, and other investment companies of the Trust. The Fund may invest in investment company securities advised by the Manager or a sub-advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the Fund’s shareholders indirectly will bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses the Fund’s shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. Investments in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.

Payment-In-Kind Securities

The Fund may invest in payment-in-kind securities (“PIKs”). 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 pro-rata adjustment from the “Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments” to “Dividend and interest receivable” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

26


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

5.  Financial Derivative Instruments

The Fund may utilize derivative instruments 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 purpose of creating financial leverage.

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.

The Fund did not hold any options at period end.

Straddle Options

The Fund may enter into differing forms of straddle options. A straddle is an investment strategy that uses combinations of options that allow a Fund to profit based on the future price movements of the underlying security, regardless of the direction of those movements. A written straddle involves simultaneously writing a call option and a put option on the same security with the same strike price and expiration date. The written straddle increases in value when the underlying security price has little volatility before the expiration date. A purchased straddle involves simultaneously purchasing a call option and a put option on the same security with the same strike price and expiration date. The purchased straddle increases in value when the underlying security price has high volatility, regardless of direction, before the expiration date.

 

 

27


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 may also use currency contracts to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. 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.

During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Fund entered into forward foreign currency contracts primarily for return enhancement and hedging.

The Fund’s forward foreign currency contract notional dollar values outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of forward foreign currency contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by the amounts bought and sold in USD at each quarter end.

 

Average Forward Foreign Currency Notional Amounts Outstanding
Period Ended December 31, 2018

 

Fund

  Purchased Contracts      Sold Contracts  

TwentyFour Strategic Income

  $       689,950      $       31,470,014  

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

 

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2018:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Assets:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Unrealized appreciation of forward foreign currency contracts     $             -         $ 94,051         $             -         $             -         $             -         $ 94,051

Liabilities:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Unrealized depreciation of forward foreign currency contracts     $ -         $ (296,449 )         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (296,449 )
                                           
The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations as of December 31, 2018:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Realized gain (loss) from derivatives
recognized as a result of operations

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Forward foreign currency contracts     $ -         $ 1,277,433         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ 1,277,433

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of derivatives recognized
as a  result from operations:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Forward foreign currency contracts     $ -         $ (481,897 )         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (481,897 )

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

Master Agreements

Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (“Master Forward Agreements”) govern the considerations and factors surrounding the settlement of certain forward settling transactions, such as delayed

 

 

28


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

delivery or sale-buyback financing transactions 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.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Funds are parties to enforceable master netting agreements between brokers and counterparties which provide for the right to offset under certain circumstances. The Fund employs multiple money managers and counterparties and has elected not to offset qualifying financial and derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as such all financial and derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis. The impacts of netting arrangements that provide the right to offset are detailed below. The net amount represents the net receivable or payable that would be due from or to the counterparty in the event of default. Exposure from borrowings and other financing agreements such as repurchase agreements can only be netted across transactions governed by the same Master Agreement with the same legal entity. All amounts reported below represent the balance as of the report date, December 31, 2018.

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of December 31, 2018:      
    Assets           Liabilities  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts   $ 94,051       $ 296,449  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities   $ 94,051       $ 296,449  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA   $ 94,051       $ 296,449  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Financial Assets, Derivatives, and Collateral Received/(Pledged) by Counterparty as of December 31, 2018:

 

                            Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement
of Assets  and Liabilities
             

Counterparty

  Gross Amounts of Assets
Presented in the Statement
of Assets and Liabilities
          Derivatives
Available for
Offset
          Non-Cash Collateral
Pledged
          Cash Collateral
Pledged
          Net Amount  
State Street Bank & Trust Co.   $ 94,051       $ (94,051     $ -       $ -       $ -  

 

                            Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement
of Assets  and Liabilities
             

Counterparty

  Gross Amounts of Liabilities
Presented in the  Statement
of Assets and Liabilities
          Derivatives
Available for
Offset
          Non-Cash Collateral
Received
          Cash Collateral
Received
          Net Amount  
State Street Bank & Trust Co.   $ 296,449       $ (94,051     $ -       $ -       $ 202,398  

6.  Principal Risks

Investing in the Fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Asset-Backed and Mortgage Related Securities Risk

Investments in asset-backed and mortgage related securities are subject to market risks for fixed-income securities which include, but are not limited to, interest rate risk, prepayment risk and extension risk. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. If interest rates fall, the rate of prepayments tends to increase as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. When mortgages and other obligations are prepaid and when securities are called, a Fund may have to reinvest in securities with a lower yield or fail to recover additional amounts (i.e., premiums) paid for securities with higher interest rates, resulting in an unexpected capital loss and/or a decrease in the amount of dividends and yield. Because prepayments increase when interest rates fall, the prices of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities do not increase as much as

 

 

29


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

other fixed income securities when interest rates fall. When interest rates rise, borrowers are less likely to prepay their mortgage and other loans. A decreased rate of prepayments lengthens the expected maturity of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Therefore, the prices of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may decrease more than prices of other fixed-income securities when interest rates rise. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates also may increase the risk of default by borrowers. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, a Fund that holds these types of securities, may experience additional volatility and losses. A decline in the credit quality of and defaults by the issuers of asset-backed and mortgage related securities or instability in the markets for such securities may affect the value and liquidity of such securities, which could result in losses to a Fund. In addition, certain asset-backed and mortgage related securities may include securities backed by pools of loans made to “subprime” borrowers or borrowers with blemished credit histories; the risk of defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include such subprime mortgages.

CLO Risk

The risks of an investment in a CLO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the instrument in which the Fund invests. Normally, CLOs are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CLOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities, however an active dealer market may exist for CLOs allowing them to qualify for Rule 144A transactions. In addition to the normal risks associated with fixed income securities discussed in the Fund’s SAI and Prospectus (e.g., interest rate risk and default risk), CLOs carry additional risks including, but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the risk that the Fund may invest in CLOs that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

Counterparty Risk

The Fund is subject to the risk that a party or participant to a transaction, such as a broker or derivative counterparty, will be unwilling or unable to satisfy its obligation to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments or to otherwise honor its obligations to the Fund. As a result the Fund may obtain no recovery of its investment or may only obtain a limited recovery, and any recovery may be delayed. Not all derivative transactions require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose the Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.

Credit Risk

The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivatives contract or a loan, will fail to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by a Fund may have an adverse impact on its price and make it difficult for a Fund to sell it. Ratings represent a rating agency’s opinion regarding the quality of the security and are not a guarantee of quality. Rating agencies might not always change their credit rating on an issuer or security in a timely manner to reflect events that could affect the issuer’s ability to make timely payments on its obligations. Credit risk is typically greater for securities with ratings that are below investment grade. Credit risk is typically greater for securities with ratings that are below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). Since the Fund can invest significantly in lower-quality debt securities considered speculative in nature, this risk will be substantial. A downgrade or default affecting any of the Fund’s securities could affect the Fund’s performance.

Currency Risk

The Fund may have exposure to foreign currencies by making direct investments in non-U.S. currencies or in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies, purchasing or selling forward foreign currency exchange contracts in

 

 

30


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

non- U.S. currencies, non-U.S. currency futures contracts, and swaps for cross-currency investments. Foreign currencies will fluctuate, and may decline, in value relative to the U.S. dollar and other currencies and thereby affect the Fund’s investments in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies.

Derivatives Risk

Derivatives may involve significant risk. The use of derivative instruments may expose the Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities or other instruments underlying those derivatives, including the high degree of leverage often embedded in such instruments, and potential material and prolonged deviations between the theoretical value and realizable value of a derivative. Some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the Fund’s initial investment. Derivatives may be illiquid and may be more volatile than other types of investments. The Fund may buy or sell derivatives not traded on an exchange and which may be subject to heightened liquidity and valuation risk. Derivative investments can increase portfolio turnover and transaction costs. Derivatives also are subject to counterparty risk. As a result, the Fund may obtain no recovery of its investment or may only obtain a limited recovery, and any recovery may be delayed. Not all derivative transactions require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose the Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.

Foreign Investing Risk

Non-U.S. investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity and greater volatility, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) increased price volatility, (6) less government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts Risk

Forward foreign currency contracts, including non-deliverable forwards, are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract with a counterparty to pay a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date or to buy or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. The use of forward foreign currency contracts may expose the Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities or currencies underlying the forward foreign currency contract.

Interest Rate Risk

The Fund is subject to the risk that the market value of fixed-income securities or derivatives it holds, particularly mortgage backed and other asset backed securities, will decline due to rising interest rates. Generally, the value of investments with interest rate risk, such as fixed-income securities, will move in the opposite direction to movements in interest rates. The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate several times since December 2015 and has signaled additional increases in the near future. Interest rates may rise, perhaps significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund. The prices of fixed-income securities or derivatives are also affected by their duration. Fixed-income securities or derivatives with longer duration generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates. An increase in interest rates can impact markets broadly as well.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Fund may not be able to dispose of securities or close out derivatives transactions readily at a favorable time or prices (or at all) or at prices approximating those at which the Fund currently value them. For example, certain investments are subject to restrictions on resale, may trade in the over-the-counter market or in limited volume, or may not have an active trading market. Illiquid securities may

 

 

31


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments and may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. It may be difficult for the Fund to value illiquid securities accurately. The market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. Disposal of illiquid securities may entail registration expenses and other transaction costs that are higher than those for liquid securities. The Fund may seek to borrow money to meet its obligations (including among other things redemption obligations) if it is unable to dispose of illiquid investments, resulting in borrowing expenses and possible leveraging of the Fund. In some cases, the Fund may choose to meet its redemption obligations wholly or in part by distributions of assets in-kind, which may include less liquid assets.

Market Risk

Since the financial crisis that started in 2008, the U.S. and many foreign economies continue to experience its after-effects. Conditions in the U.S. and many foreign economies have resulted, and may continue to result, in certain instruments experiencing unusual liquidity issues, increased price volatility and, in some cases, credit downgrades and increased likelihood of default. These events have reduced the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, and have made it more difficult for some borrowers to obtain financing on attractive terms, if at all. In some cases, traditional market participants have been less willing to make a market in some types of debt instruments, which has affected the liquidity of those instruments. During times of market turmoil, investors tend to look to the safety of securities issued or backed by the U.S. Treasury, causing the prices of these securities to rise and the yields to decline. Reduced liquidity in fixed income and credit markets may negatively affect many issuers worldwide. In addition, global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

In response to the financial crisis, the U.S. and other governments and the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. In some countries where economic conditions are recovering, they are nevertheless perceived as still fragile. Withdrawal of government support, failure of efforts in response to the crisis, or investor perception that such efforts are not succeeding, could adversely impact the value and liquidity of certain securities. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations, including changes in tax laws. The impact of new financial regulation legislation on the markets and the practical implications for market participants may not be fully known for some time. Regulatory changes are causing some financial services companies to exit long-standing lines of business, resulting in dislocations for other market participants. In addition, political and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad, such as the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The U.S. government has recently reduced federal corporate income tax rates, and future legislative, regulatory and policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less stringent prudential regulation of certain players in the financial markets, and significant new investments in infrastructure and national defense. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the markets’ expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out.

Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact of a significant rate increase on various markets. For example, because investors may buy securities or other investments with borrowed money, a significant increase in interest rates may cause a decline in the markets for those investments. Because of the sharp decline in the worldwide price of oil, there is a concern that oil producing nations may withdraw significant assets now held in U.S. Treasuries, which could force a substantial increase in interest rates. Regulators have expressed concern that rate increases may cause investors to

 

 

32


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. In addition, there is a risk that the prices of goods and services in the U.S. and many foreign economies may decline over time, known as deflation (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and creditworthiness and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and may be difficult to reverse. The precise details and the resulting impact of the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union (the “EU”), commonly referred to as “Brexit,” are not yet known. The effect on the United Kingdom’s economy will likely depend on the nature of trade relations with the EU and other major economies following its exit, which are matters to be negotiated. The outcomes may cause increased volatility and have a significant adverse impact on world financial markets, other international trade agreements, and the United Kingdom and European economies, as well as the broader global economy for some time, which could significantly adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Market Timing Risk

Because the Fund invests in foreign securities, it is particularly subject to the risk of market timing activities. Frequent trading by Fund shareholders poses risks to other shareholders in the Fund, including (i) the dilution of the Fund’s NAV, (ii) an increase in the Fund’s expenses, and (iii) interference with the portfolio manager’s ability to execute efficient investment strategies. Because of specific securities in which the Fund may invest, it could be subject to the risk of market timing activities by shareholders.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including ETFs and money market funds that are advised by the Manager. To the extent that the Fund invest in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses charged by those investment companies in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies. For example, ETF shares may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of its benchmark index. For example, ETF shares may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of its benchmark index.

Restricted Securities Risk

Securities not registered in the U.S. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including Rule 144A securities, are restricted as to their resale. Such securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. They may be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous time or price because such securities may not be readily marketable in broad public markets. The Fund may not be able to sell a restricted security when the sub-advisor considers it desirable to do so and/or may have to sell the security at a lower price than the Fund believes is its fair market value. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities and the Fund may receive only limited information regarding the issuer of a restricted security. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering restricted securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration.

Sovereign and Quasi Sovereign Debt Risk

The Fund normally will have significant investments in sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt securities. These investments are subject to risk of payment delays or defaults due to (1) country cash flow problems, (2) insufficient foreign currency reserves, (3) political considerations, (4) large debt positions relative to the country’s economy, (5) policies toward foreign lenders or investors, (6) the failure to implement economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies, or (7) an inability or unwillingness to repay debts. It may be particularly difficult to enforce the rights of debt holders in frontier and emerging markets.

 

 

33


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

A governmental entity that defaults on an obligation may request additional time in which to pay or further loans or may seek to restructure its obligations to reduce interest rates or outstanding principal. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected. Sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt risk is increased for emerging and frontier markets issuers, which are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain emerging market countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on external debt. Certain emerging market countries have experienced difficulty in servicing their sovereign debt on a timely basis, which has led to defaults and the restructuring of certain indebtedness.

U.S. Government Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Risk

A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed by the applicable entity only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. The market prices for such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Securities held by the Fund that are issued by government-sponsored enterprises, such as the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHLB, FFCB, and the Tennessee Valley Authority are not guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support if these organizations do not have the funds to meet future payment obligations. U.S. Government securities and securities of government sponsored entities are also subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and market risk.

Valuation Risk

The Fund may value certain assets at a price different from the price at which they can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as certain derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become illiquid.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk

The interest rates payable on variable and floating-rate securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The interest rate on a floating rate security is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or Treasury bill rate. Variable and floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.

As short-term interest rates decline, interest payable on floating-rate securities typically decreases. Alternatively, during periods of rising interest rates, interest payable on floating-rate securities typically increases. Changes in the interest rates of floating-rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum rate change for a given period of time. The value of floating-rate securities may decline if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline.

7.  Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions 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 unrecorded tax liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended December 31, 2018 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 expenses” on the Statement of Operations.

 

 

34


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

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.

As of December 31, 2018 the tax cost for the Fund and their respective gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Fund

  Tax Cost           Unrealized
Appreciation
          Unrealized
(Depreciation)
          Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
TwentyFour Strategic Income   $ 93,894,529     $         206,230     $         (4,401,533   $         (4,195,303

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (“RIC MOD”), net capital losses recognized by the Fund in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 are carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as short-term and/or long-term losses.

As of June 30, 2018, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

8.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Purchases (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Purchases of U.S.
Government
Securities
          Sales (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Sales of U.S.
Government
Securities
 

TwentyFour Strategic Income

  $ 67,610,851       $ 39,901,755       $ 28,103,066       $ 24,562,976  

A summary of the Fund’s transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
          June 30,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           December 31,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Dividend
Income
 

TwentyFour Strategic Income

    Direct       $ 392,064       $ 27,381,852       $ 26,501,858       $ 1,272,058       $ 26,021  

9.  Borrowing Arrangements

Effective November 15, 2018, the Fund (the “Effective Date”), along with certain other funds managed by the Manager (“Participating Funds”), entered into a committed revolving line of credit (the “Committed Line”) agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line is $250 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Each of the Participating Funds will pay a closing fee of $100,000 on the Effective Date and a quarterly commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line amount. The Committed Line expires November 14, 2019, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement.

 

 

35


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

On the Effective Date, the Fund, along with certain other Participating Funds managed by the Manager, also entered into an uncommitted discretionary demand revolving line of credit (the “Uncommitted Line”) agreement with the Bank to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line is $50 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on each outstanding loan. Each of the Participating Funds will pay a closing fee of $35,000 on the Effective Date. The Uncommitted Line expires November 14, 2019 unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement.

The Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations, along with commitment fees, that have been allocated among the Participating Funds based on average daily net assets.

During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize this facility.

10.  Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Fund:

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     105,522       $ 1,058,686         649,311       $ 6,639,277  
Reinvestment of dividends     98,617         962,535         4,769         48,595  
Issued in reorganization     4,054,363         40,388,350         -         -  
Shares redeemed     (651,336       (6,338,987       (22,755       (232,211
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     3,607,166       $ 36,070,584         631,325       $ 6,455,661  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     1,073,349       $ 10,609,018         2,531,698       $ 25,874,346  
Reinvestment of dividends     107,266         1,054,113         26,631         272,222  
Issued in reorganization     925,963         9,207,495         -         -  
Shares redeemed     (543,991       (5,394,540       (408,046       (4,171,937
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     1,562,587       $ 15,476,086         2,150,283       $ 21,974,631  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     14,843       $ 147,755         122,804       $ 1,255,181  
Reinvestment of dividends     5,412         52,970         2,994         30,565  
Issued in reorganization     310,870         3,077,148         -         -  
Shares redeemed     (305,263       (2,995,007       (22,576       (227,720
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     25,862       $ 282,866         103,222       $ 1,058,026  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    October 29, 2018A to
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     153,830       $ 1,511,420         -       $ -  
Reinvestment of dividends     5,674         54,764         -         -  
Issued in reorganization     165,011         1,633,201         -         -  
Shares redeemed     (4,280       (41,402       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     320,235       $ 3,157,983         -       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

36


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

    C Class  
    October 29, 2018A to
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     100       $ 1,000         -       $ -  
Reinvestment of dividends     2,387         23,036         -         -  
Issued in reorganization     152,546         1,509,474         -         -  
Shares redeemed     (5,917       (57,991       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     149,116       $ 1,475,519         -       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Ultra Class  
    Six Months Ended
December 31, 2018
          Year Ended
June 30, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     -       $ -         145,914       $ 1,500,000  
Reinvestment of dividends     33,371         329,934         51,654         529,543  
Issued in reorganization     -         -         -         -  
Shares redeemed     -         -         (775,775       (8,000,000
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     33,371       $ 329,934         (578,207     $ (5,970,457
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Commencement of operations.

11.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.

 

 

37


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
         

Year Ended
June 30,

2018

         

April 3,

2017A

to

June 30,

2017

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.07       $ 10.17       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.20         0.44         0.20  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.23       (0.09       0.06  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.03       0.35         0.26  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.35       (0.45       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.01       -         -  

Tax return of capitalB

    -         -         (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.36       (0.45       (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.68       $ 10.07       $ 10.17  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (0.32 )%D        3.49       2.58 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 41,110,634       $ 6,460,768       $ 102,562  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.11 %E        1.74       9.14 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.72 %E        0.72       0.72 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    3.90 %E        3.22       (3.68 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    4.29 %E        4.24       4.74 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    101 %D        135       27 %D 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Return of capital is calculated based on shares outstanding at the time of distribution.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

38


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
         

Year Ended
June 30,

2018

         

April 3,
2017A

to

June 30,
2017

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.06       $ 10.16       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.21         0.46         0.11  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.25       (0.11       0.14  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.04       0.35         0.25  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.35       (0.45       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.01       -         -  

Tax return of capitalB

    -         -         (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.36       (0.45       (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.66       $ 10.06       $ 10.16  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (0.43 )%D        3.49       2.48 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 36,483,805       $ 22,277,957       $ 657,411  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.23 %E        1.78       7.64 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.82 %E        0.82       0.82 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    3.73 %E        3.25       (2.94 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    4.14 %E        4.21       3.88 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    101 %D        135       27 %D 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Return of capital is calculated based on shares outstanding at the time of distribution.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

39


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
         

Year Ended
June 30,

2018

         

April 3,

2017A

to

June 30,
2017

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.02       $ 10.16       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.19         0.43         0.14  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.25       (0.12       0.11  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.06       0.31         0.25  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.34       (0.45       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.01       -         -  

Tax return of capitalB

    -         -         (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.35       (0.45       (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.61       $ 10.02       $ 10.16  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (0.56 )%D        3.09       2.48 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $    1,467,239       $ 1,271,611       $ 240,201  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.58 %E        2.16       10.00 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.09 %E        1.09       1.09 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    3.32 %E        2.89       (4.86 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    3.81 %E        3.96       4.06 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    101 %D        135       27 %D 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Return of capital is calculated based on shares outstanding at the time of distribution.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

40


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    October 29,
2018A
December 31,
2018
 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.95  
 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income

    0.08  

Net (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.21
 

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.13
 

 

 

 

Less distributions:

 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.20

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.01
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.21
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.61  
 

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (1.27 )%C 
 

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 3,077,956  

Ratios to average net assets:

 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.32 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.12 %D 

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    3.90 %D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    4.10 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    101 %C 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

41


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    October 29,
2018A
December 31,
2018
 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.95  
 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income

    0.07  

Net (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.21
 

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.14
 

 

 

 

Less distributions:

 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.18

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.01
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.19
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.62  
 

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (1.32 )%C 
 

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,433,762  

Ratios to average net assets:

 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.13 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.87 %D 

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    2.95 %D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    3.21 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    101 %C 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

42


American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Ultra  
    Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2018
         

Year Ended
June 30,

2018

         

April 3,
2017A

to

June 30,
2017

 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.08       $ 10.17       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.22         0.47         0.21  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.26       (0.11       0.05  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.04       0.36         0.26  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.35       (0.45       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.01       -         -  

Tax return of capitalB

    -         -         (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.36       (0.45       (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.68       $ 10.08       $ 10.17  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (0.43 )%D        3.59       2.58 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 9,081,645       $ 9,114,222       $ 15,077,638  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.17 %E        1.73       4.61 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.67 %E        0.67       0.69 %E 

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    3.76 %E        3.41       0.84 %E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    4.26 %E        4.48       4.77 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    101 %D        135       27 %D 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Return of capital is calculated based on shares outstanding at the time of distribution.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

43


  

 

 

 

 

 

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44


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

By Telephone:

Call (800) 658-5811

 

LOGO

By Mail:

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

   
     
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules   Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records
 
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. 20549-2736. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800)-SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com approximately sixty days after the end of each calendar quarter.   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, 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 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 Company

Boston, Massachusetts

   

TRANSFER AGENT

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Boston, Massachusetts

   

DISTRIBUTOR

Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

Irving, Texas

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 and American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

SAR 12/18


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not Applicable.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not Applicable.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not Applicable.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not Applicable.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

The schedules of investments for each series of the Trust are included in the shareholder reports 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) Not Applicable.

(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 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) 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
  American Beacon Funds
  Date: March 11, 2019

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
  American Beacon Funds
  Date: March 11, 2019

 

 

By /s/ Melinda G. Heika

  Melinda G. Heika
  Treasurer
  American Beacon Funds
  Date: March 11, 2019